Online College Adviser

How to Spot a Diploma Mill

noreply@blogger.com (Online College Adviser) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:58:00 +0000

How to Spot a Diploma Mill

The Online College Adviser is here again with some vital information about how to spot a diploma mill. I’ll tell you what diploma mills are, why they should be avoided at all costs, and give you some resources to help you spot diploma mills.

Diploma Mill: A Definition

For those of you who have never heard the term “diploma mill” before, let me start with a definition taken from the U.S.: “n. Informal. An unaccredited institution of higher education that grants degrees without ensuring that students are properly qualified and acts without proper supervision from a state or professional agency” (taken from Answers.com). So, if you purchase a fake degree from one of these institutions, it is similar to buying a fake Rolex or an imitation Gucci bag, and trying to pass it off as the real thing. Sooner or later, you will get caught, and the consequences for showing fraudulent educational credentials are severe. IT IS A CRIME! It is fraud and is punishable by a fine and in many states also will require jail time of up to a year.

Diploma Mills: Just don’t do it!
Just do a Google search and you can come across many cases of educational fraud. Some people may choose to get these types of degrees unknowingly, and that is regrettable. But others intentionally invest in these types of degree in order to get promotions or other forms of recognition. Choosing to buy a degree from a diploma mill is very short-term thinking.

I always talk about education as a long-term investment (see my post entitled, A College Degree: Not "Just A Piece of Paper", for a compete discussion). Even if you are one of the lucky few who don’t get caught, you will spend your life living with the guilt that you are a fake, that you bought your credential rather than earning it. Don’t shortchange yourself like that. Yes, the road is longer to get a legitimate degree, but there are legal ways to speed up your college degree and you will sleep a whole lot better in the end. You will also experience a deep sense of satisfaction and increased confidence at having completed your college degree the right way. Not only that, you will gain real and valuable knowledge and skills to help you continue to move forward in your career and in your life.

How to Spot a Diploma Mill

There are several tell-tale signs to help you spot a diploma mill.

1. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you run across an advertisement promising a college degree in a week or an unrealistically short amount of time…that’s a pretty good sign that you are dealing with a diploma mill. Others are a little more subtle, saying that they will give you a degree for your work experience. Please understand that a college degree is more than just a piece of paper (click to see my post of the same title). I will do a post about the different parts of an American university degree in the near future, but for now understand that some classes you take will not directly relate to your major. General education or liberal arts courses will give you a solid foundation in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Many of these subjects cannot be learned through work experience. So, a college degree only based on work experience is very narrow in scope and limited in nature. A big part of the process of getting a college or university degree, whether online or in class, is to be able to read critically, write effectively, and communicate clearly. The classes you take are designed to give you opportunities to develop and hone those skills. These skills, more than anything else, are the ones that will help you move ahead in your career. The degree itself without the skills to back it up will not take you far.

2. The schools’s name is very similar to a prestigious or well-known college or university. Degree mills are scam artists, pure and simple. So they will use every technique to convince you to hand over your hard-earned money to them. A common technique they use is to give the school a name that sounds very similar to a legitimate one. One of the best known examples is Hamilton University, a diploma mill named to be similar to the highly-reputed Hamilton College. One of the best resources and most complete lists I am aware of is this PDF document naming colleges and universities which are not currently accredited by an agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

3. The school charges tuition for a full degree, not just course by course or credit by credit. Diploma mills are notorious for saying, “Give me $XXXXX.XX and we will give you a diploma, transcripts, and a number to call in case anyone wants to check on the validity of your degree. In addition, the school will require little or no contact with professors (including online contact) and will also require minimal coursework before rewarding the degree. Legitimate colleges and universities list tuition based either on a per-course or a per-credit basis.

4. The schools boasts an impressive list of accrediting agencies. A diploma mill will do everything possible to convince you that it is a real, trustworthy, and reliable school. I talked about accreditation in a former post entitled All About Accreditation. You should always do your research before giving your money to a college or university. A trustworthy list of accrediting agencies can be found at this U.S. Department of Education website.

These are the four main ways I know for how to spot diploma mills. I hope that this helps you to stay aware and alert to possible scams as you move ahead toward your goal of getting your college degree. Until next time, Online College Adviser invites you to check out my collection of resources to help you hop on the fast track (but not unrealistically fast) toward college or university degree completion.

Onward and upward!

