You and Online Learning

Regardless of whether you are interested in auditing classes, want to transfer credits to your home institution, or pursue a degree or certificate, it is important to consider these factors when you select an online university:

1. Accreditation. Make sure the institution is accredited. Accreditation is a national system of monitoring the quality of the credits you receive from an institution of higher education. Without accreditation, there is no check in place that ensures the education you receive is of high quality.
2. Course Design. Find out whether the institution designs its courses for online instruction. Courses planned for online instruction take full advantage of electronic mediums and take into consideration the needs of their typical student population, ensuring that you will receive the most out of your online educational experience.
3. Student Support Services.  Investigate if the institution offers a variety of student support services, such as online tutoring, an online advisor dedicated to helping you make intelligent academic choices, and resources that enhance your chances of achieving your academic and professional goals. Additionally, the online university you select should have strong technology support services that will help you rectify any technical problems you might encounter. Online universities that offer such academic and non-academic support services demonstrate their commitment to your learning and success.

Finally, it is important to research the online universities you are considering. Check to see if there are student testimonials, find out if online degree programs are in process of being developed, and discover if the institution is dedicated to making online learning a richly interactive experience for you. Finding out such information allows you to discern whether recent graduates are happy with the education they received, if the university is committed to enhancing and developing the online education they offer, and if the institution values a shared learning experience that will help you collaborate with diverse populations in the future.

Is online learning at VCU right for you?

We recommend that you take this short but informative quiz to help you better understand VCU's online courses. These questions are designed to allow you to assess whether our online programs and courses are right for you.

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