It is a Great Idea to Consider Online Schools

As a frequent writer for higher education I hear every day from college students who are worried about getting quality education and career training online. Some students wonder how the distance education process works and how they will be able to study without traveling to a campus. Others are concerned about the validity of online degree programs and whether online degrees are respected in the real world. And there is always the question about how to find the best online schools, colleges and universities.

Well, you can stop worrying because there are some clearly defined criteria you can use to find top online schools in the U.S. and Canada. Simply follow a few good guidelines and you can easily find prestigious online degree programs that meet or exceed national standards for campus-based schools. Read on to find out how to you can get a legitimate online degree right from your own home.

First, let's tackle the question about finding legitimate online colleges. The most important step in this process is to absolutely reject out-of-hand any school that is not fully accredited. Proper accreditation is a rigorous process of inspection and evaluation of curriculums, faculty, facilities and learning tools that only the finest educational institutions can achieve. Only fully accredited colleges and universities are formally recognized by regional or national accrediting agencies for maintaining exceptional educational standards. "Proper accreditation" means the school has received official approval from an accrediting organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both. If your choice of online colleges carries such a credential, you have already won half the battle.

Next you should decide on a budget for your distance learning experience. Fortunately, the tuition for online courses is generally much lower than campus-based schools simply because there is less overhead cost for the school. In fact, your tuition could be less than half of what you would expect! Most of the top online colleges and universities are eager to help students in securing online tuition assistance ranging from hefty scholarships and grants to low-interest student loans. Be sure to see if you qualify for tuition assistance; you have everything to gain and nothing to lose!

Another important factor will be your personal timeframe for degree completion. Although there is a great deal of flexibility in online degree programs, students are expected to commit a certain number of hours to home study. A rule of thumb is 12-15 hours of study time weekly, but the required commitment can be much higher with advanced graduate degree programs. And, even though the idea behind distance learning is to study at home on your own schedule, some online courses do require occasional on-site attendance to practice or demonstrate learned skills or to take exams. Some typical examples would include online massage therapy programs, online mechanical and technical training, and health care courses. If you are unable or unwilling to travel for any reason, be sure to find out if you can complete the degree program without travel.

As to how the distance learning process works, keep in mind that some of the finest colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada have been providing online courses for more than two decades. New Internet technologies are overtaking outmoded methods at an amazing pace, and online schools are continually adopting better and more efficient methods for course delivery. Attending college at home can be interactive, challenging and fun, with specialized programs and software to help you practice and learn your chosen discipline at home. Dedicated chat rooms and blogs are available 24 hours a day so you are virtually never alone. And the best part is the freedom to choose when and where you will study.

Once you have determined what you can expect from an online degree program, start to contact some of your top schools, colleges and universities to inquire about specific online courses. Compile a list of questions to ask the admissions counselors, including the rate of graduation and course completion statistics. Even though distance learning means studying at home, many students need some outside motivation and interaction with professors and peer students to keep apace. If an online school cannot prove at least an 80 percent graduation rate, that should raise a big red flag. Ask if you can count on the cooperation of the faculty and counselors to evaluate your progress and to provide a needed push if you are lagging behind.

The last step is to make a personal commitment to follow through and fully complete the online course you have chosen. Once you have done your homework and found a good, accredited online degree program, the only barrier to successful completion lies within yourself. Do some soul searching and be realistic about your dedication to home study. If you are someone who is characteristically a procrastinator and not very motivated, perhaps you are more suited for a traditional college setting. But, if you are determined to make a better life for yourself and your family, online colleges can provide you with a bright and rewarding future. Good luck!

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on our website.

Copyright 2008 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

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To learn more about options for higher education, please visit SchoolsGalore.com where you will find thousands of accredited colleges, universities and online schools to contact for more information to help you succeed in life.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Get a list of great online schools and accredited online degree programs as well as Colleges, Universities, Natural Healing Schools and Vocational Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.