Here is a simple checklist, which you can use to select an online university that offers legitimate online degree programs.

Checklist 1: Is the online learning system easy to navigate and user-friendly?

Ask for the university whether you can try its online learning system, either with a guest account or in demo mode to see how good the system is in term of navigation from one page to another and how user-friendly the system is when you want to download the learning materials or upload the completed assignments.

Checklist 2: Is the online university accredited by legitimate accrediting agency?

Accreditation information is important indicator on the legitimate of an online university. Look for the organization that performs the accrediting process of your selected online university. The rule of thumb, always select an online university that is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associates (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, Western).

Checklist 3: What others have said about it?

Check from online forums that discuss online education. You may find some discussion about the online university you are interested in pursuing the degree. What others have said about the university can be used as your reference in deciding whether to sign up its degree program. If you know the students or alumni from the university, try to contact them to see whether they are satisfied with university.

Checklist 4: Are their online instructors certified for online teaching?

Some online universities may just recruit classroom-based teachers to be their online instructors. These instructors are not certified for online teaching may have a problem to teach in online setting. Therefore, try to ask the online university to send you the extra information about their instructors’ qualification besides the course details. Make sure they are certified to facilitate online classroom.

Checklist 5: Does the online university offers financial aids to its student?

Most universities do offer some sort of financial aids to their students either in term of student loans, grants or scholarships. Unless you don’t need it, else try to access the financial aids information from their website, or call the admission officer of these universities to find out the details and to ensure you are qualified to apply them.

Checklist 6: What are the admission requirements?

You will waste your times and efforts in applying a degree program from an online university you are not qualified for. Before you start an application process, you should read through the admission requirements to ensure you are qualified to apply the degree program offered by the university.

Wherever you are in life right now, have you ever thought to yourself, “Isn’t there something better out there?” Instead of searching the wants ads every day for a better job — while you’re at work — consider making yourself more marketable by earning yourself a degree from an accredited online university.

I know what you’re thinking. “When would I ever have time to earn a degree?” To that I say, “Wake up and smell the possibilities!”

We live in a modern world with modern technologies, namely the Internet and World Wide Web. It’s the latter that has allowed educational institutions to move online.

“But aren’t those mail-order degree places a scam?”

Let’s go over this again. Yes, many mail-order degree places are a scam. You pay for a degree that nobody takes seriously, and it’s as good as not having a degree at all. But what if you have a degree from a legitimate, accredited university? Now, before we get back to you saying, “But I already said I don’t have time to attend school!” let me just tell you that there are accredited online universities out there!

Yes, you can earn a legitimate degree — a degree that employers will take seriously — from a fully accredited online university. In fact, today about 20 percent of college students take at least one online college course.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to “attend” college and get a degree, there’s no better time than the present. By taking classes online from any of hundreds of accredited colleges offering courses online, you can get a degree in several different fields, allowing you to change careers or get a boost in moving up the corporate ladder.

If you have one of those degrees that is almost useless (you know the one… the degree that you almost got, but didn’t quite finish) then finish up your required courses online and finally get that monkey off your back! Or, if you already have a degree but are ready to build up your resume even more, you can even take graduate degree courses online.

Plenty of universities are moving several of their courses online, and some universities will even offer every course needed for a particular degree online. But beware. Check to be sure that the institution that you take online courses from is an accredited online university. The last thing you want is to do all the work to get your degree only to find out that nobody takes it seriously.

Online universities are convenient alternatives to traditional land-based learning intuitions. When you educate yourself through your Internet connection, you have the freedom to set your own pace and work according to your own time and money restraints. Here are five things that you need to consider when choosing an online university.

1. Reputation

When hunting for an online degree program, you need to make sure that the school you’re considering is accredited and respectable. Research the program’s popularity. Stick with sites and institutions that have proven success rates and a solid reputations. Look at the distance learning options offered by traditional colleges. Read reviews, opinions and ask about the credentials. Find out about the faculty, who they are and what they teach. Consider the overall user experience of the program. Read testimonials from students who have already gone through the program. With a little bit of investigation, you’ll be able to find a highly regarded and practical online university.

