Top Online Accredited Schools: A Short Survey

Impressive gains have been made in making higher education possible for all and online classes have seen explosive growth. Unfortunately, not every offering is legitimate and if you’re going to invest your time and money pursuing a degree, you must choose one of the online accredited schools. 

We’re going to share the best-accredited colleges online and how to check the status of schools. 

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the assurance that the programs a college, university, or trade school is offering meet defined standards of quality. Achieving accreditation is a lengthy, voluntary process that is overseen by an accrediting body. 

The first step for a school is to complete a self-assessment and then an application. An accreditation committee reviews this material before looking at the school’s mission, faculty qualifications, and curricula. From there on-site visits begin and then if the school meets all the standards, accreditation is granted. The entire process can take up to two years.  

How to Check Accreditation Status 

In addition to assuring you that your education meets certain quality standards, accreditation is important for other reasons. If you are applying for Federal Student Aid, your selected school must be accredited. 

Receiving an education from one of the accredited colleges online tells prospective employers that your degree represents quality learning. And if you decide to go to a different school, the credits you earned won’t be transferable if your classes weren’t taken at an online accredited college. 

As you research degree programs at colleges, it’s crucial to check which ones are online accredited schools before taking the initial application step. Colleges will advertise their accreditation on their websites and most will have a link to the accrediting body on the bottom or in the corner of their homepage. Be sure to click on that link to review the status of the accreditation!

The US Dept of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) don’t oversee accrediting bodies but they do maintain a database of online accredited schools. If the accrediting agency isn’t listed on the website of the school that is advertising itself as an online accredited college your best course of action is to consider another institution. 

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Benefits of Learning Online

Online learning has many benefits and more and more students are discovering that pursuing a degree from the comfort of their home fits them better than attending a traditional brick-and-mortar school. Some of the reasons for attending accredited schools online are: 

• Cost-effective: Overall, online education leans toward being more affordable than in-person classes. Many schools also offer a variety of payment plans that make it easier to budget. By choosing one of the accredited colleges online you are also saving on costs like transportation and materials.
• Flexible schedule: Online learning allows you to determine the time you sit down to study the course material and to work around other obligations like work and family. As a student in one of the online accredited schools, you will learn good time management practices without the stress of trying to rush to classes.
• Selection: The best online accredited colleges offer all the courses that are required for in-person degrees. You can get an online degree, diploma, or certificate without trying to manage to get on campus to attend classes!
• Accessibility: Students with needs or disabilities that might make it challenging to physically attend in-person classes can pursue the same degrees as their peers through online learning. Accessibility also means that you can pursue your degree from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection!
• Individual Attention: Online classes tend to be smaller which gives you easier access to instructors. Forums and chat rooms are also set up, allowing you to connect with your classmates in a relaxed setting.

Best Accredited Colleges Online 

Some research will reveal there are a lot of online accredited schools! It would be impossible to list them all so let’s take a look at a few of the best online accredited colleges.

1. University of the People: The University of the People, accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, offers certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees across a variety of disciplines. Students can focus on majors such as computer science, health science, education, and business administration. A tuition-free delivery of programs makes UoPeople unique among other colleges and they have further eliminated traditional barriers to college by lowering admission requirements. Prospective students need to demonstrate proficiency in English and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. 
2. Western Governors University: Western Governors University’s online degree offerings are diverse and great for students interested in careers in IT, education, business, and healthcare. Their competency-based learning model assures students they are mastering essential skills and knowledge. This is a different approach than the traditional focus of accumulating credit hours and fits well with people who have clear career goals in mind. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. 
3. University of Phoenix: Students at the University of Phoenix can pursue a certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program.  Graduates are ready for careers in a wide variety of occupations including healthcare, education, and IT. Courses are self-paced which affords each student a great deal of flexibility around when and where they study and monthly program start dates are convenient. The University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
4. University of Florida: UF Online, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, has 25 majors to choose from. A few of their offerings include a Bachelor of Science with majors in sports management, tourism, or nursing, a Bachelor of Arts majoring in criminology, education, or anthropology, as well as Master and Doctorate programs. Classes begin in January, May, and August. 
5. Ohio University: Ohio State University Online is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. They offer more than 700 online courses as well as several open online courses. Students can pursue a certificate or undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Areas of study include education, science, administration, engineering, social work, and nursing.
6. University of Saint Mary: The Higher Learning Commission has accredited USM. Students can earn an undergraduate degree in accounting, management, criminology, cyber security, psychology, or exercise science. USM also offers a Master of Business Administration. Several start dates are offered each year.
7. American University: American University Online offers mostly graduate programs in a wide range of majors that include business administration, legal studies, international relations, and education. In addition to their Master’s programs, students can also pursue graduate and undergraduate certificates. AU Online is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Learning.  

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Closing Thoughts

With so many barriers to a college education being eliminated, it has never been easier to earn your degree! Studying at home on a schedule that works around a busy life filled with work, family, and social obligations makes a great deal of sense for many prospective students. 

A little research into online accredited schools will reveal that there are countless opportunities to pursue that degree! The most challenging part won’t be finding accredited schools online but it will be deciding which great college to attend!