Online education

The answer lies with accredited online degrees from quality colleges, even though you want to take just one class at a time. Here are three tips you can use to choose a quality online education course:

Take a class from an accredited institution of higher learning. Heed a word from the wise: Take courses only from accredited colleges so your coursework will count toward a college degree program. Even if you have no plans to pursue a degree at this time, you may later change your mind. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to repeat a class because you’ve invested your time and energy into an unaccredited college class. The fastest and easiest way to check a college’s accreditation status is to do your homework by visiting the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Read online degree review sites. Sites like USA Today and GetEducated.com rate and review online colleges and degree programs. You wouldn’t buy a car without checking out Consumer Reports or getting feedback from family and friends, so don’t haphazardly choose an online class. As you conduct your research, you’ll find that the tuition varies dramatically, depending on which online college you choose. GetEducated.com is your best source for finding good college buys for your dollar, so don’t make a decision before checking it out.

Talk to current and former students. The best insight is often gained from those who have taken courses from your college of choice. If you know current or former students, interview them about their experiences. Make a list of questions:

• Is the technology easy to learn?
• Are the instructors readily available?
• Are there a variety of delivery methods used? (e.g. videos, discussion boards, interactive activities, etc.)

If you don’t know current or former students, call the admissions office at the college and ask them for student references. Speak with several students to get the best insight about their experiences.

Be wary of branding strategies that colleges use to get you to shell out more cash. If you simply want to take an accounting class to help your boss balance his books, there’s no reason to shell out hundreds of extra dollars. Bargain shop so you won’t be leaving money on the table. If you’re really smart, you’ll take classes that qualify for tuition reimbursement from your place of employment, thereby making your class an even better bargain in the long run.

Taking an online class can be a very rewarding experience, especially when you don’t have the pressure of obtaining a college degree in the back of your mind. Just be sure that you are getting the most bang for your tuition buck.

Below is a list of pros and cons of attending online university:

PROS

The Internet brings the college to you. One of the greatest rewards that come with attending online university is that you can attend – virtually – any college in the world that is offering online degree programs of study. You won’t have to disrupt your life to move across the state or cross country. You can simply log in and complete your coursework.

Flexible scheduling allows you to work or care for your family. Many working adults and busy parents opt for online college because they can schedule their homework and study time around their hectic lives. Online college faculty are aware that many of their students lead busy lives and, oftentimes, are compassionate when a problem arises that interferes with your coursework. (Don’t take that as a “given,” though. You’ll still be expected to meet deadlines unless there are extenuating circumstances.)

You’ll save money. Because you won’t have the added expense of gasoline, room and board, or parking to pay for, you’ll save literally thousands of dollars by taking classes online, as long as you choose a college or university that is publicly funded and not private.

CONS

If you’re not familiar with computers, it’s not a good idea. One of the biggest mistakes students make is to take an online class without being computer savvy. If you’re intimidated by a computer keyboard and don’t know a jump drive from a DVD, then you’ll want to become comfortable with a computer before attempting to use one to take a class. In college, you’re expected to hit the ground running, so you’ll need – at least – a basic working knowledge of computers and the Internet to get started.

You may never meet your professor face-to-face. Because there is no face-to-face interaction in most cases, your online college professors are merely Camtasia video personalities or words typed on a screen. If you live in town, visit the college campus and meet your professor; getting a clue into his or her personality will prevent misunderstandings in the future. If you don’t live near the campus, call your professor and introduce yourself. A little human interaction goes a long way.

You may, at times, feel isolated. If you’re doing your homework at 3:00 a.m. – because that’s the only time you have free – getting answers to your questions may have to wait. Taking online courses means that you have to be willing to give up the live human interaction and work independently at times, which also means waiting for answers to your most-pressing questions.

The decision to take online courses in lieu of traditional classes is not one to be taken lightly. Do your homework before you register as an online student to see if taking courses via an online university is right for you.

If you’re thinking about pursuing a

The USC School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is considered one of the best online degrees in library science. Unless you’ve conducted a little research, you may think that earning a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science will put you behind a circulation desk stamping “date due” tickets all day. Not true.

Today’s librarian works with electronic media, Internet resources, and other non-print materials such as CDs, DVDs, and computerized databases. They may work in a school library or work in a publishing house. There are numerous traditional and non-traditional job paths for librarians.

