Experts offer advice on how to choose online college and degree program
Experts offer advice on how to choose online college and degree program
As a growing number of adult learners head back to school in the difficult economy, many are considering enrolling in online programs due to their convenience and low-cost. As a result, education experts have put together some tips that can help students select the online university that best suits their individual needs.
Educators from non-profit Western Governors University (WGU) have said many schools around the nation offer online courses or entire degrees, but there have been a few that act as "diploma mills," and it is important for interested candidates to be able to distinguish between them and the majority of reputable institutions.
"An online university can be the ideal solution for career-minded adults who want to get a bachelors or masters degree," says WGU vice president Patrick Partridge.
However, he cautions that prospective candidates should do thorough research before making their choice, and that "by investing the time before you start, you help ensure that you can be successful and that the degree you earn will help you advance in your profession."
WGU says students should ask themselves several questions before enrolling, including whether the school offers the kind of degree program the individual needs to advance in their education and career. For example, those considering a teaching degree should make sure the program will prepare them to be licensed.
Next, it is important to ascertain that the online curriculum is challenging and rigorous enough to be worth the student's time and expense. Factors to consider in this respect include coursework, quality of learning resources and degree requirements.
Credentials are also crucially important, and online universities should have regional accreditation. A good school may also have national accreditation from the Distance Education and Training
Council (DETC), while individual degree programs in subjects like nursing should be accredited by bodies such as the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The experts also recommend asking the enrollment staff at the university to share feedback from employers who have hired their grads to have a better picture of how willing employers are to hire alumni of this particular online school. Also, considerations such as cost, financial aid opportunities and support services available to students are very important.
Finally, prospective students should understand how the school's online programs work, in particular whether they are taught via webinars or independent study, and whether they require visits to campus.
"Be sure to consider your lifestyle, motivation, independent learning ability and time available as you consider which academic model is best for you," WGU suggests.
Meanwhile, Janice Lieberman, writing for Reader's Digest, has put together suggestions that specifically apply to choosing an online graduate program.
In addition to following the usual steps, such as those outlined by the WGU experts, Lieberman suggests individuals interested in enrolling in graduate online degrees should check the level of interaction with faculty and students at their prospective online school, and whether any sort of group work opportunity is available for completing class assignments. Networking opportunities with fellow students and alumni are also crucial for those seeking graduate degrees online.
Moreover, given that many grad students are parents, and therefore have to juggle multiple responsibilities and may need to take time off, they should find out about re-entry and transfer policies, so that if they need to take a break from studies they are not losing the credits or courses they have already completed.
Lieberman says statistics suggest masters degree holders earn about 24 percent more than bachelors degree holders while those with doctoral degrees can net as much as 70 percent more.
