Accredited distance learning offers alternative ways to obtain further educational opportunities and career advancement in today's high tech society. Whether the individual is looking for a new career, needing continuing education to maintain the career they are currently in, or looking to advance that career, this type of education might be the right avenue. In today's global, high tech society, the convenience of anytime anyplace learning offered by distance programs is appealing to many. While there are many advantages to acquiring a degree through this means, there are some disadvantages or things to be cautious of as well.

Distance education provides an alternative teaching method to traditional face-to-face instruction that occurs in a regular classroom environment. Some of the instructional methods used in accredited distance learning programs include such things as the use of video, television, computer, and telephone. Although there isn't any actual face-to-face interaction between the instructor and the students or even the students among each other there is often to be some type of interaction with the instructor during the course of study. This can happen in one of two ways asynchronous or synchronous. Asynchronous interaction involves methods such as email or threaded discussion boards. Synchronous interaction would include activities like chats, web casts, or video conferencing.

There are generally two categories of this type of education. The first would be what is called Instructor - led. Much like a face-to-face classroom environment this type of class has a particular beginning and ending date and includes a specific time-line. For example there are specific due dates for assignments and dates for exams. The other category of accredited distance learning would be Self-paced. These types of courses allow the student the freedom to work when they want and to pick their own pace based on their schedules.

When looking for a distance education, there are a few things to be cautious about or aware of. First, in order to participate in accredited distance learning, the student needs to have the proper equipment and technology capabilities. That would include computer and internet assess in most cases. Another word of caution is that not all programs are actually accredited. They may say that they are accredited and list accrediting agencies but the student needs to take the time to investigate the accrediting agencies and make sure they are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a foreign equivalent. If the students don't do that, they might wind up with nothing more than a piece of paper that isn't recognized as being a legitimate credential. "For truly my words shall not be false…" (Job 36:4).