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How to Select the Right Online Degree Program
THE CHALLENGE YOU FACE AND THE QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK
The Challenge You Face
Incredible growth in online degrees is aimed at matching the ever-growing demand for distance learning. Over 90 percent of traditional adult education institutions provide or are planning to provide some kind of online or distance learning programs. In 1993, Peterson's Guide to U.S. Colleges listed only 93 accredited cyberschools. Incredibly, this number had grown to nearly 1,200 by 2001.
Today there is a large selection of online degree, distance learning and education institutions for students to choose from. Online degree and career education schools can be anything from fly-by-night diploma mills to fully accredited universities that were born on the Web (such as Jones International University or Kennedy Western University) to programs that are sponsored by traditional universities. In an arena such as online technical training, where no official standards exist, almost anyone can confer some form of a degree.
It is also important to know that in most states and countries outside the United States the use of the term university is not governed by any regulation. And unfortunately, in some states there is nothing that can be done to remedy the situation.
Asking the Right Questions
The following are over 30 important questions you should ask to insure that you are enrolling in a quality online education program:
Reputation
The reputation of an online school should play a big part of your decision as to the online courses or degree that you pursue.
- Has the institute been established very long?
- Is it an accredited education institution? The right accreditation insures that you may transfer credits and that you are receiving a quality
- Does the school adhere to strict ethical standards in regards to its relationship with its students?
- Is it financially stable? Can the school continue to meet its obligations to its students?
- Was the school accurate and truthful in its advertising and promotional campaigns?
Quality of Program
Is the particular program you are interested in a quality program?
- When relevant, you should find out whether or not the program you are interested in is accredited by a specialized agency or institutition.
- How does the program determine the success of it students? Do the program have track record of success with its students?
Academic Quality
- Does the curriculum cover everything you need to learn?
- Is the curriculum relevant and up to date?
- How does the school keep its course content up to date?
- What type of student work is assigned? (e.g. realworld case studies, group projects, etc.)
- Review the records of previous students and alumni. What percentage of students enrolled in the program complete the degree? What percentage of the students who completed the program are working in that career field?
- Do successful students attribute their success in any part to the program?
FACULTY AND TECHNOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS
Faculty
Are the faculty qualified to teach? Look at their degrees, experience and professionals credentials.
- What is their particular expertise in the courses that they will be teaching?
- How are faculty held accountable for the success of their students and the overall courses they teach?
Experience with Adult Learning
It is a fact that working adult students have very different needs than full-time, on-campus student that participating in a traditional program.
- How does the institution you are considering promote experiential learning?
- Does the career education institution support and actively promote self-directed learning? Do students take responsibility for their own learning and success?
Evaluate the Technology
- How up-to-date, accessible and dependable is the technology?
- How much online/phone technical support is provided to students? When is it available and how convenient is it going to be for your schedule?
Faculty and Student Interaction
This is a very important indicator of the quality of an online distance-learning program.
- Is the program you are interested in designed to build a sense of community between you and the faculty and other students?
- How many students are there for each faculty member?
- Do courses employ a variety of methods of communication (class Website, e-mail, chat room, course bulletin board)?
- Will you be required to log on to an online course at specific times or will be able to log on at your convenience?
- Will you have the opportunity to participate in online discussions?
Advising and Other Services
Having proper advising is a very important service for you, especially if you plan to transfer credits to another education institution or earn credits through special examinations or through life experience.
- Is a full array of educational services made available in addition to the actual training itself that you will be receiving?
- What specific/unique services are offered to you as a distance learner?
- Are you provided with mentoring or tutoring services?
Cost
- Does the cost of tuition remain exactly the same for all courses offered by the school you are considering?
- Does the online school require you to pay a technology fee?
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