Is this school accredited?
Accreditation is important. It means the school has met or exceeded standards of excellence set forth by an accrediting institution, which measures class content, curriculum, instructor qualifications, etc. It also means your degree will be valued within your industry.
What degree programs are offered?
Make sure the school offers the exact degree you need to land your dream career. This could be a professional certification, diploma, associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree. If you’re not sure what kind of degree you’ll need, check out job listings for the career you want, and read what degree is required.
How long does the degree program take to complete?
Degree programs can take as little as a few months or as much as four years to complete. Make sure you know how long it takes, and also ask if you are eligible for an accelerated program or if you can get credit for any previous education or work experience you have.
What kind of time commitment and participation level is required of me on a daily or weekly basis?
Your daily and weekly commitment requirement varies from school to school. Some only require you to log in and complete assignments once a week while others ask you to commit to once a day. Find out what the requirement is and make sure it is manageable within your schedule.
How much does the degree program cost?
This varies as well. Find out what one class costs as well as get an estimate for the cost of your entire degree. Also, ask about the costs of books and other materials you will need.
What financial aid programs and services do you offer?
Most schools offer great financial aid programs and services. Programs are the payment plans, loans, grants, scholarships and other assistance students can receive. Services include having a personal financial aid advisor assigned to you and receiving free help on filling out any financial aid paperwork. The more programs and services the school offers, the more likely you are to receive money for your tuition.
What other student services do you offer?
Financial aid services are not the only services schools should offer. Many also offer academic advisors to help with everything from choosing classes to applying to graduate. Other services include online libraries, tutoring assistance, technical assistance, student organizations, and career services. Many students say they won’t attend schools without strong career services, including job listings, resume and cover letter assistance, and networking events.
Who teaches the classes?
Your education is sometimes only as good as the instructor who teaches you. Most online classes are taught by industry professionals who have years of experience within their fields.
Is there a demo of the online campus available?
Take a look at the e-learning programs the school uses. Many have comprehensive online campuses that feature streaming video classes, MP3 downloads, quizzes and assignments, grade calculators, student discussion boards, and more.
Are there on campus classes available as well?
Although the majority of online students enjoy never setting foot in a classroom, some like to combine online classes with on campus classes. Ask if the school hosts classes at locations near you.