Look for my next post entitled: Anatomy of a College Degree

Get a College Degree with Someone Else's Money

noreply@blogger.com (Online College Adviser) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:02:00 +0000

New Year’s Resolution #1: Get a College Degree With Someone Else’s Money

The Online College Adviser would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

And while I’m on the subject of the New Year, let me say that one of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make is to go back to school and get a college degree. Whether it is your first degree, or your fifth, or if you want to just take a few classes in order to develop a new skill or hone one that you already have…investing in your education is one of the best ways that you can spend your hard-earned money. I talk a lot about education as a long-term investment in my post entitled A College Degree: Not "Just A Piece of Paper"

And the good news is, sometimes you don’t even need to spend that much of your own money to do it. In fact, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get a college degree paid for with someone else’s money. You can’t get much better than that, can you???!!!!

I promised you a post about financial aid, so here it is in a nutshell. There are many different sources of money out there for people who want to go back to college and earn a degree. Of course, depending on the type of aid there may be different criteria that you have to meet, but you can potentially have a portion or sometimes all of your college expenses paid for with someone else’s money. By college expenses I mean things like tuition and fees, textbooks, school supplies, and maybe even a computer or computer software to support your studies. There are lots of opportunities out there, but I will focus on a few of the most common ways that people can go back to school using someone else’s money. These ideas will help you start thinking about how you can afford to go back to school.

1. Grants (also known as FREE MONEY)
While grants are not available for everyone, people in lower income brackets may be able to qualify for financial aid money in the form of grants. This is literally FREE MONEY which the United States government makes available to people for the purpose of helping them pay for school. Of course, this is taxpayer money, so your school will monitor it fairly closely and require you to use it for educationally related expenses, but you don’t have to pay it back. How great is that???!!!! There may also be state, local, or private grants available in addition to federal grants, so make sure to ask what types of grants are available at the school you select.

2. Scholarships
When most people think of scholarships, they usually imagine that these types of monetary awards are only for the best and the brightest. While it is true that many scholarships are academic in nature and may have special criteria to meet such as certain ACT/SAT scores or minimum GPA requirements, there are a surprising number of scholarships available which target different types of students. For example, most people are aware of athletic scholarships, awards for people who excel in sports such as football, basketball, tennis, or golf. However, did you know that many schools have athletic scholarships for less “popular” sports such as soccer, judo, or even bowling? Other scholarships may be available for people on the cheer squad or dance/drill team. Leadership scholarships are offered at many schools for people who have been involved in student government or are involved in on-campus clubs or professional organizations. Scholarships exist at many schools for first-generation college students, or students with certain ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Some schools have scholarships for part-time students or non-traditional students (meaning working adults like you). And you may be able to qualify for multiple scholarships, so make sure you find out the rules about that as well.

In additional to internal scholarships which are offered by the school itself, there may be external scholarships available as well. Websites like FastWeb.com allow you to complete a detailed personal profile and then gives you a list of scholarships and opportunities which match your unique background and situation. For example, there are scholarships out there for people whose parents have worked for the U.S. Postal Service or for people who graduated from a certain high school or for people who can demonstrate an active involvement in community service.

WARNING: If you decide to look at online scholarship clearinghouses, be careful to check the reputation of the site. Some of them are phishing for your personal information, so use these types of sites with caution.

3. Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance programs are great opportunities to have some else pay for your college expenses. Many employers offer tuition assistance programs, especially if the degree program you choose will enhance or improve your ability to perform your job responsibilities. If you are working in the area of human resources for example, your job may be willing to offer partial or complete tuition reimbursement for courses taken toward a certificate or degree in Human Resource Management. In the area of healthcare, many hospitals will help CNAs and LPNs who want to continue their education by paying for some or all of their tuition in RN or BSN programs.

Another way to get tuition assistance is through service in the U.S. military or National Guard or one of the reserves. Programs such as the G.I. Bill and other military educational benefits are designed to reward servicemembers with money for college both while they are on active duty and after they have left the armed services. Most colleges and universities have an Office of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) with trained professionals to help walk you through the somewhat complex process of getting things set up so that you can maximize your use of these valuable benefits. Another great resource is Military.com’s education section of their website. They offer a lot of detail and vital information for taking advantage of military tuition assistance.

4. Work for a college or university
This is similar to Suggestion #3, but I wanted to drive home the point that most schools will offer some type of free tuition or deeply discounted tuition to its staff members. Sometimes there are limits as to the number of classes an employee can take per year, but this is one amazing way to go if you want someone else to pay for your classes. The great news is that often these tuition benefits will be available not only to the staff member but also to his/her spouse and children. Again, before saying yes to the job, make sure that you understand the benefits that pertain to tuition at that school.

