Eight Questions to Ask about an Online Degree Program

If you’re thinking about enrolling in a distance education program, here are eight important questions to ask:

1. How technologically savvy do I need to be to take electronically delivered courses?

Some computer literacy is necessary. Usually, a cyberschool will give you a list of the technologies that must be accessible to you when you apply for admission. Just in case a list isn’t offered, ask about hardware, software, computer, and peripherals requirements. Also, broadband access is usually preferred.

2. What kind of student support structure does the institution offer?

Is there a way to contact someone about course advising, missed assignments, student emergencies, or any other question that might come up while you’re taking courses at a distance? Is there a number to call? Is it an 800 number? What is the email address? What social media (wikis, blogs, etc.) are available? What library support services are available? Find out.

3. Is the institution accredited? First, and perhaps foremost if you are hoping to receive federal financial aid to attend classes, it’s important to know that the U.S. government does not lend money to students attending non-accredited institutions. Similar restrictions apply in other countries.

   Although accreditation is not absolutely necessary for a school to stay in business and award certificates and degrees, a degree or certificate from an accredited institution is much more prestigious for the student.

   Many cyberschools are going through the accreditation process now, and their applications are being carefully scrutinized.

4. Where do I buy the textbooks required for the course?

Textbooks are an important part of any coursework. Make sure you know how and where to obtain your books.

5. Are the instructors trained to teach online?

This is a very important question to ask because teaching in cyberspace requires a different, more interactive approach than teaching students in a classroom.

6. Is it possible to complete an entire degree program via technology through this institution?

To effectively plan your educational strategy, you need to know how much coursework you can complete online or via other distance education methods. Does the program require students to attend any face-to-face classes?

7. How long does it take to get a degree or certificate through this institution?

The answer may be the same amount of time it takes to complete a course of study at a traditional university, or it may be less. Often, the timing is flexible. One aspect of good distance education is that it allows the student to be in charge of the process. There also may be minimum and maximum allowable times. Check out your options.

8. What if I start a degree program and the program is discontinued before I’m finished?

The majority of degree-granting institutions—whether cyberschools or traditional universities—make provisions for alternative ways to complete programs that have been dropped. Such provisions are required for an institution to be accredited. Find out what alternatives the institution can offer if it discontinues your degree program.

Jones International University offers more information about what to look for in an online university.