How to Assess the Credibility of an Online Program?

Online learning has become every student’s comfort zone and normal learning environment in this era where technology and digital products are taking center stage. Individuals prefer learning remotely on their schedule to build a career. Classroom and physical spaces are now confined to virtual monitors irrespective of time zones or borders. Therefore, gauging the credibility of choosing the right online program is indispensable because of the many available options.

Credibility refers to the legitimacy and quality of the online program, ranging from its accreditation status to course contents. It is the stepping stone for every student to invest their time and effort to learn the course to achieve professional growth. Therefore, verifying the platforms and faculty members before investing money is necessary. In this blog, we will learn about evaluating online program credibility.

Accreditation

The significance of accreditation is as follows:

• It makes financially backward students eligible for financial aid.
• Credit transfers become easier between universities or institutions regardless of the place.
• Recruiters and hiring managers usually require candidates to own a degree from a recognized accredited college.

List of accreditation bodies in India:

The Medical Council of India	Recognizes different medical institutions in India.
National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)	Research and training about teacher education and establishing norms.
Bar Council of India (BCI)	Represents the Indian Bar by granting recognition to law degree universities.
National Board of Accreditation (NBA)	Accredits engineering, technology, pharmacy, architecture, and hospitality colleges.
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)	Recognizes and affiliates central, state, and private universities and autonomous colleges.

Tips for judging the authenticity of online programs:

1. Research the accreditation body enrolled with the program.
2. Find more information from their database about the program.
3. Reach out to the accreditation body through email or phone to confirm the accreditation status.

Reputation and Rankings

An online program with a versatile reputation gets recognized by global employers. These programs have a formal curriculum, experienced faculty members, and strong industry connections.

Below are the different ways to research the reputation of an institution offering a program:

• Perform online research from different websites about the program, reviews, and alumni feedback.
• Visit trusted websites like NIRF to see the institution’s ranking in the country or worldwide. 
• Ask current students about the program’s strengths, weaknesses, and reputation.
• Research whether the institution has received any awards, honors, or recognition from professional bodies.

Different trusted websites for checking the reliability of online courses are NIRF, QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE), Careers360, Shiksha.com, CollegeDunia, etc.

Faculty Qualifications

Qualified faculty members provide knowledge and skills to the virtual classroom through their academic expertise and qualifications. Every instructor is responsible for honing students’ skills and updating them on recent trends and patterns.

Individuals should research the educational qualifications of the instructor and look for their degrees or certifications. Search for reviews and testimonials from the alumni network and current students of the institution. These people provide valuable insights about their teaching style, knowledge, and class engagement.

Program Curriculum

You can research the course content and topics covered to understand the syllabus. It will help you ascertain if it relates to your professional growth and skills needed in your chosen industry. Moreover, it is essential to compare the program’s curriculum with industry standards and best practices. It helps you make informed decisions and get a broad perspective about the program.

Student Support and Resources

Online programs’ flexibility and availability help students enhance their learning and knowledge. However, there should be enough support services to help them ask and clarify doubts or problems. Students should have a comprehensive online library with books, journals, articles, and databases.

Students should have technology support 24/7 through a helpdesk team or online members from the institution. This support includes troubleshooting technical issues with online learning platforms, accessing online course materials, or resolving connectivity problems.

Additionally, access to tutoring can provide personalized assistance and help students overcome challenges. You should consider the teacher’s qualifications, availability, and ease of scheduling while selecting online tutors.

• Research the institution and read reviews from current or former students. 
• Contact the institution’s admissions or student support team to inquire about their library resources, technology support, and tutoring services.

Alumni Success and Placement

Find out the profiles of successful alumni of the specific online programs. It is a practical tool to know about the effectiveness and importance of the program in the job market. Research the placement opportunities and outcomes of program graduates.

You can conduct surveys or interviews with the alumni members. It may give you an idea about job satisfaction and the pay scale after the online program.

Also read: 10 best career options for you after an online MBA

Program Reviews and Testimonials

Reviews are one way to check online program legitimacy assessment. Search for legitimate websites from Google or forums to discuss the online program. You may also ask for recommendations from friends, colleagues, or online communities who have studied the program.

Third-party review websites add credibility to the reviews because they feature unbiased and reliable testimonials. However, always check the authenticity of the website before seeing the reviews. Ultimately, use your judgment about your needs and preferences while evaluating the programs.

Financial Considerations

Research the program’s cost before enrolling and learn about financial aid like scholarships, grants, and loans to understand if you can afford the program. Transparency in the program pricing helps students calculate its ROI and make informed decisions about their educational budgets. Assessing the ROI of the program depends on salary outcomes in the job market, career advancement opportunities, and qualifying for top positions.

Industry Partnerships and Internships

Industry partnerships and internships are crucial in online programs because students get practical exposure in real-world offices. They learn about the inner workings of an industry different from virtual classrooms. It enhances the program’s credibility by preparing them for successful careers through networking, mentorship, and job placements in top companies.

Also read: Top jobs to explore after an online MA

Accreditation vs. Certification

Program accreditation refers to the registration with an external organisation of the country that recognises the program with industry standards and curriculum. Certifications refer to the credentials students earn from studying and representing their competence and expertise. Certifications verify your skills and knowledge, while accreditations verify an online program’s reputation and standards to assess the trustworthiness of online educational offerings.

MAHE: The best online degree partner?

MAHE holds accreditation from prominent bodies like NAAC in India. Its commitment to quality education, diverse online courses, and esteemed rankings make MAHE a top-notch online degree partner for those seeking a reputable and globally recognised education. Therefore it is a reputable choice for online degrees, consistently earning high rankings globally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, assessing the credibility of an online learning program helps students or working professionals invest their time and money in reputable institutions. You can assess its credibility by looking for recognized accreditation bodies like NAAC.

If you want to enhance your skills and expand your knowledge, look no further than the online programs Online Manipal offers. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable skills and advance your career. Enroll in an online program with Online Manipal today and take the first step toward a brighter future.