Online Colleges Vs. Traditional Schools
Although distance education has been around for 250 years in a variety of formats (including mail, telephone, TV, audio, and video), the internet has made this non-traditional format very popular.
Online Education is so popular that the International Data Corporation estimates that the number of degree-oriented students taking online courses will grow at a compounded rate of 33% for the next several years!
If you’re thinking about pursuing your graduate degree through online education, here’s a checklist of features you should look for in an online graduate program:
Accredited Programs
The most important accreditation in the U.S. comes from one of six regional accrediting associations (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, Western). These associations grant membership to all regionally accredited educational institutions (including Harvard, Princeton and Yale), and acknowledge one another’s accreditation.
Proven Success
Online programs that haven’t been around that long may carry glitches in their technology and format. This can prove to be very frustrating to students who are looking for convenience and efficiency. Seek a program that is easy to setup, won’t crash, and doesn’t require much, if any technical support. Make certain that technical support is available 7 days a week in case you need them.
Courses Delivered at Your Speed
Some online graduate programs incorporate sophisticated technology like video streaming, whiteboard capabilities and video conferencing. While this may seem like a good idea in theory, if you have a slow Internet connection this can be a huge problem. Make sure your internet connection is fast enough to handle these formats, or consider asynchronous courses that allow you to access content on your own timeline.
100% Online Course Delivery
Some so-called online degree programs aren’t fully delivered online. Instead, they include instruction via less effective mediums, such as mail, telephone or videotape, or they require some on-campus attendance. Be sure your university offers 100% online graduate programs.
Online Faculty
Your instructor can make or break your experience, online or off. Make sure instructors have received training on the facilitation of a productive online classroom.
Attractive Financing
Earning your graduate degree can require a substantial investment of money. Fortunately, many low-interest financing options are made available to students. Many of these financing options are only available if the college is an eligible institution that participates in the funding process. Also, be sure to ask your employer which online colleges qualify for tuition reimbursement.
Quality Customer Service
Seek an online college that is very customer-oriented. To avoid confusion, wasted effort, and a longer time to graduation, look for a college that will assign you a personal advisor to help you from enrollment through graduation.
Graduation Schedule
Many colleges work harder at getting you into their school than out of it. As a rule, you should be able to earn your online degree in 2 or 3 years, attending classes on a part-time basis. Before you begin any online graduate program, request an outline of the curriculum and timeline for graduation.
Satisfied Graduates
When choosing an online college, request information about the success and happiness of students and alumni. Look for quotes and results of post-graduation surveys from students and alumni. If you don’t know a graduate of the college, ask the college to provide some names of graduates you can contact.
Small Classes, Large Enrollments
As a rule of thumb, you should look for small classes. With fewer students, each student receives more of the instructor’s attention. Conversely, you should look for large enrollments. A larger number of students suggests that the program is proven. Find out how many students have successfully completed the program.
Online education can offer unsurpassed convenience, flexibility, and time-savings in the pursuit of your college degree. Keep this checklist in mind as you investigate the various online colleges.