Library science is one of the best online degrees you can earn because there is a myriad of alternative careers for graduates with excellent research skills. While USC does not currently offer an online bachelor degree in library science, you can enter this degree program with an undergraduate degree in a different field.

Remember, a librarian is an expert at research and helps people to find information. The career choices are plentiful and not limited to what you’ll find below.

Here are some possible career options if you earn an online degree in library science:

School/Public Librarian: Of course, this is an obvious choice, but there are a variety of libraries that employ librarians. Public libraries, school libraries (K-12), and academic libraries (universities) are a few common choices.

Cultural Institutions: You can also find employment in historical societies, presidential libraries, zoos, and museums…even prisons.

Medical Librarian: There are plenty of research opportunities in university health centers, medical research facilities, and veterinarian facilities.

Corporations: Corporations of all sizes in all industries hiring librarians to help them with their research and cataloguing duties.

Advertising Agencies: Advertising agencies have to conduct market research and demographic studies in order to sell products and services. They employ librarians to help them tackle the research.

While these are just a handful of possible opportunities, you may want to check out the book, Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals by G. Kim Dority for a more exhaustive list. Dority covers more than just career options; she includes employment resources to assist information professionals in finding work.

Salary Scales for Librarians

There are just as many pay-scale levels for librarians as there are job opportunities. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Salaries of librarians vary according to the individual’s qualifications and the type, size, and location of the library. Librarians with primarily administrative duties often have greater earnings. Median annual wages of librarians in May, 2008 were $52,530. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,240 and $65,300. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,130.”

How to Get Started

If you want to earn a university degree online with a variety of employment opportunities, consider the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science. For more information about this program, check out the USC website.

If you’re thinking about pursuing a library science online degree, you might want to check out the distance education program at the University of South Carolina. This award-winning master’s-level program allows you to attend either part-time or full-time and offers a variety of course delivery methods.

The USC School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is considered one of the best online degrees in library science. Unless you’ve conducted a little research, you may think that earning a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science will put you behind a circulation desk stamping “date due” tickets all day. Not true.

Today’s librarian works with electronic media, Internet resources, and other non-print materials such as CDs, DVDs, and computerized databases. They may work in a school library or work in a publishing house. There are numerous traditional and non-traditional job paths for librarians.

Library science is one of the best online degrees you can earn because there is a myriad of alternative careers for graduates with excellent research skills. While USC does not currently offer an online bachelor degree in library science, you can enter this degree program with an undergraduate degree in a different field.

Remember, a librarian is an expert at research and helps people to find information. The career choices are plentiful and not limited to what you’ll find below.

Here are some possible career options if you earn an online degree in library science:

School/Public Librarian: Of course, this is an obvious choice, but there are a variety of libraries that employ librarians. Public libraries, school libraries (K-12), and academic libraries (universities) are a few common choices.

Cultural Institutions: You can also find employment in historical societies, presidential libraries, zoos, and museums…even prisons.

Medical Librarian: There are plenty of research opportunities in university health centers, medical research facilities, and veterinarian facilities.

Corporations: Corporations of all sizes in all industries hiring librarians to help them with their research and cataloguing duties.

Advertising Agencies: Advertising agencies have to conduct market research and demographic studies in order to sell products and services. They employ librarians to help them tackle the research.

While these are just a handful of possible opportunities, you may want to check out the book, Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals by G. Kim Dority for a more exhaustive list. Dority covers more than just career options; she includes employment resources to assist information professionals in finding work.

Salary Scales for Librarians

There are just as many pay-scale levels for librarians as there are job opportunities. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Salaries of librarians vary according to the individual’s qualifications and the type, size, and location of the library. Librarians with primarily administrative duties often have greater earnings. Median annual wages of librarians in May, 2008 were $52,530. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,240 and $65,300. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,130.”

How to Get Started

If you want to earn a university degree online with a variety of employment opportunities, consider the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science. For more information about this program, check out the USC website.

Here are the five most popular online degree programs, according to Associated Content:

#1: High School Diploma

You may be surprised to know that the most popular online program is not a college degree but, instead, a high school diploma. High school diplomas are popular for a variety of reasons.

For one, adults who dropped out of high school but are uncomfortable sitting in a classroom filled with 16 and 17-year-olds may find continuing online education a feasible alternative to earning that high school diploma.

