Online education debate

OK so I'm a huge proponent of continuing education. It was as a "nontraditional" student that I was able to complete my Bachelor's at Mississippi State University. That said, not all online programs are built the same, and not all online programs yield the same results. I just listened to a sad story today about yet another student "burnt" by unscrupulous online schools. This young man was attempting to transfer to a major university and was summarily told he could not be admitted until completion of two classes he could have sworn were on his transcript. When he searched his transcript, indeed he had taken the two classes via an online program. Long story short, the "school" he took the classes through was locally accredited only and held no national accreditation which means he really took those classes for nothing. He spent his money, put in the time, but was not able to use those classes to his benefit whatsoever. That's sad.

My humble advice to anyone consideing completing college credit through an online program: take those classes through a traditional campus-based university that you have heard of and potential future schools and employers will have heard of as well. Too often, "online only" schools are little more than quick profit centers that teach little while taking much. Stick with a school you already know. Public as well as private schools around the country are opening their doors via the access point of the web and they bring a level of familiarity and reputation that will help immensely. Worked for me.