2. Functionality

When you’re shopping around for an online university, you need to consider the curriculum and how you can apply it in the working world. Enhance your existing job skills by getting more training. Find a new career by getting a certificate, associates, bachelors or masters degree. Research the practical application of your degree before you start taking classes. You’re going to need to know how your degree will function, in order to get the most out of the online university that you select.

3. Interests

If you don’t want to develop your career goals, you don’t have to. Online universities are a great way to expand your general interests. Enhance your hobbies with some university training. Learn about fashion design or study a foreign language. Find an online university that offers programs that interest you. Follow your personal tastes and pastimes, and you can find an online program that you can really enjoy and benefit from.

4. Costs

When you’re deciding between different online universities, consider the costs. Online degree programs are much cheaper than traditional college experiences. The costs for each online program will vary, however, so it’s important that you crunch the financial figures before committing to a particular online institution of higher learning.

5. Technical requirements

When looking for online schools, make sure that you meet all the necessary technical requirements involved with distance education. You need to have high-speed Internet access, and understand how to stream different audio and media content. As technology continues to advance, the ease of online learning will continue to increase. Even if you hate computers, you’ll be able to figure out how to educate yourself through the Internet. Just make certain that you understand all the technical requirements before you sign up for a particular program.

If you make sure that the online university you select is reputable, practical, interesting affordable and technically feasible, then you can be confident that you’re new pathway to education will be painless and rewarding.

]]> http://distancedegreeonline.com/tips-selecting-online-university/feed/ 0 http://distancedegreeonline.com/8-points-choosing-online-university-degree-program/ http://distancedegreeonline.com/8-points-choosing-online-university-degree-program/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:23:25 +0000 hungsika http://distancedegreeonline.com/?p=231

Since the introduction of online degree programs, more and more colleges and universities offer online degree programs with subject areas range from business to nursing, degrees from Bachelor to MBAs and Ph.Ds. Online degree programs enable busy people to pursue their degree from any places and at their own schedule.

But, with the rapid growth and high demand in online degree programs, many fake online degree programs have been introduced by unaccredited online universities. Mistakenly earning a fake online degree definitely will not help in your educational journey. Thus, if you are considering online universities for your degree or career training, there are a few important points to consider in choosing your online degree offers by online university. This article will lists down 8 of them for your reference:

How long has the universities been established? While a short educational history is not a red flag, a long-standing position in the educational committee is a sign of institutional security and reputability.

Is the online university accredited? Accreditation ensures a basic level of quality in the education you receive from an institution. It also ensures your degrees will be recognized for the true achievements they are. Most potential employers review a job applicant’s educational history to make sure that he or she has received his or her education from a college, university, or program with accreditation. If your degree, diploma, or certificate comes from a school without accreditation, it could hurt your chances for future employment.

What is the institution’s financial history/current position? Beware of fly-by-night operations that may not be in business next year!

What other expenses are associated with your selected online degree course? Many online degree programs may require you to attend some hours of physical classes or lab works. Thus, the online universities may assess additional items such as technology fees or lab costs.

Does the coursework of your selected online degree program meet your educational goal? Taking irrelevant courses may waste your time and money. Ask for a list of coursework of your selected degree program and review it against your educational goal before you decide to sign up.

How current is the course material? Ask for a list of current textbooks or other learning materials to ensure they are current and relevant.

What technological support is available to you as their online student? Online Universities normally has a webpage for online student which allow you to logon to view your coursework status, assignment submission, getting support from online university on any course related issues and access online library if any. Check with online university on these related information.

What student services are available to online students? Full advising, placement, and tutoring services may or may not be available to long-distance learners. Get this information from the online universities; it is important to know how much the online university can support you as their online student.

In conclusion, get as much as information on your selected online university’s program and review it to see whether it is truthful in its advertising and recruiting and the most important is whether it meet your education need and career goal.

