Requirements for Distance Education Students
Do You Qualify?
Before you sign up with an online school, check all of their requirements. Call the customer service line and make sure you can apply. There is usually an application fee, so don't spend money if you don't have all the facts.
Check with Your Employer
If you are currently employed, see if your company has any relationships with any distance learning school. Colleges and universities like to partner with corporations so they benefit from acquiring more students, while the employees often receive discounts on their tuition and other fees, and the employers have more educated employees.
Undergraduate Programs
All colleges have different requirements, but the majority has one thing in common. Students must at least have a high school diploma or equivalent such as a GED. When you apply, you must provide proof of your high school diploma and usually pay an application fee.
If you lack certain undergrad criteria, many distance learning institutions will consider you for enrollment if you have a certain number of years of professional work experience relating to your chosen major. Each school has their own standards and treats each individual as a unique case.
Graduate Programs
To qualify for graduate courses, most colleges ask that you fulfill one of many requirements. Since you must declare a major, a common question asked is: what type of courses in undergraduate study qualifies for certain online graduate programs? The answer depends on where the classes were taken, and what online program you wish to enter. There's no easy answer, but most accredited schools accept credits from other respectable colleges.
As with undergraduate programs, professional work experience can substitute for college credits. An interview with a dean or other faculty member may be required. Two common tests for entry into grad programs include the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, and the GRE, or Graduate Record Examination.
Transferring to a Distance Learning School
Perhaps you are tired of traveling to class every day, or prefer to study and take classes from home, or your desired degree is not offered locally. Transferring to a college with online learning is a smart option. You are likely to want all of your previous coursework credits to transfer over. If you studied at an accredited community college or four year university, then most of your credit should be legit.
One problem you may run into is with graduate programs. The schools are usually more selective in awarding credits since graduate study is more specialized. Always contact a large number of schools offering distance education. Some of the largest and widely known are Strayer, University of Phoenix Online, and Drexel.
