Are you ready to earn your college degree online? There a countless online colleges and universities these days; many of them are nothing more than facades for a company churning out "degrees for hire."
So, as you take this all important step of setting your future on course, it is best that you complete your online degree program with a college or university that is accredited.
History
Online degree programs have evolved as the needs and demands of society have evolved. The traditional college student was typically between the ages of 18 to 22, had completed high school or prep school, and was committed to attending a public or private post-secondary institution full-time through residency on or near their campus of choice.
As careers have become more of a pursuit for women as well as men, the educational model of service provision for colleges and universities has been adapted to accommodate the family demands, career pressures and time constraints of the non-traditional students.
Significance
The importance of earning your degree from an accredited online college or university cannot be underestimated.
If you are going to invest your hard-earned time, money and effort into getting your degree, you want the assurance that the degree you earn will have value in the real world.
"Diploma Mills" are as ubiquitous as the air you breathe. If someone is offering you a degree, online or otherwise, that does not require you to commit something of yourself to the study and practice of your major, you need to investigate it very thoroughly before you make any payments or deposits, and before you sign any contracts.
Accreditation for online degree programs is more important today than it ever has been.
Function
By definition, accreditation is the process whereby a school or, program within a school, undergoes a rigorous audit to ensure that it meets a certain set of criteria and standards. This audit has to take place over a specified period of time, by a third-party accrediting agency, so that a college's trends, practices, and educational competence can be accurately assessed. It is not possible for an online college or university to open today and be accredited tomorrow. An online college or university also cannot grant accreditation to itself. Beware if anyone tells you otherwise.
Accreditation, then, becomes the standard of measurement as to a school's commitment to it's students and the degree programs it offers because of the significant amounts of time and money that must be invested to receive accreditation. An online college or university cannot buy accreditation. It has to be earned.
Benefits
There are countless advantages to completing your college education online. Here are five (5) of them:
1. No commuting.
2. Save time.
3. Convenience, work at your own pace and based on your own schedule.
4. Study from home so that you can be near your family and still accomplish your personal goals.
5. Save money.
You may discover that there are other tangible and intangible benefits to you, your family, and your current or future employer.
Considerations
As you endeavor to complete your college education online, it will be imperative for you to find an accredited college or university. Do your research. Write and call the schools offering your desired program, ask for proof in writing of their accreditation. Do not be afraid to do this. This is for your future, so it is incumbent upon you to do it. Contact the accrediting agency to ask for their credentials as well. It is better that you spend your time now in this process of discovery than for you to waste countless hours of your time earning a worthless degree.
Why do you want to finish your college education? What are your reasons for wanting to do so online? Do not forget your motivation for doing this. The same standards that you would uphold in going to a college campus should also be upheld as you consider what virtual campus you will "attend". At the end of the day, you want this experience to elevate you, not degrade you. Assure your own success and respect for your online college degree by only studying with online colleges and universities that have secured accreditation.
Warning
If you don't choose an accredited college, you risk losing hiring as well as promotional opportunities that may arise in our career. In a competitive position or job market, employers will choose a candidate with a degree from an accredited institution hands-down over a candidate from a college or university lacking accreditation. Make sure your degree is worth something to you by attending an accredited college.
Accreditation entities have to be recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Here is a list of the accreditation entities in the United States:
1. Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools
2. New England Association of Schools and Colleges
3. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
4. Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
5. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
6. Western Association of Schools and Colleges
7. The Distance Education and Training Council
8. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
There have been numerous attempts by hackers and others to steal the identity of accredited schools and pass their schools off as accredited. Beware of this. Do not contact the schools to confirm accreditation. Contact the accrediting body.
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