MUST University Accreditation

According to research at MUST University, a large number of American students who had quit education for one reason or another have started going back to school.

The study was aimed at Americans aged 20 and above. The participants were asked several questions about their academic and career plans. A total of 2,751 people responded to this online survey and shared their views about college education with us.

MUST University survey showed most Americans have now realized how important college education is for improving their career prospects. Some of the research findings are relatively new; some are not. Here are the 5 major highlights from the research:

You need to have a college degree to get a job:

You can no longer join a reputed organization right after attaining a high school degree and start your career. The competitive job market, badly hit by the 2008 financial recession, has become more competitive than ever. More than 80% of the respondents agreed that it is almost impossible to find a decent job without a college degree. This shift in perception of the college degree indicates, it is not just for the elites anymore but a necessity for everyone to survive in this in today’s world.

Most students are in for the money

67% of the students agreed that they take college degree as an investment in their career. All they are looking at are the financial benefits they can get out of that degree or professional certification. And the fact is, a majority of the students who go back to school to pursue a higher education do end up making more money after they have earned a degree.

People do it for family

It was a surprise to find out that about one-third of the Americans get a college degree to make their family proud. They feel good sharing their academic achievements and stories of personal growth with their relatives and peers.

Better academic credentials lead to promotion

About 72% of the respondents said they get higher education hoping that it would help them with grow professionally. Most people, on completing their college degree, either get a sizable pay raise or a promotion.

Online classes make it easier to get access to education

The survey reveals that 43% of the Americans are attracted by online courses. Their major reason for continuing college education is the affordability and convenience online education offers. This form of learning gives them a chance to enhance their academic profile while being employed at a full-time position. These people mostly range between the age of 25 and 35.

With the help of online education technologies, higher education is not longer a dream for those who could not continue their studies due to lack of time or funds. It is often because of family responsibilities or financial constrains, or both, that people are unable to attend regular classes.

Virtual universities emerged as a solution to budget crises and time management issues. Despite the numerous opportunities it offers the global student population, it is faced with certain limitations which do not let the online education industry progress at a speed it should.

Here is a list of many advantages and limitations associated to the concept of online education:

Advantages:

• The main advantage of online learning is that the students do not have to attend classes physically. Instead of being physically present at the time of the lecture, students can download the lectures and notes on their computer.
• The distance learning format allows a dynamic interaction between students and instructor where learning recourses and ideas are continuously shared online generating a synergy.
• Higher quality of dialogues takes place between students and teachers as learners are given time to reflect on others’ responses and analyze them critically while contributing to the online discussion.
• Several creative and highly interactive teaching techniques have been used by various online institutes. The learning process has been made more effective with the use of visuals and multimedia.

Limitations:

• Computer literacy is the key when it comes to distance learning. Although it requires minimum level of computer skills, the online learner does need to know how to operate a computer.
• There are very few instructors who know how to use the distance learning platform effectively. If the teachers are not well-aware of online delivery techniques and methodologies, effective learning cannot take place.
• The curriculum for online education should be very carefully designed to ensure adequate transmission of information. Many universities fail to utilize the distance learning technologies properly which results in higher levels of student dissatisfaction.

MUST University is one of the few online universities are well-versed with the online training methods and guarantee 100% student satisfaction.

Colleges around the world are exploring the advantages of distance learning, yet there are a number of people who think it is an inferior form of learning. They have built several myths around the phenomenon of online learning, without actually making an effort to research and find out the facts about this educational medium.

Here are 5 of the most common misconception people have about the concept of distance learning:

Distance learning makes you emotionally distant from your classmates and teachers

It is unfortunate that the first word that describes this form of education is ‘distance’. Given the recent developments in the field of educational technologies, ‘distance’ is no longer a factor of concern. There are several online means that allow students to actively interact with each other such as online classrooms, student discussion forums, online chat, video conferencing, etc.

Top employers do not recognize online degrees

This may be true for online ‘degree mills’ or fake online universities, but degrees obtained from an accredited online institute have the same level of acceptance amongst the employers as traditional degrees. Some of the top multinational companies even encourage their employees to go for online short courses and certifications.

It’s not possible to transfer credits from an online universities

Traditional universities accept the credits transfer from virtual universities that are accredited by either one of the six regional accreditation bodies or International Accreditation Organization (IAO).

Online education is easier than on-campus education

Contrary to popular belief online education curriculum is no different from what you are taught at traditional universities. In fact, it familiarizes students with online education technologies, which is an added advantage of opting for distance learning.

E-learners do not get individual attention from their teachers

This is not true. Distance learners can connect with their course instructor in multiple ways. If they have any queries about the course, students can email their instructors, call them or can even schedule a one-on-one video conference.

Choosing as online college can sometimes be a challenge. There are a number of virtual colleges offering numerous online degree programs and certifications. Even if you know the type of programs you want to enroll in, it is not usually very easy to narrow down the list of options available online.

