Accredited Distance Learning
A university with an accredited distance learning program will be approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the same type of federal agency in a foreign country. To become accredited, representatives from various educational programs come together and evaluate the university in question on the basis on many factors including the value of the curriculum, the resources the program has access to, and the caliber of the educational program as a whole. Once the federal government approves the results of the accreditation group, the university’s accredited distance learning program will appear on list of National and Regional Accredited Agencies and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation list.
Many universities will claim to have an accredited distance learning program and list agencies they are accredited by, but the potential student should verify that the accreditation of the university is valid. Many colleges make claims of earning a degree in a year from home. Upon contacting the university, the potential student may find that he or she can earn a degree by paying an inflated tuition amount, but with little coursework involved. The university may be in the business of making money and handing out as many diplomas as possible, disregarding a quality education. The negative result of not checking the accreditation lists to ensure one is attending an accredited distance learning program prior to beginning is that after the student has spent his or her time and money, the actual degree may be worthless when entering the job market.
Even with a degree from an accredited distance learning program, employers and higher educational institutions have some difficulty recognizing the education or certification as being as valuable as a traditional degree because distance learning is a new form of education. With this uncertainty, the student would be wise to make sure the university he or she is attending is valid and accredited so he or she can assure a potential or current employer by proving the accreditation if the need arises. If the student plans on furthering his or her education at a traditional university, he or she should check with the college of choice to make sure all credits earned from the accredited distance learning program will be recognized. Some of the educators are part of the accrediting agencies so they are a good source in making educational choices.