Many students don’t think about whether the school they’re planning to attend is a not-for-profit or for-profit institution, but you should, because each institution can provide a very different educational experience.

For-profit institutions are run by private, profit-seeking companies or organizations, and predominantly offer vocational, career or technical programs. For-profit institutions are usually nationally accredited. They advertise aggressively due to their reliance on student attendance for financial gain. Often times this need for a constant influx of new enrollments can lead to weak admission and academic standards. Another potential drawback of for-profit schools is that they usually lack the traditional university staples including extracurricular activities, like sports teams and student organizations, because of budgeting concerns.

Not-for-profit schools are typically traditional 2-year and 4-year universities. They are regionally accredited higher learning institutions. Not-for-profit universities are academically oriented, and have higher standards of acceptance than their for-profit counterparts. Not-for-profit schools are driven by academic performance guidelines to receive funding. They don’t rely as heavily on advertising to attract students, and are considered to be more prestigious degree granting institutions.

Accreditation is Important

Regional accreditation is a measurement the US Department of Education (DOE) uses to ensure that schools meet rigorous and up-to-date standards of education and professionalism. All schools must be accredited, and their curriculum must pass approval with a DOE-approved accreditation board.

One major disadvantage of for-profit schools being nationally accredited is the inability to transfer credits. Not-for-profit schools are regionally accredited, and because of these more defined regional accreditation standards, credits for similar courses will usually transfer between schools.

Across the Divide

Not-for-profit universities build off of a dedication to education and community. They are schools built off of tradition, and educational values. Seeing their name on your diploma means that you have been held to the highest academic standards and found success. They believe that the purpose of an educational institution should be to educate, not to turn a profit.

When you are selecting a higher learning institution to pursue your education, make sure to look into the accreditation as well as a school’s academic history. After all this is your education.

The educational landscape has changed, and the role of technology and online courses in the world of traditional education has never been greater. Many universities are actively engaged in the development of online programs, and are dedicated to bringing their on-campus curriculum into the online environment.

A majority of non-profit public higher learning institutions in the United States are now offering either online or hybrid courses featuring the same degree and certificate programs which were traditionally only available on-campus. These online degree programs provide an excellent educational opportunity for students, and frequently integrate the same on-campus faculty into the online curriculum. Online programs at traditional universities are held to the same quality and accreditation standards as their on-campus counterparts, and can even present improved benefits.

Benefits of Online Education

Participating in an education online can provide students with an experience that would otherwise be unavailable, especially for those who do not have convenient access to a school campus or program. An online education offers flexibility and convenience by providing learning opportunities to anyone, at anytime, and anywhere. In addition online courses incorporate technology and multimedia content to create interactive and focused learning environments, that can include live networking with instructors, classmates, and professionals anywhere in the world.

Our daily lives have become increasingly dependent on the use of computers and electronic devices. The online environment presents a diverse range of educational and social opportunities; whether it’s communicating through a blog, chat rooms, or a social network, researching on a wiki, or receiving an education through an online portal, the Internet will continue to provide a wealth of opportunity to those pursuing information and knowledge.

Diploma mills prey on unsuspecting individuals looking for a genuine academic program. They also service individuals who are aware of the fraudulent nature of the diploma and are primarily interested in bolstering their academic or professional resume.

Buying a degree from a diploma mill is a risky endeavor, which can lead to professional embarrassment, and it can cause you to lose your job. In some states purchasing a degree from an unlicensed institution is illegal, and consumers could even face criminal charges. When in doubt, it’s best to stay away from any questionable diploma opportunity.

How to tell if the school you’re looking at is a diploma mill?

• Program completion time is far less than it should be, often with an increased emphasis on the speed at which you will receive you diploma.

• They make disparaging comments about attending class, taking tests, or the traditional education system in general.

• Diploma mills will often have a name similar to an established college or university.

• Degree requirements are unspecified, or curriculum is lacking in description.

• No accreditation, or accreditation from an unrecognized accrediting body. Make sure to look up the accrediting institution from a reputable source.

• Tuition and fees are paid as a whole per degree, not by semester or course. You are offered the option to pay for academic honors.

• Materials are vague, poorly written, or contain grammatical or spelling errors.

• No direct contact (email, phone, chat) with faculty or representative.

Protecting Yourself and Your Education

When selecting your school, make sure to do your research. An education is an investment in your future, and your future earning potential. When you are taking out loans or however you are paying for school, you need to insure that you will get what you pay for. Make sure to ask questions, and get actual answers that resolve your questions.

