8 Things to Consider When Selecting an Online Degree Program

8 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING AN ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM

8 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING AN ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM

8 Things to Consider When Selecting an Online Degree Program

1 Area of Study

What area of study do you want to start or advance your career in?

Business & Administration

BBA in Administration, Master of Science in Administration (MSA), MBA, Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Communications

BA in English, MS in Communication, Master of Communication Management.

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Education

BS in Early Childhood Development and Learning, MA in Education, MA in Reading and Literacy K-12, MA in Special Education.

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Science

BA in Nursing, MS in Clinical Research, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Leadership & Entrepreneurship

BS in Integrated Leadership Studies, MS in Leadership, MA in Educational Leadership, Master of Entrepreneurial Transactions.

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Social Science

BS in Psychology, BS in Criminal Justice, MS in Clinical Psychology.

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Health & Human Services

BS in Healthcare Coordination, MA in Counseling, Master of Health Administration.

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Technology

BS in Engineering Technology, MS in Information Systems, MA in Educational Technology.

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Government & Political Science

BS in Political Science, BS in Community Advocacy, MS in Political Science.

Continue ↓

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Business & Administration

BBA in Administration, Master of Science in Administration (MSA), MBA, Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Communications

BA in English, MS in Communication, Master of Communication Management.

← Back

Education

BS in Early Childhood Development and Learning, MA in Education, MA in Reading and Literacy K-12, MA in Special Education.

← Back

Science

BA in Nursing, MS in Clinical Research, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.

← Back

Leadership & Entrepreneurship

BS in Integrated Leadership Studies, MS in Leadership, MA in Educational Leadership, Master of Entrepreneurial Transactions.

← Back

Social Science

BS in Psychology, BS in Criminal Justice, MS in Clinical Psychology.

← Back

Health & Human Services

BS in Healthcare Coordination, MA in Counseling, Master of Health Administration.

← Back

Technology

BS in Engineering Technology, MS in Information Systems, MA in Educational Technology.

← Back

Government & Political Science

BS in Political Science, BS in Community Advocacy, MS in Political Science.

← Back

Continue ↓

2 Type of School

Which type of school best fits you and your goals?

Large University

Delivers a variety of in-person, online and hybrid degree programs for busy adults

Important questions »

For-Profit

Known for online degree programs geared toward non-traditional students

Important questions »

Regional

Smaller, non-profit institution recognized for accessibility and comprehensive programs

Important questions »

Important questions to answer:

Does it have the online program you want?
What are the degree’s requirements?
Is the program geared toward busy, adult learners?
Does it support your long-term career objectives?
Does it boast positive, diverse testimonials from alumni?

Important questions to answer:

Does it have the online program you want?
What are the degree’s requirements?
Is the program geared toward busy, adult learners?
Does it support your long-term career objectives?
Does it boast positive, diverse testimonials from alumni?

Important questions to answer:

Does it have the online program you want?
What are the degree’s requirements?
Is the program geared toward busy, adult learners?
Does it support your long-term career objectives?
Does it boast positive, diverse testimonials from alumni?

3 Cost of Degree

To determine the total cost of each bachelor's or master's degree, look beyond the cost per credit hour and find out the following:

If you will receive in-state or out-of-state tuition

Total credit hours it takes to complete the degree

The number of transferable credit hours

The amount of financial aid you will receive

The type of university

If you will receive in-state or out-of-state tuition

Total credit hours it takes to complete the degree

The number of transferable credit hours

The amount of financial aid you will receive

The type of university

4 Time to Completion

Assess these factors to understand how long your degree program will take:

How many hours per week can you commit to school work and studying?

What time restrictions does your lifestyle hold?

Will you be a full-time or part-time student?

How many credits will you transfer in?

How many prior learning credits can you earn?

How many hours a week can you commit to school work and studying?

What time restrictions does your lifestyle hold?

Will you be a full-time or part-time student?

How many credits will you transfer in?

How many prior learning credits can you earn?

5 Accreditation

Not every online degree carries the same accreditation. An online degree earned from a well-established, respected institution can take you further.

Which accreditation do you think is the most important?

Council for Higher Education and Accreditation (CHEA)

75%

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

50%

Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TECA)

50%

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

50%

All of the above

50%

Actually, all of them are.

Accrediations confirm that an online degree program or university meets specific standards and academic criteria. Without valid and relevant accrediation from a trusted institution, a degree may not hold much weight.

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You're right!

Accrediations confirm that an online degree program or university meets specific standards and academic criteria. Without valid and relevant accrediation from a trusted institution, a degree may not hold much weight.

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6 Faculty & Professors

Review faculty profiles to discover if the program's professors hold trusted qualifications:

Have real-life industry experience

Hold advanced degrees

Publish relevant research

Specialize their interests

7 Academic & Student Support

When researching an online degree program, discover if you'll have access to:

You’re assigned an individual academic advisor.

