how to choose a good DE/DL provider

[ham]

TO ME a DE/DL provider must be duly accredited and not shady in nature (this means there are providers BOTH accredited AND shady in nature ).
While different priorities exist for different people, i need no shady/joke education provider in my life.
My suggestion is
DO A THOROUGH INTERNET SEARCH ON YOUR PROSPECTIVE PROVIDER!

If a significant number of complaints pop up, investigate.
You may not want to be associated with providers exposed like
http://www.uopsucks.com/
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
http://www.capellauniversitysucks.us/
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY

[Randall Flagg]

I don't have any problems with someone having a preference for accredited degrees. In fact it's probably a good idea in most cases, but I will say this. If a person for whatever reason wants a degree from a legitimate unaccredited school, that's also fine with me.

I certainly agree that every person should carefully check out the school, accredited or unaccredited, and be sure it is as it claims.

I have four degrees, two accredited and two unaccredited. I am satisfied with all.

[ham]

In my opinion the "accreditation" issue comes second to the "reputation" issue.
If i'm right, both Capella University and University of Phoenix are accredited, BUT attract lots of negative comments, attention, lawsuits, disputes for a number of reasons.
For example UoP is mostly described as a cash machine based upon boiler room scams and degree-milling practices.
This goes far beyond the usual point " Well, ABC university is accredited but it isn't Harvard, either".
IF one's chosen provider brings instant recollections of bad press, lawsuits, boiler room schemes or other questionable issue, it might be very embarassing to wear that provider's badge.
For one, i am NOT especially interested in DE/DL offers from the USA, BUT i am aware of Capella's and Uop's bad reputation...

[Randall Flagg]

Capella and UOP are at best acceptable and as you point out the reputation is terrible. I really don't see the point to either one. TESC and Excelsior are easier and cheaper and they both run under the radar of public notice, for the most part. If the clowns getting the little three degrees would shut up and stop telling the world how easy they are and how fast the process is several of these fourth tier schools would be better thought of by the public, but you can't say it's cheap-fast-easy and then turn around and say "And oh yes, it's also very rigorous."

If public opinion and reputation of the school is important then the choices are much more narrowed and the UOP / Capella type of schools are eliminated. If you want it to seem a little above the crowd it has to at least be quieter and not so noisy.

If I had to have a RA degree and had to have it fast, Excelsior would be my choice. Not because it would make me smarter-better educated-an academic--nor a professor at Michigan but because it would meet the minimum requirements that some employers have and it would not be overly time consuming and demanding. If you are going to accept less quality-reputation-less usability-I can see no reason to waste more money on such as UOP. Anyone who would be knowledgeable enough to know TESC or Excelsior are not that good would certainly know that UOP / Capella are worse, reputation wise at any rate.

If people want more, then they need to use Penn. State or some such RA institution. The reputation is good, the courses many, and most wouldn't even know it was by DL, unless one was of a nature to admit more truth than a situation calls for.

[ham]

If the clowns getting the little three degrees would shut up and stop telling the world how easy they are and how fast the process is several of these fourth tier schools would be better thought of by the public, but you can't say it's cheap-fast-easy and then turn around and say "And oh yes, it's also very rigorous."

well, there is no point in being a superhero if you can't fly in public sporting blue tighs and red cape, but keeping it all to yourself, right?
Second, never forget a number of these "pundits" have been on the payroll of one ( or SEVERAL ) schools, so they HAVE TO make it known, to make it to the paycheck.
This practice is widespread: on cartoon forums, you get these people who never shut their trap and can never help you enough, but bottom line they got a shop and want to close a sale; on dating forums, it turns out the most colorful personalities are shills from dating agencies cashing upto 50% of whatever people pay...or agency owners themselves.

[Randall Flagg]

If the clowns getting the little three degrees would shut up and stop telling the world how easy they are and how fast the process is several of these fourth tier schools would be better thought of by the public, but you can't say it's cheap-fast-easy and then turn around and say "And oh yes, it's also very rigorous."

well, there is no point in being a superhero if you can't fly in public sporting blue tighs and red cape, but keeping it all to yourself, right?
Second, never forget a number of these "pundits" have been on the payroll of one ( or SEVERAL ) schools, so they HAVE TO make it known, to make it to the paycheck.
This practice is widespread: on cartoon forums, you get these people who never shut their trap and can never help you enough, but bottom line they got a shop and want to close a sale; on dating forums, it turns out the most colorful personalities are shills from dating agencies cashing upto 50% of whatever people pay...or agency owners themselves.

I guess there is the Bear and Douglas class of shill at alll the various types of forums.  There is always some SOB's who will take your money in some scam.  I would imagine that most, unlike Bear  / Douglas, at least have the good sense / judgement not to brag so much about how they screwed their customers and (friends??).  Douglas makes no bones about having helped sell stuff he wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.  I guess a lack of common sense prevents any guilt or regrets.
As Bear has said he retired to a wealthy lifestyle and then there's Douglas and his $150 bottles of wine. It's scary to think of all the guys out there, like this, who run back and forth looking for people to take advantage of.  I guess getting an honest job and working just doesn't fit the plans of these rogues.  They had rather scam their way thorugh life than W-O-R-K.

[Student]

When planning to study for the degree its good to layout the purpose for earning the degree I recommend a requirement document.
Yes #1 is education.
Then #2 is the field of study. Is it protected by law in your country or state?
For example in USA if you want to become licensed in Social Work then you should check with the State Licensing board or the licensing board what is the requirement, is the degree program have to be accredited by specialty or professional accrediting agency?
There is a wide range of professional accreditors.
I can tell that for LSW in many states in USA the degree must be accredited by the council on Education in Social Work.
AMA, APA, ABET, ABA,CESW to name a few.

#3 you know your budget and also your GPA?

When you planing your degree pursuits requirements you should think about further education and ability to transfer credit to the future education provider. Depends on field of study obviously.
I think you will do really well if your degree is RA + PA accredited from name recognized schools but this type of education is expansive, maybe you don't need such a high level of QA approvals.

My City community college provides such a high quality classes on undergrad level that people get from this 2 year college in to very respected universities. The cost of classes in this college is really cheap for State residents.
Some learn well in classroom environment others by DL in virtual classroom environment. Remember in some professions DL labs are not on the same level as a real lab or environment at work place where you may have the best tool to work with. Engineering degree on undergrad level always requires LAB so you have to think twice if non ABET accredited engineering degree is good for you future.
Many of my friends hold NA degrees and some unaccredited degrees all depends what you need to learn and as mentioned earlier how you are planing to use the learned knowledge and the credential.

By the way what is your definition for good DL provider ?

[ham]

By the way what is your definition for good DL provider ?

a provider that can withstand the highest amount of scrutiny in the most various circumstances, and is spontaneously associated with good industry practices.