Some distance learning programs are aimed at providing certificates while others award degrees. Make sure that the program meets your academic goals.
Make sure that there are enough courses offered to meet your needs and interests. You can do this by looking at the course catalog. Also, investigate how large the classes are to determine how much attention you will receive as a student.
There are distance-learning courses that are entirely online and those that require periodic meetings on campus. Some students combine distance-learning courses with on-campus courses. Some follow the same schedule and pace as traditional quarters and semesters while others are accelerated, which means that you cover a larger amount of material in a shorter amount of time. Distance learning programs offer a variety of formats, meaning that you will need to choose the one that works best for you.
Investigate how much support is offered for distance learners. How much will you be able to interact with your professor? Is there support for technical problems? Will you have access to the same resources and facilities as on-campus students?
Gen and Kelly Tanabe
Founders of SuperCollege and authors of 13 books on college planning.
By: Gen & Kelly Tanabe
Learn how to go back to school without going broke. This is the only book that shows you how to find the best scholarships for adult students, get your employer to pay, have your student loans forgiven and much more.
By: Gen & Kelly Tanabe
Fulfill your dream of going back to school--painlessly! Whether you're going back to school for the first time, returning after an absence or advancing or changing your career, this book will help.