5. Workstudy Program
The federal workstudy program is a type of financial assistance that requires you to work for your money, but most of the jobs are located on campus, the employers agree to be flexible with you regarding your school schedule, and the salary you receive is tax free. This is a federally funded program, and there are a set number of hours that you are awarded each semester. You must work the hours in order to get the money. You can get more information about this program by talking to your college’s Office of Financial Aid (or Financial Assistance).

6. Federal and Private Student Loans
These are loans, so you will eventually have to pay them back, but these types of programs allow students to pay for their college expenses now and pay back the loans later. Many loan programs offer the option of starting repayment after graduation. I could probably do an entire post on the different types of loans available, but just to keep it simple, the two main types of loans are federally funded and private loans. Your school will be able to explain the different types of loans and the options available to you, so make sure to ask lots of questions and understand the restrictions and requirements for receiving student loan monies. This is “other people’s money” but eventually you will have to pay it back, so make sure to only borrow what you need.

These are the six main types of funding available for paying for college tuition and expenses. There may be other opportunities out there as well, so keep your eyes open and do your research. Until next time, Online College Adviser invites you to check out my collection of resources to help you hop on the fast track toward your goal of getting your college degree.

Onward and upward!

Look for my next post entitled: How to Spot a Diploma Mill

All About College Degrees

noreply@blogger.com (Online College Adviser) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:56:00 +0000

All About College Degrees

Once again, the Online College Adviser is taking a step back to explain something important. When I started this website I imagined my audience would already have a sense of what kinds of different degrees are out there. So I assumed that there would be a certain amount of background knowledge my readers would bring to the table. Now I see the error of my ways, so here is a quick post on the primary types of college degrees and professional certifications that exist. These are the main types of undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates that I keep referring to throughout my posts.

High School Degrees
College and University Degrees
Certificates Programs

High School Degrees

For entry level jobs in a number of fields, most employers will ask for proof of a high school diploma or equivalent. Colleges and universities will also usually have a similar requirement. People who prefer the face-to-face interaction with teachers and classmates will choose to go back to school in an Adult High School. Contact your local Department of Education for more information. Those who prefer distance education can find programs which allow them to take web-based (online) courses, telecourses (available by television or on VHS/DVD), or mail-in correspondence courses. The option that you choose is up to you.

The other main way to satisfy the requirement of a high school diploma or recognized equivalent is to get your General Educational Development (GED) Diploma. This is basically a certificate which students receive after having passed a high school equivalency test. Again, contact your local Department of Education for more information.

If you are not sure whether you’d like to complete high school or take the GED exam, I’d like to refer you to a nice article by Thomas Nixon entitled “Online High School.” While he is focused primarily on online degree options, he does a really good job of laying out the benefits and challenges of a traditional diploma compared with a GED.

No matter which option you choose, you can’t go wrong in finishing your high school degree.

College and University Degrees

First of all, let me clarify that when people talk about college or university degrees, they mean an official award conferred by the educational institution as recognition for successfully completing an academic or vocational program of study. The most common degrees that people seek include associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and professional degrees.

Associate’s degrees

Associate's degrees are awarded by two-year colleges (such as community colleges or junior colleges). They normally require at least two years of full-time equivalent college work. There are different types of associate degrees. General degrees such an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in General Studies or Liberal Studies is a common choice for people planning to transfer to a four-year university down the line. This type of degree often “covers” the general education or core requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

Other degrees such as the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree may be better suited for your individual needs. These are usually more tailored to meet certain requirements for graduates who plan to enter the workforce with more specialized training. These degrees often include a number of transferable credits, but it is always best to double-check before starting. (I will include more information about transfer tips in an upcoming post.)

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor's degrees are the most traditional degrees given by U.S. colleges and universities. This type of degree usually requires between four and five years full-time equivalent college-level course work. Of course, the bachelor’s degree is designed to prepare graduates for entering the workforce or continuing on toward a higher degree or type of certification. Just like associate’s degrees, there are different types of bachelor’s degree including Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.), and the list goes on. Again, the type of degree you choose depends what you plan to do after you finish. For more information about what to consider when choosing a degree, see my post Back to College: First Steps.

