Online degrees are fast growing in popularity because of the many advantages they offer. However, not all online colleges are created equal and many people end up with diplomas with little or no value as a result. But there are some tips that you can follow to make sure that you have a valuable diploma in your hands that will be accepted by most reputable organizations. In this article, we’re going to show you what you should be looking for in an online college.
How Long has the College been Established for
A large portion of online programs are established by colleges that are decades old and in some cases more than a century old. In these cases, the reputation of your diploma is backed by the institution and it usually has the same level of recognition as their brick and mortar diplomas. However, if you’re dealing with a newly established college, you have to check their partnerships and reputation in the educational community, and among employers and alumni. This will be the best way to gauge whether they are respected or not.
Is the University Accredited
Accreditation is perhaps the most important aspect of enrolling in any online program. Accreditation more or less works as an insurance policy that ensures the legitimacy of your education. Most reputable institutions will not honor a diploma from an unaccredited institution, especially when it comes to sectors such as healthcare for instance. Online MHA degrees are a dime a dozen, but even if you’re enrolled in the best online MHA program around, the chances of it being honored by a reputable healthcare facility are slim to none.
Does it Offer Transfer Credits
One of the first things you should be looking for when choosing an online program is if it offers a direct graduation route. This is the best way to keep your level of student debt to a minimum and increase your odds of obtaining your diploma on time. Online institutions that allow you to transfer your credits will usually be more likely to offer a direct path to graduation.
Will the Program help you Actually Secure a Position?
One of the major mistakes people make when enrolling for any program is piling up a ton of useless credits that will get them nowhere when trying to secure a position in their particular field. Before you enroll in any college, make sure you get a degree plan first. You should also check placement rates and employment rates of students in your field. Check the value of your degree among prospective employers as well to make sure that the diploma will open doors for you once you get out
Conclusion
Finding a great online program is a pretty straightforward process when you know how to go about it. Before you decide to go for a particular college, make sure that they are accredited first and foremost. Also, make sure that it has a solid reputation in the educational community, with employers and alumni. Make sure that the college you choose to go through offers a direct path to graduation and also make sure that the program you choose will actually be able to realistically land you a position once you graduate.
