Like many of us, you have considered returning to school many times – and then life got in the way. You have weighed the sacrifices of time and money and couldn’t think of a way to make it all work. And you have new reason to worry about cost, in particular, given the down economy. Heck, with your household budget shrinking before your eyes, how can you consider shelling out the money that it will take to earn a degree, despite the wisdom that future opportunities will make that investment worthwhile? So, you’ve set that goal aside yet again. It may sound ridiculous, but current economic conditions actually indicate that this is an ideal time to go back to school. Consider the following:

A tight economy means you must find a competitive edge.

The right – and wrong – reasons to make a switch

Program dissatisfaction, new career goals, changes in personal life: There are many reasons why college students transfer to another school. In fact a recent survey from the National Center of Education Statistics shows that nearly 60 percent of college graduates had attended two or more institutions prior to graduation.

For many, transferring to another school means the difference between graduating or not. However, such a decision is not without cost.

“You can lose credits, money and time when you transfer,” says Terry Grant, director of enrollment management at the online American Public University System. “But the gains can be just as great.” Continue Reading

Going back to school is a great way to invest in your future. Learning new skills can lead to better work opportunities and increased income and programs designed to help you attain a short or long term professional goal are helpful in giving you the edge you need in today’s competitive job market.

Finding the right college or professional program is very important. You need to find a school that is affordable and flexible. But finding time for additional learning outside of the workplace presents a significant challenge to most employees. Here we highlight some terrific advantages to pursuing education through online universities. Continue Reading

Many students use accreditation status as a way to validate the caliber of a prospective university. However, just as many are unclear about what accreditation actually means for them as a student.

Terry Grant, director of enrollment management at the online American Public University System (APUS), explains that accreditation is a voluntary process in which every aspect of a university is analyzed by an outside review body – academics, administration, support services, operations and more.

“Regional or national accreditation ensures that a school delivers and can continue to deliver what it promises,” she says. “Accreditation is an important differentiator – and an indicator of a commitment to quality and improvement on all fronts.” Continue Reading