Master’s degrees

Master's degrees are post-bachelor's degree programs which requires between one to two full-time equivalent graduate-level courses. The best known degrees are, of course, the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) but, as with the bachelor’s degrees, there is a huge variety. Some master’s degrees are designed as part of a doctoral degree (see below). These are called non-terminal degrees, because they are not the endpoint. For example, it’s very common to see a master’s degree in Psychology awarded after certain requirements are met, as the student moves forward to complete a Ph.D. in Psychology. Other master’s programs are considered to be terminal degrees. Many of these are professional programs, preparing for a special kind of work, such as the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), or Master of Education (M.Ed.). These degrees normally require completion of comprehensive exams, professional papers, portfolios, or an original research project (thesis) which must be approved before the final degree is conferred.

Doctoral degrees

Doctoral degrees are generally seen as the highest degree available within the realm of graduate study. Certainly, the best known is the Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D with a specialization in one of many different fields (e.g. Ph.D in English Literature). However, as with the other degrees, a wide variety of programs exist including Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.), Doctor of Public Health (D.P.H.), Doctor of Nursing Science (D. NSc.), or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.). People who have earned this degree are generally referred as Dr. So-and-so. Doctoral degrees are usually pursued by those who wish to become specialists in a certain academic field and often require between four to eight years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree level. These degrees are typically the most academically rigorous and involved the completion of coursework and comprehensive exams, and an extended research project (dissertation) which must be approved before the final degree is conferred.

Professional degrees

Professional degrees are considered terminal degrees. They are included in a separate category because they involve knowledge as well as significant practical training. Medical and law degrees fall into this category. Here is a list of some of the most common professional degrees: dentistry (D.D.S.), medicine (M.D.), optometry (O.D.), osteopathic medicine (D.O.), pharmacy (Pharm.D.), law (J.D.), or veterinary medicine (D.V.M.).

Certificates Programs

Certificates indicate that a person has completed coursework and has developed skills in a certain area. Generally speaking, certificates require fewer courses than the above-mentioned degrees. Certifications vary by type and industry. Many professions (such as accounting, teaching, and medicine) require ongoing certification while many technical-vocational fields require certifications based on a set of core courses. In addition to specialized certification, many schools nowadays will offer certificates beyond the major degrees.

A post-baccalaureate certificate is typically a focused and professionally-oriented program of study beyond the bachelor's degree. These programs are designed for people who have completed a baccalaureate degree but are not interested in completing a full master’s degree program. In addition, many schools allow students the option of starting with a post-baccalaureate certificate program and then transitioning into a master's degree program later. These certificates often include refresher courses or additional units of study in a specialization or more in-depth subspecialization.

A post-master's certificate is quite obviously a focused program of study beyond the master's degree. These may or may not meet requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. Like the post-baccalaureate certificate, these post-master’s certificates often include refresher courses or additional units of study in a specialization or more in-depth subspecialization. These types of programs are very helpful for “retooling” when preparing to change jobs or move toward a promotion.

No matter which degree you choose to pursue each of the above-mentioned degrees can open doors in certain fields and allow you to compete more effectively. Being able to indicate certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or doctoral degrees on an application or resume can set you apart from other applicants. In addition, if you are going back to school after gaining several years experience in a field, you will also find that what you study may be more meaningful because you will know how the concepts apply practically in the workforce.

The Online College Adviser has put together a list of resources to help you as you move forward toward the degree of your choice. The highlighted link for this post is http://www.GuideToOnlineSchools.com. It is one of my favorite resources because it is so chock full of information. There is a lot to learn, so make sure you spend enough time gathering information. Also, feel free to browse around the Online College Adviser’s resource website for more information, tips and tools to go back to school and get on with your life.

Onward and upward!

Look for my next post: All About Financial Aid

Tips for Choosing a School

noreply@blogger.com (Online College Adviser) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:31:00 +0000

I’ve decided to take a break from the educational side of my postings and give you a little straight talk. Most of you, I’m coming to realize, are not really interested in the background that I have been giving you. In fact, as I have shared the content with friends and colleagues they seem to say: great information, but most people are simply not interested in all this stuff. They just want to know the quickest and easiest ways to get a college degree. So, the Online College Adviser is about to switch gears.

First of all, I have to say that I can’t do this in good conscience without warning you about something. Most people don’t go out there and make a major investment or purchase a big ticket item without doing any research. Most people wouldn’t even think about buying a new car without spending at least some time browsing the internet, talking to friends or coworkers, taking at least a few cars out for test drives. Am I right? Of course I’m right. That’s why I’m going to say right now that the same holds true for education, especially online education. You need to be willing to put the time in up front to make sure that you are going to be spending not only your hard-earned money but also your valuable TIME getting a degree that will truly help you move forward in your life and your career.

