Employers Care About Credentials From College Distance Learning

By Andy Zain

College distance learning is fast becoming a primary way for many people to obtain higher education.

Accreditation should be the first criterion a seeker checks when he or she is researching college distance learning. That's because degrees awarded through the programs offered by some Internet programs may not result in credentials that are acceptable to many companies. In addition, some online college distance learning programs are simply bogus. They can look good on the website, but the materials they provide may be outdated or unrelated to the real skills needed to fulfill a degree or a certification.

That's why smart students will check first to see if a college distance learning program is accredited by a recognized agency or association. Colleges and universities receive accreditation only after they've met certain standards set by the examining organization.

For example, one of the five national accrediting bodies listed by the U. S. Department of Education is the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Is one of five national accrediting bodies listed by the. DETC doesn't accredit all college distance learning programs, but it does examine and approve many of them. Regional bodies also can provide accreditation to colleges and universities.

To achieve accreditation, a college or university must be examined by other administrators and professors. These experts review how the college operates and how its courses and curriculum are structured. The examiners pay close attention to the amount and quality of course materials, such as online video and audio files and text documents. They also inspect the teaching and academic credentials of instructors. Their goal is to make sure that what the college teaches prepares students for the rigors of their chosen field.

The U. S. Department of Education lists five national bodies for accrediting schools, colleges and universities, including the Distance Education and Training Council. While not all college distance learning programs are accredited by the DETC, the best online programs are operated by a university or college that is accredited by a regional or national body.

Students of college distance learning programs can earn the same kinds of certificates and degrees available on campus. These can range from certification in a single specialty through two-year associate's or four-year bachelor's degrees through master's and doctorates in graduate study.

Choosing the right college distance learning program for your career goals should involve reviewing information from several schools before applying for admission. Be sure to request information, too, from each accredited college or university that offers the programs you are most interesting in learning from. This will allow you to effectively compare the information from several schools before making your decision. - 29891

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