| Is it possible to get a fast online degree? Many | | | | resumes and job applications. |
| people today are beginning to realize how | | | | So now you know that buying a degree from degree |
| advantageous it can be for their careers if they have | | | | mills is not only unethical, but can also get you in a |
| several degrees to their name. But since we now live | | | | whole lot of trouble when you're found out. This |
| in a fast-paced world, majority would rather not | | | | doesn't mean, however, that you can't get a fast |
| spend years trying to get their degrees. Instead they | | | | online degree legitimately. There are reputable and |
| want to get their degrees quickly, and preferably | | | | legitimate institutions that offer fast online degrees. It |
| online so all they have to do is get on the Internet | | | | pays to do some checking on schools and other |
| from their computers at home. For this reason, many | | | | institutions that offer online degrees. Use the |
| schools began offering online degrees and other | | | | following as your guideline: |
| accelerated programs. However, before you jump in | | | | 1. Evaluate the degree program being offered. Find |
| on the online degree bandwagon, there are a few | | | | out the graduation requirements, how many credit |
| things you need to know. | | | | the school will grant you for prior learning and what |
| First, because of the high demand for fast online | | | | exactly does the school consider as prior learning. |
| degrees, many shady companies are trying to cash in | | | | Most reputable and legitimate schools that offer fast |
| on this demand. These companies are more | | | | online degrees will typically give you at most two |
| commonly known as degree mills. They offer online | | | | years' worth of credit for prior learning. This may or |
| college degrees to anyone who is willing to pay. The | | | | may not include your life experience. |
| catch? There aren't any coursework, so what these | | | | 2. Evaluate the institution offering fast online degrees. |
| degree mills do is basically sell degrees to anyone | | | | Is it a reputable school overall? What is the profile of |
| willing to shell out the dough. These degree mills have | | | | the school's graduates? Are graduates of the school |
| ala carte options too. For additional fees, your degree | | | | able to get into graduate schools? For a list of |
| can come with honors, transcripts and even | | | | "substandard" schools, check out the database by |
| employer verification. | | | | the State of Oregon: |
| So now you're probably wondering how these | | | | 3. Evaluate the teaching staff. Find out what the |
| degree mills can give you a degree. They actually | | | | student/faculty ratio is. What percentage of the |
| give you credit for your "life experience." There are | | | | teaching staff has doctorate degrees? master's |
| many legitimate schools that do give credit for life | | | | degrees? In terms of publication, what types of |
| experience but that's in addition to some sort of | | | | work and how any have members of the faculty |
| coursework that you have to do still in order to get | | | | published, and where? |
| an online college degree. Degree mills, on the other | | | | 4. Check accreditation of the school. You want to |
| hand, will simply give you all credits on the basis of | | | | get your online degree from an institution that is duly |
| life experience. | | | | accredited by a legitimate state-approved |
| Be aware that many employers don't accept | | | | accreditation body. The Universal Council for Online |
| "degrees" earned from degree mills. Sure, you may | | | | Education Accreditation (UCOEA) and the Board of |
| have extensive life experience and you may know as | | | | Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA) are not |
| much, or even be better, than your degreed | | | | considered legitimate accreditation bodies, so keep |
| co-workers, but a degree from these degree mills | | | | this in mind if you come across institutions stating |
| just won't cut it. In fact, it is illegal in some states for | | | | they are accredited by either the UCOEA or BOUA. |
| employees to use unearned degrees in order to get | | | | Visit the website of the Council for Higher Education |
| hired or promoted for a job. Employers look at the | | | | to check a college's or institution's accreditation: [ |
| practice of getting degrees from degree mills as | | | | It is possible to get a fast online degree that is both |
| unethical. Case in point: Laura Callahan, the former | | | | legitimate and acceptable to current and future |
| deputy chief information officer of the Department | | | | employers. You simply need to take the time to |
| of Homeland Security, is one of the many | | | | thoroughly study each institution and program to |
| government employees currently under investigation | | | | make sure you won't be paying for something you |
| by the Senate for including unearned degrees in their | | | | won't be able to use to advance your career. |