Remember this important fact: Not all degrees are created equal.

My last post talked all about accreditation. This is very important when it comes to choosing a degree, just like checking a car’s safety ratings or checking into the car maker’s past performance to know whether you are getting a quality vehicle or a lemon that’s going to cost to lots in repairs down the line. Believe it or not, choosing a school and a degree program is very similar to choosing a car. And the school’s reputation is a big deal, especially in certain fields. By and large, a degree from a regionally accredited school is held in higher regard and is better trusted than those from nationally accredited schools. So why pay the same or even more for a degree that might actually hinder you in the future? It just doesn’t make sense.

Now, I said that I would try to keep things simple, so here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare to choose your school.

1. Check the accreditation. Not to beat a dead horse, but I would say that this is the most important thing to know when you’re choosing your school or program.

2. Check the reputation. Does the school keep its promises to students? Are you going to be able to get the classes you need when you need them? Do students graduate in a timely manner? Are there academic advisers and other student support services to help you through the degree?

3. Availability of financial aid. Does the school have federally funded aid available in the way of student grants or loans? Are there scholarships available? Are there private loans available? Is there an option to set up a payment plan and spread the payments out over time? You have to figure out how to pay for this degree. (More about this in another post.)

4. Accessibility of courses. By this I mean, will you be able to actually fit the classes into your schedule? Do you live close enough to the college or university so that you will be able to commute and attend classes physically? If you plan to take courses online, do you have a reliable high-speed internet connection and a fairly new computer that can handle the online course delivery software? Do the online courses require you to log on at a specific time, or can you log in as your schedule permits as long as you are meeting the assignment deadlines?

5. Personal fit. Can you arrange for childcare or make adjustments to your work schedule to be able to accommodate this new pursuit into your schedule? The online classes and degrees tend to offer maximum flexibility, but for some people the in-class experience is vital to their learning. You have to make sure that the program you choose fits both your learning style and your life style.

One thing I am going to start to do is to highlight one of the resources on my page. I was leaving it open-ended before so that you could look around and see what is of interest for you. People come to this site looking for certificate programs, associate degree programs, bachelor and master’s degree programs, and I don’t want to steer anyone away from potentially helpful information. But since the initial feedback I’ve been getting is that people are feeling lost and overwhelmed, hopefully this will help you as well.

So, the link spotlight of this post is www.EducationDegreeSource.com. You'll find it on the Online College Adviser's resource website. They have a really nice breakdown of different types of degrees. Their website also organizes things into different areas of study. Lastly their resource section is really informative. There is a good FAQ section and lots of important tips to consider.

The Online College Adviser is always on the lookout for good resources about going back to school, whether it is an online college program or a more traditional one. If you have found something that is particularly helpful, please leave a comment and let me know about it.

Onward and upward!

Look for my next post: All About College Degrees

All About Accreditation

noreply@blogger.com (Online College Adviser) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:55:00 +0000

Choosing which school to attend or which program to follow can be a seemingly overwhelming task. But have no fear, because the Online College Adviser is here to help.

I listed many points to consider in my previous post, Back to College: First Steps. However here are some other points to ponder as you really pick up the pace in your quest for the perfect program. As you choose, you should consider the school’s and/or program’s accreditation, reputation, accessibility, availability of federally funded Financial Aid (student loans and grants), and of course, personal fit.

This post will focus on accreditation at both the regional and national levels. In addition, specialized program accreditation will also be briefly discussed.

Accreditation: An Overview
Because I’m trying to simplify the process, let me just say that there are different types of accreditation when it comes to colleges and universities. Accreditation refers to whether or not the school has demonstrated that it meets certain professional critera and educational standards. So, if a school is accredited, then it means that that institution has earned the right to bear the “stamp of approval” of the accrediting agency.

Many schools claim to be accredited, and in fact, many are accredited, but the type of accreditation varies. For people who plan to attend one school and then transfer to another school, the safest and most highly trusted accreditation agencies are regional rather than national. This goes contrary to what most people might expect. They assume that a nationally accredited school is more reliable than a regionally accredited one. When it comes to colleges and universities in the United States, this is simply not the case.