Here’s a list of guidelines that will help you choose the right online college for your desired programs:

Online University Accreditation

Accreditation of the online institute is the most important factor when choosing the online university for admission. If you enroll in an online college that is accredited by International Accreditation Organization (IAO), it will be easier for you to find a job or to get you credits transferred to another college. An online degree or certificate accredited by IAO is accepted by most employers and universities across the globe.

Online University Requirements

There are some online colleges and universities that offer distance learning programs which require the student to attend some on-campus classes as well. Make sure there are no such requirements of the online university you choose. Even if you do choose any such program, do take your proximity and work schedule in consideration before making this decision.

Online Testing System

Nearly all online universities require students to take an assessment on completing a course. Some of the virtual institutions allow students to take an open-book exam at their own place, while others may need students to a designated testing center for appearing in exams. When comparing online universities, do consider the examination factor and see which of the testing method would be more convenient for you.

Online Classes

It is important to check the classes schedule and get some information about the teaching methods when comparing online programs. There are certain colleges that practice real-time learning techniques and require students to meet strict deadlines for course completion and assignment submission. Others offer a self-paced study program where students can make their own work schedule as per their convenience.

According to a recent online survey, over 4 million students have taken one or more online courses in 2012. About one-third of those students were the ones that opted for certification or degree program that was entirely online. There is a 55% rise in the enrollment in virtual universities compared to 2011 and a hike of 120% in online student enrollments since 2009.

Traditional institutions of higher education have come to realize that distance learning is critical for their success and it needs to be made a vital part of their long-term strategy. A number of these institutions have started to integrate online learning methods in their conventional program. It allows their students to study online as well as attend classroom lectures. Two major reasons for universities incorporating online learning methods are: a growing demand of the students for online courses and the cost-effectiveness of distance learning compared to the brick and mortar university campuses.

Research shows 67% of the educational institutions in the USA believe that the outcome of online education is not too different from face-to-face training. About 30% of them feel it is more effective than its traditional counterpart. Like MUST University, several other virtual universities have greatly improved their online learning facility and are providing a high-quality education.

Despite increasing acceptability of online education among employers, the faculty of the educational institutes are still hesitant—and reluctant—to adopt this new and highly effective learning method. The reason behind their intransigence is clear: most of the teachers and professors belong to the pre-Internet era and are not quite familiar with the worldwide web. The many rumors spread about the authenticity of online education have further reinforced their view that all online institutes are fake and exploitive, gambling with the future of gullible students. In spite of all this, online enrollments are rising at a phenomenal rate, and are likely to cross the 7 million mark in 2013.

The recent advances in technology have enabled the Internet to offer various educational opportunities to students. They can find a variety of information about online education including application processes, scholarships, student loans, etc. They can also use the Internet to find out which online degree program is right for them.

Since a large majority of online education seekers are working adults, all they need is an accredited degree that will help them grow in their specific career fields. They prefer a degree program that is solely online as they cannot take out time to go to college to attend lectures.

Despite all the advantages online education offers, students need to be very careful while choosing an online degree program. There are a number of online colleges that are fake and providing a subpar education to unsuspecting students who easily fall prey to their big promises and outlandish benefits. The purpose of these degree mills, sadly, is to rob students of their hard-earned money and provide them degrees that are not acceptable anywhere in the world.

Therefore, students must check the credibility of the university in question and understand the accreditation process. Before they enroll in an online degree program, they must make sure the online university they pick is legitimate and credible.

There are several great and obvious advantages of an accredited degree. It serves as an endorsement that you have received certain quality of education that meets the international educational standards.

These online university scams are referred to as “degree mills” and they usually give you the degree without providing you with the course material or taking any assessments. To avoid these “degree mills”, one must first do some research about the accreditation body of that online university.

Only go for a university that is either accredited by International Accreditation Organization (IAO) or one of the six regional accreditation bodies of the USA which are:

-        Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

-        New England Association of Schools and Colleges

-        North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

-        Northwest Accreditation Commission

-        Western Association of Schools and Colleges

-        Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Recently, Western Governor’s University has sponsored a publication about the challenges faced by community colleges in the US. The report talks about the most recent issues and trends of the education industry and strategies that can keep the community colleges alive in this era of fast paced technological advancements. They voiced their opinion on the concept on online education and how the traditional colleges can benefit from this development.

According to the top community colleges in America, no educational institution can survive without having a strong virtual presence. The students are rapidly shifting towards the idea of online education and it’s time for traditional universities to adopt this change, too. Along with on-campus education facilities, various colleges have already started offering some of the course for the online student community.

The two major benefits of having a virtual presence, highlighted in the report, are cost reduction and amplified reach. Universities can reach out to students from every part of the world and make quality education more easily accessible.

