Though the benefits of getting education or earning an online degree are many, I will discuss just a few. The major reason many people are going for online education is because of two things. One is the present job or vocation they're engaged in. The rate of unemployment in our society is high. Therefore, if you have a job you cannot afford to leave and head back to school to get a degree. So, many people like you look for online education while keeping their job. Secondly, many people are raising a family. They can't afford to leave the comfort of their family. Most of the people going for online education are the bread winner of their family.
Now, let's move to some of the benefits of having an online degree.
One, you stand to learn at your own pace. This is good considering your busy job schedule and family commitment. Your present mode of operation cannot allow you to follow stringent class schedules like in the traditional universities or colleges. You attend the class and do the assignment anytime and anywhere via the internet. However, you have to complete the work within duration.
Two, you don't have to abandon your present job or family to head back to school. You get your degree online in the comfort of your living room or office. It's not easy abandoning your job. That is where you get the money to finance your education. And breaking family ties is not advisable. Online education makes it possible to be in the comfort of your family while earning a degree.
Three, your career can either be changed or uplifted with an online education. It's not easy changing careers with traditional universities or colleges. It means you have to go back to school and enroll for a new course or program. But with online education, changing of career is very easy. Your career can also receive a great boost when you have an online degree. Many employers are happy when you progress, when you're not stagnant in your field. Employers are willing and ready to pay people who have solutions to problems and who have current knowledge of events in their field of endeavor. Online education is what you need to get among the top hierarchy in your organization.
Though there are many benefits of online education, I believe these few will be enough to drive home the point that online education is ideal for you and your loved ones.
An Accredited Degree - Assurance of Quality in Your Education
One of the best sources of information on accredited online degrees is the book Bears Guide To Earning Degrees By Distance Learning
. I personally used this book to find my degree program at The George Washington University.Remember, scams exist in any industry that generates a good profit. Educational industry is one of the highly profitable fields due to the high market demands. And online education is one of the rapid growth areas that attract many scams who try to cut into the market shares with their diploma mills. In order to control the diploma mills, the US department of education has accredited the online universities and colleges that provide "real" online degree programs.
It is important that you get a degree from an accredited online university in order to ensure that your degree is recognized by your future employer when you start your career path after graduation.
Why is Accreditation Important?
Accreditation is a formal recognition on an entire school or college or one of its programs meets certain standards and provides quality education as by the accreditation agencies appointed by the US Department of Education.
Although graduating from an accredited program does not guarantee you a successful career, it is a key starter when you step your foot into the job market. A degree from accredited online university reflects the quality of the education programs conducted by the university. It provides a sense of public trust and professional quality.
If the online college or university is not accredited, you will have problems if you try to transfer your credits to a traditional college or university later. Many universities do not recognize credit earn from unaccredited online universities. Hence, your credits can not be transferred and you need to start over again.
Nowadays, employers know how to differentiate between a legitimate and "fake" degree. The first thing employer look at your degree when you applying a job is your degree, whether your degree is from an accredited university and which accreditation agency that accrediting the universities. If you are applying a job with degree from unaccredited university, you need to provide proof to the hiring company that your degree is legitimate. Else it is very high chances that you will not get the job.
Type of Accreditations
The most recognized and accepted type of accreditation in the United States is regional accreditation. There are six geographic regions of the United States regional accreditation agencies:
Type of Accreditations
The most recognized and accepted type of accreditation in the United States is regional accreditation. There are six geographic regions of the United States regional accreditation agencies:
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC),
North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA),
Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA),
Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS),
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU).
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
Generally, college credits or degrees received at a regionally accredited institution are accepted by other regionally accredited colleges or universities. Beside the six regional accreditation agencies, there are 52 recognized national accrediting bodies that normally evaluate and accredit private online universities.
Just remember,
Scams use unethical ways to get the profit by offering diploma mills, a valueless degree that will not help your career after your graduation. Hence, it is important for you to ensure that your degree that you earn through online education is worth the value and will help you to secure a good job in your area of interest.
By the way, I earned my Master’s Degree in Education and Human Development from the George Washington University…completely on-line!
Accredited Online Degree Programs earn online degrees from accredited universities, colleges, academies and institutions.
