| The web is burgeoning with sites listing the features of | | | | schedule and a completely independent exam-based |
| various distance degrees, but before researching the | | | | program.o Transfer Credit: If your college education |
| advantages of different programs, it is important to | | | | has been a series of starts and stops, you may |
| evaluate your priorities.o Pedigree: Name recognition is | | | | already have accumulated a significant amount of |
| still important in many sectors - academic and | | | | credit. It is to your advantage to thoroughly research |
| professional - so take stock of how it impacts your | | | | the transfer policies of any distance degree program. |
| career or long-term educational goals. If, however, | | | | Many (possibly most) schools require students to earn |
| graduate school is a part of those goals, don't lose | | | | at least 30 credit hours (out of a total 120 for a |
| sight of the fact that undergraduate performance will | | | | bachelor's degree) at the institution awarding the |
| influence your future far more than the name on your | | | | degree. That requirement can have a costly and |
| diploma.o Cost: Pedigrees come with hefty price tags, | | | | time-consuming effect on your degree completion. In |
| but so do diplomas at many public universities, and if | | | | addition, many schools treat credits earned through |
| you are completing a degree long-distance, you will | | | | exam and/or portfolio review as transfer credit. If your |
| most likely pay out-of-state tuition rates which can put | | | | goal is to finish a degree efficiently and affordably, you |
| the price of a 3-credit-hour class at $300 and up (and I | | | | need to understand your chosen school's transfer |
| do mean up). Cost should not be the only determining | | | | policies. |
| factor in your choice, but for most people it is a | | | | The overriding factor will be the impetus that is driving |
| significant one. It can mean the difference between | | | | you back to school in the first place. For some |
| graduating debt free - or not.o Flexibility: Distance | | | | students, the educational journey is as important as the |
| education by its very nature is somewhat more flexible | | | | degree itself, and for them the ability to develop |
| than traditional education, but the things that keep you | | | | relationships with instructors and academic mentors |
| out of a classroom should also be considered before | | | | may supersede all other criteria. Other students view |
| setting up the classroom at home. Are you juggling | | | | that 'piece of paper' is an admission ticket to the good |
| career or family or both? Can you study from 5pm | | | | life, making cost and time more important priorities. |
| until you fall asleep, or do you have to wait for the kids | | | | Determining your educational wants and needs does |
| to go bed? Can you meet the demands of an online | | | | not have to be a laborious, time-intensive process, but |
| class with scheduled assignments or do you need to | | | | taking some time to understand those wants can help |
| design your own program? The answers to these | | | | you pinpoint the subsequent school search - and save |
| questions can help you decide between a more | | | | disappointment in the long run. |
| 'traditional' distance degree with a loosely structured | | | | |