| As the Internet becomes as common in many homes | | | | as state universities and well known private colleges, |
| as bathrooms, sinks and stoves, the opportunity to | | | | likely don't require this consideration, but do check |
| turn any location into a learning one is becoming more | | | | and see if their online degree programs are extended |
| evident. More and more colleges and universities are | | | | accreditation, as well. This can mean the difference |
| allowing those jacked in to the Net to turn their | | | | between a very valuable degree or just a piece of |
| home computers into powerful learning tools by | | | | paper. |
| offering distance learning college courses. | | | | * Class schedule. Pay very close attention to this |
| These classes sometimes translate into full degrees, | | | | even with online learning. Some courses might require |
| or they add to ones students are seeking in person. | | | | students to be online at appointed times for virtual |
| Either way, when a distance learning college program | | | | lectures. If work schedule doesn't permit this, signing |
| is involved, making the right choices can be as | | | | up for a class can be a costly mistake. |
| difficult as screening colleges for personal attendance. | | | | * Pricing. Check into pricing and scholarship/loan |
| Unless the course are offered by a college a student | | | | opportunities. There's no point signing on for a |
| is already attending, there are some considerations | | | | $10,000 program if it cannot be paid for. Most |
| that should be made before course fees are turned | | | | accredited institutions offer help with student financial |
| over. These include: | | | | aid, even for distance learning programs. |
| * Programs offered. While the idea of attending a | | | | * Staff availability. While students who choose to |
| distance learning college in the privacy of one's own | | | | learn online tend to do so to avoid the classroom |
| home can be very alluring, if the right programs for | | | | setting, access to professors will still likely be very |
| personal advancement and interest are not available, | | | | important. Make sure this is available. Even if it's |
| there's little point. | | | | through online chat or telephone calls, being able to |
| Make sure any distance college seriously considered | | | | "talk" to a professor should never be cut out of the |
| has the type of course work that really benefits | | | | distance learning equation. |
| personal career choice, or at least learning interest. | | | | A distance learning college can really open doors for |
| Novelty aside, these programs are still hard, so why | | | | those who cannot attend classes for whatever |
| invest when the end result might be coursework that | | | | reasons. There are some things that should be |
| just doesn't fit personal needs. | | | | looked into very closely before signing on and paying |
| * Accreditation. This is a big thing to consider. Make | | | | for one of these programs, however. If the |
| sure the colleges considered are accredited and that | | | | roadblocks to learning aren't actually removed, the |
| their online programs are, too. If a college says its | | | | program being looked at might not be the best one |
| accredited with a particular agency, check it out | | | | for personal needs. |
| before signing on. Some of the bigger schools, such | | | | |