]]> http://distancedegreeonline.com/8-points-choosing-online-university-degree-program/feed/ 0 http://distancedegreeonline.com/online-colleges-opening-world-education/ http://distancedegreeonline.com/online-colleges-opening-world-education/#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:03:00 +0000 hungsika http://distancedegreeonline.com/?p=51 We have, as a society, finally realized the vast importance of a good education. Long gone are the days when you could secure a career with just a handshake and a smile, and we’ve finally turned the tables on the old adage of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” That no longer applies, as an education is an essential part of your resume. You can certainly have all of the passion in the world, but if you don’t have the skills to back it up, then you’ve just lost that dream position.

Unfortunately, the traditional method of attending class every day doesn’t work for a vast majority of those who desire an education. Between family obligations, geographical difficulties or work conflicts, the nine-to-five option of classes may have you assuming that college just isn’t in your future. Thankfully, reputable schools like Westwood have recognized the challenges that today’s students face and offer superlative training in the comfort of your own home. It doesn’t matter if you live 500 or 5000 miles from the nearest Westwood campus because if you have an Internet connection, then you’re there!

The programs, though done remotely outside a classroom setting, , are interactive, engaging and challenging. With the college online option you can attain your bachelor’s degree in three years, your associate degree in two years and a master’s in one year. This affords students who are unable to attend traditional campus classes to obtain the professional training required for the career of their choice.  Course materials may include textbooks and multimedia as well as online discussions, video lectures, and open forum chat rooms with fellow students. The Westwood site, www.westwood.edu, even offers an online class demo to give prospective students an opportunity to see how the online schools work and what they can expect should they choose the online option.

Online programs currently available are:

School of Technology
Game Software Development
Information Technology
Information Technology: Major Network Management
Information Technology: Major Systems Security

School of Design
Animation
Game Art
Graphic Design & Multimedia
Interior Design Degree
Visual Communications
Web Design & Multimedia

School of Business
Business Administration: Major in Accounting & Financial Management
Business Administration: Major in Online Fashion Merchandising
Business Administration: Major in Healthcare Management

Business Administration: Major in Management
Business Administration: Major in Marketing Management
Master of Business Administration

School of Justice
Criminal Justice
Paralegal

School of Professional Studies
Business Administration: Major in Accounting & Financial Management
Business Administration: Major in Management
Business Administration: Major in Healthcare Management
Business Administration: Major in Marketing Management
Business Administration: Major in Fashion Merchandising
Master of Business Administration

With the convenience of education available at Westwood’s college online and the varied programs offered, Westwood graduates can quickly and conveniently gain the skills necessary in today’s competitive job market. The Westwood advantage doesn’t end with graduation either. Students and graduates have access to Westwood’s career services team supporting them in launching the career of their dreams. A variety of tools help with resume creation, interviewing training, career management and networking. Westwood’s Alumni Retraining Program offers graduates the option to take courses that were within their program, tuition-free (additional costs such as lab fees, books and supplies are the responsibility of the student).

Qualified professional staff and faculty will guide students throughout each step of the process, right from the initial inquiry, student financing options, enrollment, and online resource requirements, right up to the first login to check out the first class. Westwood is committed to offering students all of the support and encouragement they need to successfully complete any of their online programs because they are committed to education.

Westwood College online programs are flexible and designed with you, the student, in mind.

One consideration you should make when choosing an online program is whether or not the program will be recognized after you graduate. The vast majority are recognized by the industries they are built for. The advantages of gettting an online education should be clear, but just in case, this article goes into all the juicy details.

1. Eliminate The Ride To School

You will be able to work more productively when you sign up for an online education. All of the time that you would usually spend going to and from school is instead used for studying, or better yet, spending some time with your friends and family. So spend less time doing nothing and more time doing the things you like!

2. Studies Work Around Your Schedule

Many professors can only teach during certain times of day. An online program removes this boundary – students can contact the professor anytime. You will get much more one on one instruction in the distance learning course because you can always contact your instructor by email or video conference.