High school degree programs are becoming increasing popular among teenagers for a variety of reasons. Some students learn more effectively in the comfort of their homes. Because this generation has literally grown up with computers and emerging technologies, online schooling is an ideal opportunity to learn away from the bricks and mortar classroom.

Many physically, mentally, and socially disadvantaged students discover that online learning circumvents or ameliorates many of the barriers of the traditional classroom. Furthermore, young mothers have discovered that earning a high school diploma online allows them to care for their children while finishing their high school education.

#2: Video Game Design

Video game design has emerged as one of the newer – yet more popular – online degree programs. For the individual who loves video games and has an interest in writing and designing software for video games, this option may be a viable plan of action. According to LoveToKnow.com, video game designers (with experience) can earn from $30,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on the job title. For instance, debuggers are paid at the bottom of the pay scale while lead designers may earn up to six figures a year. Just make sure that the online degree school you choose is an accredited institution of higher learning by visiting the Department of Education website to check its accreditation status.

#3: Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice continues to be one of the most popular online degrees because of the opportunities available in that job market. Whether you’re interested in becoming a beat cop or working internationally in top-secret missions, you can put a positive step forward by earning a degree online. This degree is a popular program in two-year colleges, which means that it is one of the more affordable options. You can save literally thousands of dollars in tuition and fees by taking online courses at a community or technical college. If you plan to pursue your education beyond an associate’s degree, you can transfer to a four-year university online degree program.

#4: Accounting/Bookkeeping

Accounting/bookkeeping is another popular program in online education institutions because graduates with two- or four-year degrees will likely find employment. Accountants and bookkeepers are employable in a variety of settings – from grocery stores to Fortune 500 companies. Another benefit of earning this degree is the opportunity to work as a sole proprietor from your home. Because accountants and bookkeepers have transferable job skills, they are not limited to working primarily in one industry.

#5: Nursing/Medical Tech

It’s no secret that there’s a huge shortage nationwide for medical workers, primarily in the nursing field. However, with upcoming changes in healthcare legislation and aging baby boomers in retirement – or approaching retirement – this field will continue to be wide open for individuals. Whether you want to be a travelling nurse or work “banker’s hours” in a physician’s office, there are numerous opportunities available for graduates in this area. You’ll take classes online, develop an internship, and sit for professional exams that are required for your profession, just as a traditional student would do.

There you have it: five popular college degrees you can earn online. If you’re ready to get a degree online, do your homework to discover online education institutions that offer degrees that will take you to the top of the career ladder.

New college students naturally wonder about

Certificates

Certificates aren’t technically degrees, but many students pursue them to get some business-specific skills or to add additional skills after graduating with a degree. For instance, you may want to learn office skills before pursuing a career as an administrative assistant. In that case, you can earn a certificate in office technology. Most students do so in about two semesters, consisting of 15 or 16 weeks each. If you’re willing to take a heavy load, you could feasibly complete a certificate in one semester, as long as you can take all your courses simultaneously. However, if you want to pursue a certificate at a slower pace, keep in mind that most certificates require completion of about 15 credit hours, and most courses are equivalent to three credit hours. You can determine the pace that is right for you and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Associate’s Degree

Most associate’s degrees are awarded by community, technical, or junior colleges, many of which are equivalent to the first two years of a baccalaureate degree. Full-time students take approximately 12-15 credit hours per semester. Students who attend full-time will complete their degrees in about two years but can shorten that time by attending summer classes. Many students who take online courses, however, opt to take courses part time. In this case, it can take up to one or two years longer to complete the degree. Most associate’s degrees require 60-65 credit hours.

Baccalaureate Degree

Often called a four-year degree, the baccalaureate degree (also known as bachelor’s degree) will take about four to five years if you take a full-time course load. To complete a baccalaureate degree, a student must complete approximately 124-128 credits. Most colleges require a set number of general courses, a specific number of required courses in your major field of study, and a required number of electives. The specific numbers vary slightly by degree and program of study.

Master’s Degree

Most master’s degree programs require 36 credit hours, give or take a few hours. Once a student enters a graduate-level program of study, the coursework becomes program specific. Students are no longer required to take general education requirements. Instead, coursework focuses primarily on the major field of study. Some programs require students to write a master’s thesis. Others forego the thesis in lieu of taking extra coursework. Because of the nature of graduate-level coursework, students are considered full-time when they attempt nine credit hours per semester.

