How Can You Tell If A College Offering A Distance Learning Degree Is Legitimate?

Are you considering getting your college degreeAccredits schools in Connecticut, Maine,
online? But not sure how you can tell if the collegeMassachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and
offering the degree is legitimate?Online courses andVermont.
online degree programs continue to grow inNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools
popularity. But just because they are popular, and(NCA)
just because the name of the college sounds good,Accredits schools in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado,
does not necessarily make them legitimate.On theIowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
other hand, just because you have not heard of aMissouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma,
college does not mean it is not completelyNew Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia,
legitimate.The Internet has transformed the wayand Wyoming.
students learn, and the way you can get a degree.Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
You can earn a degree from virtually any college in(MSCHE)
America without ever stepping foot on campus. ButAccredits schools in Delaware, the District of
that means you need to make sure the time, effort,Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York,
and money you put into earning your college degreePennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands.
is worthwhile.So, how can you tell if the collegeSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
offering the degree is legitimate?By checking the(SACS)
college's accreditation.Make sure that the college youAccredits schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
are considering is accredited by one of the sixKentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.SCarolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Department of Education. These agencies grant publicWestern Association of Schools and Colleges
and private universities their(WASC)
accreditation.Unfortunately there are many accreditingAccredits schools in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific
agencies that are not "official". And while collegesBasin.
accredited by these unofficial agencies may stillNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
provide you with a quality education, you won't be(NWCCU)
able to obtain Federal Financial Aid or transfer yourAccredits schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,
credits to an officially accredited college. And youOregon, Utah, and Washington.
may find that certain employers won't accept the---
degree, and therefore won't hire you.Here are the sixKris Bickell is the director of distance learning at a
regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.Ssmall private University in Connecticut, and an
Department of Education. If your college is listed, getexperienced online instructor. He is also the owner of
out the books and start studying!which offers tips to help you improve your computer
New England Association of Schools and Collegesspeed.
(NEASC)