Evaluating+a+school+or+program

= Buyer Beware! =

When considering any educational program program accreditation is a major consideration. A degree from an unaccredited program or worse from a diploma mill, is worth less than the paper it is printed on, and using credentials from such an institution is at the least dishonest and possibly illegal. Luckily, there are simple ways to protect yourself.
 * =====**Do your research**: collect all the materials you can find on the program and the school offering it. Don't rely only on the school's website, use your favorite search engine and see what turns up in relation to the school/program.=====
 * =====**Check with CHEA**: Council on Higher Education Accreditation at []=====
 * It is important to understand that there are both diploma mills (unaccredited or falsely accredited education programs) and accreditation mills (accrediting organizations that aren't recognized by the CHEA or United States Department of Education. Education is a "buyer beware" situation- don't give your hard earned time and money to anything less that a fully recognized and accredited program.
 * When you visit the CHEA website, click on the Databases and Directories link, read that page and follow directions to search the CHEA database for your program. If it doesn't appear there, it isn't an accredited program. There are a few exceptions to this rule, and there's information in the CHEA website regarding those exceptions. In general, legitimate but unaccredited programs, are either small and very new (and awaiting accreditation) or have been formed to meet a very specific need. A standard Associates or Bachelors degree program will be accredited.
 * **More Resources**
 * @http://www.geteducated.com/
 * @http://diplomamillnews.blogspot.com/
 * An article I wrote last year about diploma mills:
 * @http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-raleigh/7-signs-you-are-dealing-with-a-diploma-mill