Accreditation is the most important thing you need to know about distance learning or online degrees. Accreditation separates the “real” schools that are accepted by other schools, employers and professional associations. A diploma from a non-accredited school is probably a waste of your time and effort.

Unfortunately, there are schools advertising for online degrees that are considered “diploma mills”. These are for profit sites that may offer “fast” degrees that will not be recognized by potential employers as being an adequate education for the position you are seeking. There are also online programs that promote free credit for “life experience”. Again, these credits may not be recognized as legitimate.

There are many accrediting agencies. For instance the National League of Nursing accredits nursing schools. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accredits Teaching or education schools. Law schools are accredited by the American Bar Association. Other professions have their own accrediting bodies.

There are regionally accredited schools. The United States is divided into 6 regions that accredits colleges and universities: the Middle States Association, North Central Association, Northwest Association, New England Association, the Southern Association and the Western Association. Attending one regionally accredited school allows you to transfer credits from on university to another.

The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), or The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) may accredit Online or distance learning colleges and university.

Become informed about the type of accreditation that is needed for the type of degree you are seeking. The Council for Higher Education can provide you with a list of recognized accrediting bodies. Then make sure that the school you are considering actually has that accreditation.

This is probably the single most important thing you can do when checking out an online college degree education program. You don’t want to be at the end of your academic career and find out that you have invested time and money into a degree that will not be valued by your employers, other school, or professional organizations.

You can start your search for school at an online website for online schools, but don’t let your search end there. Do your homework, make sure you are going to a college or university that is accredited!