There are academic support resources you can utilize.

The school offers enrollment and financial aid counseling.

You can talk to a career coach and receive career assistance.

An personal academic advisor

Academic support resources

Enrollment and financial aid counseling

Career coaching

8 Assistance from Admissions

How helpful is the school's admissions team? Getting off to a good start means:

The admissions process is straightforward

All your questions are answered

You feel prepared and supported

The admissions process is straightforward

All your questions are answered

You feel prepared and supported

Why Central Michigan University?

Earn distinguished degrees through CMU's interactive, career-focused online programs from the convenience of anywhere.

Degrees focused on real-world success

Each CMU student experiences an academic program focused on today's global workforce.

Maintains regional & specialized accreditations

Extends the same low-cost tuition nationwide

Michigan, out-of-state, and international students all pay the same tuition rate.

Offers six start dates per year

Allows students to start when their schedule allows with multiple start dates to choose from.

Satellite locations for face-to-face & hybrid programs

Multiple locations in Michigan and across the country that offer the same esteemed support and education.

Military committed since 1972

Classroom instruction at 20 military bases across the U.S. from the East Coast to Hawaii.
Accelerate transition with military transfer credits, prior learning credits, online learning options, alternative credit project, and more.

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Degrees focused on real-world success

Each CMU student experiences an academic program focused on today's global workforce.

Maintains regional & specialized accreditations

Extends the same low-cost tuition nationwide

Michigan, out-of-state, and international students all pay the same tuition rate.

Offers six start dates per year

Allows students to start when their schedule allows with multiple start dates to choose from.

Satellite locations for face-to-face & hybrid programs

Multiple locations in Michigan and across the country that offer the same esteemed support and education.

Military committed since 1972

Classroom instruction at 20 military bases across the U.S.
Accelerated transition with military transfer credits, prior learning credits, online learning options, alternative credit project, and more.

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next ›

Want to learn more?

Unlock your potential by earning a degree for the career you want in an online program that fits.

Learn More about CMU Online

View Sources

TIP TWO

81% of people only skim the content they read online. The average user reads 20-28% of words during an average visit. (NN Group)>

Content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without relevant images. (Quick Sprout)>

30% of marketers use original graphics, such as infographics, more than any other type of visual content, including videos and GIFs. (Venngage)

TIP THREE

Visuals increase retention by 42% (WheelhouseBiz)

94% more total views on average are attracted by content containing compelling images than content without images. (MDG Advertising)

People following directions with text and illustrations do 323% better than those following directions without illustrations. (Springer)

TIP FIVE

Infographics are liked and shared on social media 3x more than other any other type of content. (NN Group)

8 Things to Consider When Selecting an Online Degree Program

8 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING AN ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM

8 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING AN ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM

8 Things to Consider When Selecting an Online Degree Program

1

Area of Study

What area of study do you want to start or advance your career in?

Business & Administration

Communications

Education

Science

Leadership & Entrepreneurship

Social Science

Health & Human Services

Technology

Government & Political Science

Business & Administration

Communications

Education

Science

Leadership & Entrepreneurship

Social Science

Health & Human Services

Technology

Government & Political Science

2

Type of School

Which type of school best fits you and your goals?

Large University

Delivers a variety of in-person, online and hybrid degree programs for busy adults

Important questions »

For-Profit

Known for online degree programs geared toward non-traditional students

Important questions »

Regional

Smaller, non-profit institution recognized for accessibility and comprehensive programs

Important questions »

Important questions to answer:

Does it have the online program you want?

What are the degree’s requirements?

Is the program geared toward busy, adult learners?

Does it support your long-term career objectives?

Does it boast positive, diverse testimonials from alumni?

Important questions to answer:

Does it have the online program you want?

What are the degree’s requirements?

Is the program geared toward busy, adult learners?

Does it support your long-term career objectives?

Does it boast positive, diverse testimonials from alumni?

Important questions to answer:

Does it have the online program you want?

What are the degree’s requirements?

Is the program geared toward busy, adult learners?

Does it support your long-term career objectives?

Does it boast positive, diverse testimonials from alumni?

3

Cost of Degree

To determine the total cost of each bachelor's or master's degree, look beyond the cost per credit hour and find out the following:

4

Time to Completion

Assess these factors to understand how long your degree program will take:

5

Accreditation

Not every online degree carries the same accreditation. An online degree earned from a well-established, respected institution can take you further.

Which accreditation do you think is the most important?

Council for Higher Education and Accreditation (CHEA)

75%

75%

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

50%

50%

Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TECA)

50%

50%

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

50%

50%

All of the above

50%

50%