Key Questions to Ask
Your education is one of the most importation decisions you will ever have to make. Don't let yourself be taken by a slick website or sales pitch. Be willing to look out for your own interests and have the confidence to ask a prospective online education provider the tough questions.
Listed below are some important questions that no only must be asked, but must be answered. And if a representative is unwilling to provide you with answers, RUN! That's a sure sign of a scam. Feel free to add questions of your own that are of particular interest to you. And when you do ask the questions, be sure to write down their answers for future reference.
- Are You Accredited?
What type of educational accreditation do they hold and for how long? Do NOT proceed with any unaccredited college or university! It will taint your resume, and listing a degree from a diploma mill is a crime in five states. - What Are the Credit Requirements?
How many credits does it take to accomplish the requirements of my chosen degree? If I have credits from another school, will they accept them? Will they go toward my major, or would they count as electives? Does the school honor opt-out exams like CLEP? What is the charge for those opt-out credits? Can my prior work experience earn me credits toward my degree? What other ways might I earn credit in this program? - Do You Offer Financial Aid?
Do they offer help landing financial aid for you, be it federal, state, local, private or their own in-house financial aid programs? What is the application process for the above? What are the deadlines for application? Is there assistance offered by their personnel for filling out and filing the financial aid applications? - What Are the Costs of My Chosen Degree?
How much are the tuition costs? Are books and required software included? What about computers? What programs and software are necessary for participation and completion of my degree? Is there a surcharge for living out of state or out of the country? What methods of payment are honored by the school? What about installment plans? How often does tuition increase? What is the percentage increase, on average? Are any increases planned in the future? Is there any kind of sat guarantee? - What Services Do You Offer for Students?
What kind of academic services, student advising, tutoring, or post-grad career counseling will be available to me? Is there a job placement service? Are there any placement guarantees? May I contact some recent graduates or their employers to ask them about their learning experiences and their preparation for a career? Do I have access to library and/or research services? What kind of technical support can I expect as an online student? Can they provide minimum specifications for the computer required to fully maximize the online experience? If I own a Mac, will I need to buy a PC? - Are Your Faculty Credentialed?
What my instructors' academic or professional credentials? What are my instructors' credentials? Where did they study? What was their field of study/expertise? Do they have experience teaching online? Do they have an appreciation for as online learners? Has the school prepared these instructors to teach online? How many students does an instructor have at any given time? What level of personal interaction can I expect with my instructors? What are the means of contact with my instructor? What can I learn online? - What Is Your School's Experience with My Chosen Field?
How long has this degree been offered by their school? How other many students are currently enrolled in this program? How many students have successfully completed the program and graduated? Does the curriculum they offer prepare their grads for the real world? How long does it take on average to complete this program? How many hours a week should I anticipate devoting to my studies? To online classwork? To special projects? How are tests administered?Will my degree and credentials who they were earned online?