The publication discusses the details about how virtual universities can play a vital role in educating the underprivileged student population who cannot afford expensive college degrees. It suggests that those educational institutions that do not have an online presence should start working on a hybrid model, an educational model that involves face-to-face lectures as well as online training.

MUST University gauged this change long before most education institutions and launched a program that is entirely online. It is a virtual university accredited by International Accreditation Organization (IAO) and is striving to achieve its mission of bringing quality education to the masses.

Currently, several online universities are offering various degree programs. These online degree programs have to meet certain requirements and pre-set standards laid down by the accreditation agencies. The accreditation agencies are autonomous bodies which are recognized by the top multinational organizations throughout the world. They are authorized to decide whether an online institution is fit to offer certification and degree programs or not. An accredited degree is accepted by all the top organizations throughout the world.

There are two types of accreditation bodies that can grant official recognition to the online universities: regional accreditation agencies and international accreditation agencies. Regional accreditation is accepted in most of the countries that recognize regional educational standards of the USA, whereas, international accreditation is recognized throughout the world.

The following are the factors these agencies consider before granting accreditation to any online university:

Faculty

They make sure the faculty members are able and qualified. A background check is run on all the faculty members to ensure the authenticity of their academic and professional credentials. These checks are performed in order to safeguard the career of the students by making certain that they are receiving excellent education via qualified and able professors.

Resources

They also evaluate the resources of the university like support staff, online portal and channels of communication. This is done to evaluate whether the university has the capacity to cater to a large number of global students without lowering the quality of education.

Curriculum

The course material that is designed for the students should be comprehensive and must be regularly updated. Accreditation, in this regard, serves as a guarantee that the university is providing all the trainings and instructions to the students along with the course material.

Teaching method

Accreditation agencies make certain that the online platform provides and supports various teaching methods like discussions, collaborative learning, case studies, lectures, projects, mentorship, group study etc. The effectiveness and correctness of the online teaching methods must be first approved by these accreditation agencies.

Online degree programs are becoming increasingly popular with both youngsters and working adults. The Internet is awash with a number of online institutions claiming to provide quality and affordable education to students. However, a majority of them are fake, fly-by-night degree mills whose only object it is to fleece unsuspecting students for a ‘high-quality’ education.  These dirt-cheap institutes are not only gambling with the future of gullible students, but are also undermining the credibility of the online education industry.

To restore the image of the online education industry, it is essential for all the online universities to educate their audience about how to assess the validity of their degree. MUST University has formulated a set of guidelines in this regard, which are as follows.

1 – Check the admission requirements of the institution and look up the details of faculty members on the Internet to form a fair judgment about the quality of education they have to offer. If they have some pre-set standards for admission, they are more likely to be genuine. Similarly, if you could locate some of their faculty members on social networks like LinkedIn, it adds to the university’s credibility.

2 – Get in touch with a representative before registering for any program. Ask them about all the possible details of the courses you are interested in. This will help you assess whether the curriculum is properly planned or they are awarding degrees without any significant work time.

3 – All the legitimate online education institutions are either regionally or internationally accredited. Ask the representative of the online university about their accreditation status. There are only 6 independent bodies that are authorized to give regional accreditation to online universities:

-        New England Association of Schools and Colleges

-        North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

-        Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

-        Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

-        Western Association of Schools and Colleges

-        Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

And for confirming the status of intentionally accredited online university, contact International Accreditation Organization (IAO). MUST University has received its accreditation from IAO.

These 3 simple and easy steps can help you assess the validity of the degree you are opting for and save you from the online degree mills.

Most employers look for candidates who have graduated from well-reputed institutions. While choosing an educational institution, look for a university that is widely recognized and has a strong reputation.

Online education has gain acceptability in the society over the past few decades and it is becoming increasingly popular. People from various regions, diverse fields and different age brackets are opting for this mode of education. Seeing this rapid progress of the online education system some unscrupulous institutions have started online degree mills. They take students’ money and award them a degree which is not recognized by any of the regional or international accreditation bodies.  MUST University strongly condemn such online institutions and discourage students from going for universities that are not recognized. To avoid these fraudulent tactics, one should always opt for accredited degree.

Here’s how an accredited degree can add value to your career prospects:

Confidence

A degree from MUST University is a symbol of top-quality education; it lets you apply for jobs in the top multinational organization with complete confidence. As all top level firms recognize regionally and internationally accredited online degrees.

Distinction

You will standout amongst the numerous candidates graduating from various online universities which are not regarded very highly. It will get you the employers’ attention and your chances of getting hired will go up.

Ease

Securing a reputable job becomes easier if you have graduated from an accredited online university. While online education in becoming common with the masses, a widely known name can add value to your resume.

Satisfaction

You feel a lot more satisfied knowing that you have received your degree from a top quality education institution and it is completely legitimate.