What To Look For When
Choosing An Online University

Contributed by Carla Davis

The boss pats you on the back and reassures you a promotion-after you get your degree. So much for Mr. Opportunity! Running the rat race puts getting a degree on the backburner. And when you add up time, fuel costs, missed social-life, it's not long before you're second-guessing the idea of a promotion. But you're at a pivotal point in your career-you don't have much of a choice.

Earning a degree is right at your fingertips-literally. Online universities are reshaping the education landscape, making education more accessible than ever. Google keywords: "online universities" and you'll be blanketed with possibilities. Begin the selection process with the same basic methodologies used in selecting a brick-and-mortar university:

• Course offerings. The last thing you want to do is get knee-deep into coursework you enjoy, go to signup for the next level, and learn it isn't available. Or it's available, just not online. Make sure the courses you want are 100% online.
  
  
• Choose a program. Don't enroll in a program simply because it's online. Choose something that peaks your interest, otherwise, you'll be "marketing time." Consider long-term career objectives. Be ready to accept that the program you choose may not readily lend itself to the online campus. Nursing, for example, requires practical (field) application.
  
  
• Tuition. Choose a university that fits a shoestring budget. While you might not get a Harvard education, an education from an accredited university is better than none. Thoroughly research tuition repayment plans and financial aid assistance. But keep in mind you pay a premium for the convenience of going to school online.
  
  
• Fees. Why should you supplement the cost of the new gym? Because universities are moneymaking machines. No matter what: they'll always assess fees. For example, most online programs don't require you to purchase a course book. However, there is a "resource" fee for the download of books, library use, course materials, and the like.
  
  
• Class size. You may conclude from small classes that the program is unproven; worse, the university is unsuccessful. However, large class sizes can be less effective. It might also be that the university has relaxed their grading policy to lure students into programs and inflate their student population. You'll have to rely on your research, references and trusted sources.
  
  
• Reputation. Just because one university is heralded by employers, doesn't mean earning a degree at one less trendy, can't be just as rewarding. The Internet is a news magnet-from blogs to more credible sources-search until you get the goods. Is the faculty seasoned or newly graduated, themselves? Most universities will post student-completed surveys and faculty bios online.
  
  
• High turnover. Visit a brick-and-mortar campus, where students are visibly present. Ask whether or not they've had the same educational advisor or counselor throughout. It's frustrating to find out you've wasted tuition (and time), taking courses you didn't need, simply because your advisor was still too new on the job to point you down the right path.
  
  
• Graduation. While many universities work hard at recruiting you onto their campuses, they do little to help you get out. Rule of thumb: An online degree should take no more than 2-3 years.
  
  
• Transfer policies. If you plan to continue in a program you already started, you may be able to transfer some of those credits. Get each university on your shortlist to review your transcript(s). Depending on the program, you may qualify for work-life experience credits.
  
  
• Accreditation. Contact the U.S. Department of Education (www.ed.gov) to check the legitimacy of universities.

Organize these in order of relevance to you.

Let's review some factors more relevant to online schooling:

• Pure play. If you want to be able to attend class anytime, make sure the university is truly online. An asynchronous course is one you "attend" at your leisure throughout the day. A synchronous course means you must be available to login at the appointed times to receive credit for the day.
  
  
• Shorter semesters. There's no room for error. Courses are no more than six weeks (with a one-week break in between). You'll have to hustle to keep up with assignments!
  
  
• Technical limitations. The smartest mechanism of an online university is its Help Desk feature. Due to circumstances, you'll find yourself quite often burning the midnight oil. Having access to 24/7 technical support is crucial. By the same token, the site can be down for maintenance or getting "debugged" at the most inopportune times.
  
  
• Computer training. Can you say, "Boolean?" You must be efficient at using search engines-you will be conducting mounds of research. If you're not a whiz at creating PowerPoint® presentations, a lesson or two might come in handy. Obviously, if you plan on majoring in finance or accounting, you should be able to string together some basic formulas using Microsoft® Excel® spreadsheets.
  
  
• Internet speed/ technology. If you don't like rush hour traffic, you won't appreciate peak hours on the Information Super Highway. Consider swapping dial-up for DSL for faster downloads. It's no fun waiting over an hour for large documents to download, when you're ready to turn in. Be sure your PC can handle software downloads.
  
  
• Interaction. Personal characteristics should fit the online environment. Being self-driven and motivated is not so much the case-you'll be motivated enough to earn the highest grade possible, after writing that tuition check. But social butterflies feel the need for frequent interaction. Still, planned conference calls with your learning team may satisfy that need.

Don't let time (or commuting) deter you from pursuing higher education. Online universities offer a convenient alternative to the hustle and bustle of traditional campus life. But do your research. Otherwise, you'll be stuck at I-H8-U.

Microsoft, Excel, and PowerPoint are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

About the Author:
Carla Davis is a senior freelance writer. She has an MBA in Global Management and over nine years of experience in the marketing and advertising industries.