Find a program that fits your needs, and can back up their education with the support you need to not only get enrolled in school, but also graduate. Ask about accreditation and whether you can transfer credits if you choose to at a later date. Request materials in writing and read through the materials.

Every student has a unique reason for pursuing his or her higher educational goals. For some, a postsecondary education is the best way to advance their career, or open the door to new opportunities. For others, learning simply represents the quest for knowledge, a heightened understanding of their chosen discipline, or the chance to make a difference in their community.

There are an unlimited number reasons to pursue a higher education, and regardless of why you’re planning to further your education, the most important reason should be because you want to learn.

You’re ready to expand your knowledge and abilities; it’s the primary reason you’re going to school, and it’s the reason a traditional non-profit university is the best way to receive a real education. Their goal is to provide you with a true education whether on campus or online. For traditional non-profit universities the focus is on the knowledge and learning, not the award at the end.

A diploma means you went to school and graduated, but it doesn’t show you’ve actually learned anything.

Your diploma cannot prove what you’ve learned to a current or potential employer, your friends, family, or even yourself. Your diploma is awarded to recognize your completion of a degree program, which is a tremendous accomplishment, but you must truly demonstrate your new found abilities and knowledge through applied application in your daily life.

The Truth About Your Diploma

Regardless of whether you receiving an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, or a certificate, your diploma is only worth the knowledge you’ve gained during your time enrolled in school. When it comes down to it, you aren’t paying for a piece of paper; you are paying for an education.

When you decide to pursue your higher education studies, make sure to do your research. Compare schools and program offerings, examine the curriculum, and choose your direction based on the education and experience the university offers, not just the diploma at the end.

Ultimately the goal is to look at your diploma with pride and know you’ve earned it through learning and dedication, not just because you could pay for it.

The shift towards offering degree programs and coursework online has spawned concern in the educational community regarding the value and quality of an online education and the student experience, in comparison with the traditional on-campus approach.

What should you expect from your online education?

If you were planning to attend class on-campus at a traditional university you’d expect to receive an education from qualified professional faculty members. In addition you anticipate that regardless of your course of study, the curriculum has been designed by experienced educators and approved by an accrediting board.

This is exactly what you should expect from your online degree program.

When you enroll in an online program offered by a traditional non-profit university, you are signing up to receive the same quality accredited education the university would offer in a classroom on their campus. The only difference should be in how the information is delivered. Online programs are designed to bring flexibility to your studies, allowing you to learn and actively participate in your education while continuing your life.

Online programs feature educational content delivered in a clear and focused presentation style that keeps you engaged with the subject matter. Instructors and students network and stay connected through online discussions, assignments, and homework. Often multimedia is incorporated into online education in the form of video, animations, slide shows, and other rich media content.

Working Professionals

Many online courses are specifically designed to fit into the busy lives of working professionals. This unique component of online education also gives current industry professionals the opportunity to step into the classroom environment and share their real-world experience as faculty members.

The goal for traditional universities taking their education into the online world is to provide students with the opportunity to reach their educational goals, and receive the optimum learning experience.

• Cost – Online courses cost significantly less than their on-campus counterparts. The goal is to provide the same education and learning materials, without the expense of being on campus.

• Technology – Many online courses are specifically designed to bring multimedia content into the learning environment. This can include: video, audio, animations, targeted websites, podcasts, chat, discussion boards, and more.

• Diversity – The online learning environment appeals to a wide range of students from different locations, nationalities, professions, and lifestyles.

• Networking – Online programs encourage networking between students and faculty members. Communication helps to foster learning, and is a great opportunity for professional networking and building contacts for future opportunities.

• Experienced Faculty – The same flexibility that allows an online education to fit into the lives of students, enables it to fit into the busy schedules of working real-world professionals, who bring their applied industry knowledge into the classroom.

Accreditation
Make sure the school you are attending is accredited based on academic legitimacy through a recognized accrediting board. When in doubt, look it up online.

Faculty
A school is only as good as it’s teachers. Find out who will be teaching you and if you have access to your instructors through the online environment.

Curriculum
This is what your will be learning while enrolled. Make sure the curriculum is comprehensive and matches your learning expectations.

Authenticity
Is this a real university? How long has the school been around? Do they have a traditional campus? Whether the school has a full library, advisors, and research, all influence your education, even in the online world.

Reputation
Look at the school website, does it look reputable? What have previous students said about their school experience?

Schedule
Does the program fit into your lifestyle? If it’s online is it synchronous or asynchronous? Does it encourage networking with other students and faculty members?