Having just finished my online MBA, I can comment on a few things to look for when getting an online degree. I've learned quite a few lessons from the school of hard knocks.
Mistakes To Avoid:
1st: Whatever you do, don't allow search engine optimization to make your decisions. What I mean is this, you'll notice that certain companies have employed SEO companies to practically monopoly Google when looking for an online degree. You'll see multiple copy websites, etc..
While I applaud them for this business initiative, don't make the mistake of missing out on some other great degree offers. Often, you'll notice plenty of schools that offer superior education and benefits.
2nd: Realize that you will never get an accurate graduation rate from the school. Nearly all of them lie, so don't make your decision based on that.
Actually, there is a way to sort of estimate the real graduation rate. Do a Freedom of Information Act Request. I think that the first 50 or 150 pages are free.
Request: Cohort Default Rate, Graduation Rate, Number of Students Enrolled in Each Class, All Complaints Against Organization from Inspector General's Office and Civil Right's Office and Group that handles that School's Region.
That will give you a better idea of what is going on with the school. Look at the number of people entering the class, then go on the site and count the number of graduates 4 or 5 years later. From there, you can see the graduation rate.
Good Research is Essential. Here is a helpful link:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/foia/foia_request_form_1.html
3rd: Don't Make the Mistake of Not Considering Price.
Student Loans are so easy to get. But trust me, there will come a time when you have to pay them back. You will thank yourself a million times over for choosing the cheaper alternative unless you are attending some prestigous school with lots of job offers.
4th: Ask if they offer video lectures in the curriculum:
After having finished my MBA, I realized that it amounted to nothing more than standardized tests and books. The professors were lazy and didn't do anything. Our courses consisted of a textbook and a syllabus with recommended reading. Then, we took our two or three exams that were proctored and came straight from a text bank. While I learned the information on my own, I've strongly felt like I could have gotten more out of it with more learning aids.
Questions you should ask should be like this.
Example: recently, I called Capella and spoke with them about their Doctorate in IT. I asked how the lectures were conducted and the representative couldn't answer my questions. I then called the University of Pheonix and the reps couldn't answer my questions. I then called Jacksonville State and received some excellent answers. Not only was the program fully accredited by ABET (engineering association), it was cheaper than both of these schools.
Look at things like this.
5th: Know how to look for Online Degrees
A sad fact is that many of the best schools have horrible search engine optimization techniques. You will have to take the time to hunt for them yourself.
http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ/state/
That's a great place to start looking. But unfortunately, there is no way around it. You'll have to start looking through every single school to see if they offer an online program and a price. I did this and found several very good, cheap schools with FULL ACCREDITATION.
6th: Department of Education Certification Just Means that you can government backed loans if you go to a school.
Here are the requirements for a school to be certified: accreditiation by one of many accrediting bodies.
Regional accreditation should be the first basic step, but you need to ask for more. For instance, my MBA was regionally accredited. While nice, you will need the higher level accreditations to be able to teach at a school or get into some graduate schools.
I was told that I would have to re-do all courses for my MBA if I wanted a Doctorate in Finance. I could have avoided this by choosing a school with different accreditations.
Likewise, many programs have different levels of accreditation. ABET is the gold standard for Information Technology and computer related certfifications. It actually gives you the title of a real 'engineer.'
And your credits are gold if you want to transfer anywhere or go on to another degree or join an engineering society, etc..
***Important Edit: I forgot the 7th and last point***
If possible, try to go to a school with a career fairs office with active companies coming to recruit. You will thank yourself a million times over. It's a great way to get ahead in the job market.
Hope all this helps!! I learned this from a lot of experience..
