It seems like there are a lot of scams and some unreliable programs out there. Is there perhaps a website that has a list of accredited online college programs? Thanks for your help.
Here are a few genuine good ones I have come across:
http://www.extension.harvard.edu/
http://www.wgu.edu/
http://cps.regis.edu/?cid=gen-internal-prosp
https://www.excelsior.edu/
http://www.bellevue.edu/
http://sln.suny.edu/
There are in fact tons of good ones about that are not a scam. They are usually well respected brick and mortar schools that also offer online programs. They are not schools like Kaplan, Phoenix or Westwood which are for profit schools. Stay clear of for profit schools.
Thanks
Bill
Be very careful about online programs which use the term “accredited”, because that can mean almost anything. The problem is that there are a lot of “accreditations” out there that any school could pay a fee for and buy. You want two things. First, you want a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate (local) regional accrediting organization, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Secondly, depending on your major, you may need the school to be accredited by the respected accrediting organization for that profession, such as AACSB for business or NCATE for education.
The best way to get this is to do an online program associated with a traditional university, rather than going to a for-profit online college. It would be less expensive, better quality, and appropriately accredited.
You are really better off not doing the online degree thing, even if the program is accredited and legitimate it will probably not be respected by employers and others. Going to a traditional school will get you much farther.
My best recommendation would be to contact a number of colleges to find the best fit for you and your needs (tuition, schedule, career opportunities, etc.). Too often people enroll in the first school they find rather than taking the time to find the best school for them. Taking that time now could save you a lot of time, money and frustration if you choose the wrong school.
This site has some good info on regionally accredited online degrees and some colleges that offer them to help expand your search:
http://www.ecollegefinder.org
I think you can enter your info on there for any colleges you are interested in and they will send you more info for free. Good Luck!
Non-recognized colleges offering any degree is just a scam. I will advice you to stay away from a college which is non-recognized or even has a smallest of the problem with its accreditation. The main colleges like Baker college online, Capella and Kalpan which offer online bachelor courses are given at http://www.thedegreeexperts.com/online-degree.aspx .