Regional Accreditation
The following agencies offer regional accreditation of U.S. colleges and universities, including online programs, and schools with this type of accreditation can be chosen with confidence. (Please note that it is especially important with online programs to find out which region the school is affiliated with in order to check its accreditation.) Here are the six different regional accrediting bodies in the United States:

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) which includes California and Hawaii, as well as the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Marshall Islands, and other locations within the Pacific Basin.

Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU) which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA) which includes Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, the Navajo Nation, Nebraska, New Mexico, the North and South Dakotas, Ohio, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA) which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Central America, parts of Europe, and parts of the Middle East.

Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SASC) which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, the North and South Carolinas, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Latin America.

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Africa, Asia, parts of Europe, and parts of the Middle East.

Each of these regional associations recognizes the courses and credit hours earned at each other’s schools, and so it becomes much easier to transfer your credits or courses from one to the other. Transferring is a tricky process that is best covered in a post of its own, but for now just be aware that courses taken at regionally accredited schools are much more likely to be accepted by employers and other schools if you end up having to transfer.

National accreditation is the other primary type of accreditation worth mentioning.

National Accreditation
National accrediting agencies will look at schools and programs across the country. Some examples of national accrediting agencies include the Distance Education Training Council (DETA), Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). These are legitimate accrediting agencies recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). (For a complete list of all accrediting agencies, please visit the CHEA.org website.)

It is important to keep in mind that national accrediting agencies cover a much broader scope in terms of types of schools and programs. For example a lot of the technical or vocational colleges fall under this umbrella. These are targeted programs that are designed to train people within a relatively short amount of time to be able to go into the work force and do something specific. Some examples include medical transcriptionist, medical or dental assistant, legal assistant, computer-aided drafter, etc. Depending on your goals, these types of schools may be sufficient for you to get some training and get a better job. Just keep in mind that these types of programs are very narrow in their focus, so they will not likely be accepted at regionally accredited colleges or universities if you decide to pursue a more traditional college degree in the future.

Also, you will find in the national category many religious-based schools like bible colleges or divinity schools. These schools also serve a specific purpose and are based on certain faith-based philosophies which their founders are unwilling to compromise. In such cases, these types of schools may not seek regional accreditation because they may be forced to alter what or how they teach to comply with certain standards or guidelines. So, these types of schools are less likely to be regionally accredited.

Please understand that many programs, regardless of their type of accreditation may have merit and value. Just realize that accreditation has an effect on how you may be able to use those courses in the future, especially if you plan to transfer to another school or pursue another degree in the future. This holds true whether the credits are earned at a traditional brick-and-mortar school or an online college or university.

Specialized program accreditation
These types of accreditation are in relation to certain fields and indicate that a particular program meets certain criteria and standards. For example, when choosing a nursing program, it makes sense to choose one that has received the “stamp of approval” from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). For business programs, look for accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Other examples would include medical programs endorsed by the American Medical Association (AMA), dental programs certified by the American Dental Association (ADA), or law programs approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). You get the picture, right? Many professional fields have at least one major organization which oversees the training and education of professionals in that field. Do your research to find out what that organization is and make sure that your program is up to par.

The next important points to consider as you choose your college or program include reputation of the college or university, accessibility in terms of your current schedule, availability of federally funded Financial Aid (student loans and grants), and of course, personal fit. I hope to get through all of those topics in my next post, so come back soon for this vital information.

The Online College Adviser is always on the lookout for good resources about going back to school. If you have found something that is particularly helpful, please leave a comment and let me know. I have compiled a great list of resources at the Online College Adviser’s website, so if you’re not sure where to start, you can’t go wrong here.

Onward and upward!

Check out my next post: Tips for Choosing a School

Back to College: First Steps

noreply@blogger.com (Online College Adviser) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 06:55:00 +0000

The Online College Adviser is back with some first steps to consider when heading back to school. However, before we begin, I'd like to share something with you. One of my favorite quotes to think about when starting something new is this:

If you're not sure where you're going,
how will you know when you've arrived?

This is especially important as you move toward the completion of your college degree. Going back to school involves doing quite a bit of thinking about where you are right now in your life and where you hope to be in the future. Here are some suggestions for how to start that process. First of all, consider the following questions:

1. What kind of job/career are you aiming for? How important is salary? job stability? job availability? flexibility? When you start to do research, you need to keep in mind what you need and what you are willing to sacrifice. When exploring career options, tools like Monster.com’s Education and Career Advice services can provide current information about today's job market. Whether you choose to stay in your current field or branch out into a new field, make sure that you do your research. Talk to people who are currently in the field. Ask them what they like about the field and what they don’t like. Most importantly, ask them about opportunities for advancement and what kind of training or education is usually expected and/or required.

