Accredited Distance Learning: All You Need To Know
While many universities have offered distance learning options for over a century, the Internet has made distance learning an even more attractive and accessible choice for students. Online courses and degree programs give students an unprecedented level of flexibility in their education. More students are able to balance the demands of school with family and work. Of course, deciding to pursue a degree through distance learning and choosing the best one for you can be a difficult task. This guide is designed to provide you with tips and resources to make this process easier.
Quick Facts About Distance Learning
- The first university to offer distance learning degrees was the University of London. (University of London)
- Today's distance learning courses often utilize several different learning methods, including online chat rooms and forums, printed materials, and videoconferencing. (University of Washington)
- Even though the format of specific courses can vary considerably, most share at least a few basic elements: some sort of file exchange system, a discussion board, and, of course, tests. (Southeast Missouri State)
- There are different types of online courses: fully online, where the entire course is online; hybrid, which mixes online sessions and material with in-class meetings; and independent study, where the student is not under any deadlines and may complete the course according to his or her own pace (Chapman University & BYU)
- A 2001 study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 2,320 two- and four-year institutions offered online courses. (NCES)
- At the beginning of the 2008-09 school year a staggering 4.6 million students were taking at least one online course. (U.S. News & World Report)
- A number of studies report that distance learning has no educational advantage or disadvantage over traditional learning. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- Bill Gates one of many prominent proponents of online distance learning. (U.S. News)
How to Know if an Online College is Legitimate
- Accreditation is awarded to schools that meet specific, established academic standards. (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)
- Accrediting organizations may be either regional or national. (Utilization Review Accreditation Commission)
- Diploma mills offer degrees for little to no work. Their degrees are worthless, and they might even get you into trouble. Luckily, there are several ways to spot them. (Council for Higher Education Accreditation)
- Some states maintain lists of known unaccredited schools. (Oregon Student Assistance Commission)
- If a school is not accredited, employers and other professionals will probably not accept the degrees that it has given out. Students attending such a school are not eligible for federal financial aid, and will not be able to transfer their credits to another school, should they wish to do so. (Council for Higher Education Accreditation)
- Student reviews can be a valuable resource during your college search. Find out what kind of education you might get from the people who have been there. (StudentsReview)
- There are several resources that can help you identify problematic schools. (Better Business Bureau)
- News organizations have helped raise awareness about diploma mills and unaccredited schools. (USA Today)
- Even schools with accreditation can vary in quality. (Helium)
The Top 10 Most Popular Subjects
- Nursing – Nursing programs have extensive field experience requirements in addition to the learning that can be done at a distance. However, completing the coursework online gives students more flexibility in their studies. (Jacksonville University)
- Accounting – Many companies are beginning to hire virtual accountants and bookkeepers. Earning an education online can be good preparation for an online career. (Post University)
- Criminal Justice – Degrees in criminal justice have always been a popular online option. (University of Cincinnati)
- Video Game Design – A distance learning degree in video game design focuses on the design and writing of games, rather than hands-on experiences. (Art Institute of Pittsburgh)
- Human Services – The variety of human services courses available online allows students to tailor their major toward their specific interests. (University of Phoenix)
- Counseling – An online degree in counseling can be easily tailored for specific concentrations and specializations. (Capella University)
- Psychology – The many career opportunities make psychology a popular degree in any form; the nature of the coursework makes it just as suitable for an online format as a traditional classroom setting. (Northcentral University)
- Early Childhood Education – Online degrees in early childhood education make the act of balancing practical work and coursework more manageable. (Rasmussen College)
- Religion – Courses in religion can be heavy on reading and writing, making them a good fit for the online format. (Northwestern University)
- Business Administration – Many students who pursue degrees in business administration maintain full-time jobs. An online degree helps make this possible. (DeVry University)
Where to Look for Scholarships
- FastWeb is a website offering an easy search for a variety of scholarships.
- CollegeBoard provides access to several different types of scholarships.
- Scholarships.com lets you search through many different scholarship sources.
- Peterson's requires registration, but gives access to several scholarship funds.
- NextStudent features a search engine that filters results from a massive scholarship database.
- FinAid lists several scholarship sources that are geared towards specific majors.
