In the 21st century, you can complete your college and university courses and earn a degree in your living room or at Starbucks, because academic institutions understand that students having a full life and other commitments and responsibilities.
online education is a great choice if you have a busy life, but there are many schools to choose from. We’ve assessed the online education landscape and picked out the 10 most important things to look for when choosing an online school.
Once you’ve decided you want to earn your degree online, it’s time to choose a school. A quick internet search will yield a plethora of online school results, but you will need some criteria to help you choose the right school for you. Take a look at our handy guide for some crucial questions to think about before making your decision.
Here’s what to look for when choosing an online school
1. Experience
Online learning is a brand new medium, and you shouldn’t entrust your education to a school that is still experimenting with online programs. Look for a school with a well-known name, years of experience running online programs, and a track record of investing in cutting-edge online education technologies and approaches. Visit the school’s “About Us” section to see how many years of experience it has in online education and how many degrees it has awarded.
2. Accreditation
Whether you attend an on-campus or online school, you’ll want to make sure the institution is accredited. Degrees from accredited schools are generally more widely accepted by employers. This is especially important when selecting an online degree, as it’s quite easy for low-quality colleges to get established. Accredited schools usually include information about their accreditation in their “About Us” section.
3. Flexibility and Convenience
One of the main advantages of online education is flexibility, and you can look for a school that offers asynchronous learning, which means you can check in to class at your own pace rather than at pre-determined times.
This might involve participating in day-to-day rather than real-time conversations, scheduling exam times that fit your schedule, or studying video course materials at your own pace. If you have a busy schedule, be sure to learn about flexibility choices while speaking with an enrollment counselor at a school.
4. Orientation of new students
Online learning differs from face-to-face learning, and it’s essential to select a school that will help students make the transition to online learning. Many prestigious universities have personal enrollment consultants who will help you through the enrollment process. Look for institutions that offer free trial periods or sample mini-courses so you can check out online learning at a school before committing.
5. Diversity of programs
One of the main advantages of online colleges is that they offer a wide range of programs. If your interests or ambitions change, the diversity of programs allows you to take a range of elective courses and simply switch specializations. Another alternative is to look for colleges that offer programs ranging from the associate degree level to the doctoral level. By selecting a school with a diverse curriculum, you can stay with it for your entire college career rather than spending time selecting and transitioning to a new school.
6. Program and course availability
The best institutions, in addition to offering a diverse selection of programs, provide enough program availability for suitable students to enroll in programs and courses. You don’t want a lack of course access to cause a hiccup in your graduation plans. The fastest way to find out if a program is available is to submit a request for information and then instantly connect with an enrollment counselor.
7. Career Services
Many online degree programs are career-oriented, and you should research schools that can help you find work after graduation. Consider colleges that offer orientation services to current and graduate students. Large alumni networks at schools can provide additional professional networking opportunities both online and in your area.
8. Student Support
You need to have easy access to support services when learning from home. Look for colleges that have technical support teams to help you with computer problems, as well as academic support teams to help you organize your study program and choose courses.
If you work or have a busy schedule, look for schools that offer support (especially technology support) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because they have more resources, schools with a large number alumni and many online programs tend to have more comprehensive support options.
9. Learning environment
A well-designed learning environment can mean the difference between a fun and stressful online course. Even if you’re not a computer expert, the best schools offer online classrooms that are easy to use and manage. Their classroom tools allow you to engage with your peers and instructor effortlessly, giving the online setting a more personal feel.
If you have a smartphone, look for institutions that offer mobile access to the online classroom. Also, make sure the technical requirements (like computer type) match what you have at home. Most top schools offer a learning environment accessible through the most popular platforms.
10. Online Resources
Many colleges and universities offer online courses or degrees, but the majority of their student services are exclusively available on campus. Look for colleges that offer online resources, such as a library and career counseling services.
Online lecture series from industry luminaries, virtual hands-on industry experiences, and online access to professional tools are all resources that can enhance your experience. Since online resources differ from program to program, meeting with an enrollment counselor is the best method to learn more about resources for your degree program.
When choosing an online school, it is important to consider a variety of factors. Some important considerations include program curriculum, instructors, student support, and cost. It is also important to consider the reputation of the school and whether or not it offers required courses in a specific area. Additionally, it is helpful to compare tuition fees between schools before making a decision.
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