Finding the Best Online Degree Program…For You
So you want to find the best online degree program, but you don’t know where to look. Unfortunately, there isn’t a list, book or report that will give you the answer, primarily because the answer really does vary from person to person. US News and World Report publishes a list of “The Top 100 American Colleges” every year, but even that list is really a compilation of several lists.
So who decides what college is best, and what criteria to use?
Why, it’s you, of course! Whether you're looking for a bachelor degree online, an online associated degree or some other online college degree program, you should be the one making the decision because you are the only one who knows what’s best for you. So what factors are important to you? Are you looking for the best online degree program in a particular field? Are you looking for the best online degree program for your investment? Do you want bragging rights to an Ivy League school? Or are you looking for a program that offers an accelerated option? Whatever it is, you must use your criteria.
Eliminate the Online Degree Programs That Don't Pass Muster
To discover the best online degree program for you, start by eliminating the programs that obviously won’t work. For instance, if you want to pursue a business degree online, and a particular school doesn’t offer that, get it off your list. You’ll probably want to eliminate programs that aren’t accredited by a recognized accreditation agency. An online accredited degree will always have value in the eyes of prospective employers or school administrators in case you want to further your education. In contrast, if the school is not accredited, the degree might be seen as worthless.
Decide what you want
Next, decide what you want in a program. Make a list of the features that are most important to you. You might look at academic excellence. You might require the school to have a solid track record in online education. Maybe there’s someone you’d like to study under—are they on the faculty? What about cost? How does the school use latest technology to provide online education?
Compare programs
After you know what you’re looking for, browse the Internet and pick out four or five online programs that have what you’re looking for. You’ll want to take some time with this. And don’t be swayed by self-proclamations and inflated jargon. Visit each college’s website and look around to see what they have to offer. (Hint: Be leery of an online college that doesn’t have a website.). Better yet, maybe the school has a public forum that you can browse. If so, ask questions to existing or former students about their experience with the school or the program.
Finally, once you’ve conducted your back-up research on a handful of schools, evaluate each school on the features you are looking for. Create a basic chart, rate each college using a 1-5 or 1-10 scale, and then add them up. The one with the highest score just might have the best online degree program for you!
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