For people who tend to procrastinate, the flexibility of an online program and freedom to complete assignments on your time can be disastrous.

There are several factors to consider to determine if his online schooling is right for you:

The workload is not easier or lighter online. “Some students feel that this is easier because it’s online, but they’re in for a big shock,” says Clinefelter. Online courses can involve as much or even more work than traditional classes and require students to be independent, self-motivated learners.

Be prepared for large amounts of reading and to participate heavily in virtual discussions. Even though the amount of work may turn some people off, Clinefelter sees it as motivating. “It forces participation. You can’t just sit in the back of the class and daydream. You have to be engaged. It’s active learning.”

It’s not your typical classroom. For some people, the lack of face-to-face contact can be a big drawback of online courses. For some people, the camaraderie and social aspect of attending class is just as important as the knowledge gained from the courses. “The general perception is that it [distance learning] is impersonal,” explains Clinefelter. “It turns out that that’s false. People’s personalities and sense of humor come out online.” If not being in a physical classroom with other students is a problem for you, then you might want to consider attending a traditional school or attending an online course that also involves an in-person residency.

Whichever way you fall, knowing the details of online learning can help you decide whether this type of learning is right for you.

Previously in the series: How Legitimate Are Online Schools?

“It’s an opportunity to change your career direction,” says Reggie Smith III, president of United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), a nonprofit that promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training. ”More degrees can make you more competitive. It’s also an opportunity to network with people in your field. As blacks, we don’t do that enough.”

Before you apply for admission, here are some key points to consider to get the most out of your experience.

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Class Schedules

There are two schedules that many online courses follow. Synchronous classes happen in real time and follow a set schedule. Asynchronous classes give students more flexibility by allowing them to access posted course material and attend classes at any given time.

For professionals who prefer to have a more structured learning experience, synchronous online courses would be the preferred option. For professionals who are able to manage their work without having hard deadlines and need to have a more flexible academic schedule, asynchronous learning may better suit them.
While picking a class schedule, keep in mind that some programs require students to spend a certain percentage of time in a physical classroom.

Accreditation

Beware—not all online educational programs are properly accredited. Known as diploma mills, these entities have all of the trappings of an online educational institution but are really just scams. Some recurring characteristics of diploma mills are the absence of a physical location (many have P.O. box addresses), false advertising that degrees can be completed in a manner of months instead of years, and the requirement that students pay per each completed degree instead of for each course or semester.

A number of these false setups even have names similar to prestigious or well-known institutions. For example, Americus University, an unaccredited degree-granting school located in Washington D.C., has a strikingly similar name to the fully accredited American University, which is also located in Washington D.C.  Degrees from unaccredited schools are not recognized by prospective employers or other colleges and universities. Check with regional accreditation agencies or confer with your state’s education department to confirm accreditation.

Price

There’s a public misconception that online classes are cheaper than traditional universities. In some cases they can be just as costly. Calculate costs and all related expenses before choosing the right program for you.

If money is an issue, there are a number of online destinations that provide entire courses free of charge. One such entity is iTunes U. At iTunes U, any individual can access free coursework from prestigious universities such as Stanford University and the University of Oxford, among others. Similar to purchasing songs, individuals can download lectures (video or audio files) to their iTunes library or to their MP3 player.

Check out Part II: Are Online Classes the Right Fit For You?