One recurring issue when discussing online education is the number of online schools on the internet. They are so many that a newbie will surely miss his or her way. He or she can hardly know the genuine school from the many fake online institutions out there. All of them claim to have the best for you. And many go the extra length of offering you free online education. What is the solution?

Accreditation is the main solution getting the genuine school on the internet. But not many people know what it is and why they should use it when searching for the right college or university to attend for their degree or diploma programme.

According to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, “Accreditation is a means of self-regulation and peer review adopted by the educational community. The accrediting process is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence”.

You should also know that Accreditation relies on voluntary reviews by thousands of educators across the U.S. each year. What does this mean to you? It means that the fact that an online school is accredited last year is no guarantee that it still meets the required standards for online institutions. So, you must watch out for current accreditation status.

Why do people like you use accreditation status of an online institution?

- To verify that a college or university has met the strict standards set for any institutions wishing to offer online education

- To identify acceptable and reputable colleges and universities

- To provide criteria used as a basis for receiving financial assistance and student aids

Accreditation is in two phases. One phase is the school's accreditation and the school's programmes accreditation. The two accreditations are very important for your career growth. So, you must make sure that both the school and the course you want to study is duly accredited before enrolling in the institutions.

How can you know if a school or course is accredited?

The regional accrediting agencies are the most popular institutions regulating online education. Their accrediting process is very strict and thorough. It involves report on all key educational areas. It can take up to five years before an online school can be fully accredited. The following are some of the regional accreditation agencies:

- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

- New England Association of Schools and Colleges

- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

- Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities

- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

- Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Only the serious online institutions can meet these standards. This is why their number is very few compared to those fraudulent ones you come across on the internet or in your mailbox.

So, if you're considering online education as a means to change or further enhance your career, it's ideal that you ensure that the school is fully accredited by any of the above mentioned agencies. This is the only way to protect your career from hitting the rocks.