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Ten tips

Online degree may be worth pursuing

By LAURA T. COFFEY
Published June 26, 2005

Let's face it: You're busy. You have a job and myriad responsibilities. There's no way you've got enough time to start working toward a college degree now, right? Well, you might be wrong. Distance learning can make it possible for you to earn a degree from home.

1. UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS. You can take online courses any time of day or night, anywhere on the planet. Professors typically send out materials and assignments via e-mail, and students communicate with one another and their professors electronically. Students may be required to take a proctored final examination at a set physical location.

2. CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. Select an online institution that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html?src qc or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org 202-955-6126).

3. CONSIDER SCHOOLS YOU KNOW AND TRUST. Many established colleges and universities are offering courses over the Internet, including the University of South Florida (www.outreach.usf.edu/distancelearning.htm) and St. Petersburg College (www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/) The University of Phoenix (www.uopxonline.com) is among the best-known online universities.

4. RECOGNIZE WARNING SIGNS. Don't waste your money on an institution that functions as a diploma mill by issuing degrees for money with little or no work required, claims to be accredited when it isn't, charges either sky-high or very low fees, or fails to provide a physical address.

5. MAKE SURE A FOREIGN SCHOOL FITS THE BILL. If you're considering a school based outside the United States, make sure it is accredited by a legitimate U.S. agency, and find out whether any degree you earn is likely to be recognized by employers in this country.

6. REFLECT ON YOUR SCHEDULE. Most online courses are just as rigorous and time-consuming as traditional on-campus courses, which typically require three to four hours of class time each week in addition to homework.

7. KNOW THYSELF. Are you disciplined and dedicated enough to pull this off? Because of the many distractions you're likely to encounter at home and through work, you'll have to force yourself to study and complete assignments on time.

8. HOW'S YOUR WRITING? The nature of online communication means your reading comprehension and your ability to develop your thoughts in writing will be key. Many colleges offer refresher writing courses if you think you need to improve.

9. TAKE A TEST DRIVE. The lack of face-to-face contact and conversation with your professor and fellow students just might make you batty. Before committing to a degree track, try taking just one online class first.

10. DON'T REINVENT THE WHEEL. You can earn credits for on-the-job experience through the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (www.acenet.edu/calec/corporate/) and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (www.cael.org) You also can test out of courses and earn three to 12 college credits by passing a low-cost, 90-minute College Level Examination Program test.

Sources: American Public University System (www.apus.edu) Distance Education and Training Council (www.detc.org) Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org)

[Last modified June 22, 2005, 20:23:02]