3. Skip Material You Already Know

- Accommodates multiple learning styles and mediums
- Students can connect via email, chat rooms, or wiki pages
- Studies have shown that students actually perform better in online programs
- Skip over material you already know and focus on topics youd like to learn

4. Get A Four Year Degree In Two Years

Online learning will allow you to earn your degree faster than traditional courses. Most traditional courses are only taught weekly, but when you work according to your own schedule, you could do a class every day if you really wanted to, shaving years off of your degree and allowing you to use your degree to get a job much faster. You will be able to earn your own financial independence much faster than a student attending regular classes.

5. Online Learning Is Cheaper

The cost of online learning is constantly going down and there are even some free courses available. You may be mailed some materials, but the bulk of materials will be available off of the course website. You also won’t have to pay for all of the associated costs of going to university – childcare fees, residence on campus, parking, and especially transit fees.

Consider online degree options at Olivet Nazarene University for your studies.

Getting a degree can be a great way to take the next step in a career, change careers or simply increase your salary or employability. To make attending college easier, especially for working adults, there is now a plethora of online universities that may offer you an online degree in many different fields. Programs where you take all classes online can be pricey, and many people wonder whether they are indeed worth it.

The degree to which your online education will be taken seriously depends upon the type of material you study, and also the reputation of the university giving the degree. Many mainstream colleges have jumped into the field of distance learning, and these may be better choices if you want to obtain an online degree. Colleges with proven accreditation and long histories may make no distinction between the degree you earn on the Internet and one you might earn on the campus, so they may be best choices if you want to pursue distance education.

If the college you’re looking at doesn’t have a physical campus, you definitely want to at least look for accreditation with various licensing and regulation boards. In the US you can check accreditation through the CHEA (Council for Higher Education) Database list created from the various recognized US Accrediting Organizations. Do plenty of searching to make sure that the college program you plan to attend will earn you a degree that will be recognized by employers and other universities, and that the college you’d like to attend has a stable history that will not leave you unable to finish your online degree program should the school close.

There also appears to be some prejudice against online degrees in fields where there is a significant amount of practical work involved. For instance, if a college offers you a nursing program but no way to fulfill hours working as a nurse prior to obtaining licensure, an online degree may not be worthwhile. Similarly a medical or law degree from online may not get you employment. If the type of degree you’re looking for has a lot of practicum hours or supervised experience requirements, you ought to know how the distance college arranges this, and whether board-certifying agencies will accept your online degree.

You should avoid getting an online degree from any college or school that lacks accreditation, and you ought to weigh whether attending class online is really your best way of learning. If you like the college life, interaction with students and being able to speak at length with professors, pursuing a degree at a college nearby is likely a better and less expensive choice than getting an online degree.

Following are some of the benefits of education online:

1. Flexibility of Education Online

As the most flexible type of learning, you are able to study according to your own schedule. You have the freedom to study notwithstanding working at the same time. You can do this by just having access to the internet and the specific site that provides education online. Courses are categorized depending on the needs of the student base. This allows many people to get a great education and and the same time stay out of debt (because they can work at the same time).

2. Obtain and Enhance Technical Skills

Jobs are becoming harder and harder to find. Technology and the refinement of industrialization has made many jobs obsolete, yet at the same time opened up many new jobs for those ready for the challenge. By learning online you will by default pick up some great marketable computer and internet skills you might otherwise not develop in traditional schools.

3. Learn At Your Own Pace

You can chat with students from your own classroom as well as get help from real professors via email, voice chat or even a full video conference. Aside from learning, it will also be an avenue for you to have an access to well-known universities in the different parts of the world. The accessibility can’t be beat also, if you have an active internet connection you have the ability to study.

4. No Waiting Lists with Online Education

Unlike traditional education institutions, there are usually zero waiting lists with online education, you simply pick the courses or program you want to take and take it. Of course you my have to wait until the next semester starts but there is not waiting for years like some local colleges or technical schools.

Of course 4 above-mentioned are not all benefits of education online. You can find out your own advantages of online education when you attending a distance learning course.

For convenience and quality education purposes, working students are now opting to online education. Learn more about online education at ohio dominican university