| If you are thinking about taking advantage of one of | | | | will be able to apply for federally funded financial aid |
| the many online degree programs offered by colleges | | | | in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships. As a |
| and Universities from around the United States, you | | | | student of an online program, you are entitled to |
| are not alone. This trend in distance learning has | | | | financial aid. This obviously makes attending college |
| exploded in popularity, due to the convenience and | | | | more affordable, as well as an attainable goal. |
| flexibility of the diverse types of programs offered. | | | | Yet another benefit of attending an online college or |
| However, there is something you should keep in mind | | | | University accredited by the U.S. Department of |
| when considering which program to apply to and/or | | | | Education is the legitimacy of the degree that you |
| attend. That is, make sure the program you select is | | | | earn. Holding a degree from an accredited institution |
| accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. This | | | | will be more recognized and accepted by potential |
| is important and beneficial to you for many reasons. | | | | employers when applying for jobs. In addition, many |
| Schools are granted accreditation by the U.S. | | | | professional organizations do not acknowledge |
| Department of Education for meeting or exceeding | | | | degree from colleges and Universities that are not |
| certain criteria for excellence in quality of education. It | | | | accredited, the implication being that the academic |
| is no different if you choose an online program than | | | | standards at a non-accredited institution are not held |
| if you were to go to a traditional college or | | | | at as high a standard. |
| University. This accreditation falls under two | | | | There are so-called online colleges and Universities |
| categories: institutional and specialized. Institutional | | | | that do not operate within the limits of U.S |
| accreditation pertains to the college or University as a | | | | Department of Education's guidelines. They essentially |
| whole, where specialized accreditation pertains to the | | | | take students' money and award phony degrees to |
| individuals academic programs within the college or | | | | them with little or no regard for academic |
| University. Accreditation affects the funding that a | | | | achievement or mastery. Often, these "schools" do |
| college or University receives from the Department | | | | not require a lot coursework and testing on the |
| of Education. The Department of Education does not | | | | required subjects. Therefore their graduates are not |
| govern the colleges and Universities that achieve | | | | truly educated in the fields for which they hold |
| accreditation. Rather, it works with them to make | | | | "degrees". These degrees are not held in high |
| sure they maintain their levels of excellence and | | | | esteem, and falling victim to one of these fake |
| assists them in certain ways to advance. | | | | schools can make the road to gainful employment |
| Choosing an online college or University that has | | | | very bumpy. |
| accreditation form the U.S. Department on Education | | | | Online learning has become a legitimate, flexible, and |
| is the most sensible choice. The benefits for you, as | | | | convenient way to earn your degree, and improve |
| a student, are numerous. For example, transferring | | | | your life professionally. If you are considering one of |
| prior college credits from one accredited college or | | | | the many online college and University degree |
| University to another is easier. Accredited colleges | | | | programs out there, remember to do your research. |
| and Universities have agreements with one another | | | | Make the benefits of online education worth the hard |
| to provide smooth transitions for students. Another | | | | work you put into it by choosing a college and |
| huge benefit of selecting a U.S. Department of | | | | degree program accredited by the U.S. Department |
| Education accredited college or University is that you | | | | of Education. |