Are Online Masters Degree Programs Accredited by a Legitimate Agency?

Questions about accreditation are probably the ones most often asked about online masters degree programs. And if they are not then they should be. Accreditation can decide whether your masters degree is looked upon as a worthwhile degree or just an exercise in frivolity. One thing is for sure. Questions about accreditation deserve answers.

Are All Online Masters Degree Programs The Same?

Before you can answer the big question about the accreditation of online masters degree programs, you need to ask if these programs are indeed all the same. This would be the same as asking if all degree programs that were campus-based were the same. If they were then a masters degree program at one college would be the same as it would be at any other. No one college would be better than any other.

While accreditation and overall program quality are two separate issues in many ways, this serves to illustrate a point. No two programs are going to be exactly alike when they are campus-based and you cannot make any sweeping generalizations of this sort about online masters degree programs either. You cannot ask this question about online masters degrees programs as a collective. You have to ask it about each individual program.

The Accreditation Answer

If you want to know if an online masters degree program is accredited by a legitimate agency then you want to know what agency should be doing the accrediting. This is the beginning. Then, if a program does say that it is accredited by the right agency, you can check with that agency to make sure of it. This is usually possible by visiting the accreditation agency’s web site although you could just contact the agency directly to inquire about a program’s accreditation status.

But do not skip the step where you figure out which agency should be doing the accrediting for your online masters degree to get you the position that you want. For all you know, an online masters degree program could be accredited by an agency that has no real meaning to potential employers. In this case, you could have an accredited online masters degree and that degree could still be meaningless in the real world.

Some online masters degrees are accredited by legitimate agencies and some are not. This may not be a satisfying answer but it is the truth. Think of doing research as the price you pay for the many benefits of an online masters degree.

Going back to school to get your master's degree is one of the best ways to advance your career and start earning more money. Whether you're in healthcare, business, education, criminal justice, or some other industry, a specialized master's degree on your resume will help you stand out among the crowd in today's competitive job market. Below are the best accredited online colleges that offer master's degree programs.

	Ashford University -- Located in Clinton, Iowa, Ashford University offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees both on campus and online. The university is a top accredited institution that offers fast, affordable, convenient degrees. The university promotes accessible, affordable, innovative, high-quality learning opportunities.
	University of Phoenix -- The University of Phoenix is America's largest institution of higher learning. The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral levels at more than 200 campuses worldwide. The University of Phoenix has an open enrollment policy, and only requires proof of a high-school diploma, GED, or its equivalent.
	Liberty University -- The mission of Liberty University is to promote both the intellectual and spiritual development of its students. The university boosts over 12,000 residential students and more than 45,000 online students, making it one of the largest Christian universities in the world. Accelerate your future at Liberty.
	Walden University -- Through its online program, Walden University confers the Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Education Specialist (Ed.S.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.
	University of Massachusetts -- The University of Massachusetts is one of the most prestigious public universities in the New England area. Regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, UMass Online offers master's degree programs in the fields of criminal justice, business administration (MBA), finance, healthcare, gerontology, teaching, educational administration, counseling, and more.
	Boston University -- Boston University is one of the nation's largest private universities. Through its many colleges, Boston University confers the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree, including medical and dental degrees. Boston University has a large study abroad program, with campuses in London and Dubai.
	Post University -- Post University takes a practical approach to education with its several master's Degree programs available. Post has worked with industry professionals and graduates to develop curriculum that helps students obtain the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources in order to fill various high level positions. Students are able to apply what they have learned to real-world situations immediately upon graduation.
	Kaplan University -- Kaplan University offers degrees at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's levels. Certificates are also available in education, business, information technology, arts and sciences, healthcare, nursing, criminal justice, and law. Students are able to complete courses online, offering them flexible options that work with their busy careers.
	Saint Joseph' University -- Saint Joseph's University, a highly-regarded educator in today's competitive environment, has focused their efforts on crafting degrees whose curriculum stays up-to-date with current trends and developments. These degrees offer a career-oriented exploration of the subject matter at hand so that students gain a better understanding of the roles they seek to fill.
	Northcentral University -- Northcentral University offers degrees at every level, both online and on site. The online programs are a good solution for student who have busy or inconsistent schedules and need an education that can meet their needs. Online programs also cut many of the costs associated with campus programs including travel and additional living expenses. Moreover, campus programs make it more difficult to have a work schedule around.
	Strayer University -- Strayer University is known for its programs aimed at working adults seeking career advancement. Strayer provides instruction leading to degrees in accounting, business, criminal justice, information systems, management, public administration, health services administration, and education.
	Capella University -- Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Capella University's online programs confer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in business, information technology, education, psychology, public health, public safety, and human services. Composed of mostly graduate students, Capella's student body hail from all 50 states and 55 countries.
	Benedictine University -- Benedictine University has several online master's Degree programs available. These online courses are flexible as students can choose where and when to complete assignments and they can be completed much faster than their campus counterparts in many cases. Some can even be completed in under two years, allowing students to quickly advance their life goals.
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