Nine things to consider when selecting a distance education program

Accreditation
School Track Record
Professional Recognition
Transfer Credits
Course Delivery
Student Services
Instructor Accessibility and Quality
Cost
Financial Aid Availability

1. Accreditation
Accreditation is an important indicator that a school is reputable and has met certain quality standards. You should look for a program that has been officially recognized by agencies approved by The US Department of Education.

In the US, the most widely recognized accreditation for degree-granting programs comes from the six regional accreditation commissions. The Distance Education & Training Council (DETC) is another accreditation agency that specializes in distance education institutions.

2. School Track Record
Not all distance degree programs are created equal. Before you enroll, find out how long the school and the program have been in existence, how many students have completed the program, and how many students have been successfully placed in their chosen field post-graduation. Try to speak to current students as well as graduates about their impressions of the program and its professional value.

3. Professional Recognition
Be sure that the program is recognized in your chosen field. For example, students pursuing teaching or nursing certificates need to be sure the program will satisfy specific professional requirements.

4. Transfer of Credits
If you have credits from prior studies that are relevant to your selected program, make sure the program you choose will accept those credits. Equally important, will the credits you earn in the DE program be accepted if you decide to finish your program elsewhere? Keep in mind that regionally accredited schools recognize each other as equals for the purpose of transferring credits or degree status.

5. Course Delivery
Choose a course instruction format that best fits both your learning style and schedule. Distance courses can be taken in real-time (synchronous), or self-paced (asynchronous), or a combination of both. Synchronous courses are popular with students who enjoy interactive learning. Asynchronous courses provide the convenience of allowing students to determine their own schedules by accessing posted materials and completing assignments in a sequential format.

6. Instructor Accessibility and Quality
Your distance education experience will be greatly enhanced if your instructors are both knowledgeable in their course subjects and well-trained in distance education instruction. A good instructor will simulate a dynamic classroom discussion and prepare engaging lesson plans. Also, you will want to ensure that instructors will be accessible and responsive to student inquiry. A good indication of instructor availability may be the size of the class.

7. Student Services
Even though you will not be on a campus, a good distance education program will provide you with important resources and services. Things you should look for include: resource center and library, sophisticated technology infrastructure, academic advisors who are assigned and available throughout your course of study, technical support desk, financial aid office, career services, alumni network, and online student forums such as message boards or chat rooms.  

8. Cost
There are several things to keep in mind when calculating how much a distance education will cost. Tuition and fees for distance education programs can vary widely, depending on the school, program, degree, and in-state residency. Distance education costs students should consider include:

• Tuition and fees
• Books and/or class materials
• Potential income reduction while in school
• Computer
• Internet service provider or DSL
• Software (word-processing, spreadsheet, anti-virus)
• Hardware (printer, webcam, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, scanner)

9. Financial Aid Availability
Ask each program's financial aid office about the types of financial aid (scholarships, grants, and student loans) they offer and the eligibility requirements for each aid type. If you’re interested in applying for Federal student loans, your school must be Title IV eligible (which indicates that the institution meets the U.S. Department of Education criteria for extending Federal loans to its students). Many of the newer distance education institutions are still awaiting Title IV status. See the Financing section for more detailed information. Remember: always check with your school's financial aid office to see if your program has Federal student loans available.