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