The necessity of accreditation is based on your particular needs and goals. If the career choice you have in mind requires a professional license or membership in a professional organization, then it is likely that you will need an accredited program to fulfill the requirements. You will want to determine this before you begin.
All universities and colleges that offer federal financial aid are accredited. This is a requirement for being able to offer federal financial assistance.
The types of accredited degree programs available range from certificate programs to doctoral level studies. It depends entirely on the program that you have chosen and what is required of professionals in the field.
Distance education programs will normally grant credit for some work and life experiences that lessens the time it will take for a first degree, usually a bachelor's degree. This is not normally an option for either master's or doctoral work unless you have significant work experience in the field.
An accredited degree earned via distance education will take about as long to earn as it would if you attended on-campus classes. For a bachelor's degree, expect it to take about four years. You may lessen that time if you are granted life or work credits.
Expect to add one to two years for a master's degree and an additional three years to obtain a doctorate. That is the average for all degree programs; the program you choose may require more or less time.
Because distance education programs allow you to go at your own pace, you may take advantage of time when it suits you. You can move more quickly over areas that you find easier while spending more time on areas that you find difficult.
The ability to study at your own pace, to earn your degree while continuing to fulfill your family and work commitments and to save money are some of the most widely mentioned benefits of distance education. For an accredited program, you will have the added benefit of never having to worry about the acceptance of your degree.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, trends are projecting growth in distance education for at least the next decade, and this means that even more programs are likely to be opened up for distance degrees. In addition, as acceptance of distance education grows, more universities will be offering degree programs to students. This will make higher education available to more people than ever before.