Online Schools
& Programs: My Two Cents

If you want to complete a program completely online, the best route to go is via an established "brick and mortar" institution with fully online programs offered in addition to traditional campus-based programs.  Many well established state and private colleges offer hybrid and/or fully online degree programs.  I don't care what anyone says, fully online schools such as University of Phoenix, Walden, Capella, etc... simply don't carry the same credibility as a college with a physical address.  I don't doubt that these are good schools.  However, academics has not fully embraced or accepted fully online colleges as equivalent to traditional campus-based schools. 

If grades, GPA, test scores, etc... prevent you from being admitted to a traditional college & a fully online college is your only option, be sure that you apply only to schools with "regional accreditation".  This is of utmost importance, as schools that lack regional accreditation are not recognized as "legit" in higher education circles.  The degree will lack credibility and will not be recognized  by other higher education institutions.  Additionally, courses and credits earned at a school without regional accreditation will not transfer.  National accreditation is of no concern.  Regionally accredited schools will reference one of the following accrediting agencies depending on where the college operates:

NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Accrediting body in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

NCA - North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
Accrediting body in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Navajo Nation, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

MSA - Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
Accrediting body in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East.

SACS - Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
Accrediting body in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Latin America. 

WASC - Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Accrediting body in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, and other Australasian locations.

- PCD


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CREDIBLE ONLINE
PROGRAMS IN TEXAS:

University of Texas
Texas A & M
Stephen F.  Austin
Texas Tech
Central Texas College
University of North Texas
Sam Houston State University
Texas Women’s University
University of Houston
Texas Distance Education


BEST SCHOOLS - ONLINE PROGRAMS IN TEXAS:

Best Online Colleges in Texas
Breakdown of Tuition and Fees
Transferring Online Credit

ACCREDITATION:
Accreditation Guide by Claire Morgan