How to Choose the Right Online Education Program
Choosing the right online college and degree can be extremely difficult. With thousands of institutions and programs currently operating online it is easy to get bogged down by the seemingly endless amount of research you must conduct in order to make an informed decision.
The following series of articles are designed to help you come to a sound conclusion. They will provide information on the college search, choosing the right degree, and more.
How Do I Begin My Online College Search?
Deciding which online school to attend can be overwhelming. With hundreds of schools to choose from, students often wonder where to start. To begin with, it is important to know what type of degree you hope to obtain. The same degrees offered through traditional institutions are also offered through online college degree programs. Students in online programs can earn:
• Certificates• Associate Degrees
• Bachelor Degrees
• Masters Degrees
• Doctorates
This, however, does not necessarily mean that all disciplines are offered. There are still many subjects, such as medical training, and student-teacher training, that require a traditional institutional environment because of the nature of the work.
Due to the fact that many career paths require hands-on training, some online college degree programs can get around this hurtle by offering blended programs. These are online college degree programs that ask students to do a combination of work both online and in person.
If you are wondering whether an online degree program is the right option for pursuing your degree of interest, check out the program offerings on Guide to Online Schools .
What steps should I follow when choosing a degree?
Like any journey, there are many different paths that will take students to their intended destination. The following steps are some general guidelines that should help aspiring students get a good start on their journey towards an online college degree.
• Step 1: Figure out what online college degree you want to earn.Any type of higher level learning program requires a substantial commitment of money and time. To ensure that you maximize the value of your investments, it is essential to plan ahead and select an area of study that is most pertinent to your interests and lifestyle.
• Step 2: Find ACCREDITED schools offering your programs of interest.
There are so many online college degree programs, offering so many different courses, that the first thing you can do to save yourself time is to look only at the schools that offer the programs you are interested in. To aid in the task of finding the most relevant schools for your future education, Guide To Online Schools has sorted each institution according to the programs that it offers. Once you do find an online degree program of interest, it is very important to find out if the institution is accredited. Accreditation guarantees that an online college degree program is offering a quality education that will be honored and respected by employers.
• Step 3: Contact schools for information on eligibility.
Having your heart set on a school does not necessarily guarantee you a spot on their roster. Many online college degree programs have requirements that must be met before they will accept a student. You can contact schools of interest by searching schools on Guide To Online Schools , clicking on a school's icon, and sending a contact inquiry. Schools will send you a packet with all the information you need to sign up for particular programs.
• Step 4: Compare the tuition costs for each program of interest.
There are many online college degree programs offering degrees which look and sound very similar in length and nature. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that they cost the same. Before making a decision about a school, shop around. It could save thousands of dollars in tuition bills.
What are the requirements for online college degree programs?
Online college degree programs, like traditional schools, often have specific requirements for entry into a degree program. Many of the requirements for online schools are related to a potential students' educational background. Though many of the requirements for online college degree programs are similar to traditional schools, there are also some provisions that are unique to online education.
• Student applicants must have the correct educational background for the degree that they are interested in pursuing. For example if you are interested in an upper level degree, like an online master's program you must have already completed your bachelors. However, if you want to pursue a lower level degree, such as a certificate or associates degree, a high school diploma or GED is sufficient.
• School specific requirements also apply. Each school has its own set of criteria for entry into an online degree program thus, if you are interested in a certain degree, it is important to request more program information from that particular institution.
• An up-to-date computer is important for the online learning experience because much of your school work will require a computer.
• Internet access is the primary method of connecting to online course material and other online students. Therefore, it is a necessity for an online college degree program.
Back to the TopWhat Should I Look for in an Online Program?
Hundreds of colleges and universities have started offering online and distance learning courses. Although this great expansion of opportunity has made education available to some who could never have attended a traditional university, some programs do not reach their full potential, whether through lack of work or difficulties translating their traditional coursework in to the digital setting.
• Proper Use of TechnologyOne of the keys to finding a good online program is to look at the way the school treats the technology it is using. Some programs are overwhelmed with the novelty of the technology, and pour their efforts into using the latest tech, gadgets, and applications rather than focusing on the fundamental academic base of their courses.
A good online education program will start with the coursework and find ways to transmit that knowledge using the technology rather than looking for some knowledge to slap on to new technology. The best schools will have a strong, established curriculum to build on.
• Clear, Focused Course Work
The explosion of online education has increased competition between educational institutions and, as a result, honed the quality of many programs, but there are still some that are not as rigorous as possible. These issues are typically institutional, so going over a sample syllabus or curriculum for a course or two can help to make a good decision between two programs.
• A Strong, Dedicated Administration Team
A good distance learning program will have a strong administrative team, as well as a strong faculty. The administration and business end of a school has a huge impact on how well their instructors perform. A well administered institution will treat its employees, including its instructors, with respect and professionalism.
• Accreditation, Accreditation, Accreditation
One of the most important factors in determining the quality of an educational institution is whether or not the institution is accredited. Accreditation is a process by which educational institutions prove that they are committed to high quality processes in administration, admissions, and academics. Accreditation is an involved process, and most accrediting bodies hold information on the status of schools under their supervision. Make sure to ask any distance learning program whether or not they are accredited. Lack of accreditation can prevent you from being eligible for federal financial aid programs, and future jobs.
• Transferrable Credits
Depending on the type of accreditation your school has, you may or may not be able to transfer credits to another institution. Make sure this is not the case before enrolling in your chosen program.
