Frequently Asked Questions

While the social elements of attending a traditional college campus are certainly lacking when studying online, the quality and scope of the academic material are not substantially different. Of course, just as there are varying qualities in traditional colleges, all online programs are not created equally. In fact, since many traditional colleges now offer online courses of their own, they can be absolutely identical.

Although it varies greatly depending on the institution, the course load you undertake, and the type of degree you are pursuing, studying online can amount to a savings of thousands of dollars compared to a traditional college education.

Because you study at your own pace and during your own schedule, you can earn your degree as quickly – or as casually – as you are able and as the program requires. One way students can accelerate their studies online is by taking more credits per year than a traditional college may allow. Also, online students can receive and complete assignments at a faster pace than students who may only be attending classes on a set schedule of one or two sessions per week. Also, online university students can earn their degrees even faster by transferring in credits from previous college coursework, professional training, or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP.) When all is said and done, online students can earn a typical 4-year degree in only 2-3 years.

Yes. Online degree courses offer numerous ways to interact with educators and other students. Chat groups, discussion boards, and email all play a part in creating a virtual community and learning environment. Also, some online programs may actually arrange for face-to-face meetings at affiliated facilities such as community colleges.

If accredited, online universities require the same quality from their instructors as traditional colleges. Most will have a Masters or Doctorate degree, although some instructors may come from the world of business – namely CEOs, CFOs, managers and other professionals with practical, real-world experience. In addition, online professors are likely to have undergone special training to adapt their teaching methods to an online environment.

A diploma mill is an illegitimate operation that offers “diplomas” for a price. They don’t offer any serious course work and they are not accredited. Some diploma mills offer “real” diplomas from fake colleges, while others forge the diplomas of real colleges. In either case, they have no academic value, but are used as counterfeits to give the appearance of legitimacy where none exists.

If an online university is accredited by one of the national or regional accrediting societies, it bears the same weight and holds the same value as any traditional university carrying the same accreditation. There is still a lingering distrust of online degrees in some quarters, but the growth of e-learning and the quality of its practitioners is quickly overcoming such reservations.

Accreditation means that an institution meets the level of quality set by a governing association – of which there are of number dealing with higher education in the United States. Their standards vary depending on the disciplines involved. Accreditation a necessary certification of legitimacy and approval.

You can find an online program for every type of degree that you might study for at a traditional college – and they have the same standing, no matter how you earned it.

• Associate’s Degree – awarded after complete 2-year programs typical of community colleges. Examples: AA (Associate of Arts,) AS (Associate of Science,) AAB (Associate of Applied Business.)

• Bachelor’s Degree – awarded after completion of a 4-year undergraduate course. Examples: BA (Bachelor of Arts,) BS (Bachelor of Science,) BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration.)

• Masters Degree – Students study beyond their 4-year degrees for master's degrees in a variety of fields. Examples: MA (Master of Arts,) MS (Master of Science,) MBA (Master of Business Administration,) MFA (Master of Fine Arts.)

• Doctorate Degrees – “Doctors of Philosophy,” or Ph.Ds, are bestowed upon those who’ve mastered an area of education and have earn the right to be professors or top researchers. Ph.Ds are awarded in all academic fields, such as physical sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.

Yes. Just as there are many scholarships, student loans, and grants available to traditional colleges, students studying online are eligible for many of the same benefits. Since 2006, financial aid from the federal government has been open to online learners.