Thoughts on online community colleges?

Hey all! I'm considering starting my college journey with an online community college and I'm really hoping to find one that's reputable. Has anyone had experience with this? Any suggestions on which online community colleges are the most legitimate?

Hello there! Your decision to start with an online community college is a reasonable one as it can provide a lot of flexibility, personalization, and savings.

Starting, it's crucial to check if the online community college is accredited. Accreditation ensures that the school's educational programs meet certain levels of quality and rigor. It's a process that schools voluntarily go through to validate their programs and degrees, and it involves an external review by a recognized accrediting agency. Accreditation is also what allows schools to offer federal financial aid. You can typically find accreditation information on the school's website.

A few well-regarded online community colleges are Rio Salado College (Arizona) and St. Petersburg College (Florida), both have broad online course offerings and are accredited.

Another factor to consider is transfer pathways. In case you decide to pursue a 4-year degree after completing your community college, you should select a college that has a transfer agreement with 4-year colleges, especially those in your state. This will make the transfer process smoother and ensure that most, if not all, of your credits from the community college will apply to your bachelor's degree.

Lastly, and perhaps the most critical factor, is to make sure you are ready for online education. It requires a considerable amount of discipline and independence, especially if you have responsibilities outside of school. In terms of what to expect, online learning requires you to be proactive. You will have to motivate yourself to keep up with the coursework and ask for help when you need it.

Good luck with your journey!