Find out if the program your are considering is offered by an accredited institution. Most legitimate schools are also accredited, although there are some colleges that are legitimate but have not (yet) pursued accreditation. To obtain a list of accredited schools, consult the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) website (www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.htm). On this site, you can also find a list of approved agencies responsible for awarding a particular institution with accreditation status. These agencies are approved by the federal government.
Visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website (www.chea.org) to find accrediting agencies in your state. The CHEA is a private organization that recognizes accreditation agencies as legitimate. Contacting an accrediting agency in your state can tell you whether a particular school is accredited and if it has received complaints.
Examine the college’s website. Watch for red flags such as degrees that can be earned more quickly than in traditional on-campus programs, or awarding high merit for life experiences.
Be wary of institutions that do not charge by the credit hour, and instead bill per completion of a program. While such billing practices do not alone determine a program's legitimacy, or lack of it, it may be cause for concern. Similarly, inquire further into programs that offer discounts for enrolling in multiple program disciplines or multiple courses at once.
Look for proper contact information at the school. A post office box address does not suffice for a legitimate school. At the very least, there should be a physical mailing address for the institution, as well as a phone number to reach someone regarding the school's accreditation status.
Discuss with professionals in your prospective field what they know about relevant distance-learning colleges. Contact local universities that maintain esteemed reputations; request a list of online programs they sponsor or advertise.