Here are a few things to be careful of before you decide on which online degree program to enroll in:

Class Formats That You Hate - All schools use various different methods to present the learning material to the students. Whether it is videos online, books, conversations and discussions online with the teacher and/or other students. Make sure its a learning format that you are ok with. If you don't like to work in groups then make sure the classes you are taking don't all require you to work with other people online. Make sure the learning format is one that you are comfortable with.

Cost - Tuition rates vary between schools significantly. Some state schools in low cost of living areas charge close to $100 per credit, while other private schools who offer degrees through continuing education charge upwards of $450 per credit or more. Make sure you find out what options the school has available for financial aid as well. See if they offer federal financial aid or private loans for financial aid. Those factors will make a difference in your overall costs.

School Reputation - If the school is an "online degrees only" school. You might find that the school reputation can make it difficult for you to find a job later or to pursue graduate or post graduate education. Since you are going to pay the tuition costs and do all the work required to get the degree, make sure it is from a school that is reputable and has solid credibility.

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Before embarking on a distance education masters degree program, it is important to watch out for a few things that could make you regret the school you chose later.

Choose a Reputable School - There are a few ways you can do this. You can find out what the school's accreditation is. It is best to use a university that is regionally accredited. Usually this information is posted on the school's website, but you may want to check with the school's regional accrediting source to verify the information. Also, read reviews and find out whether or not the school has been investigated for fraud or any other type of unethical behavior. Also, try finding some reviews by past students to see what their experience with the school has been.

Evaluate Costs - Find out what financial aid is available before you start. It is best to use a school that offers federal financial aid opportunities since that will be cheaper in the long run than financing the school with private student loans. Tuition rates vary widely between different schools so make sure you shop around for tuition rates that are low enough for your needs.

Evaluate the Course Formats - Find out the format for learning. There are many different ways that schools present the information for you to learn at a distance. Are you supposed to be online at specified times to meet with the teacher and classmates? Are you required to work on group projects with other students online? Do you work alone, with books at your own pace? These things are important to find out ahead of time.

Avoid the "Degree Mill" Type Schools - These schools can hinder your efforts to get a job or continue your education even further. Look for the legitimate universities that provide a reputable degree.

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What Are Your Reasons For Getting a Degree Online? - Consider the reasons you are getting your degree. Is it for a pay raise at work? Is it to qualify for a new job? Are you considering graduate school? If you are planning to use your degree to get a job or continue on to graduate school, you might want to consider looking for schools with a good reputation.

Credibility is a Factor - Many online and distance education schools lack the same credibility as the "brick and mortar" schools do. Many people feel that the heavily advertised online schools are the only options they have available for an online education.

This couldn't be further from the truth. There are actually many, many reputable universities who cater to on campus students but offer a few online degree programs. Most of these schools also do not differentiate between online degrees and on campus degrees on your diploma. If you attend an all online school for your degree, you run the risk of losing job opportunities and being able to get accepted into competitive graduate programs because of the school you attended.

Consider the Cost & Time You Will Put Into It - It seems right that for the money you will spend getting your degree and the time you will put into it, it should end up being something that will really help you and not hinder your chances of getting a job or continuing you education.

There are many good schools who have distance education degrees available, just take the extra time to dig for them and you might be pleasantly surprised at how much better those schools are than the ones that are heavily advertised.

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