2. What kind of degree/training do you need in order to meet the industry requirements for that job/career? Again, talking to people in the field is a great way to start gathering information. You can also go online to websites such as Salary.com and see how your experience and educational background compare with current market standards. Most people find that some type of degree is required or highly recommended in order to get jobs higher than entry level. In certain fields, a degree is often required even at the entry level. So make sure to spend enough time doing your career research before you actually start looking at programs or schools.

3. How soon do you need your degree? Some schools specialize in accelerated degree programs and offer degrees or training in as little as 3 months. Too good to be true? Some of the offers are (a topic which I will cover in another post), but the good news is that some programs can actually deliver legitimate degrees in relatively short periods of time. Many of these involve taking and passing numerous tests in order to satisfy certain degree requirements. Schools like Excelsior College will allow large numbers of courses to be “covered” in that way. These tests are basically like comprehensive final exams, and as long as you pass the tests, you are demonstrating that you have the knowledge which those courses are designed to cover. Another common way to get a degree faster is by choosing a school which offers accelerated courses. A whole course may be delivered in a few weeks, a system which presents tremendous amounts of information in a short time, but allows students to focus on only one course at a time. Be aware that these types of options exist, and make sure to ask about them.

4. Do you have any work training certificates or transfer credits which may apply? This goes hand in hand with point #3. One of the best ways to “speed up” your degree is to take full advantage of what you have already done before and try to get credit for that. For example, if you have taken training courses (such as continuing education units), or if you hold industry licenses, some schools may be willing to give you some academic credit for them. This also holds true for military training. And of course, if you have taken courses at a community college or trade school, it makes sense to find out if any of those courses will transfer. I’ll talk more about tips for transferring in another post, but for now make a mental note to find out about the possibility of transfer credits or work-based training credits as you explore different schools.

5. Are you interested in online (virtual) classes, in-class (traditional, a.k.a. physical) classes, or hybrid classes (a combination of in-class and online elements)? This question gets at the heart of how you want to receive your education or training. One of the most common points to consider is whether you have what it takes to succeed with online classes. A good resource to check your online learning readiness is a short survey developed by Ball State University. The survey brings up a number of key issues such as availability of a new (or relatively new) computer, high speed internet service, comfort level using a computer and learning to operate new software, ability to be a self-starter and self-motivator and so forth. If you are well organized and good at figuring things out and getting things done, then online learning could be a perfect option for you. On the other hand, if you need to have the support of a teacher in close proximity or want to actually see and physically interact with classmates, then a traditional learning environment may be a better choice. Last, but not least, be aware that many programs allow the flexibility of doing both, where students come together once a week (or once a month) and submit assignments or have discussions using online tools such as discussion boards and chat rooms. These hybrid courses provide the best of both worlds to students.

6. What is your budget? Contrary to popular belief, online education costs are comparable to costs of traditional programs. In fact, sometimes online degrees can have significantly higher tuition and fees than programs offered on a physical “bricks and mortar” campus. Many schools offer different types of financial assistance, from grants to scholarships to loans, but there may be limitations on how much you can qualify for or receive. I could do another post on financing your education (so be on the lookout for that), but right now you will need to determine how much you are willing to pay. Most programs will refer to cost in terms of credit hours. A typical college or university course is worth at least three (3) credit hours, although some may be worth more or less. So, to determine how much you will pay for a class, let's imagine that, at a private university, Program X’s tuition is listed as $510 per credit. A quick calculation shows that $510 x 3 credits = $1530 for one class. A public school or community college may be significantly cheaper, like $50 per credit which equals $150 per three-credit class. Of course, fees and books are generally not included, so don’t forget to figure those expenses in as well. Other expenses which are commonly overlooked include travel or transportation expenses, parking, childcare, and other school-related materials. Make sure that you are financially prepared to pay for your educational investment.

After you have spent some time determining your answers to those questions, you will be ready to start looking at possible schools and programs. For my next post, the Online College Adviser will look at important points to consider when actually choosing your new college or university.

In the meantime, please check out the resources that I have put together at the Online College Adviser’s resource website. You'll find a number of links to help you get your feet wet and start to explore what a tremendous number of programs and options are available.

Onward and upward!

