Online graduate programs open up exciting, new possibilities to earn a degree from the safe, convenient and comfortable confines of your home. Today, the Internet is acknowledged as one of the best channels to gain access to top online graduate programs that offer distance education in every conceivable subject. What makes them even more attractive is the national and international recognition accorded to the different fields of study they offer. Moreover, leading online graduate programs are completely safe, transparent and legitimate, since they are offered by accredited universities and other recognized educational institutions. Another big benefit is that most premier online graduate programs are career-specific by design. So, whether you wish to specialize in agriculture, engineering, nursing or rocket science, or any other field of your choice, a great online degree program awaits you and, eventually, a great career too.
Here are 5 important tips to consider when searching for top online graduate programs:
Credentials of the Institution
The sheer number of institutions claiming to offer the best online graduate programs makes it hard to separate the good from the ordinary, the accredited from the illegitimate. Moreover, while some programs may be certified as accredited, the institutions offering them may not yet be and vice versa. This is why research is one good way to find out before you enroll. Start by reading independent, unbiased reviews. These are reliable sources of information. But play it safe by ignoring testimonials or reviews posted on the websites of less well-known institutions. Many are usually fabricated and misleading. However, the smartest way to know whether or not an institution is accredited is by checking with federal and state-recognized accreditation agencies. Here is a list of some that can help you find accredited institutions and, by extension, top-rated online graduate programs:
NWCCU - Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACS - Southwest Association of Colleges and Schools
MSA - Middle States Association
WASC - Western Association of Schools and Colleges
NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges
DETC - Distance Education and Training Council
NCASC - North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
Experience of the institution
Apart from legitimacy and accreditation criteria, there are two other important factors to consider; the length of time an institution has been offering graduate programs online, and its track record in this area. It is far safer to sign up with any of the top-notch online graduate programs that have been online for at least 2 years or more, rather than one that has been around for only a few months. Institutions with a successful track record in distance education programs can easily demonstrate this with evidence, and are therefore the trustworthiest. Those who do not, will most likely be evasive in their answers, or make claims they cannot substantiate.
Program accreditation
Accreditation of top online graduate programs is just as important as the accreditation of the institutions offering them. So make sure the online graduate program you choose is accredited. To do so, make a thorough background check of the degree programs, or seek information from any of the accreditation agencies listed above. Accreditation of both institution and program is extremely important, because a degree obtained from a non-accredited institution/program will be worthless. And you neednÕt be reminded how damaging that would be, in terms of time, effort and money.
Program compatibility
The technological compatibility of a program with your home computer system is imperative. Without this, tasks like downloading study materials or interacting with faculty members will be impossible. Therefore, clear all technical requirements with the institution before signing up. Thankfully, most top-of-the-line online graduate programs are backed up by close technical advice and support to help you.
Faculty quality
Institutions that offer top online graduate programs owe much of their success to the highly qualified faculty members on staff. The quality of education you can expect is directly related to the qualifications and experience of an institutionÕs faculty. When searching for effective online graduate programs, donÕt forget to focus on this most important aspect of distance learning.
