The Ultimate Resource Guide to Accredited Online Schools

Accredited online schools are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional, campus-based education. E-learning courses are designed to enhance a student's learning experience by providing her with both the resources and flexibility she requires for success. Choosing an online school can be a daunting task, however, as there are many factors to consider. If you are a prospective e-learner, use this resource guide to learn about online education and determine what type of program will be best for you.

Quick Facts About Online Schools - The Importance of Accreditation - Online Schools in the News - How to Get Funding - The Top 10 Most Popular Accredited Online Schools

Quick Facts About Online Schools

Distance education is a learning process in which the students and instructor are not in the same physical place. Most e-learning programs make use of the Internet, videos, CD's, tapes, and other forms of technology in order to deliver instruction and lessons to students. (University of Idaho)
Forty five out of fifty states offer an online initiative, have a full-time online school, or both. (International Association for K-12 Online Learning)
For many years, enrollment in traditional, face-to-face courses was the acceptable way to earn credit. With the advent of modern technology, however, online degrees are quickly becoming integral to academic organizations. (Middle States Commission on Higher Education)
For some learners, distance learning might require an unattainable level of self-discipline, while for others, it might provide the necessary flexibility for success. Before choosing an online education, take the time to consider the pros and cons of an e-learning experience. (Webster University)
Asynchronous and synchronous learning are the two most common formats universities and colleges use to deliver an online education. Synchronous classes require online classes to be taken at a specific time, with all the students online at one, while asynchronous courses can be followed at any time convenient to the student. (University of Kentucky)
Not only are there different e-learning formats, but there are also different kinds of schools offering online education. Two-year colleges, four-year colleges and universities, private institutions, public institutions, for-profit schools, and non-profit schools all offer different forms of online education. (National Center for Education Statistics)
Professional organizations are increasingly using e-learning programs for employee, customer, partner, and investor education. Companies integrate e-learning into their infrastructure for customer service training, general business skills development, IT training, and more. (American Society for Training and Development)
One future trend in distance learning will be a much greater student demand for personalization in distance education services. Today's students are already tech savvy, and they will only continue to become more aware of their preferred educational delivery methods. (ArticleSnatch.com)
There are many factors to consider before selecting an online degree program. Among them are the program's flexibility, the quality of teaching, accreditation, and opportunities for financial aid. (U.S. News and World Report)
There are several obstacles that organizations offering elearning programs must overcome. Among the challenges are providing equal access for all students, ensuring all students have the digital competence for completing their coursework, and adapting content to fit the learning context. (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies)

The Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation affirms that an institution provides the quality of education that you have a right to expect and that the academic world endorses. Some of the many benefits of accreditation include federal financial aid, credits that can be transferred across institutions, stronger internal relationships, wider professional participation, and more effective methods of planning for school improvement. (Commission on Secondary Schools)
Accrediting agencies examine the “institutional quality” of schools under review. The 11 areas covered in the review include the faculty, the academic program, planning and evaluation, mission and purposes, public disclosure, integrity, financial resources, and more. (Harvard.edu)
Distance learning programs are held to nearly the same accreditation standards as campus-based degree programs. Be sure to choose an e-learning program that has received accreditation from among the accrediting agencies that have been approved by the US Department of Education. (Virtualstudent.org)
Accreditation ensures that online learners have the same rights to admission, financial aid, and other student services available to all other on-campus students. Accredited schools and programs are also generally able to accept and provide credit transfers. (Distance Education and Training Council)
It is important to learn about an institution's accreditation before applying, as this information will help you determine whether your degree will be recognized by future employers and/or other academic institutions. Be aware that the term “accredited” is used loosely by some universities and colleges, so it's important to research the accreditation of the schools to which you plan to apply. (Counterfeitdegrees.com)
Be wary of diploma mills when researching an institution's accreditation. Diploma mills, or degree mills, are for-profit companies that disguise themselves as institutions for higher education. Diplomas from these organizations have no value. (Campus Direct)
Students who want or need financial aid must enroll in a college or university that has earned accreditation. Federal financial aid is only available to students who attend institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. (StudentLoansforCollege.org)
There are many regional and national accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Each is considered a reliable authority concerning the quality of education offered by institutions under consideration for accreditation. (ED.gov)
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is an association of 3,000 degree-granting universities and colleges that recognizes 60 institutional accrediting agencies. It is the only nongovernmental higher education organization that affirms that the standards of accrediting agencies are consistent with academic quality. Follow this link to download the complete directory of CHEA recognized accrediting organizations. (CHEA)
Internationally, accreditation began at the University of Minnesota in the United States. Now an estimated 60 countries worldwide have adopted systems of acccreditation. (Commonwealth of Learning)

Online Schools in the News

According to a study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, students who enroll in online education perform better than those who take equivalent courses in traditional, face-to-face classroom settings. The effectiveness of online learning approaches varies, however, with content and learner types. (Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning)

