Is the education offered at an online school as valuable as a traditional, campus-based education? Yes, provided the online school is accredited. Accredited online schools and accredited distance learning programs (accreditation being the key to quality education) provide the same standard education and tools that allow for gaining desired employment and career advancement as any traditional classroom education.
Online schools are designed for studying and earning college and university degrees through distance learning venues for the convenience of students, who may have little time or opportunity to attend classes in traditional settings. The goal of an online course is to give busy students an opportunity to gain quality education and quality degrees without sacrificing more than necessary. Students can continue to work and continue to care for families while earning online degrees. Preparing for your dream job can begin today, as online schools often allow students to begin at any time and progress at their own pace.
Online colleges can admit students worldwide and offer quality education and highly valued degrees. Students must, however, be careful to seek out schools that are accredited by the state in which they operate, by one of six regional agencies, i.e., Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSC), Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities, (NASC), Higher Learning Commission of North Central Region (NCA), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and by national agencies, such as Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Accreditation by recognized accrediting agencies involves independent review of programs offered by individual institutions to establish that the programs offered are of uniform and sound quality. Students should ask about accreditation of the online school they are considering. If a school is unable or reluctant to answer questions about accreditation, the student should move on to another school that is eager to discuss their accreditation by one of the recognized regional or national agencies. Whether a school is accredited or not, the student will pay for the education received. But, why spend money on a worthless degree? It is best to make sure that the education and the degree offered are worthy of the time and payment required, and that the school not one of those “degree mills” making empty promises to the unsuspecting student.
Fully accredited online schools can offer working adults the best opportunity to prepare for life-long occupations and building desirable careers, and there are a lot of them to choose from. Just be careful to check that your choice of schools is accredited before plunking down any money or making any commitments.
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Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc., in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our Distance Learning Directory and find Distance Learning Online Schools and other Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Trade Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; your educational resource to locate schools.