At first glance, the courses Accounting Fundamentals and Accounting I seem similar. But look closer, and you’ll find that the first is geared toward a small business owner looking to learn how to balance the books, while the second is designed to be counted toward a business-related degree. This difference is important for students who plan to use online college credit courses as part of a degree program.

Classes fall under two categories: non-credit and for-credit. Non-credit classes are usually meant for those who want to learn a new skill, brush up on basic knowledge, or do something fun. For-credit courses are those that count toward a degree. Both can be offered at a college or university.

However, before firing up the laptop and signing up for a course, students looking to earn college credit online should make sure their selected classes are for-credit rather than non-credit.

Many students use online college credit courses toward their degrees. Students at brick-and-mortar institutions often apply outside classes, taken at a local community college or online, toward their degrees. When enrolling in an online degree-granting program, most or all of the classes students take directly with the school will be for-credit.

Admissions representatives at Penn State’s World Campus and Kaplan University suggest calling your school to confirm whether outside credits you’ve taken will transfer and get you closer to your degree. Before enrolling in an online course, make sure your school will accept the credit and that it will count the credit toward your degree. If you've already taken the course, send a transcript to your school for evaluation.