Doctorate

There are many degrees that fall under the category of “doctorate,” but the most common is the Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). Typically, students are required to complete an additional 60 hours of coursework, but the length of time it takes to complete a doctorate varies, according to program. Some programs of study combine master’s/doctorate degrees. The most important factor in the length of completion is the time it takes a student to successfully complete and defend his or her dissertation. For this reason, it takes several years for most students to complete their doctorates.

Online Degree Completion is in Your Hands

When it comes right down to it, the length of time it takes to complete your online degree program is entirely in your hands. Just be sure to check your college’s specific timelines for degree completion, which are generally set to meet part-time attendance. If you cannot meet the deadlines for completion, you will have to get special permission from the college to continue past its recommended deadline for completion.

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a displaced worker searching for a new career, choosing a

If you find yourself at a career crossroads and don’t know which turn to take, don’t be discouraged. There are several options you can pursue to help you make the difficult decision.

College Career Counseling

One of the best avenues to choose if you’re confused about your career options is to take advantage of the services of a career counselor. Most colleges and adult education centers offer this service for free. Career counselors will administer a series of tests and talk with you regarding the results to give you a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes people are misinformed about careers but learn, too late, that the career they’ve been preparing for is all wrong for them. You can prevent this career disaster by educating yourself before you pursue a degree.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Do you have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from getting or keeping a job? Are you switching careers due to a handicapping condition to employment? Do you have a mental health issue that interferes with current employment? Do you have a learning disability? If any of these situations apply to you, you may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services. If you have a service-connected disability, you may also apply for VR services. The ultimate goal of Voc Rehab is to get you a job.

Many Vocational Rehabilitation clients opt to go to college. One of the advantages of using Voc Rehab services is that you’ll get a full battery of medical, vocational, and psychological testing to determine which career is the best one for you. The biggest disadvantage is that – as with any government agency – it takes time to go through the process.

Since a wide array of medical, physical, and emotional conditions may qualify you for Voc Rehab services, it may be worth your while to check out your local office to see if you qualify. In addition to career counseling, Vocational Rehabilitation Services may be able to cover education expenses that are not covered by federal grants. Even if you’re unsure if you qualify for such services, it doesn’t hurt to apply. Even if you don’t qualify, they may be able to refer you to another agency that can assist you.

Online Career Assessment

If you aren’t within driving distance of a college and don’t qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, you can use an online service like CareerCounseling.com. You can choose from a variety of career counseling packages that range from $50 to $150.

You may also want to take advantage of CareerPath.com, a subsidiary of CareerBuilder.com. You can take a free Career Planner Quiz, Job Discovery Wizard, and other tests designed to give you a little insight into the right career.

Choose a Degree that is Compatible to Your Skills and Desires

Regardless of which route you take to choose a degree program that is right for you, be your parents want you to do it, it is popular, or because the money is good. Keep in mind that pursuing a degree is a big commitment, and you are the one who will have to live day-to-day with the degree decision you make.

The Truth is in the Fine Print

Keep in mind that whenever you get a “degree” in exchange for “life experience,” you’re not getting a real degree. Accredited colleges do not give college credit for life experience. While you may “test out” of certain subjects, you cannot get a life experience degree. More importantly, you cannot get a legitimate degree just because you paid for it.

Scroll down the page of any website that offers free college degrees, and you’ll likely see the fine print: “We sell novelty degrees.” Keep reading, and you’ll probably see the truth in black and white: We sell fake degrees. While there’s no law against purchasing official-looking documents, you can get in big trouble for using them to obtain employment.

To keep themselves out of legal trouble, these sites have disclaimers – sometimes noted in pop-ups – that make it clear that you are solely responsible for how you use the authentic-looking degrees.

Caught in the Act

Employers worldwide have been cracking down on employees who use fake degrees to land jobs or to apply for promotions. Check out these stories pulled straight from the headlines.

July 1, 2010 issue of The News:

• “ISLAMABAD: Former law minister and constitutional expert Sher Afgan Niazi has said a member of parliament having a fake degree not only faces disqualification but is also liable to be tried for committing high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution, awarded 80 lashes under the Islamic law for lying, and proceeded against under sections 420, 467 and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code for defrauding the people.”

