Accreditation of Online Degrees

Online degree programs are becoming more and more popular as adults seeking additional education choose degree programs they can complete in their homes, at times most convenient for them. In fact, reputable colleges and universities are now offering more online degree programs than ever before.

Unfortunately, there are also a number of online degree programs which are of little or no worth. And, institutions offering essentially worthless (and/or fraudulent) degrees advertise on the internet, send unsolicited email, and even advertise in mainstream publications. "USA Today", for instance, currently carries advertising for institutions which claim to be accredited, although their "accreditation" comes from organizations not recognized by the U.S. government.

In fact, some of the organizations which "accredit" institutions require only payment from those institutions. Some are even owned and/or operated by the owners of the institutions offering worthless or fraudulent degrees.

Thus, don't be fooled simply because an institution claims to be accredited. Determine the name of the accrediting body and go to the U.S. Department of Education website at <http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg4.html> to be sure the accrediting agency is recognized.

Most (but not all) reputable institutions are accredited by the so-called regional accrediting agencies listed at <http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg5.html>.

Other legitimate accrediting agencies can be found at <http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg8.html>.