Online education is a remarkable advancement in education. Online degrees can be gateways to new careers, better jobs, and more financial stability. Colleges who offer online degrees provide the ability to earn a degree without students needing to physically attend classes, leave current employment, and allows those with other obligations such as raising children the ability to go to school and honor those duties.

However, as the demand for online degrees increases, there are more and more false colleges and universities that take advantage of hard working people looking to obtain further education. These are often referred to as "diploma mills." While no system is perfect to filter out scams, here are some following pieces of advice on what to look for when examining an online college.

Are they accredited?: Accreditation is what lets a diploma carry weight in the economy, without it a diploma is just a piece of paper. When looking at schools offering online degrees, check to see if they are accredited. Some schools will claim to be accredited when they aren't. Any accredited school should list the organization that accredits them. There are false accrediting agencies, so be sure to check on the US department of education's website for the list of accepted accrediting institutions. Be sure to check on the accreditation agency's website for the school you're applying to, in case an organization claims to be accredited by a particular agency when they in fact are not.

Are they offering "life experience" in exchange for credit?: For the most part, a school that is offering credit for life experience for school credit is likely a financial scam. In general, even an online university will take a similar amount of time as attending live classes on a college campus. If a school is advertising on obtaining a degree quickly, weeks or a few months instead of the 2-4 years the degree would take in live courses, then it is most likely a false claim. Overall, if it sounds too easy, it most likely isn't reputable. Earning a degree takes time, effort, and hard work; a school offering an easy way out is probably lying and shouldn't be trusted.

How are they asking you to pay?: Most colleges charge by either the credit hour, course, or semester. Any institution asking students to pay a single sum to obtain a degree is likely unaccredited and should be avoided. Also avoid any school willing to negotiate tuition costs. Schools may offer financial aid or scholarships, but tuition prices should not be negotiable.

How much interaction do you have with professors?: Online courses still have teachers and faculty, a reputable online program will have you regularly interacting with faculty through e-mail, forum posts, online chats, and many other ways to communicate. If a school is offering online degrees but little interaction with faculty, it should be avoided.

Online degrees are revolutionizing the education system. Many people are obtaining advanced degrees that they could not obtain without the internet. It is important to remember that selecting a reputable online college is crucial in making sure an online degree counts. Be sure to check out other articles and advice on starting up your online education at My Colleges and Careers.