Online education is not necessarily about the pursuit of a degree. For some, getting a degree online is the furthest thing from their minds. What if all you want to do is take a class here and there without going full steam ahead into a degree program? How do you sort out the good from the bad?
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.
