There are many online degree programs offered by online universities, but not all degree programs are equal. The degree you earn through online may directly impact your career in future. Your options depend a lot on what kind of accreditation your school was granted. If your purpose of earning an online degree is to advance your career by getting a better position and better pay, then you should make sure the school will meet your expectations and help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself.
When an online university is accredited, it means that it has passed or surpassed a set of nationally recognized standards for its teaching process. Many employers are more opt to hire graduate from an accredited online university. Comparing the following options will help you make the choice that is right for you:
1. Accredited By A Proper Regional Agency
Regional accreditation is the highest level of accreditation a university can obtain and is recognized throughout the United States. If you earn a degree from an online school that is accredited by one of these associations, you can be assured that it will be as valid as a degree from any regular university. Most employers will automatically accept your degree. Most schools will accept your credits through transfer if you plan to further your education at other university in the future.
2. Accredited By Distance Education and Training Council
If your school is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, your degree will be accepted by most but may be rejected by some. As online education becomes a trend today, more employers are beginning to accept online degrees. Hence, you should be no problem in applying a job using your online degree. But there were students graduated from an online university which is accredited by Distance Education & Training Council facing difficulties to transfer their credits to other institution. You may need to prove the legitimacy of your degree to others. However, this is still a valid option.
3. Accredited By A Professional Organization
If you are pursuing your degree at online university that is accredited by a professional organization, such as "The American Library Association", your degree will only accepted by employers from specific profession. In term of credit transfer, some traditional colleges will accept your credits, but it really subjected to how the school looks at the professional organization which accredited your online university.
4. Not Accredited Or Accredited By Illegitimate Accreditation Agency
If your school is not accredited or is accredited by an agency that is not accepted as legitimate, your degree will be rejected by most employers and schools. Most employers will not view your degree as valid or legitimate. And most universities will not accept your credit transfer. If you are planning to use this degree to apply for a job, you will be at the losing edge when compete with other job applicants for the same position. Unless, your goal of online degree is simply to learn for your own enjoyment, then accredited and not accredited will not be an issue and choosing a non-accredited institution may be a fine option for you.
In Summary
Many people have difference goal on getting an online degree, know yours. Your career after you graduation will be affected by the accreditation of your online universities; hence, check to make sure the school will meet your expectations and help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself.
Related Articles
Want to Earn an Online Degree? Some Cautions are Advised
By: Jullie Harvard | 24/12/2006 | College and University
If you plan to pursue a degree online, precaution steps must be taken to avoid earning a "Fake" online degree. Some "diploma mills" have sophisticated Web sites and might seem like real universities but lack college-level work and accreditation.
4 Tips to Find the Best Online University for you
By: Jullie Harvard | 02/05/2007 | Online Education
It's easy to find an online degree program in your area of interest as almost all degree courses offered by regular universities are now go online. But you need to make some research in order to find an online degree program that really meets your education goals. Here are some tips to help you find the best online university for you.
5 Hints to Select your Online University
By: Amelia Turner | 03/07/2007 | Online Education
Online Universities have become a place for many busy working individual who are lacking of time and tight up with their job and family responsibilities to continue their education. If you are among the group who are looking to continue your education through an online university; here are a few important hints that you can use in your consideration when selecting your online university.
What is the Best Online University for You?
By: Jullie Harvard | 25/12/2006 | College and University
There are so many information and options available on online universities; it sometimes can be difficult to choose which online universities to enroll for your degree program.
If you decide to earn your degree online, which is the best online university for you? This article will give you some guidance on which criteria to look for on Online Universities.
Earn your Degree Online if you are Ready for it
By: Amelia Turner | 21/07/2007 | Online Education
If you are considering an online degree program, before you make up your decision, it is a good idea to check how different learning style of online education work. Then, consider the online learning style whether it fit you. By taking into consideration of online learning process in your decision-making process, it may help you to make more informed decision about online learning.
Back to Study With an Online Degree Program
By: Amelia Turner | 23/07/2007 | Online Education
Since you started your career after graduation from college, you are working hard to build your career to a success level. World is changing every moment and technology change every second, more and more students are out from colleges to compete the same career opportunities with yours. Hence, you need to continue upgrade yourself to be competence enough to face the challenges.
