What You Should Know About Online Education

Today, millions of students throughout the United States are enrolling in online education programs.

However, many of these students as well as prospective students still have questions about distance learning. Here are answers to some common questions regarding online education.

1. How popular is online education in the United States?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, an estimated 12.2 million students enrolled in distance education courses at the college level during the 2006-07 academic year.

2. How many colleges and universities offer online education courses?

The National Center for Education Statistics found that 66 percent of two- and four-year degree-granting postsecondary institutions offered college-level online education courses during the 2006-07 academic year.

3. What is the Vermont Educational Technology Program?

The Vermont Education Technology Program is an initiative through which the Vermont Department of Education works closely with online education organizations throughout the state in an effort to provide leadership in distance learning policies and to coordinate distance learning and other educational technology initiatives.

4. How many online courses does the University of Vermont offer?

Students enrolled at the University of Vermont can choose from more than 100 online courses.

5. What is the Vermont MIDI Distance Learning Network?

The Vermont MIDI Distance Learning Network is a state-wide initiative to further music composition by Vermont students at all grade levels. The program is supported by funds from the Vermont State Legislature and the Vermont Arts Council.

6. How can obtaining an advance degree benefit one's overall earning potential?

Obtaining an advance degree can increase one's overall earning potential, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2008, an individual with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $978 per week - 130 percent higher than individuals who did not graduate from high school and 65 percent higher than those who did graduate from high school but had not attended college.

7. What is the requirement for online schools to be eligible to receive federal student aid?

To be eligible to receive federal student aid, an online school needs to be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized specifically for distance learning accreditation by the U.S. Department of Education.

8. What factors should prospective students consider when choosing an online school?

When choosing an online school, students should consider several factors:

• Is the school accredited by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?
• Could the school be a diploma mill?
• What are the school's standards and practices and does the school make them clear to students?
• What are the school's retention and graduation rates?
• How much will the school cost and is it eligible for federal student aid?
• If employed, is the school eligible for reimbursement through your employer?
• If the school offers both online and campus-based courses, what is the school's campus like?
• Will the credits earned at the school transfer to other institutions?
• How much focus does the school put toward its distance learning programs?
• Is there a degree program in your field of study offered at the school?
• Does the class schedule for your selected program of study coordinate well with the other priorities in your life?
• Are the instructors certified in the specific areas they are teaching?
• Are the online instructors trained specifically in distance learning practices?
• Does the online course design offer a variety of components to assist you in attaining your education?
• Does the school limit the number of students in its online classes in order to ensure teachers are able to deliver quality instruction?
• What type of educational and technical support services does the school offer?