Pursuing a certificate or degree is not a process to be taken lightly. This is your education we're talking about. And you probably want the best education possible, right? Here's a checklist of questions to ask of the schools you are considering.

• Is the school accredited? Is the program of study accredited? Remember that accreditation by one of the six regional accrediting agencies is a formal recognition that a school provides a quality education. If the school is not accredited by one of the six regional agencies, be sure to check with CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education to see if the accrediting agency is real and recognized.
  
  
• How many online courses does the school offer? Generally, the more online courses that a school offers, the more experienced it is.
  
  
• This means you have a better chance of getting instructors who know what they're doing technologically. How long has the school been offering courses online? You know the old sayingpractice makes perfect. The more experience a school and its instructors have had, the better the chances that they've ironed out any kinks in their virtual courses.
  
  
• What are the demographics of students taking courses online? If you have special concerns and want students who can relate specifically to your situation, then you'll probably want to look for a program where the other students enrolled share similarities with you. This may make the learning process easier for you.
  
  
• What is the student to instructor ratio? If a class is too large, it may become unmanageable, especially if everyone logs online at the same time and tries to participate in a course-related chat. Additionally, if there is a large number of students, it may be difficult or even impossible to get personal attention from the instructor.
  
  
• What are the direct costs to take courses from the school? You'll want to know exactly what you can expect to pay for your courses. Ask specifically about tuition, fees, and supplies.
  
  
• What is the school's refund policy? It's a good thing to know ahead of time whether you'll get some or all of your money back should you need to withdraw from a course.
  
  
• What kinds of financial aid are available to you? This is a very important question if you haven't planned financially for your college education. You want to find out what types of aid are available (grants, scholarships, loans), what their sources are (federal, state, institutional), and whether you meet the eligibility criteria.
  
  
• Does the school accept transfer credits? What are its requirements for transferring credits? If you've earned credits from another school, be sure to inquire whether you can transfer them to count toward the degree or certificate you now wish to pursue. Transferring credits can save you from having to take duplicate courses.
  
  
• Does the school accept test credits? What are its testing policies? Find out which, if any, standardized tests you must take to be admitted. Also, inquire whether you can test out of certain courses.
  
  
• Does the school require you to spend any time on campus? This is an important question. Many distance learning programs require you to spend at least a little time on campusfor an orientation, examinations, or other reasons. Find out when you're expected to be inresidence and for how long so you can begin making arrangements (travel, accommodations, etc.) as soon as possible.
  
  
• What are the student services that will be available to you if you enroll? Particularly, will you have online access to library resources? Many colleges offer tutorial services, career planning, and general counseling to students on-campus. Find out if these same services are available to you, as a distance learning student. Also, ask whether there's a reference librarian you can contact if you need resources or information from the library oncampus.
  
  
• What are the time limits within which you must complete a program of study? Before you embark on your educational adventure, you should want to know about how long it's going to take. Knowing whether it's going to take three years of commitment to your computer or five years will help you in your planning.
  
  
• What is the drop-out rate for the program you're interested in? If the program you're interested in has a high drop-out rate, then it's a pretty good indication there are problems with it. Try to avoid such a program in order to save yourself grief (and possibly money) in the long run.
  
  
• What is the graduation rate for that program? This question is somewhat related to the preceding one-if the program you're interested in has a high graduation rate, then the chances are that it's a program in which most students who are enrolled are pleased. This is a good kind of program to watch for.
  
  
• What are the job-placement rates for graduates of the program you're interested in? This is especially important if you're pursuing a highly-specialized degree. You want some assurance that you'll be able to find a job or advancement in your field of expertise upon graduation. If the job-placement rate is low for a particular program, then that's usually a pretty good sign that there's no need for people with that degree or even that the program is not respected within the field.
  
  
• How will lectures be conducted-on the Web, on video, or by some other method? You need to know this in order to plan for equipment. If lectures are delivered on the Web, then you need just your computer, a sound card, speakers, and a Web browser. But if lectures will arrive on videotape, then you need to make sure you have a VCR and television in addition to your computer.
  
  
• How will you be expected to submit assignments and collaborate with other studentsvia a Web page, electronic mail, chat, or through some other method? The answers to these questions will help you plan for coursework and give you a head start familiarizing yourself with the method of interaction prior to entering the courses.
  
  It doesn't hurt to ask the program of study for a list of references. This way you can contact former students directly to get their opinions of the program and better prepare yourself. Additionally, it's a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau in the area where the school is located and the Attorney General's office in the state where the school is located to see if there are any complaints (and, if so, how many) filed against the school. A number of unresolved complaints against a school is a pretty clear signal that the school's reputation is questionable and you may want to consider another institution.
  
  

The specific requirements you'll have to fulfill vary from school to school, and even between programs of study, so it's important that you read the directory links entries in this site carefully.. In general, here are the minimum requirements by level of degree:

• Undergraduate programs-Undergraduate programs are those in which you can earn an Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree. To be admitted to an undergraduate program, you generally have to be a high school graduate or have a General Education Development (GED) certificate (equivalent to a high school diploma). Also, most schools require that you take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) assessment.
  
  
• Graduate or Professional programs-Graduate programs are those in which you earn an advanced degree, such as a Master's or Doctoral degree. To be admitted to a Master's program, usually you're required to have a Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree is generally required for admittance to a Doctoral degree program. (However, there are some Doctoral degree programs that require only a Bachelor's degree.) Whether you are required to take a standardized test to gain admission depends upon the graduate program.
  
  
• Certificate programs-Generally you must have a certain amount of work experience related to the field in which the certificate is issued in order to participate in these programs. Some advanced certificate programs require you to have a Bachelor's degree as well.