| The Internet has recently brought forth a new kind | | | | These so-called "online universities" that claim |
| of university, one without a geographical center. | | | | accreditation from such sources will, at best, provide |
| These colleges offer an education through online | | | | you a poor education that few respect. At worst, |
| lectures, discussions, and assignments. They are a | | | | they will simply sell you a fake diploma. It is illegal in |
| good option for people without the time and money | | | | many states to claim you have a degree if all you |
| to spend four years at a college site, but can also | | | | really own is a diploma from one of these schools. |
| turn out to be scams. Before enrolling in an online | | | | There are real online schools, but legitimate ones are |
| university, you need to determine whether it is | | | | the in the minority. To be a valid, recognized |
| accredited. | | | | university in the United States, a school must be |
| If a school has been accredited, that means it has | | | | accredited by an organization that has itself been |
| been reviewed and certified to teach an academic | | | | recognized by the Council for Higher Education |
| program and hand out degrees. If a school is not | | | | Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of |
| accredited, it can claim to teach all they like, but you | | | | Education (USDE), or both. There are five main |
| will never receive a real diploma from them. | | | | regional accreditors and many smaller organizations |
| Accreditation ensures that schools are providing a | | | | recognized by CHEA and USDE. These organizations |
| high quality education and a somewhat consistent | | | | have lists on their web sites. |
| curriculum for each subject core. | | | | An online education is not as well respected as |
| There are many schools claiming to be accredited, | | | | attending a physical university, but it can be a great |
| but accreditation doesn't mean anything if it comes | | | | option for self-motivated people who need to earn a |
| from a non-recognized organization. Any organization | | | | degree more quickly while they move forward with |
| stating they are accredited by the IAAOU | | | | their lives. It is not such a good idea to jump into an |
| (International Accreditation Agency for Online | | | | online education straight out of high school, but is |
| Universities), Board of Online Universities (BOUA), | | | | very helpful for those already employed and who |
| World Online Education Accrediting Commission | | | | want to give their careers a little boost by finally |
| (WOEA), and UCOEA (Universal Council for Online | | | | earning that coveted degree. |
| Education Accreditation), are not real universities and | | | | Make sure the online school you are considering is |
| will not offer a quality education. Hint: no real | | | | accredited from a respected institution that has been |
| accrediting organization has the word "online" in its | | | | approved by the CHEA or the USDE. They |
| title. | | | | authenticate the only real schools online that count! |