4 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Online School Choosing a college or university can be difficult. Before making a decision, know what to ask your top school and know the answers you want.
by Karen Shih
December 14, 2009
With so many available online universities and colleges, it's hard for students to figure out the right way to narrow down their choices.
Before getting started on their online education, students should take the time to research their schools.
Dr. Marie A. Cini is the dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies at University of Maryland University College, which has had an online program for more than ten years. Cini said that students should ask the following questions before making a decision:
- Is the school regionally accredited? "Though it sounds like national accreditation is the more important accreditation, regional accreditation is connected to federal financial aid," she said. Regionally accredited online colleges can help students defray some educational costs.
- How much experience does the school have with online learning? "It's not to say that newcomers can't do a good job, but it's like anything-- the more you've done it, the more you know what students need," she said.
- Does the college have comprehensive student support? In an increasingly globalized world, students who participate in online programs may live in different time zones from the university, and even local students may not always be able to do their work during regular business hours, so it's important for colleges to offer night and weekend support for students, either online or on the phone.
- Are the faculty trained to teach online courses? "It's not the same as just walking into a classroom and teaching," Cini said. Faculty should have gone through professional development to learn how to optimize the learning experience for students through proper use of technology
