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As you begin to consider online degree
programs, you may be wondering about the
issue of accreditation: What does it mean?
How does it work? Why is it important?
Online degrees offer a great opportunity for
students to advance their education,
especially if they do not have the time or
money to attend a traditional
brick-and-mortar school. However, despite
the growing popularity of distance learning
programs, so-called “diploma mills” still
exist, and the last thing you want after
finally making the decision to go back to
school is to come out with a bogus degree.
One way to ensure that you have the best
educational experience possible -- and that
you get a legitimate degree -- is to choose
a program that is accredited. An accredited
online degree program has been evaluated by
an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education to determine that it
meets certain levels of quality and
integrity. Students should be aware of two
types of accreditation: Institutional
accreditation means that the school as a
whole meets regional agency standards, while
specialized accreditation applies to
specific programs or departments within a
larger institution that have been evaluated
by an accrediting agency with expertise in
that field.
Although both types of accreditation are
important, they are only one indication that
a program is reputable. In fact,
accreditation is an entirely voluntary
process, so there are many new and
legitimate online degree programs that are
not accredited. Institutions must first
evaluate themselves according to
accreditation standards before an agency
performs its own investigation. A school is
then given either pre-accreditation or
accreditation status or their request is
denied. The process takes time (five to 10
years in some cases) and money to complete,
which is why many schools, especially newer
ones, choose to forgo accreditation.
Accreditation is important for several
reasons. First and foremost, with a number
of phony online degree programs out there,
you want to make sure that you are receiving
a quality education. Choosing to advance
your skills and training is not an easy
decision, and you should get the most out of
your investment. The truth is that while
online degree programs are gaining respect,
some institutions and employers remain
skeptical about the effectiveness of
distance learning. Getting an online degree
or taking online classes from an accredited
institution makes it much more likely that
your education will be taken seriously.
Students who want to transfer online credits
from one institution to another will have an
easier time doing so if they are from an
accredited school. In addition, students who
attend accredited institutions are more
likely to qualify for financial aid.
To find out whether or not a program is
accredited, you can check with the
particular school or institution to which
you are applying, but it may be smarter to
look elsewhere. Believe it or not, there are
many bogus accrediting agencies out there,
too. Students can find a list of approved
institutional and specialized accrediting
agencies, as well as accredited
institutions, on the website for the
Council
for Higher Education (CHEA) or the
U.S. Department of Education.
Online degrees offer a new and exciting
opportunity for people to advance their
education, but as with any new venture, it
is important to do your research.
Accreditation is just one of several factors
that students should keep in mind when
considering whether or not to pursue an
online degree. If you are serious about
going back to school, then take the time to
find the best program out there and make the
most out of your educational experience.
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A Good Idea... Be a Sleuth! Be
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Students should not entirely rule
out an online degree program that is
unaccredited. Find out if the school
has applied for accreditation or
plans to apply for it in the future.
Ask through what agency they are
seeking accreditation, and verify it
with the agency. Students should
also use the databases to make sure
that the accreditation agency is a
valid one. Students can also ask
people in their field if the program
is reputable and well-recognized,
and they can speak with former
students and alumni to gauge their
experiences. Students who need a
license to practice in their field
should be especially careful,
however. Unaccredited online degrees
may not be accepted. You can search
for an institution with
accreditation
here. |
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