7 Questions to Ask When Researching Online Degree Programs

Key Insights:

• Online degree programs can vary, from the specific programs they offer to their student support services. Doing your research before selecting which one to pursue can help you select one that could be a good fit for you.
• Asking questions about an online school’s accreditation status, academic support, and career services can help you understand how the school can assist you as you progress through your career journey — beyond just providing an online education.
• If you’re interested in pursuing your healthcare education, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) offers several online and blended learning programs. This can provide flexibility with your schoolwork, while you’re tending to work, family, and other obligations.¹

When beginning your career pursuit, it’s important to choose an educational institution and degree program that are both aligned with your expectations and professional goals. Some involve attending classes in a campus setting. Others are available online.

If you’re interested in online degree programs, there are a few things to consider before making your final decision. At Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA), we like to help learners no matter what stage of their career they’re in. So, we’ve created a list of seven questions that can help you choose a distance learning school and program that could be a good fit for you.

#1: Does the School Offer Accredited Online Degree Programs?

If you’re not familiar with accreditation, it’s a voluntary process whereby the school requests that an accrediting agency review the school itself and/or its programs looking for their meeting certain standards.

For example, to gain accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES.org), this agency thoroughly reviews materials submitted by the school and conducts on-site visits to determine if the institution is in compliance with current standards.²

Getting your online education at a school or within a program that has gone through the accreditation process can help you feel that you will receive a quality education.

Learn more: UMA’s Accreditations

#2: What Does the Admissions Process Look Like?

One of the first steps to starting your online education is enrolling in the school and your desired program. What does this enrollment process look like for the online degree programs you’re considering? Is it easy or hard, simple or complex?

Interaction with the admissions department is often your first point of contact with the school. It gives you an idea of how the institution operates and how learner-focused it is.

Learn more: UMA’s Online Admissions Process

#3: Does It Provide Financial Aid Guidance?

If you’re interested in obtaining financial assistance, if you qualify, to help pay for your education, you may be looking for online schools that accept FAFSA. FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is the form you complete to apply for financial aid from the federal government. And it isn’t always easy to fill out.

A Gallup poll found that one in four U.S. adults completing a FAFSA for the 2024–2025 school year felt that the process was either somewhat or very difficult.³ Choosing an online school that offers financial aid guidance can help you navigate this process.

Learn more: Financial Aid Guidance at UMA

#4: What Type of Student Support Does the Online School Offer?

Attending school at any stage in life can be challenging — especially if you have other obligations related to family or work. But these challenges don’t have to stop you from advancing your education in pursuit of your desired career path.

When researching online degree programs, look for a school that offers academic support. If you’re struggling with completing your coursework on time, for instance, is there someone you can go to for help? Or maybe you have trouble balancing your classes with a full-time job. Learner support can provide guidance with this, too.

Learn more: UMA’s Student Services

#5: If You Need Help With Coursework, Are There Academic Services?

Another consideration when choosing an online program is the academic services it provides. These services can include assistance with completing assignments, preparing for tests, or getting help with other course materials.

Academic services may also involve helping you prepare to sit for certification exams relevant for your field, if that is a path you wish to take. While you must meet eligibility requirements to sit for the exam, academic services can often help you prepare ahead of time. Professional certifications tell future employers that you’ve demonstrated competence in the areas of knowledge important to your job role. They can also help you gain a competitive advantage over other job applicants who lack these credentials.⁴

Learn more: UMA’s Academic Services

#6: Does the Online Institution Provide Career Guidance?

Higher education is just one piece of the career puzzle. Once you have the knowledge and skills needed to pursue work in your desired field, it’s time to find a job that enables you to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting. Choosing an online school that provides help with your job search can be valuable when taking the next step in your career path.

Depending on the program you choose, you might also be able to participate in an externship or professional practice experience. Externship experiences allow you to gain hands-on practice in your field (in an actual work setting), under supervision and with guidance.

Learn more: UMA’s Career Services

#7: Does It Provide Pathways If You Decide to Pursue a Higher-Level Degree?

Some online learners don’t want to stop at a diploma or associate degree. They want to pursue their bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or higher. An online school should be equipped to help you continue your education, even if it means attending another institution for a higher-level degree.

The value of choosing a school with education partners is that it may be easier to transfer credits. This can reduce the number of classes you need to take to earn a higher degree, as some of the necessary credits have already been satisfied based on the receiving schools’ decision.

Learn more: UMA’s Partner Schools

Pursue an Online Degree Program Designed for Student Success

Put all these factors together, and you don’t just have an online school that can provide a higher education — you have an online school that can help you academically succeed should you decide to enroll.

Choosing a school that offers school support in numerous ways can help you feel less alone in your academic pursuits. It also gives you a team of people who are there to answer your questions, help you overcome your academic challenges, and help you prepare for the career that you want to pursue.

This is our goal at UMA. We want you to succeed not only as a student but also in the real world once you land a position. We do this through our various learner and career services, starting from before you even enroll and continuing past graduation. Contact us to learn more or to see what we’re all about!

FAQs

• What degrees can be done online? If you want to work in healthcare, Ultimate Medical Academy offers several online associate degree and diploma programs.⁵ They include training for fields such as medical administrative assistant, health information management, medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician, and more.
• What are accredited schools? Accredited schools are educational institutions that have asked an accrediting agency to verify that they meet certain standards. Earning your diploma or degree from an online school with accreditation can help you feel that you will receive a quality education.
• How do you pick an online school? It’s helpful to think not only about the educational program you want, but also the additional services the online school offers that could help you during your career journey. Consider whether it provides academic support, for instance, if a course feels too hard. Also, check to see if it offers career guidance, such as helping with your job search. At UMA, we believe that online degree programs are only part of the journey. That’s why we provide career assistance, even past graduation.