More and more, people are turning to online universities to further their education. According to a recent study by the Distance Education and Training Council in Washington, over 2.25 million people are registered for online studies in the United States alone. And it’s with good reason.
An online IT degree offers unmatched flexibility and could save you a lot of money in the long run. Most online programs are much more affordable than attending a traditional college. The flexibility alone makes online learning attractive to most working adults.
And, if you think about it, there’s really no field better suited to an online environment than IT. Since the computer is your classroom, an online education makes the most sense for anyone who’s comfortable working with computers.
One thing to remember is that not all online universities are created equal. And going back to school is a huge commitment. You need to be sure that it’s money and time well spent. Here are just a few tips to get you going in the right direction.
Find out if the college is reliable and has the required accreditations. This shouldn’t require too much legwork on your part. Just make sure you find this out. Otherwise, you probably won’t receive the education you’re paying for and employers will know the difference between an accredited and non-accredited education. One final word of warning that can save you headaches down the road. You should find out who the accrediting agency is. Confirm that they are approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Check in to what kind of financial aid the school has to offer. You’ll find that some colleges are more generous than others. Getting your online college degree doesn’t have to break the bank. While most schools offer student loans, the better ones also have scholarships and Pell grants for qualifying individuals.
Research the types of online degrees the college has to offer. You will want to find out if the college has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Information Systems, or a B.S. in Network Management, or a Master's degree in Cyber security. Obviously, whichever online IT degree it is you seek, will greatly affect your choice in college.
Ask about the person who will be teaching the class. Find a school that has teachers with real-world experience. You wouldn’t want to take a network management class from someone who hasn’t had years of experience as a network administrator. If you don’t find this out ahead of time, you run the risk of learning from someone who has no more experience than you.
Check on the level of customer support you will receive. One of the best parts of pursuing on online IT degree, is that you can do your coursework wherever and whenever you want. However, this perk can turn into a nightmare if there isn’t a support staff on hand to answer any technical questions you may have.
Find out about any extra fees other than tuition costs. In addition to tuition, check for other fees such as lab fees and textbooks. These costs can quickly add up.
Do some research and check up on the online college you are considering. Read blogs and message boards. Ask professionals their opinion of the online school. Post questions on Yahoo! Check with alumni. Make sure you are receiving unbiased opinions from other students. Don’t just go by the information you find on the website. Ask questions.
The bottom line is that it’s really up to you to make sure you’re getting the education you’re paying for. A little extra grunt work before you enroll could save you in the end.
