Online education is a very convenient and effective method of obtaining a degree nowadays. Unlike traditional education, online education takes into account all types of students and their difficulties. However, despite the benefits of online learning, prospective students may still have doubts about whether this type of education is recognized, trustworthy, and worth it.
You may have asked yourself questions related to the online diploma you are planning to receive. Some of the questions may relate to the prestige of this degree and how it is perceived by potential employers. You may fear that they won’t take them as seriously as traditional degrees. Currently, most employers recognize and value online degrees as much as traditional ones.
Determining the reliability of an online college: the main factors
It’s not easy to decide which online college is the best option for a student. In the process of deciding which one to register for, there is a criterion that a decent online program must meet. Students should not be persuaded, because not every online university is what it advertises itself to be. After all, students are responsible for their assessment and choice.
Accreditation
Accreditation is one of the factors that distinguish trustworthy online colleges from diploma factories.
Federal Government
The Government accredits colleges through the Ministry of Education. This department authorizes certain agencies to develop and apply standards for colleges across the country.
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
In addition to the Federal Government, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation is another organization responsible for the accreditation of higher education institutions. The Council monitors students and their educational needs and, based on this, accredits various colleges. The Accreditation Council is regularly reviewed by the State Department of Education.
There may be colleges that are not certified by government agencies, but approved by the Council. So if you happen to come across a college accredited by the accreditation council, know that it is trustworthy.
Rating
Ranking is another thing you should consider when choosing an online college. No educational institution has an ideal rating, but if a college has a very low percentage of graduates, this indicates that the educational institution is not doing its job to attract students
Retention rate is another great indicator of success in college. If you notice that a significant number of students have dropped out of college, then perhaps this should serve as a sign for you to look for other alternatives.
Expenses
It is not necessarily true that expensive online college programs will provide quality education, and affordable programs do not guarantee a satisfactory quality of education. By doing a proper search, you can find a large number of online universities that offer the best programs with low tuition fees and modest prices. The important thing is that you make a decision considering all the factors that make an online program trustworthy, and not just based on the cost of the program.
What makes an online college trustworthy?
On the website of the online college you want to enroll in, you will be able to find all the information that a new student will need to make a decision. Any missing information on their side should be treated as a red flag.
Enough information about the requirements of the program
A real online college will have its own requirements for future students. They will provide a list of classes and credits that you need to earn to get a degree. If you see that there is no list of requirements on their website, you should write to the admissions committee. In case you are not given the correct answer, you should just move on to other options.
A certain level of attendance is required
The fact that your class is online does not mean that you are not required to attend it. Like the traditional way of learning, online learning requires you to be present, focused and participate in a virtual classroom.
Student services
Online colleges know how important services are to students. They know that the support they give their students guarantees their retention. If there are no ways to contact the school library, alumni, or faculty at the college you plan to attend, you may want to explore other alternatives.
Realistic end time
No matter how fast you want to get an online degree, you should never believe the statements of a particular college that you are going to graduate in an unrealistically short period of time. In order not to be deceived by such colleges, you should do a little research on the program you are interested in and see for yourself how long it will take to finish it.
Accreditation by the Department of Education
A college can be certified by a bunch of agencies, but if the State Department of Education and the Higher Education Accreditation Council do not authorize these agencies, then they have virtually no value. Make sure that the specific department has licensed the agencies that you see on their website.
They don’t ask you to pay the entire tuition fee in advance
A reliable college will offer its students several payment options. If you find yourself on the website of one of the colleges that wants you to pay upfront, leave it as soon as possible. They care not about what they can offer, but what they can earn.
How Employers View Your Online Degree
No two employers are the same. Their views on online education may differ significantly. However, these views can be divided into several categories:
Most employers accept online degrees
Now that many reputable universities are offering more and more online programs, the number of employers who recognize online degrees is much higher than in the past. Currently, educational institutions have become better at this form of training, and hiring managers trust them more.
Another reason why many employers are accepting more and more online degrees is because they have obtained an online degree themselves. Who can better appreciate and appreciate online degrees than graduates?
Employers are Suspicious of online diplomas
Despite the fact that online degrees are no longer treated with distrust, as it was before, there are still employers who do not dare to hire graduates of online diplomas. It all depends on the company, because not everyone values online degrees equally.
Doubts about hiring online students may be related to the myth that online students are individuals who can work poorly in a team.
They don’t immediately notice your online diploma
Not every employer will notice that you have received an online degree only from a resume. This mostly happens at interviews where you talk in detail about your education. This is not necessarily a red flag. You will understand how they perceive online degrees when meeting them.
They appreciate your skills
Even if employers may not know why you decided to pursue online education, they will still appreciate your efforts. Especially if you are engaged in online education, working full-time. Keeping a job while studying should encourage you to master managerial skills, and these skills are required in most job applications.
The technological skills that you can gain with online training will also be your advantage. You can fulfill the job requirement as well as impress potential employers.
If you are interested in an online college, but do not know if it is trustworthy, take into account some of the factors mentioned above. One important tip: do not make hasty decisions without first checking them. An online college will show how trustworthy it is by posting its accreditation, rating and everything that may interest their future students on its website.