October 13, 2009 issue of NJ.com:

• “NEWARK — Rasheen Kornegay had been a teacher at Lady Liberty Academy Charter School for about six years, except that he hadn’t, according to the office of Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow. Kornegay, 36, was issued a criminal summons today, charged with creating a fake New Jersey teaching certificate when he was hired by the kindergarten through eighth grade school in 2002, the prosecutor’s office said. He faces five years in prison, and will next appear in Superior Court on Oct. 29. The Newark man is charged with one count each of forgery and falsifying and tampering with records, and two counts of tampering with public records, said Paul Loriquet, a prosecutor’s office spokesman. All are third-degree crimes.”

October 30, 2009 issue of TDN.com

• This story gained attention when the public was divided about whether these officers should get fired or re-hired after their suspensions. You decide: Eight Washington State Patrol troopers were suspended in October, 2008 when they presented fake degrees to get pay raises. The suspension was issued in lieu of firing because, according to agency officials, the officers did not intentionally deceive their employers because there was no evidence that they were aware that the degrees were from unaccredited colleges. The officers were suspended for one year and were required to pay back their pay raises.

Clearly, using a fake college degree is not in the best interest of your career. If you’re serious about landing the job of your dreams or advancing in your current career, it’s best to earn your degree the old-fashioned way: one college course at a time.

Education has been undergoing a transformation, and

K-12 Options

For years, there has been a great divide between the public/private schools and home schools. However, today’s home school can, in fact, be an arm of the public school system. States across the nation are forming online charter schools – public schools that are offered via distance education that are funded by the government.

The advantage of charter schools (versus online private schools) is that students receive all their books, supplies, and sometimes computers, free of charge (on loan). Some schools provide textbooks while others use online textbooks instead. Everything (from calculators to test tubes) is mailed to students; at the end of the semester, students return the supplies with pre-paid postage labels provided by the school. Many schools even reimburse families for Internet fees so that all students are given an equal opportunity to enroll in a public school online. High-quality schools like K12 offer both private and public homeschooling options.

Online schools are also popular with teenaged parents who must care for a child but cannot afford day care. Special needs’ students may also find the flexibility of flexible scheduling advantageous. A growing number of “mainstreamed” students also like the flexibility of online schooling because they can participate in activities, work a job, or sleep until noon and do schoolwork at night.

Earning a College Degree from Home

It’s no secret that online degree programs have become a popular way to earn a college degree. The good news is that there are a variety of options to choose from.

Community/Technical Colleges

If you want the hometown advantage with an online delivery option, check out your local community and technical colleges. Most colleges offer online courses these days, so whether you want to take just one class or take your entire curriculum online, there are often many options from which to choose.

State Universities

Want to shave thousands of dollars off your college education expenses? Take university courses online. There’s no need to relocate to another city or state to get an education from your university of choice. Instead of paying for room and board, why not save that money and take as many online classes as possible? You may not be able to take your entire program online, depending on the options available. Regardless, you can delay relocation by taking this avenue, thereby saving thousands of dollars.

Christian Colleges

Enrollment at Christian colleges is soaring, thanks to online schooling. If you desire a Christian-based education but finances are tight, consider checking out an online college with a religious affiliation. In recent years, many colleges have increased their enrollment exponentially due to online programs of study. In fact, several Christian colleges are reporting that online enrollment exceeds the number of students taking classes on campus.

100% Online Colleges

If you’d rather attend a college that is 100% online, like the University of Phoenix or Kaplan University, there are plenty of options to choose from. Just be sure to do your homework so you don’t get scammed by a degree mill. The website GetEducated.com is a great resource to use when you want to check out the credibility of your program of choice. Don’t forget to visit the Department of Education’s website to see if your online college is accredited so that you don’t graduate with a useless, phony degree.

The one-room schoolhouse of yesteryear has surely evolved. Today’s student can begin their education from home in kindergarten and continue learning from home until they graduate from college. The best news of all is that families who want to spend more time together can learn together – all together – with online schooling options.

Here are five tried and true tips to take to heart as you begin your online college degree:

1.   Only mushrooms thrive in the dark. Here’s the deal: If you want to succeed in an online class, you can’t treat it like it’s low on your list of priorities. One of the biggest mistakes novice online students make it to check out their online assignments when they can make time for them – often at the end of the week. Because your success in an online class thrives on your ability to plan, schedule, and read, read, read in advance, you really need to remain current on your assignments. That means spending the extra time at the beginning of the semester to navigate through the course and refer to the calendar of assignments frequently. If you’re required to watch videos, do so in advance. Keeping yourself in the dark until the last minute will not result in a positive outcome.

