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How to Ensure That Your Degree is Actually Worth Something
- By Jacqueline Star
- Published 30 December 2011
- Automotive
- Unrated
There are many colleges out there who operate on a for-profit basis and are taking advantage of people who are desperate for a lucrative career. These schools are counting on the fact that there are many people out there looking for a better life and currently there is a large amount of federal aid available. Many of these schools are benefiting from cuts in state-funded and community colleges that have been forced to reduce class offerings.
Are you curious to know the steps to obtain a worthy degree from a respected institution? Well the obvious answer is research the schools before you commit to anything.
It is extremely important that the college you choose is accredited. This may be shocking but there are actual fake accrediting agencies out there. Remember that if is sounds too good to be true it probably is. Make sure it is accredited by a reputable and real accrediting agency. For a list of accrediting agencies visit the U.S. Department of Education website.
Clues that the school you are interested in is a diploma mill include:
• You get to select your own gpa (this should be quite obvious).
• The institution focuses on the speed at which you can earn your degree. Some are as blatant as to advertise that they will send your diploma overnight.
• Their name may sound similar to a reputable university or college.
• The school may frequently move and contact information isn’t easily accessible.
• There is little to no selection process for admissions. Anyone can enroll by simply making a payment.
• Requirements are vague, there are no class descriptions and no information on how many credit hours are required to earn the degree.
• “Tuition” is based on the degree selected.
So what are a few things you can do to make sure that you are enrolling in a reputable online college or university?
• Check with the accrediting agency.
• Check with professional associations that regulate your industry of choice and see if the colleges program will provide you an acceptable training path.
• Call the Better Business Bureau
• Ask about the staff and their credentials and educational background.
Make sure to check out everything out in detail first before you make a commitment. There is no point in spending money to get a degree if most employers won’t even recognize it. Not only is a degree from a diploma mill worthless, but it will actually hurt your chances with a prospective employer if you provide credentials from such an institution.
Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous schools taking advantage of desperate consumers, especially given the state of the current economy. It is definitely worth it to spend the extra time, effort and dedication required in order to earn a legitimate degree. Nothing in life comes easy and if you want the recognition, it is necessary to put in the extra work. Earning a diploma isn’t easy but the rewards are worth it. Not only will you learn a ton but you will also gain the respect of your future employer.
Are you curious to know the steps to obtain a worthy degree from a respected institution? Well the obvious answer is research the schools before you commit to anything.
It is extremely important that the college you choose is accredited. This may be shocking but there are actual fake accrediting agencies out there. Remember that if is sounds too good to be true it probably is. Make sure it is accredited by a reputable and real accrediting agency. For a list of accrediting agencies visit the U.S. Department of Education website.
Clues that the school you are interested in is a diploma mill include:
• You get to select your own gpa (this should be quite obvious).
• The institution focuses on the speed at which you can earn your degree. Some are as blatant as to advertise that they will send your diploma overnight.
• Their name may sound similar to a reputable university or college.
• The school may frequently move and contact information isn’t easily accessible.
• There is little to no selection process for admissions. Anyone can enroll by simply making a payment.
• Requirements are vague, there are no class descriptions and no information on how many credit hours are required to earn the degree.
• “Tuition” is based on the degree selected.
So what are a few things you can do to make sure that you are enrolling in a reputable online college or university?
• Check with the accrediting agency.
• Check with professional associations that regulate your industry of choice and see if the colleges program will provide you an acceptable training path.
• Call the Better Business Bureau
• Ask about the staff and their credentials and educational background.
Make sure to check out everything out in detail first before you make a commitment. There is no point in spending money to get a degree if most employers won’t even recognize it. Not only is a degree from a diploma mill worthless, but it will actually hurt your chances with a prospective employer if you provide credentials from such an institution.
Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous schools taking advantage of desperate consumers, especially given the state of the current economy. It is definitely worth it to spend the extra time, effort and dedication required in order to earn a legitimate degree. Nothing in life comes easy and if you want the recognition, it is necessary to put in the extra work. Earning a diploma isn’t easy but the rewards are worth it. Not only will you learn a ton but you will also gain the respect of your future employer.
Jacqueline Star
Written by Jacqueline Star: Online University, Online Degrees, Online Advertising
View all articles by Jacqueline Star