How to Choose a College

Media coming soon. Audio and video for this course are on the way. The full course is here as text today.

What you will be able to do

• Write a needs list for a school search: goal, credential, state license requirement, and class format.
• Verify a school's accreditation and its accreditor on official lists (ED DAPIP, College Navigator, CHEA), and check program accreditation and transfer acceptance.
• Find and compare net price for two or more schools with net price calculators, including costs beyond tuition.
• Compare graduation rate, median earnings, and typical debt on College Scorecard, and get transfer credit answers in writing.
• Spot five red flags of predatory schools and complete a school comparison sheet with a choice, two reasons, and one dated next step.

Syllabus

Read the full course syllabus: outcomes, schedule, time, tests and how to get help.

Course glossary: key words from the lessons, A to Z.

Before you start: take the pretest (10 min, not graded) to see your starting point.

1. Know what you need from a school14 min
2. Is it accredited? Check before you trust13 min
3. Find the real cost with a net price calculator13 min
4. Will you finish, and will it pay? Scorecard and transfer credit14 min
5. Red flags and your choice16 min

After the wrap up: take the posttest (10 min). Pass at 80% to unlock your certificate, then answer an optional 2 minute survey.