Online Education FAQs - How Can I Tell If My Course Is Accredited?

Online courses are a great alternative for busy adults. You can attend courses at your convenience with little disruption to your work and family obligations. However, one major consideration when choosing and online school is accreditation. How can you tell if the school is accredited?

First and foremost, never just assume that an online course is accredited. Many degree courses out there consider themselves diploma schools. These will likely not have the proper accreditation or will have accreditations from fake agencies. You will often hear them referred to as diploma mills.

There are six regional accrediting agencies you should look for: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), North Central Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA), Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU).

If your potential program is accredited by one of these agencies, you can rest assured that your degree is as valid as if it were issued by Harvard. Employers and other universities will accept your degree for employment and future education.

Online schools may be accredited by the Distance Education Training Council (DETC) as well. Degrees from these schools are considered valid by many employers. However, many regionally accredited schools will not recognize the degree.

It is important to look at the United States Department of Education database to ensure your college is truly accredited. This will ensure that the money you spend on your education is actually for your education, and not just a piece of paper.

The editor is a contributor for Baby Swimming Pool & Floating Lounge Chair, and reviews and compares many online stores.