Accredited Online College Degrees - Why Accreditation Matters

So, you have graduated from high school and are looking at different options for college but are unsure of exactly how you are going to pay for it in these troubled times? Or maybe you work in one of the many declining industries in today's marketplace and are thinking about furthering your education with a new degree that will enable your work skills to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world? No matter what your reasons for pursuing higher education, there are accredited online college degrees available that will suit your needs. What Is Accreditation? Of course, if you are not familiar with the many online options that are out there, you may be wondering what accreditation is and why accredited online college degrees are so important. Accreditation is a process wherein different educational programs are validated in light of set standard criteria. In most cases, this validation involves peer review of the institutions offering the courses, including such things as the organizations' mission, resources, admission requirements, and faculty quality - in addition to the actual courses being offered. Accreditation in the United States is a voluntary process that lies outside of governmental authority, as the private accreditation agencies determine What programs qualify as accredited online college degrees. Employers Care There are a number of reasons why accreditation is important and why accredited online college degrees are in such high demand. The most obvious fact about these degrees has to do with the way in which potential employers view different forms of education. Despite the growing tendency on the part of employers to view accredited online college degrees favorably, there remains a certain unfortunate stigma attached to online learning. Despite studies demonstrating that the quality of online education often surpasses that of the traditional classroom setting, many employers have only a passing familiarity with non-traditional forms of education. Accreditation helps to reassure them that your educational path was every bit as legitimate as that of your peers who may have received their education in a campus setting. Know What You Are Getting Another important factor that you should take into consideration is the amount of money you are going to spend and what you will be receiving for it. With accredited online college degrees, you can be sure you are receiving an education that has been evaluated for content and quality and meets the standards employers require. In addition, should you decide to transfer your education from one university to another - pursuing a bachelor's degree for example - you want to know that your course credits will be recognized by your new school. Checking Accreditation Of course, not every degree that claims to be accredited actually is. Accredited online college degrees will always list the accrediting agency. You should refer to the United States Department of Education website to verify that the accrediting agency is recognized as such. If it is, you can pursue your accredited online college degrees with complete peace of mind that your money and time are well spent. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4570393