| With over 600,000 students enrolled in online colleges, | | | | need help? |
| online degrees are gaining more and more recognition. | | | | From enrollment through completing a class, there |
| And why shouldn't they? In most instances, those | | | | should always be a live person you can contact |
| that are earning online degrees are extremely | | | | should you need to. Call the telephone numbers that |
| motivated working adults. These working adults are | | | | are listed to make sure that you can reach a live |
| seen as having that extra oomph as they have to | | | | person. This would also be an excellent time to ask |
| efficiently manage their time to keep up with the | | | | more specific questions tailored to your situation. |
| demands of both work and school and in some | | | | What Technology is Required to Take the Online |
| cases, a family. When Jack Welch, former CEO of | | | | Classes? |
| General Electrics, was asked about people who | | | | Most online colleges offer classes through a |
| earned online degrees (Business Week, January 14, | | | | combination of web streaming, e-mail, and chat |
| 2008), he stated, "...they're hungry to break open | | | | rooms. Make sure that you have the right programs |
| new possibilities in their careers.... People working all | | | | on your computer to make sure you can |
| day and studying online all night have the kind of 'grr' | | | | accommodate the technology required to take the |
| most companies could use." Do you have the "grr?" | | | | online classes. Also be sure to make sure the online |
| If so, make sure to ask these questions to make | | | | college has 24/7 tech support. Since online students |
| sure the online college is right for you. | | | | tend to study at various times throughout the day, |
| Is the online college accredited and if so, by which | | | | online colleges should offer 24/7 tech support. |
| accrediting agency? | | | | Is the Online Degree You Want Available? |
| Diploma mills, as defined by Wikipedia, are | | | | The great thing about online colleges is that they |
| organizations that award degrees with little to no | | | | cross state borders. If an online college doesn't offer |
| study and are not recognized by accrediting agencies. | | | | the exact degree you want to pursue, then check |
| Employers or colleagues do not respect degrees | | | | another online school. Chances are, there will be |
| from diploma mills so make sure the online colleges | | | | another online college that offers the specific online |
| you look into are accredited. The ed.gov site is a | | | | degree you want. |
| great resource for a list of accrediting agencies. | | | | Online Colleges offer Convenience and Flexibility |
| If you have college units, can you transfer your units | | | | Once you have answered the questions above, you |
| over? | | | | can start realizing the benefits that online colleges |
| Most accredited online colleges will allow you to | | | | offer. With the convenience of online colleges, you |
| transfer any credit you have earned at another | | | | can take classes day or night or anytime in between. |
| college towards an online degree depending on the | | | | You choose what fits your schedule best. And with |
| degree requirements. To make sure, if there is a | | | | the flexibility of online degrees, if you miss a day of |
| specific online college you are interested, call a | | | | studying, you can make it up the next day. Just be |
| counselor to see if the credits you have earned can | | | | sure not too miss too many days or you'll end up |
| be transferred. This can shorten the amount of time | | | | with weeks to make up. Start your search for online |
| it will take you to complete your online degree. | | | | colleges now! |
| Are you able to contact a live person should you | | | | |