(The following is some good information from our friends at the Sonoran Desert Institute.)
Male military spouses find themselves looking to advance their skill set and have a great opportunity with a scholarship from MyCAA. The challenges of course are attending classes on campus when you may end up having to move before the end of a semester.
Many spouses turn to online education which is a great option. While online courses are a good fit. You need to make sure the school has a solid reputation. The key to a great online education is finding the right online education provider. Every man should know what to look for.
Is The School Accredited?
When choosing an education program, it is important to verify the educational provider or institution’s accreditation status. Online programs must be accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission. To verify an education provider, visit DEAC.org. This helps weed out all of the fly-by-night operations that are only out to make a quick profit. There is a difference between an accredited school and an accredited program. If you want to have an opportunity for credits to transfer at a later date, you need a for credit-course. Non-credit certificate programs are fine in some instances. You just need to be clear about your goals before you enroll.
Does The School Have A Good Reputation?
Before enrolling in any course, it is important to know the information is reliable and accurate. Unfortunately, there are some programs today that are operated by people who lack the knowledge and experience to be training people. Research the education provider or school before enrolling. What do other people say about it online? Read reviews, and never use the testimonials on the school’s site as the only source of information. Also, read about the school’s history. How long has it been in existence? A long history is a good indicator of success.
Is The Program A Good Value?
Research what a program offers. If you are going for a non-degree program, is there an industry certification that you are preparing for? Does the amount of information and support from instructors seem worth the price? When reading reviews about a school, pay attention to how the instructors are rated. Having good support and the ability to communicate easily is essential for getting the most out of an online course. Instructors should be reachable daily or at least able to answer questions and address concerns within twenty-four hours. Research the course program and ask questions to ensure the amount of information is thorough.
Questions to consider:
- What forms of funding do you accept?
- How long has the school been around?
- Is the school accredited?
- Do you need a credit or non-credit program for your goals?
- What are the Instructors credentials?
- What percentage of their students complete the program?
- How long is the program?
- What is included in the cost of the course?
- Are there any extras such as career services or externships?
Some Education Options
The Paralegal Institute at Brighton College offers diploma and associate degree programs in Criminal Justice. They also are doubling the MyCAA scholarship for a limited time that you can use towards your education.
The School Of Firearms Technology at SDI offers a variety of gunsmithing certification choices. They have created a certificate program to fit specifically for the MyCAA scholarship.
About the Author
Chris Pape is the Founder of Macho Spouse – an educational video series and online resource for male Military Spouses. Our mission is to help male spouses connect with one another and assure that we’re not alone in this Military family lifestyle. Check us out on Twitter and Facebook.
The thoughts and opinions posted here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of AAFMAA.
