| People who want higher education but who don't live | | | | more expert in your field, be sure the program you |
| near a college or university offering courses they | | | | choose will get you there. One way to find out is to |
| want used to be out of luck. No more. Now it is | | | | learn how the university's alumni are doing. Alumni |
| possible to study almost any subject online. It may | | | | success or lack of it reflects the quality of a |
| require more self-discipline to pursue a degree this | | | | university and its programs. Ask for examples of |
| way. However, students at online universities can | | | | how alumni are using the knowledge they gained in |
| attend classes at their convenience, making it possible | | | | their professional and personal lives.If the university |
| to earn a living at the same time as earning a | | | | accepts everyone who applies and can afford the |
| degree.What to look forThere are now many online | | | | cost, be suspicious. A real university will require each |
| universities. Some online degree programs are | | | | student to meet appropriate admissions |
| offered by traditional universities with campuses, | | | | requirements.Online teaching is differentMake sure |
| while others only exist in cyberspace. Selecting the | | | | any online universities you are considering know how |
| right school and being sure your degree will be | | | | to deliver and support online courses and that you |
| recognized by potential employers is the first step. | | | | have the technology you need to take them. Do the |
| How can you tell whether a program is a real | | | | faculty members know how to guide the classroom |
| educational experience or a diploma mill? Here are | | | | experience to ensure learning objectives are |
| some things to find out before signing up.Look for a | | | | achieved? Are your computer and Internet |
| university with accreditation from a recognized | | | | connection up to the task? Assignments are typically |
| accrediting organization. This is important because it | | | | posted online and discussions take place as threaded |
| means the school meets established standards of | | | | postings. Most online courses require students to log |
| quality. Well-known universities like the University of | | | | in and contribute to discussions a certain number of |
| Florida, Northwestern, Purdue and Notre Dame are | | | | times each week. Many courses let you log in any |
| examples of accredited institutions. The U.S. | | | | time, anywhere as long as you meet the weekly |
| Department of Education recognizes universities | | | | course requirements.What type of student support |
| accredited by one of the six accrediting bodies. | | | | services are available? How responsive are instructors |
| Students who attend accredited universities are | | | | to student inquiries? What opportunities are there to |
| usually eligible for federal student loans and the | | | | interact with fellow students? This interaction enables |
| course credits they earn generally transfer to other | | | | students to gain knowledge and understanding from |
| accredited institutions.Picking a degree programTo | | | | others with a wide variety of geographic, cultural and |
| determine if a degree program fits your professional | | | | professional perspectives. The most effective |
| and personal interests, review the curriculum and | | | | courses, especially for adult learners with years of |
| course descriptions in university web sites and course | | | | work experience, are those in which students gain |
| catalogs. Do they offer courses in subjects of | | | | the insights and perspectives of everyone in the |
| interest to you?To learn more about whether a | | | | class.Can you afford it?Though attending an online |
| program might be good for you, ask about the | | | | university allows you to live where you do currently |
| faculty's industry experience and the scope and | | | | so you won't pay anything extra for living expenses |
| focus of their research. Do they have the | | | | while you study, there will be charges for books, |
| appropriate advanced degrees for what they teach? | | | | tuition and fees. Find out what other expenses there |
| Find out where the professors got their degrees. If | | | | will be, if any, to be sure you can afford your studies. |
| all or most of them graduated from the same online | | | | Ask if financial aid is available, as some schools offer |
| university you are considering, this is a red flag, | | | | it to online learners.Note that tuition and fees at |
| suggesting their academic credentials are weak. A | | | | online universities are often higher than what is |
| real university will have teachers who have graduated | | | | charged at their campus-based counterparts. |
| from many different schools.How students apply | | | | However, these schools offer personalized support |
| what they learn to their fields of expertise and to | | | | and a convenient and flexible format geared for the |
| their communities are also strong indicators of a | | | | adult learner. If a university's tuition and fees are |
| program's value. Ask what employers, organizations | | | | significantly less expensive than other online schools, |
| and professional associations partner with or support | | | | double check on its accreditation to be sure it is |
| the university. Talk to someone at the university and | | | | legitimate.Are you looking for more information |
| explain your educational goals and career plans. | | | | concerning Online universities and colleges ? |
| Whether you wish to advance your career, change | | | | Log on to ! |
| careers, make a contribution to society or become | | | | |