Important Tips to Help Students Choose the Best Online Degree Programs by Brian Jenkins

Today I have Brian Jenkins guest blogging. Please be sure to check out his unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

You've chosen a career, or at least a general career area, and have decided to take an online program. But which particular online education program should you take? Your program selection could have a significant impact on getting the job you desire.

Here are some tips and some questions to ask when choosing an appropriate online education program:

• Curriculum: Depending on the major, a career-focused program may be appropriate. Some education programs focus on theory and don't include a sufficient amount of specialized education on different careers. Can students specialize in their area of interest? When applicable, does the school help online students make arrangements to receive hands-on training at an appropriate setting?
• Instructors: Students should inquire about the instructors academic credentials and their real world experience. Do some of the program's instructors have national reputations? Do instructors who teach the on-campus programs teach the online programs as well? How many virtual office hours do they provide each week?
• Internships: Some online programs provide internships or help you find one. Internships provide valuable experience and networking opportunities. Also, some employers hire interns who perform well. If internships are common for on-campus versions of the program, find out if any online schools offer them.
• Alumni: Ask a school representative what percentage of graduates from your specific program obtained a job in their field of study. Compare the hiring rates of your prospective online education programs. A school representative should be able to provide the information.
• Accreditation: Look for schools which are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Accreditation adds assurance that it's a quality program. Also, numerous professional associations provide accreditation or provide their approval to specific programs.
• Program ranking: Completing a nationally ranked program can be beneficial when searching for a job. Education program rankings are available on the Internet and in magazines. Also, schools that have strong name recognition are worthy of your attention since name recognition is an influencing factor with many employers.
• Completion rate and certification: Students should ask for the programs completion rate. A high drop out rate may indicate the online program has been poorly designed. If the school won't provide this information students may want to find another online program. If the occupation requires certification or if certification enhances the prospects of getting a job, inquire about the success rate of program graduates at passing the applicable certification exams.
• Program delivery method: In asynchronous programs students interact with instructors and other students by posting at their convenience. These programs provide a lot of flexibility. In synchronous programs students and instructors interact at specific times. Individuals with busy schedules may prefer an asynchronous online program. However, students in synchronous programs typically feel they're part of a learning community. Synchronous programs provide quick feedback on ideas and provide motivation for students to keep up with their peers.
• Self-paced versus scheduled: Some online programs are self-paced which allows students to complete courses at their convenience. Scheduled online programs have a specific timeline with scheduled exams, assignments and completion dates.
• Employers' preference: For some occupations, it's not obvious which is the best particular education program. There may be several types of education programs that qualify graduates for the job they want, or there may be one particular type of program which the majority of employers prefer. Ask potential employers for their preferences before choosing a program.

Brian Jenkins writes about the Job Prospects With Online Degrees, among other education and career topics, for BrainTrack.

Related link
Articles about Online Learning Environments

About BrainTrack
BrainTrack is a higher education and career resource with worldwide reach.
BrainTrack features a directory of the world's universities and colleges with over 10,000 institutions listed from over 190 countries. The site is the oldest (since 1996) and largest directory of universities and colleges on the Web. BrainTrack's goal is to help visitors make better decisions about their education and careers.
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Many thanks to Brian Jenkins.
Enjoy your reading!