What to look for in an online university

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

If you’re thinking about earning your degree online, you probably already know there’s a lot to consider.

Between exploring different online schools, degree programs, cost considerations and any questions you might have about program rigor or teaching quality, it may feel overwhelming.

You’ll need an organized way to sort through the options and potential questions. To help with that, here are some areas to focus on as you delve into material about schools, programs, financial aid and more.

Educational quality

• Accreditation

  Accreditation is a quality assurance process that ensures educational institutions or programs meet standards and comply with federal and state regulations. It lends credibility to your degree among peers and prospective employers. It should be one of the top requirements on your checklist. Read our blog post on accreditation.

• Experience in providing online learning

  How long has the school been operating? When it comes to online education, does it have a track record of success? How is that success measured and reported?

• Industry alignment

  It’s important to build skills in addition to knowledge in your area of interest. Is the program you’re evaluating centered on the skills and abilities that can help you pursue your professional goals? If there are specialized accreditors for your field, see if the degree program you’re looking for has specialized accreditation.

• Appropriately credentialed faculty

  Instructors should be experts in their field. Do they hold advanced degrees?

Affordability

• Tuition

  Take time to research the tuition and fees associated with your program. How does the program’s cost compare to the tuition of other similar programs?

• Transfer credit options

  If you have previous college experience, you may be able to apply the credits to your new program. Be sure to discuss the process with an enrollment counselor.

• Prior learning

  Depending on where you are in your current role, you may have already learned a lot from your job experience or have industry certifications. Can you apply what you learned in the workplace toward credit for your degree?

• Ways to save

  Is financial aid available for your program? Beyond student loans, what opportunities exist for saving money while you’re in school? Take time to research different options that may be available to help reduce your tuition.

Program quality

• Fit

  Does the program align with your educational and professional goals? And how will an online education fit into your day-to-day life? Learn more about the student experience at Capella.

• Curriculum relevancy

  Information in your courses should provide you with practical, real-world knowledge you can apply directly to the workplace. Be sure to research skills you’ll learn to make sure the curriculum is relevant to your needs.

• Flexibility

  Can you work on your program anytime and anywhere? Explore how different online learning formats could meet your needs.

• Learning measurement

  Is graduation dependent on completing exams or papers? Or by accruing course hours? How will you be expected to demonstrate your understanding of knowledge and skills outlined in the course? Learn about competency-based education.

Support and community

• Technical support

  How does the school assist with technical issues you may encounter?

• Financial support

  Does the school offer access to financial aid in the form of loans, grants and scholarships? Make sure there’s someone who will help with the application process if you need guidance.

• Academic support

  Who will help you navigate program and course requirements? Who will help if you get stuck?

• Student community

  How easy is it to connect with other students? How will you find students who share a similar background or goals?

• Alumni services

  What benefits does your alumni association offer once you’ve completed your program? Does the school offer personal and professional development or opportunities to network with students and alumni?

• Disability services

  How does the school accommodate students with disabilities?

• Military student support

  Does the school support the needs of military members and their families?

• Career support

  Whether you want to earn a degree to expand your current skills or pursue something different, does the school help you put what you’re learning toward your career goals? What kind of advice, information and support is offered to current students and graduates?

Learn more about student support and community at Capella.

Choosing an online university or program takes a lot of careful consideration. Once you answer these questions, you can more easily compare programs and make the right choice for your next educational steps.

Explore online degree programs from Capella University.