Look for my next post: All About Accreditation

A College Degree: Not "Just A Piece of Paper"

noreply@blogger.com (Online College Adviser) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:45:00 +0000

I'm the Online College Adviser, and for good reason. I've been a professional academic adviser for over 10 years. As such, I have helped thousands if not tens of thousands of people figure out what it takes to be able to go back to school and get back on track in pursuing their college or university degrees. But almost without fail, within the course of that initial conversation, the person says, "Everyone knows that it's just a piece of paper, but that little piece of paper is keeping me from getting the promotion I've been aiming for (or earning the salary that I deserve, etc.)."

It doesn't take a genius to know how valuable that "little piece of paper is." Just look in the newspaper classified ads and you'll see jobs one after the other listing a college degree as a necessary requirement, even to get your foot in the door. And more and more people are being passed over for promotions because they don't have that vital accomplishment on their resume. In fact, as the world becomes more technologically advanced, a college degree coupled with real world skills is what employers want. And contrary to popular belief, there are often many significant differences between those who have completed degrees and those who have not. A good degree adds significant value (which I'll discuss more in another post). That's why employers keep on searching for and hiring the applicants with degrees.

A college degree is truly a key to unlock the door to countless future opportunities.

The main thing I wanted to point out today is that a college or university degree is so much more than just a piece of paper. It's not quick; it's not easy; and it doesn't come without some sacrifice. But that's part of what makes it so valuable. Except for those diploma mills which sell degrees requiring lots of money but not a lot of effort (yet another topic which I'll save that for another post), legitimate schools and programs will require your time and commitment. They will challenge you to stretch yourself, sometimes to the limit. To walk this road takes patience and grit and focus and determination. And hopefully, if you do it right, it's also going to be extremely rewarding because, more likely than not, your mind will expand, your perspectives will shift, and your horizons will broaden. You'll experience the thrill of that proverbial light bulb switching on and saying to yourself, "Wow...I never thought of it like that before."

Education changes people in meaningful and significant ways.

Without a doubt, there is so much to learn in life and there is plenty which can be gleaned from experiences outside of college. I'm not contesting that AT ALL. However, there are all kinds of advantages and skills that come as a result of formalized learning programs like associate, bachelor, or master degree programs, which is one reason why they are increasingly growing in popularity. Most notably, online college and university degree programs are in EXTREMELY high demand because most people don't have the luxury of quitting their day job in order to go back to school.

More education = greater earning potential

One final reason to take the plunge and head back to school is the bottom line, pure and simple: academic or technical degrees almost always equate to more money. In other words, more education equates to greater earning potential. This trend has been seen for years, and there are lots of different studies out there to back it up. However, the clearest one I found comes from the U.S. Census Bureau. They released a report last year (2006) based on data from 2004, and they found the following:

“Adults age 18 and older with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $51,554 in 2004, while those with a high school diploma earned $28,645.... Those without a high school diploma earned an average of $19,169.” (If you're interested, you can view the report details HERE.)
So, the difference can be thousands of dollars every year and hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime.

If those numbers don’t convince you to do something now, then maybe this will. Researchers at Arizona State University’s Center for Business Research (posted on October 27, 2005) found that a college degree is a better long-term investment than even the stock market.

“Putting money into a four-year college education turns out to be a better financial investment – to the tune of $1 million more over one’s lifetime than people who have just a high school education.

The rate of return on the money spent to earn a bachelor's degree is 12 percent per year, compared with the long-run average annual return on stocks of 7 percent.” (View the full story HERE.)
You’ve probably been searching around for some information on how to get started. It can be a very overwhelming process, so the best way to handle it is to take a deep breath and dive right in. The good news is that you found Online College Adviser. This blog will give you resources, answer questions, and offer guidance to get you back on the road to your own college degree. Also, I'll do my best to point out potential pitfalls that make it difficult to complete an educational degree, especially if you are taking courses through an online college or university.

I always like to share with my students this particular motivational quote, especially as they embark on the pursuit of a college degree:

The race is won not always by the swift,
but by those who keep on running.
Remember: it's not a sprint; it's actually closer to a marathon (or at least a fairly long race).

But don't despair. Rest assured that the Online College Adviser is here to help you get fired up to go back to school. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to post them. I will use your feedback to shape what I write as the days and weeks go by. And I remain confident that you will take what you learn to be able to get back on track to completing your college degree.

But for now, here are some resources to help get you started. I'm in the process of gathering more, but at least this is a place to begin. Click the Online College Adviser's resource website.

Onward and upward!

Look for my next post: Back to College - First Steps