- BrokeScholar lets you search through a large scholarship database.
- ScholarshipExperts provides a comprehensive scholarship search.
- ScholarshipHunter lets you search scholarships by major and state.
- UCLA Scholarship Resource Center features links to various scholarship databases as well as tips for successfully applying for scholarships.
Important Accreditation Resources
- U.S. Department of Education provides detailed information about accreditation.
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation has information about accreditation and the major accrediting agencies.
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education, serving Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges, serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, serving Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, serving California, Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa.
Is Online Education Worth the Cost?
Online Education Offers Access and Affordability by Kim Clark
This U.S. News & World Report article highlights the rise in demand for education due to the recent recession, and how online education is filling that demand. Kim Clark cites the 20 percent growth of the online-based University of Phoenix, and the creation of new programs and companies, as evidence that online education is both accessible and affordable.
Study: Online Education Continues Its Meteoric Growth by Jeff Greer
In another U.S. News & World Report article, this author discusses the continued rise in the number of students taking online courses and the reasons for this increase. The author also highlights the attitudes of major colleges and universities toward online education and how it may be changing.
Online Schools Clicking with Students by Greg Botelho
Written in 2004, this article discusses online education's early success with students. The students interviewed at the time touted the medium's accessibility as its most redeeming quality.
The Homework to do Before Enrolling Online by Matt Villano
This New York Times article is a brief Q & A session that covers questions concerning the pros and cons of online education. The author discusses cost as well as the actual worth of an online degree in the eyes of an employer.
Department of Education: Online Education Beats Classroom by Chris Crum
A U.S. Department of Education study conducted in 2009 found that students fared better in online courses than in face-to-face courses. The article claims this as a victory for online education.
Degrees of Acceptance by Alex Wellen
What happens once you get your degree online? Do employers see you as an acceptable candidate? That is the question at the heart of this New York Times article, and the answer may surprise you.
Great Articles on Accreditation
Cost of Diploma is Not Just Money by Morgan Josey Glover
This article from the New & Record in North Carolina offers a great, tragic example of what can happen when you earn a degree from a non-accredited institution.
U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
This web page is the Office of Postsecondary Education's description of accreditation. It outlines what accreditation is and its purpose.
The Importance of Accreditation
This article from Peterson's offers an overview of accreditation and its importance for students involved in distance learning. The advantages of enrolling in an accredited institution are listed.
Seals of Approval by Alex Wellen
Employers want to know if graduates of online programs received their diploma from an accredited institution. This New York Times article provides tools to figuring out whether or not a program is accredited, and it goes over the different types of accreditation: specialized, national, and regional.
Employers on Online Education by Rachel Zupek
This article is not solely about accreditation, but it points out how employers consider an online education program's accreditation status as a major factor in hiring. The article also weighs the pros and cons of online education.
What is a Diploma Mill?
Diploma Mills and Accreditation
This page is from the U.S. Department of Education provides links to descriptions of diploma mills and tips on how to identify them. It also provides a list of accredited institutions, and a list of accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education.
Diploma Mill Calling: Continuing Ed Without the Ed by Christine Lagorio
In this New York Times article, the author actually questions a representative for a school that offers a diploma that requires absolutely no coursework or class participation. The Q & A session reveals how some diploma mills operate.
Diploma Mill Concerns Extend Beyond Fraud by Diana Jean Schemo
This New York Times article begins by describing a diploma mill operation that was discovered in Colbert, Wash. It goes on to describe diploma mills and what federal and state governments are doing to shut these operations down.
Uncovering the Multi-Million Dollar Fake Degree Industry by Mark Tutton
For CNN, Mark Tutton focuses on the scope of the fake degree industry. Tutton explains how the Internet has provided an effective medium for scam artists to prey on people in need of a diploma.
Buyers of Bogus Degrees Named by Bill Morlin & Jim Camden
This article, published in the Spokesman-Review, reveals that people with high profile jobs oftentimes have fraudulent degrees obtained through diploma mills.
Online School Rankings
U.S. News & World Report
This is a listing of the top online programs in the U.S. It is divided into undergraduate and graduate school sections. One note: This does not rank the schools in order. It merely lists the top accredited online programs.
