Understanding University Accreditation's and Education Evaluations :
University Accreditation is very important and is needed for the University that you plan to pursue the Degree Program from. Please visit this website - http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ and understand the accreditation's, verify if the University is accredited. Basically a University can either be Nationally accredited or regionally accredited. There is a myth that it is difficult to transfer credits from a nationally accredited University to regionally accredited University (and I am not sure about this).
Wait a minute, in first place are Online Degrees acceptable ?
Pretty much YES . Whether you are on F1 or H1 or any other acceptable immigration status, as long as University is accredited the degree is acceptable. Interesting information from Murthy Law Firm (don't forget to read through the link they provided- http://www.murthy.com/news/n_bk2skl.html ).
Reference to - VOL. XVIII, no. 19; May 2012, week 1 Posted : 11.May.2012
"Acceptance of U.S. Online Degrees
For some, the use of the EB3-to-EB2 upgrade strategy requires obtaining additional education. This can pose difficulties for those who must balance the desire to gain additional education and degree/s with the need to maintain employment. It is often much easier to strike this balance by taking online courses for all or part of the educational requirements.
Given the recent controversy over online courses for foreign students, the USCIS was asked whether online degrees from accredited U.S. universities are acceptable for EB2 purposes. The USCIS confirmed that degrees from accredited U.S. universities will be accepted and, further, acknowledged that many major universities are providing online courses.
MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers have previously been provided with some guidance regarding the selection of U.S. schools in the immigration context for students. Our NewsBrief,Back to School: Considerations for U.S. Education (06.Aug.2010), contains some helpful guidance for those considering the EB3-to-EB3 upgrade option."
What does accreditation mean to me ?
It is pretty much essential for you to care about accreditation. Do not end up in a situation where you complete Masters Degree and realize that the University you studied is not accredited.
Which Accreditation to choose ?
Depends on the need , if you think you might have to transfer credits from one university to other then go by what most of the forums and online resources suggest - Pursue Masters Degree from Regionally Accredited University. If the need is to just complete masters degree and never in future would not have to transfer credits then go for Nationally accredited University ( myth is that it is difficult to transfer credits from Nationally recognized university). Best alternative is to choose a University that is both regionally and nationally accredited.
Take extra care about fake / bogus universities / Diploma mills :
While you are checking for accreditation be cautious about unrecognized accreditation organizations -
http://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/diploma-mills.html http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/accreditation.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unrecognized_higher_education_accreditation_organizations
http://www.transcriptresearch.com/?p=949
http://www.geteducated.com/diploma-mills-police/college-degree-mills/204-fake-agencies-for-college-accreditation
Wait a minute, in first place are Online Degrees acceptable ?
Pretty much YES . Whether you are on F1 or H1 or any other acceptable immigration status, as long as University is accredited the degree is acceptable. Interesting information from Murthy Law Firm (don't forget to read through the link they provided- http://www.murthy.com/news/n_bk2skl.html ).
Reference to - VOL. XVIII, no. 19; May 2012, week 1 Posted : 11.May.2012
"Acceptance of U.S. Online Degrees
For some, the use of the EB3-to-EB2 upgrade strategy requires obtaining additional education. This can pose difficulties for those who must balance the desire to gain additional education and degree/s with the need to maintain employment. It is often much easier to strike this balance by taking online courses for all or part of the educational requirements.
Given the recent controversy over online courses for foreign students, the USCIS was asked whether online degrees from accredited U.S. universities are acceptable for EB2 purposes. The USCIS confirmed that degrees from accredited U.S. universities will be accepted and, further, acknowledged that many major universities are providing online courses.
MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers have previously been provided with some guidance regarding the selection of U.S. schools in the immigration context for students. Our NewsBrief,Back to School: Considerations for U.S. Education (06.Aug.2010), contains some helpful guidance for those considering the EB3-to-EB3 upgrade option."
What does accreditation mean to me ?
It is pretty much essential for you to care about accreditation. Do not end up in a situation where you complete Masters Degree and realize that the University you studied is not accredited.
Which Accreditation to choose ?
Depends on the need , if you think you might have to transfer credits from one university to other then go by what most of the forums and online resources suggest - Pursue Masters Degree from Regionally Accredited University. If the need is to just complete masters degree and never in future would not have to transfer credits then go for Nationally accredited University ( myth is that it is difficult to transfer credits from Nationally recognized university). Best alternative is to choose a University that is both regionally and nationally accredited.
Take extra care about fake / bogus universities / Diploma mills :
While you are checking for accreditation be cautious about unrecognized accreditation organizations -
http://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/diploma-mills.html http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/accreditation.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unrecognized_higher_education_accreditation_organizations
http://www.transcriptresearch.com/?p=949
http://www.geteducated.com/diploma-mills-police/college-degree-mills/204-fake-agencies-for-college-accreditation