Adults Going Back to College
By: Jim | August 08, 2008 | Category: General
I just got back from attending the American Council on Consumer Interests annual conference. ACCI’s membership consists chiefly of academics and other professionals involved in consumer and family economics. It was good to catch up with colleagues and engage in lively discussions with the professors, but now I've started daydreaming about going back to college.
It’s been nearly 20 years since I graduated from San Diego State. Back then, my only selection criterion was affordability. Now, adults wishing to go to college or a trade/vocational school have more options to consider. For example, the online university concept appeals to many, especially those with busy lives. Me? Having done some distance learning in the past, I prefer the classroom setting.
No matter whether you choose to go back to school online or in the classroom setting, the school’s accreditation is an important factor these days. Your ability to receive federal financial aid to pay for your education can be affected by your school’s accreditation. In addition, many employers in the U.S. only recognize degrees earned from institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.
But determining if your potential school’s accreditation is appropriate and legitimate can be downright complicated. Accreditation standards can vary by state, by employer, by occupation, and sometimes within disciplines. Also, just because a school claims to be accredited, the accreditation and the accrediting organization could be bogus, and the school is simply a diploma mill.
The Department of Education offers a searchable database of postsecondary educational institutions and programs accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to help you find out your potential school’s accreditation status. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation also offers a similar tool and other helpful information on accreditation.
Well, I think that’s enough about accreditation and postsecondary education choices. Readers, what else should you consider if going back to school appeals to you, too?
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