Is it Reputable?

Like any other business or educational institution, there is a wide range of quality from one to the next. Many online colleges have official-sounding names but may be selling the online equivalent to snake oil. Some of the factors that tell you the school is not reputable include:

• It is not accredited by a state board
• The instructors are not qualified
• The instructors may not have sufficient business world experience
• Poor communication with teachers
• Unreliable computer networks that can make your online class time problematic.

Luckily for you there are some regulatory bodies that provide institutions with accreditation and certification. Look to see that your school is certified by one or more of the following bodies, most of which work by region.

Regulatory bodies

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
http://www.msache.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
http://www.neasc.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions
http://www.neasc.org

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Executive Board of the Commission on Schools
http://www.nca.asu.edu"

Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Colleges
http://www2.boisestate.edu/nasc

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
http://www.sacs.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
http://wascweb.org

Click here for a complete list of regulatory bodies from the United States Department of education.

In addition to these organizations it is also a good idea to see if the college has partnerships with any traditional universities and colleges.