Should I only attend an online university that is accredited?

Making sure that you get an education from an accredited university may just be the most important part of your preliminary research when choosing an online institution. An accredited school means that your classes, faculty, student services, tuition costs and assistance, and degree have been approved by a board that is specifically constructed to evaluate postsecondary schools according to standards that have been deemed appropriate by the U.S. Department of Education. It is especially important for students in distance education and online programs to attend an accredited school because many of these schools are less widely known than traditional brick and mortar campuses. Potential employers may be suspect of an online school, but if it has been accredited by an approved agency, then you can prove that your education, training and degree are valid. If you want to enroll in another school’s graduate or continuing education program, you will also need to prove that your lower level degree was awarded from an accredited institution; otherwise, you may not be accepted into the new program.

Online schools that aren’t accredited may be state-approved to conduct business operations and set up legitimate training programs, but outside of the local community, it may be difficult to prove your education’s worth. Other schools that aren’t accredited may not even be functioning schools. Diploma mills are illegal, fraudulent organizations that don’t evaluate student performance and print out fake diplomas as a money-making scheme. These degrees are completely worthless. Ensuring that your online school is accredited by verifying its status at the CHEA website, U.S. Department of Education postsecondary education database, or with organizations like the Distance Education and Training Council or Accrediting Council of Independent College and Schools will protect you from diploma mills and other non-accredited institutions.