2.   Log in several times a week. The great news is that online classes offer flexible schedules. The bad news is that online courses offer flexible schedules. Don’t misinterpret the idea of flexibility to mean that you’ll get to your work whenever you feel like it. Log in several times a week to read your professor’s e-mails, to engage in student discussions, and keep up-to-date with any changes that may take place. Keep in mind that many professors often offer helpful tips or extra credit opportunities hidden within e-mail messages to see who’s reading them.

3.   Don’t wait until the last minute to do your work. Since you don’t have the benefit of sitting in a lecture hall two or three times a week, it’s essential that you log in just as much – and often more – time with your online class as you would with a traditional class. You’ll have to read more than you would in a live class because your success depends on your ability to navigate through the assignments. You may have two-to-three hours of reading in addition to written assignments that must be completed and uploaded by the due date. Having a weekly schedule in front of you will allow you to work in manageable bits and submit work in a timely manner.

4.   Avoid the plagiarism penalty. The Internet offers a wide array of temptations, including the ability to cut and paste information into documents or even buy term papers. Keep in mind that professors often use plagiarism-detecting software to prevent students from receiving grades on work that they dishonestly try to pass off as their own. Even if a professor is not using the software, chances are that she will recognize “lifted” material and catch you in the act anyway. Resist the urge to copy material and pass it off on your own. If caught, you may fail the class or be suspended from college. Some universities note plagiarism on academic transcripts, so your indiscretion may follow you forever.

5.   Take notes. Take notes as you read, listen to audios, or watch videos, even if you have the ability to print the notes. Taking handwritten notes will improve comprehension and will enable you to remember the material more easily.

Thriving in an online learning environment may take a little getting used to, but if you follow the five tips listed above, you’ll set yourself up for a successful semester.

If you’re confused about all the

What is GetEducated.com?

GetEducated.com is a website dedicated to reviewing, rating, and ranking online schools and degrees. A quote from CNNMoney.com, displayed on the website, states, “For a distance MBA you can pay from $6,000 to $120,000. To get the most bang for your buck… check out GetEducated.com.”

GetEducated.com helps students find degrees and compare degrees. Each year, they publish the best buys in education to help students find accredited degree programs that deliver a great education for a reasonable cost. Students can review colleges by subject, degree level, and by school to see where they can get the best education and best buy for their money.

Diploma Mill Police

One of the most interesting features of the GetEducated.com website is the Diploma Mill Police. This section alerts consumers to fraudulent practices on the Web. They track fake online colleges – also known as degree mills or diploma mills – to educate would-be students about existing scams.

For instance, the website notes the signs to look for to determine if you’re looking at a degree mill. They also feature a story about a dog that “earned” a degree online through a diploma mill. According to the website, “To help combat credential fraud, GetEducated.com operates a free service, The Diploma Mill Police. This service allows consumers to verify the accreditation status of any online college. It also helps employers screen resumes for fraudulent college credentials.”

Financial Aid Features

GetEducated.com also offers financial aid features on its website that show students how to borrow wisely with student loans, how to cut thousands of dollars off the cost of attending college, and how to find scholarships and free money for online degrees.

Ratings and Rankings

One of the most notable features of the GetEducated.com website is its ratings and rankings. GetEducated.com does the homework for you, so you can find the best degree program for your needs. The website offers three categories of ratings and rankings:

1.   Best Buys Online Degrees – Most Affordable. Paying for your education doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a higher quality education. In this section of the website, you’ll discover how to get a good education while shaving thousands of dollars off the cost of your college degree.

2.   Best in Student Satisfaction. The best way to tell if a college lives up to its claims is to talk to its students. GetEducated.com is beginning to collect information from students and will post results soon so that other potential students can make an informed decision about colleges that live up to their word.

3.   Best in Public Perception. This section allows you to rate your school so that others can learn from your experience. You can give feedback on any of the 5,000 online universities listed in the GetEducated.com database.

When it comes to choosing an online degree program, don’t get hung up in the vast array of programs available online. Instead, turn to GetEducated.com, one of the Internet’s premier sources for online universities and degree programs.