What do you think about online colleges? Are they as accredited as campus based schools?

Question

I would like to know because I am considering enrolling in one. I am 20 yrs. old with two kids and I don't have the means for child care. I felt online schooling would be the best option for me. What do you think?

Answer 1

I applaud you for wanting to get more education, since it is not easy to be a 20 year old with two kids under any circumstances. And your questions are good ones. In general, online education is considered a lesser alternative to the face-to-face options. However, if that is not an option for you, the online alternative may be better than no education at all, if you do it right. Some of this depends on what you want to do with the education. If you are thinking of eventually going on to graduate school, you need to be very careful. I don't think most schools would ever accept a person who got their bachelor's degree at the University of Phoenix, for example, into their programs. However, if you took online courses at a school which was otherwise respected (University of Illinois, for example), find out if the diploma given is the same as for the in-person classes. If so, you would be fine with that.

As far as accreditation goes, most schools will tell you that they are accredited, but make sure the accreditation is the right one (there are lots of possibilities). The school itself should be accredited by a regional accrediting body which accredits other respected schools in that part of the country (WASC or NCA, for example). Look on the website of the accrediting body to see who else they have covered. Also, for specific disciplines, you want to see a particular accreditation for that discipline, if one exists. You could expect accreditations in fields like business, education, nursing and engineering, as well as in the arts. Again, look at the websites of the accrediting organization to see whom else they have accredited to judge quality (in business, for example, you would see a big difference between AACSB schools and those of the secondary ACBSP accreditation).

Good luck, and more power to you for your efforts!

Answer 2

In my opinion, I don't think an online college would offer the same kind of education as even a community college. I would rather go to a community college than an online one. I'm at a public university but I have taken some classes at community college over summer that are very good. You need at least some classes with professor interaction and sometimes group projects are important or hands on training in some cases.

EDIT: Also, it depends on what you are going for, if your major will be something like dental hygiene or dental assisting, or nursing, etc.. obviously an online degree won't work very well...but possibly business or computer tech. something along those lines might work better for an online degree (?).

Answer 3

I am in the process of withdrawl from one of the "on-line" universities-KWU.(it has since changed names to ?) It has been a nightmare from the beginning. They are NOT run at all like the standard universities. In this instance my "low "interest student loan was 13%. I have excellent credit and never saw that one coming.... and I did not even realize that I signed over to the school all money rights to the full program loan. All of my calls to the school(scam U) were mostly unanswered. Once they had my money I was out of luck for any answers or refund . They gave false and misleading info and lost my records. They out right lied about credit transfers and how long the programs are and lead you to believe the programs are fast and effective and will be accepted in the business world... The list goes on and on with the unethical practices... It has cost me 2500.00 and 6 months of hell. Make sure you do your research on the school. I wouldn't want what has happened to me, happen to anyone. Your best bet is to go to a local university that has an ACCREDITED on-line program. My daughter is attending Baker College and that has a good reputation with an on-line program...Please watch out for yourself... I was too trusting . I hope that you find the right place for you!

Answer 4

There is accreditation and there is perception. Check one of the accreditation sites:
http://www.chea.org/default.asp
http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
to see if the institution is legitimate.
But beyond that, many people simply do not consider on-line degrees to be as valid as those earned in a classroom. We could debate whether that is justified but at some level it is that perception which counts.
Simply to express my own view, on-line education, to me, seems like an expedient and can not provide as full an educational experience as actually going to college.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

Answer 5

There are some "brick and mortar" universities that offer online classes and degrees. They have a forum or bulletin board system where you can interact with the professor and classmates.
I did most of my Masters online and it was harder than any undergradute class I took. It just depends on the individual if you like the online atmosphere or not.

Answer 6

check www.ed.gov to find out if the school you want to go to is accredited. I am going to University of Phoenix, and I haven't had a problem.

While the degree won't stand up next to a Harvard or Yale degree, it is still much better than no degree at all.