| Are you considering getting your college degree | | | | (NEASC) |
| online? But not sure how you can tell if the college | | | | Accredits schools in Connecticut, Maine, |
| offering the degree is legitimate?Online courses | | | | Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and |
| and online degree programs continue to grow in | | | | Vermont. |
| popularity. But just because they are popular, and | | | | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools |
| just because the name of the college sounds | | | | (NCA) |
| good, does not necessarily make them | | | | Accredits schools in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, |
| legitimate.On the other hand, just because you | | | | Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, |
| have not heard of a college does not mean it is | | | | Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, |
| not completely legitimate.The Internet has | | | | New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West |
| transformed the way students learn, and the way | | | | Virginia, and Wyoming. |
| you can get a degree. You can earn a degree | | | | Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges |
| from virtually any college in America without ever | | | | (MSCHE) |
| stepping foot on campus. But that means you | | | | Accredits schools in Delaware, the District of |
| need to make sure the time, effort, and money | | | | Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, |
| you put into earning your college degree is | | | | Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands. |
| worthwhile.So, how can you tell if the college | | | | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
| offering the degree is legitimate?By checking the | | | | (SACS) |
| college's accreditation.Make sure that the college | | | | Accredits schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, |
| you are considering is accredited by one of the | | | | Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, |
| six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the | | | | South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. |
| U.S Department of Education. These agencies | | | | Western Association of Schools and Colleges |
| grant public and private universities their | | | | (WASC) |
| accreditation.Unfortunately there are many | | | | Accredits schools in California, Hawaii, and the |
| accrediting agencies that are not "official". And | | | | Pacific Basin. |
| while colleges accredited by these unofficial | | | | Northwest Commission on Colleges and |
| agencies may still provide you with a quality | | | | Universities (NWCCU) |
| education, you won't be able to obtain Federal | | | | Accredits schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, |
| Financial Aid or transfer your credits to an | | | | Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. |
| officially accredited college. And you may find that | | | | --- |
| certain employers won't accept the degree, and | | | | Kris Bickell is the director of distance learning at a |
| therefore won't hire you.Here are the six regional | | | | small private University in Connecticut, and an |
| accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S | | | | experienced online instructor. He is also the owner |
| Department of Education. If your college is listed, | | | | of which offers tips to help you improve your |
| get out the books and start studying! | | | | computer speed. |
| New England Association of Schools and Colleges | | | | |