The Benefits of Online Degree Programs

My husband and I recently enrolled in an online university in order to obtain our bachelor degrees. Many factors led to why we chose an online degree program over a more traditional brick and mortar approach, most importantly is the amount of flexibility offered by online degree programs. My husband works full-time outside of the house, and I am a stay-at-home mom who also home schools, I need to be here for my children at all hours both day and night.

In researching various schools and programs, we found that an online degree program offered us everything we wanted: an education, and the flexibility to maintain our current lifestyle while obtaining our degrees. We took into account the strict discipline needed to adhere to the guidelines and rules of the school, and looked at the time we needed to devote each day to our educational pursuits.

Online degree programs have come under a lot of scrutiny lately, so how do you tell which program and school is accredited and which could possibly be a diploma mill? Your initial search should start at the U.S. Department of Education's web site on school accreditation, which you can find a link to here: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

The web site above explains all you need to know about accreditation and the importance of finding an accredited school. An accredited school means you can apply for and obtain financial aid through the Federal Government, without that accreditation the school is nothing more than a diploma mill. Obtaining a degree from an unaccredited school could also cost you in the future, as you may not be able to obtain employment, given that many employers do look for the school accreditation.