{"id":188,"date":"2017-11-29T13:39:48","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T13:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/10-mistakes-to-avoid-when-pursuing-an-online-degree\/"},"modified":"2018-06-26T13:19:04","modified_gmt":"2018-06-26T19:19:04","slug":"10-mistakes-to-avoid-when-pursuing-an-online-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/10-mistakes-to-avoid-when-pursuing-an-online-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Mistakes to Avoid When Pursuing an Online Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just like there can be pitfalls in traditional education, there are potential pitfalls in online education that can keep you from achieving your highest level of success. Here is a list of the top 10 mistakes that students make when pursuing an online degree program.<\/p>\n

1. Not selecting the program that\u2019s right for you<\/h2>\n

Just because an online degree program exists in your chosen field doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s right for you. Would you chose each and every traditional program in your field? There are aspects of every degree program that make it more desirable and other aspects that make the program less attractive. Expect to spend the same amount of time researching online programs as you would a traditional program.<\/p>\n

2. Not checking the school\u2019s accreditation<\/h2>\n

This step is easy, and it\u2019s probably the most important thing you can do for your online degree program. Colleges and universities in the US are accredited on a regional basis, and a degree program from an unaccredited university can make it difficult to find employment in your field (source<\/a>). Check with the school to find out which region accredits the school and then double-check on the accrediting agency\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

3. Underestimating the time commitment<\/h2>\n

Online courses are not easy, and while there is often significant flexibility in scheduling, you will still need to expect to spend 15 hours per week for a three-credit course.<\/p>\n

4. Failing to have a solid degree plan<\/h2>\n

For your online degree, you need to make a plan of which courses you will take and when. Ask if your program has academic advisors to help you make sure that you are taking all of the required courses and will graduate on time.<\/p>\n

5. Not being certain about the real costs<\/h2>\n

In addition to tuition, you will likely need to purchase books and other materials for the class. Especially for STEM courses, these costs can be high.<\/p>\n

6. Not researching the technical requirements of the class<\/h2>\n

Your current computer and Internet connection may not be sufficient for the course. Before enrolling, check to see what specifications you\u2019ll need in case the professor requires video streaming or video conferencing.<\/p>\n

7. Not researching the instructor<\/h2>\n

There should be a page at the school\u2019s website about the instructor listed their education and academic accomplishments. The instructor will also typically include a brief message about their professional interests. Search for comments from other students. Does the instructor return emails quickly? Give solid feedback on assignments and tests? Understanding the instructor\u2019s teaching style can help you prepare for the class.<\/p>\n

8. Plagiarism<\/h2>\n

The Internet has created considerable confusion about ownership of intellectual property. Also,\u00a0Creative Commons<\/a> is helping people release their work on their own terms. Even so, unless you see the copyright terms listed otherwise, assume that full copyright applies. Plagiarism<\/a> is viewed as academic dishonesty and could result in an F on your transcript and dismissal from the program. Remember, if you found it on the Internet your instructor can find it, too.<\/p>\n

9. Not reaching out to make friends or ask for help<\/h2>\n

Online courses can be isolating if you don\u2019t take the time to make meaningful connections with your instructor and classmates. Also, ask the professor right away if you need help or are struggling with a concept. The faster that you resolve issues, the smoother your progress will be.<\/p>\n

10. Not enjoying the unique and wonderful experience of online education<\/h2>\n

Like most anything in life, including traditional education, you\u2019ll get out of it what you invest into it. Realize that you are part of a revolution in education that will affect generations to come. Share your experiences not only with your classmates but others around you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just like there can be pitfalls in traditional education, there are potential pitfalls in online education that can keep you from achieving your highest level of success. Here is a list of the top 10 mistakes that students make when pursuing an online degree program. 1. Not selecting the program that\u2019s right for you Just<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":6248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[24],"class_list":{"0":"post-188","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-colleges","8":"tag-online-degrees"},"better_featured_image":{"id":6248,"alt_text":"","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":2048,"height":1243,"file":"s3:\/\/pcom-wp-media\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/10124211\/nicolas-cool-111447-unsplash.jpg","sizes":{},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":188,"source_url":"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/10124211\/nicolas-cool-111447-unsplash.jpg"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 Mistakes to Avoid When Pursuing an Online Degree - Peterson's<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here is a list of the top 10 mistakes that students make when pursuing an online degree program. 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