Learn About Accredited Online Colleges

Online college has soared in popularity because of convenience and its range of offerings. Let OnlineColleges.com help you decide if it's the right choice for you.

Online colleges: why a virtual education is savvy

Society has firmly entered the digital age. To a certain extent, the Internet is where Americans work and even socialize these days. Increasingly, it's where they go to school. According to the Sloan Consortium, a non-profit organization promoting online education, approximately 5.6 million students were taking one or more online courses in the fall of 2009. This was a dramatic increase from 1.6 million online students in 2002. The growth rate for online college enrollment exceeds that for higher education overall, 21 percent vs. 2 percent.

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What does the increase in online education mean? It means that you have unprecedented access to higher education. Just as easily as you might jump on Facebook or play online games, you could enroll in an online college and start coursework that advances your career growth and prospects. According to the Sloan Consortium, students attending college online represent nearly one-third of the total college population.

The increase in the popularity of online education can be traced to a number of factors. One is the convenience that online schools provide for people who need to update their skills. Another is the savings that can be found by eliminating commuting and parking fees. Online colleges also allow people to access their virtual classroom when they have time: meaning that online education has reached a higher level of flexibility than can often be found through traditional campuses. While some online classes take place in real time, many allow you to watch a lecture, read material or respond to discussion questions at a time of your choosing. There are also programs, called hybrid programs, which combine on-campus with online courses. These programs offer some in-person interaction while cutting back on the number of days you need to be on campus.

Online college: what you should know about accreditation and degree programs

An important factor in choosing an online college--or any college for that matter--is accreditation. This is essential because it determines the quality of the education you receive. It also is a determining factor in whether other institutions will honor your college credits if you transfer and how respected your degree will be in the workplace.

Accreditation is the examination of an educational program or institution to ensure the programs meet certain academic standards. There are many accrediting organizations, some that are more widely recognized than others. To see whether an online college is properly accredited, look up its accreditation status on the US Department of Education website.

What you should find when you do your research is a large number of properly-accredited online colleges, and within those colleges, a wide variety of degree programs. These include a full range of subjects at every level of educational attainment, including training certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees (including online MBAs), and doctorate degrees.

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Featured Online Colleges

University of Phoenix

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

USC School of Social Work

The USC School of Social Work’s MSW@USC offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work degree through the Virtual Academic Center without relocating to Southern California. This online program is designed to prepare social workers with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in world, improve the lives of people and communities and eradicate pressing societal problems.

Capella University

Capella is an accredited, online university where you'll experience unparalleled support, join a community of accomplished professionals, and be challenged with rigorous academics. Learn more about our online doctoral, master’s, MBA, undergraduate, and certificate programs by answer a short form.