Thinking About College Online? Make Sure the School's Legit

March 8, 2010— -- It's a tough cycle to break. You work full time in a job that doesn't satisfy you, and you'd like to go back to school to study for a new career. But between work and the demands of personal life, you can't find the time to get back in the classroom.

It's not as hard as it used to be. Many colleges and universities now offercourses online, and it's possible for a busy student to get a degree by doing some or all of his or her class work on the Internet.

In fact, more than 4.6 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall of 2008, a 17 percent increase over the prior year, according to a report from the Babson Research Survey Group and the Sloan Consortium.

While online classes have become increasingly popular for students of all ages, some online institutions lack accreditation and many have a bad reputation.

In fact, many online institutions are described as "diploma mills" that critics say cheat people who are seeking to further their education. In some cases, the diploma mills may promise degrees for life experience if the students pay a fee. In most cases, credentials like this are worthless.

If you're considering taking classes online, make sure the institution is accredited. Here's a list of resources to help you do that:

Some Resources to Check Online Institutions' Record

The U.S. Department of Education has a searchable database of accredited post-secondary schools.

The College Board. Students and parents may search the College Board's Web site for detailed information on more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and other education organizations. Profiles on the institution include information about online or distance learning programs.