Understanding Accreditation

Have you been considering an online school? There are a lot of choices available to you out there if you're looking for an online college. But, as with most schools, some are certainly better than others. You want to know what makes one school better than another before you make a decision. Probably the most important factor when looking for an online school, or any college for that matter, is to find out whether or not the school you're considering is accredited.

Finding a school that has been properly accredited will benefit you in many ways, including achieving higher education, and your ability to get your first job out of college.

So what is accreditation?
According to Websters Dictionary, accreditation is defined as the ability
" to recognize (an educational institution) as maintaining standards that qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions or for professional practice."

Legitimate accreditation agencies are off for educational institutions and independent review and offer assurance to the student, educational institutions and employers that this educational institution is a legitimate institution that meets certain minimum requirements necessary to receive accreditation.

What Are Diploma Mills
Although the lack of accreditation (here) doesn't always mean that an online school should be defined as a diploma mill, it is certainly one of the signs you want to use to determine whether or not you should choose their school. After all, it is your education and your future career that is at stake.

While the lack of accreditation may not mean the school you're considering is a diploma mill, diploma mills will not have accreditation, or if they do, it will be an illegitimate accrediting agency. They do exist, so while you would need to look into the school you're considering, you also need to look into the accrediting agency to be certain that the agency is recognized by the government. These diploma mills are only interested in getting your money and will promise anything. They will not look into your past academic history and will often apply your life experiences towards credit earned. They will promise you an impossibly easy degree in an impossibly short time that you know is just too good to be true. Save your money and avoid them like the plague.

Why Choose an Online School?
If you are making the choice between a traditional college and an online school, you'll have to take into account many factors. People today are finding out that there are many in bandages to an online education, but there are also a few disadvantages. You need to understand those disadvantages so as to make a better informed decision. As in all things in life, the best decisions are made after doing your homework.

Benefits of Online Schooling
If you're about to choose between a campus, and a qualified online school, you'll need to consider many factors. While there are many advantages to an online education, there are also a few disadvantages you'll need to be aware of Whatever your choice, you'll make better choices in education when you've done your homework.