When seeking an online engineering degree or any other degree from an online program, avoid winding up with a "fake diploma" with some simple tips.
Yes, online degrees in engineering or any other field can provide a flexibility that can save time (and sometimes money) that a traditional degree program can't match.
And yes, there are perfectly legitimate institutions out there, including many bricks and mortar colleges and universities that offer perfectly legitimate degrees of study online.
But be aware that there are some online degrees that are worth neither the time nor money they require to complete, and recognizing these programs may be crucial to avoiding a terrible situation that depletes your funds and other resources and leaves you with nothing to show for your efforts.
According to eLearners.com, an important first step to recognizing such progams is by researching the kinds of diplomas they offer.
Avoid the "instant degree"
This should be the first red flag that something may be amiss with the online program you are considering. While, many institutions may offer "accelerated" programs (an MBA from an online business school, for example) an institution offering a degree instantly with no required prerequisite work is clearly suspect.
Look for accreditation
If a school is not accredited by one or more agencies recognized (in the U.S,) by the U.S. Department of Education and/or Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or by comparable entities abroad, just walk away. A degree from an institution without any outside verification of their curriculum is worse than worthless when applying for a job.
Watch out for diploma mills
Companies marketing themselves as legitimate colleges or universities charge customers for diplomas without any legitimate accreditation or even any legitimate program. Hallmarks of the diploma mill can include but are not limited too: failure to list accreditation, focus on speed of their program, no "selectivity" in the admission process etc.
For more information on the dangers of the "fake degree" and how to search for legitimate online education opportunities, visit eLeraners to search for accredited online schools today.