Thanks to the internet, it seems that online learning has replaced distance education, and that it is here to stay. Distance education allows students wishing to pursue a Masters in Education degree to attend classes without the need to physically be inside a classroom. If you are unable to attend actual classes, you can now earn your masters diploma online.
One huge benefit of completing your online masters in education is that you have the freedom to schedule your own classes. Anyone can take advantage of this opportunity, from full-time moms, professional with full-time jobs and those wanting career changes. Another advantage of doing your online masters is that it will be cheaper than traditional options, plus you get direct, personal attention.
However, there are two sides to every story, and many people tend to feel that online learning, particularly at a postgraduate level, is very limited. For some, the full liberty enjoyed in distance learning makes it hard to develop self-motivation when submitting assignments on time and logging onto classes. These problems pale in comparison to the fact that you could get scammed.
You should only consider courses that have the right accreditation. This means that the course has been tested and evaluated so that you can be sure you are getting a high standard of education. Once the course you have selected has been found to be of a high standard, it will receive accreditation - the stamp of approval regarding educational quality.
If you take a course that is not accredited, you are looking for trouble. This degree is of no use to you - employers don’t recognize it and you cannot get credit for it elsewhere. A secondary problem is that you won't get any kind of financial assistance from your employers if you study while you work.
In some cases, the government itself can approve a course. Across the United States there is a separate body that controls the accreditation process - it is not run by the Department of Education. At the end of the day The Council of Higher Education Accreditation, in conjunction with the US Department of Education, will have the final say.
Also, you should always check of the accreditation is limited to a specific field, region, or country. In most cases, regional accreditation is the standard for graduate education. Most legit online schools that offer a master's in education program will present their accreditation information in a way easily noticeable on their website.
One of the biggest scams regarding online masters in education program is the phenomenon of diploma mills, or the so-called schools which give students an instant diploma in exchange for cash. Scams can be recognized by the fact that they give little or no coursework. Another giveaway is the fact that they say your work experience will count for course credit.
Keep an eye out for low admission standards or shortened course duration. So, if you get offered an online master's in education that you may complete over one semester without previous course credit, something is wrong. False accreditation agencies are sometimes set up to add to the appearance of professionalism.
Indeed, taking up an online master's in education program seems a fantastic option, but one should be very careful these days. Always check the URL of the site that you are consulting, as bogus schools cannot get a valid address. If a URL ends in '.edu', it can be trusted.
When in need of reliable info about masters in education programs, do not hesitate in hitting the links.
