Selecting an Online College; Do it Right
March 21, 2009
Deciding to continue your education is a no-brainer. Exploring your options and determining the best path to your next degree requires some time and (simple) research.
Degrees from unaccredited institutions are worth nothing in the world of work. In fact, simply listing a degree from an unaccredited institution on a resume or on an employment application will often result in the resume or application being discarded immediately by a prospective employer. Rule #1 is, never enroll in a degree program that is not fully accredited. Rule #2 is that you should never break rule #1.
Look for a degree program which will best help you easily achieve your career goals; the kind of program most successful professionals in the field have completed. And, try to find a well established degree program developed with the needs of online students in mind.
Most online colleges, but not all, offer pretty good flexibility in terms of when you can work on your assignments and how quickly or slowly you can earn a degree. If you are interested in earning an online degree quickly, or if you need to move forward slowly because of the other demands of your life, find out how long each college will let you take to complete your degree requirements. Be sure to find a university where you are comfortable with your workload and the time to degree. And, you should find a university in which instant messaging, emailing, telephoning, and/or forums give you quick and easy access to faculty members and your fellow students.
Of course, cost is a consideration for most students. Most colleges and universities will inform you of their costs immediately, and costs are easy to compare objectively.
Remember, however, that the “sticker price” of a college may not be your actual cost. Most online colleges and universities offer financial aid, and some offer scholarships. And, if you do a search in Google or Yahoo for “online college scholarships” (without the quotation marks), you’ll find some good, free scholarship search sites.
Generally, you should apply for scholarships and financial aid as soon as possible. Most colleges offering online education employ financial aid counselors who can help guide you through this process. Take advantage of the expertise they can offer you.
The keys in choosing the best online college and best online degree program for you are taking the time to analyze your individual needs and preferences and reviewing your options carefully. It’s very much like school; if you put in the time, you’ll get the result you want.
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