Guide to Online Schools' Rankings of Online Colleges & Universities
Using accreditation, cost of tuition and books, student feedback, student to faculty ratio, and graduation and retention rates as metrics, this list ranks the top 20 online colleges and universities in 2010.
Scholarships for Online Students
- Better Opportunities Through Online Education Scholarship
- Granted through the University of Maryland University College, this is an annual scholarship given to online students enrolled at the UMUC.
- Must complete the FAFSA and apply through the University of Maryland University College
- Shout It Out Scholarship
- This scholarship is awarded by ScholarshipExperts.com and may be redeemed at any institution.
- Maximum award is $1,000
- Must apply through the website
- Kaplan University Success Scholarship
- This scholarship is granted to a first-time student transferring to a Kaplan University online bachelor's degree program.
- Awards $200 per course, not to exceed $3,000 total
- Must have a minimum 45 credit hours from another accredited institution
- Must have a 2.7 college GPA, and must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Kaplan University Criminal Justice, Fire Science, and Emergency Services Scholarship
- This scholarship is granted to applicants who have one year of work experience in the criminal justice, fire science, or emergency services field.
- Awards $200 per course, not to exceed $1,200 total for certificate programs; $3,600 for associate of applied science or advanced start bachelor of science programs; and $5,400 for bachelor of science programs
- Must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
- As a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, you are eligible for a scholarship to any one of these online institutions: Franklin University, Jones International University, Kaplan University, Northcentral University, Regis University-School for Professional Studies, The New School, University of Maryland University College, University of Phoenix-Iowa
- Each school offers a different amount of money and has different requirements for each Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship.
- FBI National Academy Associates Scholarship Program
- This scholarship covers the full tuition cost of one University of Phoenix degree program (undergraduate or graduate).
- Must be a member of the FBI National Academy Associates
- Must meet the University of Phoenix's requirements
- Goodwill Scholarship Program
- This is a full tuition scholarship to the University of Phoenix granted to someone who has received services through Goodwill.
- Must be a resident of Arizona
- Must meet the University of Phoenix's requirements
- Commitment to Social Change Scholarship
- This scholarship, offered by Walden University, is awarded to students pursuing their master's degree or doctorate.
- There are six $2,500 scholarships for new master's students
- There are six $5,000 and two $25,000 scholarships for new doctoral students
- Must demonstrate passion and progress toward achieving social change
- Must apply seven months before courses begin
- Laureate International Universities Network Graduate Scholarship
- This scholarship is available to students that are entering Walden University after graduating from another school in the Laureate International Universities network.
- This scholarship awards 20 percent off the student's total admission costs
- Must be enrolled as a full-time student
- Riley Scholarship
- This scholarship is granted to individuals who have two years of teaching experience.
- This is a full tuition scholarship for an M.S. in Education at Walden University
- Applicant cannot be a current Walden University student
Top 10 Blogs for Online Students
- Clive on Learning: Clive Shepherd from the UK blogs about all aspects of technology-assisted learning and communication.
- Lesley Online Students: This blog is compromised of posts written by current online students enrolled at Leslie University.
- Elearnspace: George Siemens with the Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institutes at Athabasca University in Canada writes posts about the technology and systems involved in online learning.
- E-Learning Queen: Susan Smith Nash has been involved in the development of e-learning since the 1990s, and in this blog she shares her experiences and inside news regarding distance training and education.
- Moving at the Speed of Creativity: Blogger Wesley Fryer maintains this in-depth blog focused on new technology. It can be used to share ideas between learners and educators.
- Tech & Learning: In this blog, the effects of technology are examined from both the educator's and the student's point of view.
- Online Student Survival Guide: Maintained by Western Governors University, this blog has a variety of tips and resources for online students, including information on student loan reform and how to be more productive.
- E-Clippings: Mark Oehlert has worked in the e-learning field for more than 10 years, and in this blog he discusses how culture and technology come together to create a “richer world of learning.”
- In the Middle of the Curve: Thoughts on new technology, e-learning, change management, and software training.
- The Learning Circuits Blog: The Learning Circuits Blog is a community feature established in 2002 by Learning Circuits. It is dedicated to sharing ideas and opinions about the state of learning and technology.