What to Look for When Choosing Your Program

Use this list to determine whether you’re a number in their system or a student in a true educational program.

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?