Important Factors to Consider When Exploring Online Education

You have a large variety of options when selecting an online university. While each school has something different to offer, it’s important to know what to look for in a school:

Check the school’s accreditation. Accreditation is the process a school goes through to gain authority and credibility. There are typically two types: regional and national.  Regional accreditation is the highest level, so those schools are the most credible and reliable. UMassOnline is a regionally accredited institution. Pick the type of accreditation depending on what type of school you’re looking for!

Look into the school’s support services. A university’s main goal should be its students’ success. If this is the case, they will have services and programs designed to help them. Be sure to check if the university has support services, and if they do, try interacting with them. This will tell you a lot about the quality of the school. Asking questions can help you get a feel for the university and find out if it’s right for you. For example, when you take online classes here at UMass we offer our students the same support as on-campus students, including 24/7 tech support, library services, academic advising, and financial aid.

Does the school have a certain reputation? In the Internet age, information is readily accessible. Even if you don’t know anyone who’s taken online classes, you can search any university and see what people are saying about it. It will be easy to spot disliked universities and you can cross them off your list. Also remember that you can take online classes from anywhere, so go outside your comfort zones and look for ones all over the country!

Finding the right school is much easier when you do your research and learn about what each one has to offer! What was your experience finding an online school? Share in the comments section below!