Enrolling in online college classes is a new, convenient way for busy people to gain the skills they need to advance their careers. The number of students signing up for Web-based classes is on the rise, according to college officials. Students can attend classes from their home, from their job, or while in another city, using only a computer and Internet connection.
The most attractive advantages of online colleges are flexibility, convenience, and the ability to work at your own pace. With the 10-second commute to your PC there are no buildings or campus to drive to, no travel expenses, no out-of-state fees, and no room and board fees. Some employers will even help pay for courses that relate to the job. For those who are shy or have English as a second language, online education can be a very effective way to learn and students save huge amounts of time and money.
E-learning could be a great way to further your education while keeping your day job. But how do you separate the reputable programs from the digital diploma mills that profit from giving you a worthless degree? By finding out the answers to a few quick questions before you enroll, you could spare yourself some hassles down the road.

Is the Program Legitimate?

If you're considering taking an E-learning course, the most important point to research is what is the school's reputation? The first thing to look into with any online education program is its accreditation. At the least, a quality institution should be officially approved in a state with strong requirements for licensure.
Online colleges and graduate programs are expected to meet the same standards as traditional institutions and thus should be reviewed by one of the same six regional associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. If you can't find the accreditation information online, locate the school's physical headquarters through its website, and then check with the accreditation association that covers that region. You also can search the Department of Education's list at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.asp.
The next thing you should investigate with any prospective school is how long the institution has offered E-learning courses. Even established traditional colleges and grad schools can stumble with their first ventures into online education and their technical difficulties could affect your learning process.

How Much PC Skill Do I Need?

Universities take great efforts to make the technical aspects of going to class online easy enough so that any Internet-ready laptop or PC should be enough to tackle the class. That said, check your potential school's site for its equipment recommendations, along with the hours of its technical support teams (and whether it offers tech support online only or also allows you to talk to someone on the phone). If you haven't already upgraded to a broadband Internet connection, you'll definitely want to do that before starting a class.

What's It Like Taking a Class?

There are basically two types of E-learning classes. In the first kind-called asynchronous, there aren't really scheduled classes. Instead, the professor sets particular deadlines for assignments and tests, but you work your own way through them-anytime of day or night, so long as you get them in when they are due. In the other type of course, called synchronous, students and the professor log in to websites at regular, preset times for online chats about the subject matter.
Of course, both styles still differ noticeably from going to an actual classroom: no creaking desks, raised hands, or heavy book bags. But thanks to the advances in technology-instant messaging, online video lectures, wiki websites-online education can be every bit as engaging. And, in many cases, if you enroll in an online education course offered by a school near where you live, you can opt to attend some of the classroom lectures.
Don't be afraid to question admissions counselors about your concerns. Ask about the turnaround time on grading or responding to student questions and find out what the policy is if you need more time to complete a class.
Logging in regularly to complete your assignments can require more daily discipline than the traditional class in which the workload is often bunched around tests and writing assignments. Comments in the chats and posts on the website show how actively engaged you are in the assignments. And you can't quietly hide in the back of the room when you haven't done the assigned reading. But remember that speaking (or typing) your mind online may be easier than in class because the intimidation of facing or meeting your class mates is not there.

What About Credit Transfers and Financial Aid?

If you have taken courses at another accredited college, find out up front what can be transferred. Ask whether any applicable certifications or work credits can be applied. How does the school charge for classes? Do they accept vouchers from employers for payment? If you need a loan, find out what your options are at that particular online university.

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