Trying to find the on line college that meets your needs can be a challenge. Students looking to get an on line degree have many things to consider and manage.

1. Which school to choose. There are many on line colleges offering on line degrees. Choosing the right school can be one of most important things when considering an internet degree. Selecting the right school is the most significant challenge distance learners face. Checking for schools with credentials and good reputations will provide students with diplomas and degrees they can to be proud of. Before you enroll in an on line college, make sure it has the appropriate regional accreditation and do some research to find out what type of programs, resources and support will be provide.

Who can grant accreditation? Anyone can claim that they grant accreditation to schools, but not all accreditation is equal. Accreditation from the wrong source can be just as bad as no accreditation at all. In order to ensure that your school's credentials are coming from the right place, make sure that its accrediting agency is approved by the National Educational Association (NEA). This agency is generally accepted as having the final say on which accrediting boards will be counted as legitimate. Students who are studying traditional academic subjects (such as math, English, or history) should make sure that their school is accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the NEA.

What if my on line college isn't accredited?

If you choose a school that isn't accredited, you may find that many businesses won't accept your diploma or on line degree. It may be difficult to convince employers to take your degree seriously, particularly if it is in a traditional subject (math, English, history, etc.) If your on line degree is in a less traditional subject, one which most schools do not offer, it may be easier for employers to accept your degree.

If you are studying a common academic subject make sure that your school is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the National Board of Education (NBE). These are the same agencies that grant regular public and private universities their accreditation. Find out which state your on line degree program is operating from, and then look to see what regional agency grants accreditation to that state. The following agencies are recognized as being legitimate:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) - Accredits schools in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA) - Accredits schools in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Navajo Nation, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA) - Accredits schools in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS) - Accredits schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Latin America.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) - Accredits schools in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, and other Australasian locations.

Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU) - Accredits schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

There are a number of ways to check on the legitimacy of accreditors. The U.S. Department of Education (www.ed.gov) has a list of verified accreditors as does the Council For Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org). The Distance Education Training Council (www.detc.org) also can help you verify accreditors. Check to see if the institution is properly licensed and approved in the state where it's located, because some states have very lax regulations.

Check out our on line colleges and the degrees they offer and find the right on line college program for you!