Distance learning over the years has become the chosen alternative method for gaining an earned accredited degree for millions of people seeking to better their lives through education. This now recognized way to earn an accredited degree from the comfort and convenience of home allows those seeking such endeavor to reach their goal without the need to give up their current job or means of income because they can learn from a distance at their own pace or to work around any previous obligated schedule which they may otherwise have not had as an option to give up or set aside.
Employers are impressed not only by the degree earned but also by the student's ambition and desire to achieve their goal on their own without the help of a rigid schedule that is necessary at most campus situations because they require the student to attend scheduled classes that cannot be avoided and still attain a passing grade. A distance learning degree while being so flexible, is also a situation where the student is vulnerable to the lack of supervised regiment that helps assure the student does the required course work to pass the respective class. Thus when the student has proven to have the self-control to complete course work it shows prospective employers that the degree holder has ambition, self-control and ability to complete tasks without superior having to stand over their shoulder. All are desired qualities that attract employers.
It is very important when choosing your college for a distance learning degree that you choose a college with recognized accreditation. There exist a number of online colleges which are known to those with experience in this industry to be what has become termed "diploma mills". A diploma mill is a college that basically either allows you to purchase your degree or it may be that the college is simply not accredited by a recognized institution. In either case the degree you receive may not be one that impresses or for that matter is even accepted by employers or government authorities which can lead in the case of the latter to actually finding yourself being charged by authorities for not having the proper credibility for the position you hold. It is a simple matter to check accreditation if you are choosing your college from the right source.
Distance learning is no different from taking classes on campus in respect to the need for setting up quality study habits and not procrastinating about completing and submitting classroom assignments. This reduces the inherent stress that comes with the worries of attaining a passing grade and should be given the utmost attention in that respect.
Classes of colleges offering distance learning degrees (online courses) can consist of both synchronous (live) classes or non-live classes where you can just log in at any time and pick up your assignments to be completed at your schedule's leisure. There really is no down-side to earning your degree online anymore.
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Will employers value the online degree you have received? Will you be able to transfer credits from your online course to another institution? Will the online program you select provide a rigorous and worthwhile educational experience? A key to answering these questions is an understanding of accreditation and the accreditation process. This article will provide you with the basic information you need to make wise and informed decisions when selecting an online program or course.
What is accreditation?
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Accreditation is simply a validation process by which institutions of higher education are evaluated against established standards to ensure a high level of educational quality. It is typically accomplished through a peer-review process in which faculty from accredited institutions help to conduct evaluations of either new non-accredited institutions or accredited institutions seeking renewal. The standards used to conduct these evaluations vary but in general they assess: the institution's mission, goals and objectives, resources and resource allocation, student admission requirements, student support services and the quality of the faculty and educational offerings.
Unlike the practices of most other countries, in the United States accreditation of institutions of higher education is not conducted by the government. Instead, it is a voluntary process that is implemented by private nongovernmental accrediting agencies. At present, there are both regional as well as national agencies involved in the accreditation process. The only role that the government plays is to evaluate these accrediting agencies using well developed criteria in order to identify those considered to be "reliable authorities" on the quality of institutions of higher education.
Why should I care about accreditation?
Knowing something about a school's accreditation can tell you a lot about the value of the degree or course for which you are paying. If you obtain a degree or take a course from a non-accredited institution you may find that the degree is not recognized by some employers or that the course credits may not transfer to other institutions. Understanding accreditation can also help you identify and avoid "diploma mills" (i.e. an unaccredited institution that grants degrees without ensuring students are properly qualified.)
To begin, it is important to understand that the term "accredited" is used rather loosely by some institutions and therefore you have to know what to look for when checking a school's accreditation. All institutions of higher education, online or "brick and mortar," should openly provide information on their accreditation to prospective students. The first thing to pay attention to are the words used. The documentation should clearly state that the institution is "accredited" and should list the accrediting agency. Some unaccredited schools use terms that give the appearance of accreditation when in fact none exists. Phrases that you should be wary of include: "pursuing accreditation", "chartered", "licensed or registered", "recognized", "authorized" or "approved." If these phrases are used without the term "accreditation" you should be sure to conduct a more detailed investigation.
It is also very important to review the qualifications of the accrediting agency which has evaluated and approved the institution in question. The "American Association of Accredited Colleges and Universities", for example, may sound rather official but in reality this fake organization was invented several years ago by a less than prestigious college. This example illustrates the point that although, as noted earlier, the U.S. government via the Department of Education evaluates accrediting agencies, there are many that are not approved but that still operate, often in less than reputable ways.
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