Dan Rosenfield-Special to the Sun

Regardless of what some websites or online colleges ask you to believe, accreditation is very important because it ensures that an institution meets or exceeds an established set of educational standards. As a result, courses from an accredited online college are most likely to be transferable to other colleges and universities, and degrees from an accredited college are far more likely to be valued by both your current employer and prospective employers considering you for a position. Beware of accreditation claims. Many questionable "accrediting agencies" exist. Some are outright frauds, offering "accreditation" to any institution willing to pay a fee. In fact, operators of some well known degree mills have also run these so-called accrediting agencies. State licensure, by the way, generally means little more than a minimal investment in assets and/or registration as a business entity. Your safest bet is to trust only accrediting agencies approved by the United States Department of Education. Be sure that the colleges and the degree program(s) you are considering "fit" with your long range educational plans. For example, if you are thinking about enrolling in an online associate degree program and later hope to earn a bachelors degree (online or on campus), find out how likely it is that your associate degree coursework will transfer by asking for a list of colleges which have accepted such credits.

Class size is as important in online classes as it is in a traditional college classroom. Investigate average class sizes at the institutions you are considering. Find out about the faculty in the program(s) of interest to you. What degrees do they hold and from what institutions? What experience have they had "in the field"? How long have they been teaching? Have they had prior experience teaching online classes? Get answers. How easy does a college make it for you to contact your instructor or a tutor if you have questions or need help? The level of support offered to students varies considerably from college to college. Choose one in line with your needs and expectations. One of the great things about online degree programs is that you can begin almost anytime. So, don't let anyone (including a college admissions officer) rush you into beginning until you are ready to put in the time and effort required for success. Be sure you understand whether a certificate or degree can be completed entirely online or whether on site projects, class meetings, or residency periods will be required. Investigate your financial aid options. You may be pleasantly surprised by the financial aid available to you. In addition, many colleges and universities offer tuition installment plans which help make college more affordable. Don't settle for less than you want. Perhaps this is the most important of the ten rules for selecting an online college degree program. Unlike ten years ago, when online degree options were severely limited, it is now possible for most people willing to invest a little time gathering information to find almost exactly the degree program that meets their needs. By requesting and comparing the information you receive from several colleges and asking lots of questions, you can begin narrowing your list to a few "favorites" surprisingly fast.

Dan Rosenfield is a university Dean. You are invited to visit one of his websites at www.college-scholarships.com". Dan Rosenfield has served as a Director of Admissions, Dean of Admissions, and Dean of Enrollment Management at the undergraduate and gradate school level. Early in his career he was an independent school admissions director and college counselor.