What Questions Should I Ask Before Enrolling in an Online Program?
Whether you’ve just graduated high school, want to complete an unfinished degree, or are looking to pursue graduate studies, an online program is a great option to flexibly accommodate school along with your other responsibilities.
What to Look for in an Online Program
Today you can typically find several online options for most degrees and programs. However, not all are the same, and some may support your specific career goals better than others. Take the time to research and evaluate your online program options to make sure you choose the right one for you. Here are some questions to ask about an online degree.
Do the hard and soft skills taught in the program align with current industry needs?
This is a fantastic indicator for if a program is career-aligned or not. Find a program that provides opportunities for you to build new skills while developing current skills.
How familiar am I with the topics covered in the individual classes?
You may be able to find a list of the required and elective courses for each program you’re considering. Consider if these courses will challenge you to dig deeper into the subjects or if they are foundational topics you may have already studied (this is especially true if you’re looking at graduate programs).
What areas of expertise do faculty bring to the program?
It’s not uncommon for professors to start teaching after they’ve worked in the industry first. Some professors are in research positions, so they are actively studying an aspect of the industry while also teaching. Faculty experience has a great impact on the content and experience of the program.
What industry connections does the program or faculty have?
Especially if you are planning to work after graduation, accessing networks through faculty or program partnerships or faculty connections can make sure your career trajectory starts in the right direction.
What are the program’s mission and values?
Beyond academic reputation and credibility, understanding a program’s mission and values can help distinguish between two otherwise similar programs and determine which is a better fit.
What to Look for in a University or College
You may care more about the university you attend than the program. Here are questions to ask yourself about the universities you are considering.
Is online a priority for the university?
This does not refer to the university being exclusively online, but whether it is dedicated to providing resources to provide you with the best online learning experience. USU Online advocates for changes and resources so our students feel supported and successful. We also invest heavily in digital learning technology for all students. Make sure the university you choose values your experience.
What is the cost of an online program?
Finances can be the biggest limiting factor when deciding between two programs. Some programs have special rates that are different from a university’s standard tuition rates (for example, USU’s online business master's degrees). Luckily, there are many financing options available, like federal or private loans, to help make your degree possible.
Can I transfer college credits earned?
This is important to know if you are returning to school at a different university. See if the university has a tool like this one to check if your credits will transfer. If you are returning to the same program and university after a prolonged absence, keep in mind that there may have been changes made to the program requirements. You may need to take courses again if the program has been restructured.
What are the university's mission and values?
Similar to an individual program, universities have mission statements and values. Some are dedicated to research and others to community impact. Find a university that is working toward goals that align with your personal values and goals.
How To Know When To Start Your Online Degree
Choosing a program or university requires just as much consideration of your current circumstances and responsibilities as it does of the academic options themselves. Starting an online degree at the wrong time can sour your experience and leave you feeling discouraged or wanting to abandon your plans.
Consider what your current and future bandwidth may be. Bandwidth is the capacity you have to do things. It can be thought of in terms of the time, energy, and resources needed to fulfill your responsibilities. The following questions may help answer this question.
What can I give up or put on hold?
Some responsibilities cannot be put aside, such as caring for children or working full-time. Other responsibilities, like volunteering or part-time employment, offer more flexibility. It might help to make a list of the things you typically do in a week and how many hours you dedicate to each. Seeing where your time is going right now can help evaluate what changes could be made to accommodate online courses.
How much time am I willing to dedicate to coursework each week?
This helps you know if you should take on a full- or part-time course load. And it may change each semester, so make sure you evaluate your situation and degree progress regularly. Read more in our article about how much time online courses take each week.
Who can be a support system or accountability partner?
Outside of assignment due dates, you may not have many reminders about reviewing course material and completing assignments. It may help you to ask a family member, friend, or coworker to check in with you each week to see how you’re doing and if you’re completing the work each week. If you don’t have someone you trust to support you, don’t worry! The USU Online group in MyUSU is full of online students that are happy to help you and answer questions.
What might I struggle with in an online learning environment?
This question shouldn’t deter you from earning a degree online, rather it should help you get ahead of or become aware of potential challenges you may face. Online learning challenges each of us in different ways. Making a chart like the following can help prepare you now.
| Challenge | Severity | Actions I Can Take Now |
|---|---|---|
| Procrastination | Bad |
|
| Poor focus | Okay |
|
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re ready to start your degree tomorrow, next month, or next year, our team is here to help you. If you aren’t ready to start your degree or still undecided, you can contact us with your questions and follow our blog and podcast, where we cover a wide range of topics about the online experience and our programs.