With the busy lives of most individuals, getting a degree may seem too time consuming and difficult.
Luckily, over the past few years, schools and universities have begun to offer online courses making it possible for people with full time jobs or little children to attend classes in the comfort of their own home while simultaneously working to further their education; whether that be to improve their career options, or simply because they have a desire to learn.
If you have thought about attending an online college or university, you may be overwhelmed by the number of choices and options available.
If you find yourself in this boat, this article will offer you a guide on how to choose the best online college to suit your particular needs and desires.

1. Accreditation- The first thing a student should do when researching a particular online college or university is to verify the institution's accreditation.
   Regional accreditation certifies the competency and credibility of each degree program and courses making sure they meet the standards set out by higher authorities.
   A degree from a school that is accredited will appear much more valuable than a school that has no accreditation.
   The Department of Education's database has a complete list of each institution's credentials, so if you have any concerns, this is the place to start.
   
2. Establishment- Furthermore, it's important to remember that the best online degrees come from colleges or universities that have time-honored e-learning programs.
   Check to see when the online program was established, and most importantly read up on reviews and ratings from actual past students.
   This will give you a good understand as to how they stack up against competition.
   
3. Program- Next, you need to find a school that offers the degree and courses you wish to acquire.
   Not all online colleges and universities will offer every single degree course possible.
   Now what major and degree you want, then search for schools who have highly rated programs available for those degrees.
   

Once you have made your decisions, it's time to put in an application.
Once accepted, you are on your way to investing in your future career and life path.
A few things to remember about online degree programs is that online learning requires a significant amount of self-discipline and dedication and you should be prepared to set aside at least 8-10 hours per class per week to properly focus on work and projects to be successful.