Make your Dream Comes True With an Online Degree Program
By: Amelia Turner | 30/07/2007 | Online Education
What had you written in your high school's essay about your ambition? Do you still remember it? Is your current career in conjunction with what you ambitious for? If not, do you still want to realize the career that you are dreaming for? If you answer is yes, but you are not willing to put on hold your current job, then enrolling into an online degree program may be your best option. Learning how an online degree program can make your career ambition becomes a reality.
Want To Improve Your Career? Get An Online Degree
By: Jim Grayson | 26/06/2006 | Advertising
Are you one of those people who were not able to pursue your career further as you had to look for a job at an early age to support your family? Or
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Private Distance Learning Accreditation
By: RichKolor | 20-04-2008
How long should a business be How long should a college be in business before apply for accreditation. How long should a college be in business before it seeks accreditation?
What are the expenses of the courses on line ...
By: LaTonia | 26-11-2007
What are the expenses of the courses on line verses the courses on campus?
What does my school need to get accreditation?
By: Gar-Don | 28-09-2006
What does my school need to get accreditation?
Seeking a highly recommended or accredited way to learn web design/dev fully online
By: Ecrivaine32 | 20-09-2006
What is the most highly recommended legitimate college or website, free or paid that offers all classes online for a web development or web design degree beginning with the very basics? What is the best resource for learning how to design websites and/or develop Web 2.0 software from the bottom up? Any advice would be helpful. I?m looking for actual courses, because I think I?ve already bookmarked every tutorial out there known to man.
Q&A Powered by:
More from Jullie Harvard
How to Finish Your College Degree With Online Education
By: Jullie Harvard | 09/07/2008 | Online Education
Online education has been designed to fit for working adults who want to earn a degree without interference with their current job. Hence, if you are a working individual who has college experience but no degree, you could complete your studies with a degree through an online education program. Here are steps you will need to do to finish your college degree online.
4 Online Study Tips for Online Students
By: Jullie Harvard | 12/06/2008 | Online Education
Nowadays, many people are taking online courses either for self improvement or earning a career credential. But not all will become a success online student and complete the online learning program. You need to be able to adapt to the online learning environment and fully utilize the online resources to help in your online study. Here are 4 online study tips for your reference.
Earn a Degree Online to Become an Travel Agent
By: Jullie Harvard | 23/05/2008 | Business Opportunities
If you are a person who likes to travel and get to know the world, a career in traveling industries will combine your interest with a rewarding and challenging career. A degree that specialized for travel agent provides the required skills and knowledge that will enable you to move your career in this field. Did you know you can get a degree to become a travel agent from your comfort home through online education?
Find Out How Employers Validate Your Online Degree
By: Jullie Harvard | 15/05/2008 | Online Education
How employers look at online degree? It may be your concern when deciding to goes for offline campus-based degree or pursuing your degree online. You worry if the degree earn from online degree program not being widely accepted in the job market, you will have trouble to compete with other candidates to secure you favorite job.
Should You Earn Your MBA Online?
By: Jullie Harvard | 07/05/2008 | Online Education
Having an MBA gives you the great opportunity to advance your career and increase your income. If you are in a mid-career level who are waiting for a good career opportunity to move your career to next higher level, taking an MBA is a good decision because an MBA will certifies you as a master in business administration. With the available of online education, you have more options to choose whether your want to pursue your MBA traditionally or earn it through online MBA program.
College Study Tips - 8 Tips to Ease Your Reading
By: Jullie Harvard | 03/05/2008 | College and University
Sometimes ordinary reading methods may not help you to remember the chapter content well. You feel the reading is tough and get bogged down in this murky reading assignment. You can try the reading techniques explain in this article to ease the reading and help you to remember better.
Online Degree Program - Earn a Degree in Paralegal Studies
By: Jullie Harvard | 24/04/2008 | Education
As the need for qualified paralegals continue to grow in conjunction with the increase of job market demands in private practice law firms and corporate law departments. If you are interested to start your career in Paralegal field, you will be opened to many paralegal career opportunities after you earned the qualified degree.
Earning a Master Civil Engineering Degree Online
By: Jullie Harvard | 10/04/2008 | Online Education
If you are interested to advance your career in Civil Engineering field, a master degree in Civil Engineering is an important qualification for your career move. With the available of online education, today you can earn a Master Civil Engineering degree online from your selected comfort places and at your convenient time.
Education 
