What You Need To Know About A Distance Learning Graduate Program
If you've been on the internet for more than five minutes, you are sure to be bombarded with web ads for distance learning graduate programs. One of the reasons why there are so many ads for distance learning graduate programs is that they are becoming more and more acceptable in the public view. But you need to have common sense about you when selecting a distance learning graduate program for yourself.
Not For The Health Profession
In general, any distance learning graduate program aimed at any kind of health care professional - whether it's for conventional or alternative medicine - is not going to be a legitimate degree, but rather just a really expensive piece of paper. Think about it - would you want to go to an acupuncturist who didn't go to a real school and learning with real bodies, but got a distance learning graduate program?
That's a bit of an exaggeration, but the idea still applies. There have been chiropractors to CEOs of big companies who have been ferreted out for having fake degrees. The person might still be competent in the job and honestly thought the degree was legitimate, but the degree is still fake. There are so many fraudsters, that it's hard to get to all of them.
But in some professions, like business, going through a distance learning MBA program is considered just as legitimate a degree as one earned by the traditional methods. This is because of the nature of the work. You can usually do most office work in your head or on the computer. Telecommuting for office work is going up, so naturally, so is getting the education for this line of work.
You Get What You Pay For
Distance learning graduate programs are not cheap. You are looking at least five figures here for your eventual price tag. The average cost of an online MBA is about $10,000 (US). And you will not be allowed to slack off. You will have to hit the books just as hard as someone who has to go to a real classroom. People pay up because it means getting promotions and being qualified for high paying jobs.
Before you sign up for such an expense, be sure your potential distance learning graduate program is accredited. Check with your state's Department of Education. You also want to check the website of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, a non-profit watchdog of graduate degrees on offer.
