6 Benefits of Getting your Business Degree Online (2 of 2)

Accreditation

When considering which online school to attend, it is important that it be accredited. This means an outside body has determined the school meets all of the standards for a proper education. Ask the school if it is accredited and by which accreditation board. Some sketchy schools might pull a fast one by creating a fake agency, complete with phony logos. The best way to confirm is to look through the list of legitimate agencies on either the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation websites. Also note students are eligible for federal loans and grants only if they are enrolled in an accredited school.

There are two primary types of accreditation for U.S. colleges:

• Regional – there are only six regional associations in the entire U.S., so if the schools you are considering make any of the lists, they are legit. You should also have no problems transferring credits from one school to another.
• National – you will want to see what the Distance Education Accrediting Commission has to say about your prospective schools. If they are on the list, it means they have proven themselves to be committed to educational excellence.

As it relates specifically to business schools, two other agencies offer accreditation:

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the most prestigious agency around, only granting accreditation to the world’s top 5% business programs.
• The Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is another good one. They carefully determine how successful students are at gaining employment after graduating from online business schools.

Take the Next Step

Online business schools provide flexible schedules, are affordable, and can help you advance in your career. Now that you have a better idea about how to proceed, take the next step and find the online business degree program that is best for you!