Online courses and online degree programs continue to grow in popularity. But just because they are popular, and just because the name of the college sounds good, does not necessarily make them legitimate.

On the other hand, just because you have not heard of a college does not mean it is not completely legitimate.

The Internet has transformed the way students learn, and the way you can get a degree. You can earn a degree from virtually any college in America without ever stepping foot on campus. But that means you need to make sure the time, effort, and money you put into earning your college degree is worthwhile.

So, how can you tell if the college offering the degree is legitimate?

By checking the college's accreditation.

Make sure that the college you are considering is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S Department of Education. These agencies grant public and private universities their accreditation.

Unfortunately there are many accrediting agencies that are not “official”. And while colleges accredited by these unofficial agencies may still provide you with a quality education, you won't be able to obtain Federal Financial Aid or transfer your credits to an officially accredited college. And you may find that certain employers won't accept the degree, and therefore won't hire you.

Here are the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S Department of Education. If your college is listed, get out the books and start studying!

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Accredits schools in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
http://www.neasc.org/

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Accredits schools in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
http://www.northcentralassociation.org/

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSCHE)
Accredits schools in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands.
http://www.msache.org

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Accredits schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
http://www.sacs.org/

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Accredits schools in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Basin.
http://www.wascweb.org/

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Accredits schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
http://www.nwccu.org/