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Are online colleges legitimate

There are two arguments to be made as to the legitimacy of online colleges. The first is whether, as a modality, online learning is legitimate. The second is whether all colleges that offer online learning are legitimate. I would argue that both aspects have to be considered separately in order to ascertain whether a particular online program is legitimate.

There are certainly numerous diploma mills in the world, and they should be avoided at all costs. Being armed with some of the basic information about diploma mills, a discerning shopper of education can, without much trouble separate the wheat from the chaff. When you visit the website, can you find information about what classes are required, what accreditation the institution holds, whether financial aid is available, and if there are placement and admissions counselors available? If so, your can eliminate the institution from the most egregious forms of diploma mills. If not, move on to a different institution.

If you have answered yes to all the previous questions, then you should look deeper into the institution for signs of both excellence and coherence. Do a web search for "complaints against X institution." Check out the website for the accrediting body and see if there are actions or complaints against the college or institution. Then compare the degrees themselves.

A thorough examination of the Institution's catalog and website should provide you with the information you need in order to determine whether the institution is legitimate. Never believe the admission's officer if they tell you something contrary to what is published in the catalog.

Now I will address the legitimacy of online learning in general. This is a completely different question and cannot be ascertained just by your investigation of the institution. I have been involved in online learning for a decade, as a student, as faculty, as designer, and administrator. I've attended numerous national conferences, and I can say quite confidently that some of the worse online courses I have seen were offered by state universities.

This might come as quite a surprise if you aren't intimately familiar with the internal politics of traditional education. It is no secret among the faculty ranks that many in the new paradigm of learning are waiting for the old guard, the ivory tower population, to retire. These sages on stage have tenure, they have the committee positions, and they are the decision makers in what some

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