Online colleges
have opened up new opportunities for higher education. Because you don't have to travel to a campus, you can take classes no matter where you are located. Online schools have lower overhead, which is often pased on the students in the former of cheaper tuition. Unfortunately some online colleges are not accredited which means that their credits cannot be transferred to other schools and many not be accepted by employers. Knowing check an online college's accreditation can save you from making a costly mistake.
Instructions
1. Search the college's website to see if it makes any reference to accreditation. Make a note of the specific agency that has given the accreditation. If you cannot find any information online, call the school directly to ask if they are accredited and, if so, with whom.
2. Check the credibility of the accreditation agency with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Its database is linked in the resource section. Questionable online colleges will sign up with a dubious accreditation agency or create its own agency. Those credentials are worthless for transferring credits or proving that your degree is legitimate.
3. Verify the information provided by the college to ensure that it is currently accredited with the named agency. This can be done by calling the agency, searching its database online if one is available, or searched the online database provided by the U. S. Department of Education, which is linked in the resources section.
4. Check with your employer, licensing agency or school where you'd like to transfer the credits if you plan to use your online degree for a specific purpose. For example, if you're pursuing a counseling degree, check with your state's board to see if the school is acceptable for licensing requirements. If you're working towards a promotion, make sure your employer's human resources department will accept the classes for any educational requirements.
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