10 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING FOR ANY ONLINE PROGRAM

1.      Who is offering the course?

Find out about the institution, company, organization offering the course. If the sponsor is an institution, is it a college or university or a legitimate affiliate? Name can be deceiving; what sound like a prestigious university may be a front for a rip-off, so do some checking. If the course is being sponsored by a company or organization, check out its reputation and background before you register or send money. Address can also help; .com indicates a business or profit oriented while .edu indicates an educational site.

2.      Is the course part of an accredited or an accredited program?

Accreditation is a serious issues for students seeking to earn a recognized degree. If the distance or online course is part of an unaccredited program, you may not be able to transfer the credits to an institution which runs an accredited program and in the case of obtaining unaccredited degree, despite wasting the tuition costs, you may not be able find and work in reputable company or organization. In case you want to pursue higher degrees, it may be difficult. Legitimate institutions give details about their accreditation as an institution and programs. If non, check the host country’s accreditation and regulatory body, if the program and institution is accredited.

3.      What is the time commitment?

Find out the time required for an individual course like cyberspace discussions? How many meetings required in the entire course? How much time is allowed for submitting assignments? What is the duration of each course and the entire program? Must you log on a certain time or times or devote a given number of time to coursework for you to obtain a credit? Again, you must ask how many years or months will the courses be completed and you qualify for graduation? In some programs, all courses are not offered year-round, which can slow you down. Some schools schedule courses more frequently to assist students who are in a hurry. So check before you enroll.

4.      What is the cost?

Ask about the tuition and textbooks cost, additional cost, carry-over cost and other learning material cost. Demand for total cost before you enroll. Asked if your charged per course outside the tuition fee and each time you register a course or all is covered by the tuition fee. Ask for method of payment and deadlines for payments.

5.      What is the content? 

Is the course merely an introduction to a topic? Or an in-depth examination. Is the course focusing primarily on theory or practical applications? Is it covering the latest advances in the field? Go beyond the catalog shown on the screen to the course content and you can contact the course adviser for details.

6.      What are the teacher’s credentials?

Yes, most of your online learning is going to be on textbook, comments and suggestions of students, you must also ascertain that your teacher or lecturers who are your facilitators are authorities in the course. What are their experiences and years of it? Check the biographies of your would-be teachers.

7.      What are the entrance requirements or prerequisites?

There may be additional requirements apart from general ones. For instance, some institutions require work experience for their MBA and other master and doctoral programs. Some courses must be taken to qualify for a requested program.

8.      How is the course conducted?

Find out how your course will be conducted. Will it be internet-based? Which will be a combination of e-mail, chat, electronic slid shows, and audio or video-enhances materials in addition to a printed text. Some online courses may require a non-internet component as well( such as teleconferencing). Check out the student teacher communication and whether you are expected to work individually or as a team.

9.      What equipment is required?

Ask what is required; like properly configured computers with wireless or modem internet connection. The personal computer must have Microsoft essentials.

10.  What assistance is available? 

Though online courses are student lead but there will be times you must need help; like chat with a lecturer, register a course, reconcile exam results and dates, fix a problem. Check if there is self guided tutorial or access to experts via email as part of online assistance.