3. What are your professional or educational objectives?
Those who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future, for example, should look into programs like those offered by Kaplan, where they may “stack” a bachelor’s degree on top of their associate degree without having to transfer.
However, many community institutions provide transfer alternatives as well. All general education courses at Hudson Valley Community College in New York, which is part of the State University of New York system, can transfer straight to four-year state universities, according to Chris Helwig, the school’s dean of educational outreach and academic services.
Obtaining an associate degree, on the other hand, can lead to faster employment growth inside a corporation, according to Foster.
“You have something that can demonstrate to your employer that you are working toward a better education,” she explains.
4. How good are the online student services?
Prospective students should also investigate the services provided to online learners. According to experts, this may vary greatly between community colleges and four-year universities, especially because these types of schools frequently have varied levels of financing to help students.
“You need a school that will assist you,” Vandenbosch adds, “that has education advisors you can trust to help you through the hard spots, that has a library you can access 24/7, that offers tutoring, and that has a help desk.”
5. Who are the instructors for the online courses?
Experts advise that, like with any online school, students should evaluate the instructors and establish whether they have prior expertise teaching in this manner.
That’s because there’s more to teaching online courses than potential students believe, according to Helwig, and a professor must genuinely engage the students.
“It’s not really about taking your lecture and sticking it out there and expecting people to read and watch it,” Helwig explains.