During the fall 2008 term, more than 4.6 million students were taking at least one online course; this is a full 17-percent increase over the number reported in 2007. For more statistics about the online enrollment growth rate, check out the study conducted jointly by the Babson Survey Research Group and The Sloan Consortium. (Learning on Demand: Online Education in the United States, 2009)

Are you considering enrollment in an online course or program? There are many factors to consider when choosing a school. An article titled “How to Maximize an Online Education Program” provides tips for selecting a program and making it work for you. (U.S. News & World Report)

According to a survey called the Internet and Education, five percent of adult Internet users have taken a class online for college credit. Read this survey for similar statistics on the Internet's current role in education and professional settings. (Pew Internet)

Although distance education learners share broad situational and demographic characteristics, no concrete evidence indicates that this group is homogeneous or unchanging. E-learners can be broadly characterized as responsive to rapid technological innovations and new learning paradigms. (CITE)

In 2003, 57 percent of academic leaders rated the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in traditional educational settings. The number has since grown to 62 percent—a small but noteworthy increase. (Sloan Consortium)

In the 2006-07 academic year, 66 percent of the roughly 4,000 two-year and four-year degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the United States offered college-level distance education courses. 65 percent reportedly offer credit-granting courses. (U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences)

Public schools are more likely to identify online learning as an essential part of their long-term strategy. They are also more likely to offer e-learning courses in a large number of academic departments. (Sloan Consortium)

The rapid growth of online schools has provoked debate over money in legislatures and courtrooms. Distance learning schools now compete with local districts for millions of public dollars. (The New York Times)

In 2008, the online education sector grew 13 percent; in the previous few years it had been growing at a rate of 20 percent. Two million students are full-time online learners, while two million more are taking one or more online courses. (USA Today)

How to Get Funding

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 63 percent of all undergraduates receive some type of financial aid. Grants, private or federal loans, military tuition assistance, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance are all possible forms of financial aid. (National Center for Education Statistics)
Educational grants are awarded for merit or financial need. Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. Common federal government grants available to online learners are listed in this article. (EducationGrant.com)
Every year, the U.S. Department of Education's Federal student aid programs provide some $100 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. They are the largest source of student aid in the United States. (Department of Education Federal Student Aid)
The U.S. Department of Education provides prospective students with a directory of scholarships. To search the hundreds of scholarship opportunities listed in the directory, type keywords relevant to your interests and background into the search engine. (ED.gov)
FinAid provides a list of prestigious undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships. You will find information about eligibility requirements, award amounts, and deadlines. The scholarships are funded by an array of sources. (FinAid)
Fastweb is an excellent scholarship search provider with a database of 1.3 million scholarships worth a total of $3 billion. The site matches users to scholarships based on their qualifications. (Fastweb)
Scholarships.com is a free, independent financial aid resource and scholarship search. The website helps students discover financial aid opportunities they might otherwise have missed. (Scholarships.com)
Better Opportunities Through Online Education is a community-based scholarship program for students in need. Visit their website for qualifications and awards. (University of Maryland University College)
This directory of online scholarship search sites lists thousands of scholarships and financial aid awards. Most scholarships are available to both e-learners and students enrolled in traditional college programs. (College Scholarships, Colleges, and Online Degrees)
Follow this link to view a list of 200 free scholarships for minorities. This list was compiled by Black Excel. (Blackexcel.org)

The Top 10 Most Popular Accredited Online Schools

Kaplan University offers a broad range of e-learning programs at every level and degree. Students gain access to professors with real-world experience, discussion boards, and online access to the UAH Salmon Library at the University of Alabama.
Baker College Online is one of the most affordable colleges in the nation and offers many opportunities for financial assistance in the form of state grants, federal grants, scholarships, and more. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Post University Online has been a student-focused, career-driven institution committed to helping students reach their professional and personal goals since 1980. Post's professors are selected for their experience in the field as well as their academic credentials.
Marylhurst University offers students and working professionals nationally recognized and accredited business degrees and certificate programs. The university brings personal attention, proven knowledge, and innovation into every online course.
Capella University 's mission is to extend access to high-quality bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs for students who seek to maximize their professional potential. Through innovative programs, and challenging, engaging, and relevant learning experiences, Capella University delivers an education to more than 30,000 e-learners in all 50 states and 45 countries.
Strayer University offers both an online synchronous format—where students meet online on the same day and time every week—and an asynchronous format—where students attend class at a time that fits their schedule. Strayer's curricula emphasize issues relevant to today's working professionals.
The University of Cincinnati is committed to meeting its students' needs for alternative delivery options that are affordable and convenient. The university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Liberty University Online has offered distance education since 1985. The university offers 40 degree programs and 100 specializations in nursing, education, religion, psychology, business, and more.
DeVry University Online offers degree programs focused on career success and helps provide the skills and confidence students need in order to work in today's fastest growing industries. 90 percent of DeVry grads are employed in their field within six months of graduation.
Boston University Online is a unique collaboration between the Office of Distance Education and faculty members throughout the schools and colleges of the university. Earning a degree from Boston University represents achievement of a high academic standard.

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