Recently online colleges have become well known to most prospective students.Commercials and ad campaigns have made many of them household names.However, many prospective students are still unfamiliar to online colleges and have trouble deciding between them.Traditional colleges are ranked by publications such as the U.S. News, but word of mouth reputation and the familiarity of local institutions play a large role in the decision making process.With time, online colleges will become more familiar, but until then there are a few guidelines to follow.
The best online colleges are regionally accredited by one of the six federally recognized accrediting associations.For a list of federally recognized accrediting associations visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-accred-recog_associations.html.A regional accreditation is more than a formality.Without an accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education, the value of a degree from an online college is questionable.To ensure that future employers and colleges accept a degree, any online college should have appropriate accreditation.
Also, the best online colleges offer a variety of options.Some online colleges provide on-campus classes in addition to online classes.Other online colleges have a choice of synchronous classes that are regularly scheduled weekly classes or asynchronous classes that allow students to study materials whenever convenient.The best online college will have the degree programs, the virtual campus setup, and the style of course work that best suits its students.
A key component of the online education is the faculty employed by the online college. Career experience and degrees held by the instructor should be considered. If the instructor is unknowledgeable or unqualified the classes offered will be less valuable.It is also important to consider how easily professors can be contacted.Generally an online college instructor keeps in contact with student by email.Slow communication with instructors can hamper the learning experience.
Support systems offered by online colleges vary.The best online colleges will offer most or all of the administrative support given by traditional colleges.Academic advisors, financial aid counselors, enrollment counselors, mentors and other support staff are widely available at online colleges.
Most importantly, the best online college is the one that provides it students with the most comprehensive education possible.The point of an online college is convenience.Make sure the college you consider suits your needs and your schedule.
Charles White, USC was the 1979 Maxwell Award winner!
HERSCHEL WALKER
Marcus Allen
There were two people who won the Maxwell award in 1967. One person was Gary Beban and the other was Terry Baker Gary Beban
Erick Anderson of Michigan won the Dick Butkus Award in 1991.
2001 Ken Dorsey Miami
2000 Drew Brees Purdue
1999 Ron Dayne Wisconsin
1998 Ricky Williams Texas
1996 Danny Wuerffel Florida
1992 Gino Torretta Miami
1990 Ty Detmer BYU