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Are Online Degree Programs Worthwhile?
Many prospective students have concerns about getting an online degree. They wonder if it will hurt their career aspirations or ability to build on their education goals. In other words, they want to know if an online degree is for real.
Fear not, online programs are real, and they are offered by many big-name, fully accredited and well-known schools like DeVry University, University of Phoenix, Kaplan University, Penn State and Grantham—to name a few.
The key to remember is that the schools must be fully accredited. If they are, then the degree will be as valuable as any traditional college or university degree. The truth is that the diploma you earn from an online school will be just like any other, and will not say online.
- Is an online degree program right for you? Search programs for educators now.
- Discussion: Distance Learning Hear experiences from TheApple members.
- Article: Education and Training Pays Read how.
The more important questions you need to ask are:
• Does the course delivery (CD-ROM, e-mail, Internet, etc.) fit your needs and abilities?
• Does the school have the degree program that fits your education goals?
• Does the school offer scholarships or discounts you may take advantage of?
If you think online may be the best fit for you, begin looking for the school that meets your needs. Schools usually have free information packets they will mail you with answers to the questions above, more on tuition costs and an application.
© 2008, TheApple
Katie2955
2 months ago
50 comments
I am currently enrolled in an online program and going to a regular school. It's working out great. I am currently getting a degree online in Pro. Secretary and Secretarial Sciences, and it's great they just send you the exams and you take them on your own time. Meanwhile I still go to school getting my Bachelor's degree. My plan was to get a degree in Secretarial Sciences and finish that, get a good paying job, and help pay for college! and it's working great.. I definatly recomened online courses to anyone.
tolistefl65
8 months ago
146 comments
I must say I envy the openness of your educational community. An on-line course is something definitely worthwhile, given that - as johnslat has well analysed - you have checked the accreditation of the college/university offering it. In Greece, these courses mostly fall in the further education or life-long learning sector and they are "recognised" as equivalent to the in-class courses only by some private enterprises, unfortubately.
johnslat
8 months ago
1442 comments
Online degrees can be a godsend, But accreditation is the key. There are a lot of scams out there:
"However, do be careful when you choose an online college to study with. Beware of fake college degree scams. What many students fail to do is to research the online collegess accreditation process. This is a vital process and is done to make sure that the online college you chose to study from is genuine and creditable.
Since the benefits of an accredited college degree are plentiful, potential students need to ensure that the online college they study with offers fully accredited degrees. An accredited college degree is an endorsement and recognition that you have received a certain level of standard and quality in your education.
However, in the online degree industry, scams abound. There are many so called "degree-mills" on the internet which promise that you will receive degrees in half the time that is normally taken to study for a degree and some even to go as far as to claim that you can earn a college degree even without studying or taking examinations.
These scams and fake "colleges" only want your money and when you are done with them, you will be left with a degree that has not been through a proper accreditation process or worse, you will receive a fake college degree which is completely worthless. So you must beware of them.
A properly accredited online college degree program ensures that a student is receiving a high quality education that is the standard among colleges and universities both online and offline. By being accredited, it holds the online colleges and universities accountable for their performances and this auger well for employer's confidence in the degree's credibility.
By having a fully accredited online college degree by the proper governing boards ensures that your hard work is rewarded. Employers and other learning institutions will accept your degree as being credible.
Students who wish to apply for college financing can only do so if their college is properly accredited by the proper educational boards. No banks will give any college student loans to students who are intending to study with a college without accreditation.
Furthermore, in order to transfer your credits to another educational institution that is accredited, you have to receive a degree from an accredited college or university online.
While the internet is a good medium where students from all over the world with internet access can obtain get a college degree education, you should by all means avoid being a victim of such ruthless scams. Proper accreditation ensures that your online degree will be respected by your employers and other colleges and universities should you wish to go for your post graduate degree.
It is therefore imperative that you research your chosen college's accreditation process thoroughly before committing to any online college degree program. This will make sure that the accredited online college degree you will obtain is properly accredited through the proper state or regional boards. By doing your research well, you will avoid being a victim of fake college degree online scams may cost you lot of money, time, hard work and heartache."
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/articles/index.pl?noframes;read=2587
You can check a school's accreditation at this site:
http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.asp
and don't worry, edgyk8inmomma, Ashford is OK:
Ashford University OPE ID: 00188100
General Information
400 N Bluff Blvd
Clinton, IA 52733 - 2967
Phone: 563-242-4023
For more information about this institution, visit www.ashford.edu
Note: '*' in front of the accredited date denotes an estimated date.
ACCREDITATION
Institutional Accreditation
Agency Name Periods of Accreditation Action
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission 1/1/1950 - Accredited
edgyk8inmomma
8 months ago
4 comments
I sure hope this is accuate, since I'm working on my degree through the Distance Learning Program at Ashford University. So far the classes have met, or exceeded my expectations. The guidance I've received has been very helpful, and the facultity treat the students as if we were face to face. Best wishes to anyone considering this way to continue your education.
bauernfeind
11 months ago
2 comments
I think you need to add to the list of things to look for is how does their mentor program work? Without a good mentor program more then to languish as ABD than earn the degree they sought. It is best if the mentor is one who lives near enough to offer counseling through scheduled meetings.