On-line Universities and Degrees - Find the Right
One for You
By: Katie Robbins
The first step to finding the right online university is to
decide what degree you want. Do you want an undergraduate or
graduate degree? Are you interested in a certificate program
for work related study? If you are returning to school for work,
you may want to get feedback from your employer for this
decision. List your long and short term career goals to help you
decide which degree will help you reach your goals best. Once
you have decided on a major, you can start to research different
schools.
Find out the requirements for admission into the program. Each
university has its own set of regulations. All schools will
want to see your transcripts from high school or college. Some
will ask for test scores as well. Make sure you can meet the
minimum requirements for admission before you apply. Gathering
the necessary documentation before beginning the application
process will save time later.
Distance education programs have different on campus
requirements. Some require that you come to campus a few times
each semester, while others allow you to complete the entire
program at home. Programs offered completely online are more
difficult to find, depending on the degree you are seeking.
Make sure you can commit to the schedule required by the
university. A program that requires you to travel to campus one
or more times should be within driving distance of your home.
Find out if the school you will be attending is regionally
accredited. Accreditation only matters when you need financial
aid or plan to transfer the credits you receive to another
university. Some accept credits from schools that are
regionally accredited, but others do not. Check with the college
you plan on attending later to make sure the credits will
transfer. If you are getting your complete degree from the same
school, accreditation may not be important.
Another time accreditation may matter is if you are completing a
degree that will require a state license. Degrees in nursing,
social work and education require licensing. Check with your
state to make sure they will accept your degree for licensing.
Some states won't accept degrees from schools not recognized by
the US Department of Education. Check with your school, state
or Department of education to find out if the college is
recognized.
If you have credits you want to transfer from another school,
make sure the online university you are considering will accept
your credits. Have your official transcripts sent to the school
for an admissions counselor to review. Ask about any
restrictions the school has for transferring credits. Most
colleges won't accept more than fifty percent of the degree
requirements in transfer credits. Some have a limit on the time
you can transfer credits, usually ten years.
Ask if the university offers credit for job or life experience.
If you have extensive experience in the business world, some
schools will give you some college credits for this. You may be
required to show documentation of your experience or be given an
exam. The requirements and number of credits offered varies by
school, so be sure to ask. These credits can shorten the amount
of time you need to spend in school and can help get your degree
faster.
Katie Robbins is the owner of
http://www.degreeclick.com/ , a
web resource where she regularly publishes informative articles
about online education.
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