Online Degree -- Distance Learning

Return To: College Study Skills -- Online Degree

If you are like most students considering distance learning, employment and career advancement is probably your major motivation. Choosing the right online college, trade school and program are essential for your success. The wrong program or institution can leave you with little job prospects and a mountain of dept. Follow the eight steps below to choose the right school and program for you.

Step 1. Request information from as many online schools as you can. This information is free and should contain: the school's accreditation, the cost of attending, what the programs consists of and the method of learning.

Step 2. Make a short list of the online schools you like . List the name, accreditations and cost ect.

Step 3. Do the jobs exist. There were plenty of schools available to become a travel agent, even as those jobs were being replaced by internet sites. Take a close look at the classified section of the newspaper to see if a demand exists for your future carrier choice.
 
Step 4. Is education needed for the job this program trains you for?  For example, a school is offering CNA (certified nursing assistant) training with an upgrade option of PCT (patient care tech) training. The training costs about $4,500 and with the upgrade costing an additional $3,000. Meanwhile, many nursing homes and hospitals in the same community would pay you while you went through their on site program. To check this, call up the human resource offices at possible future employers and ask them their opinion of the distance education or online college you are considering. 

Step 5. Check the schools reputation. The U.S dept of ed offers advice on avoiding diploma mills http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/diploma-mills.html.

Here is a partial list of diploma mills List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning

Avoid schools on this list like the plague.

Step 6. Verify the school's accreditation. Go to chea.org and see if the college you are interested in is listed and in good standing. Also make sure that the accreditation agency they are claiming accreditation from is listed. Step 7. Comparing schools. What is the cost vs potential benefit.? Does the local community college offer the same program for significantly less money? Which school offers the most support?

Step 8. Make your decision. If the school's teaching styles fit your learning style, the cost fits your budget and has the proper accreditation, it is time to sign up and get to work.