• Interaction Between Students and Teachers
In a well-run distance learning program, courses will be broken into sections with online discussion or chat so that students and instructors can interact and work together to get the most out of the material. This interaction with both professors and students is absolutely vital. Not only will it ensure that you can function in group settings, but it allows for various points-of-view on reading and other course materials. While you may think you have the best and only opinion, you'd be surprised by how much you can learn from your fellow classmates.
• The Right Financial Aid
An education is expensive. Before choosing a program, make sure that it fits into your financial budget. Check out student loan options. Talk to the financial aid office. Do not enroll in a program that leaves you struggling to pay.
• Your Desired Major
While this may seem obvious, many students find that they end up enrolled in a school that doesn't offer the programs they need. Before signing-up, make sure that the school covers all your areas of interest. You may find a year into the program that you prefer another path. Therefore, think about what other potential areas you may be interested in before enrolling.
• The Reputation You Desire
Like any other college, you need to make sure that the online school you attend has the reputation amongst employers and peers that you want. Do your research about online schools before you decide on a school. Here is a list of school rankings to better make a decision.
• A Good Alumni Network
After you graduate, contacts for networking purposes are a necessity. Check out your school's alumni network. If it is active then the school will probably provide you with excellent contacts.
Article Resources:
Onveon Education Center
Education Week
SMANSA Science
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How Do I Choose the Right College Degree?
Finding the school and major that best fits your individual personality and skills is an extremely difficult undertaking. Many students find that higher education changes their outlook on both life and work, causing them to graduate with a significantly improved set of skills we well as an altered overall mindset. It is important that students realize that education is more than just obtaining a degree, but also what that degree entails: skills, new experiences, career opportunities, and fresh thinking.
First off, students should consider what type of education they want. Schools vary from having online courses, with little to no physical interaction, to hands-on career schools with direct instruction from teachers and the company of other students. Depending on your abilities, different types of education better suit the way you learn. Find a style of instruction which appeals to you.
Next, think about the type of career you would like to pursue. If you are interested in becoming a culinary arts chef or an automobile mechanic, do some research into those careers, learning about opportunities, advantages, disadvantages, etc. Often, students pick a career, only to realize that working in the field was not exactly what they had envisioned. The more you know about the career, both the positive and negative aspects, the better the chance you will make the most of your education.
After you have picked the type of career and type of school that fits your individual needs, the final step becomes finding the specific school and degree program. The best way to accomplish this task is to use Guide to Online Education, and search for higher level learning institution by location (online or campus) and/or degree program. Both ways will pull up a list of schools that fit your criteria. By clicking on each school, you can learn more about the institution, its history, financial aid offerings, program details, and more. If you feel that the school has a promising program, you can request more information from the school directly. This way, you will be sent all the school's information on your desired program, including application forms, financial aid details, and more background information. Requesting information from schools through our site is free and secure. Your personal information is kept strictly confidential by us and used only by the schools you select.
Back to the TopShould I Choose a School with a Religious Affiliation?
A huge deciding factor for many new and returning students is the issue of comfort and community. Whether jumping from the supervised and secure environment of high school or getting back into the academic routine after a long absence, higher education can be a difficult transition under the best of circumstances. It is with this concern in mind that some students choose schools with a religious affiliation that most closely aligns with their own personal views.
Religious schools are often predominantly Christian denomination and maintain a value-oriented foundation, consistent throughout all curriculum and student atmosphere. While structures and specific denominations vary, religiously affiliated schools share an emphasis on healthy moral living and spiritual education as a complement to traditional studies and career learning.
Students increasingly gravitate toward these institutions in search of a learning environment that is accepting of their religious perspectives. Working adults and non-traditional students feel more welcomed and less threatened by returning to school in a religious environment because there is a sense of familiarity. With peers who share the same fundamental value system, acceptance is often easier to come by compared to other schools with greater theological diversity.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to treat each student as an individual and valuable being, rather than a body or a number; a distinction, some argue, from larger secular institutions. Students and staff are permitted and even encouraged to explore personal spirituality.
In a welcoming religious environment, many students feel that they can more easily cultivate religious growth, as well as academic advancement. Often students claim that deep and lasting friendships with like-minded students are much easier to develop within a large spiritually-homogeneous community.
Cost-conscious students may recognize the benefits of a religious education. Religiously-affiliated schools are privately funded and often have extensive scholarships and subsidization through donation, allowing tuition to remain relatively controlled.
Back to the TopShould I Choose a Career College or a Trade School?
Vocational education affords students, particularly working adults returning to school, the opportunity to receive specialized education in a relatively short amount of time. Traditional education is designed to highlight the most relevant curriculum and to incorporate a high degree of professional training and hands-on experience. This structure is endorsed for the purpose of familiarizing students with an actual workplace scenario.
The type of training received varies according to trade, career choice and institution. Two types of vocational training institutions exist in the forms of career colleges and trade schools. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are fundamental differences which must be acknowledged.
The primary distinction between career colleges and trade schools is that career colleges are primarily concerned with for-profit education. While the source of funding is different for both institutions, each school's reputation and credibility are determined by the quality of education that they provide. Various accrediting institutions exist to ensure that vocational schools meet minimum standard requirements and are capable of delivering adequate training and support to the student body.
Further distinctions can be made by examining the course content that each school emphasizes. Trade schools focus heavily on the actual skills being developed in a particular industry or trade (i.e. auto mechanic training equates to how to perform repairs). Career colleges, however, offer a synthesis of trade skill training, background science, and theory. Additionally, career colleges emphasize career development skills like resume writing, interview training, and interpersonal communication.
For-profit institutions, like career colleges, are often subject to scams and unfair practices, which can deter students from pursuing career training. Students are encouraged to research institutions and verify accreditation prior to enrollment.
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