Course Catalog / BMU 104 / Lesson 1 of 5
BMU 104
Lesson 1: Know what you need from a school
Warm up
1. Think of a big purchase you made, like a car or a phone. What did you decide you needed before you shopped?
See the answer
Choosing a school works the same way. Decide what you need first, then shop.
Why this matters
Picking a school is one of the biggest money choices many adults make. A good fit can lead to a better job. A bad fit can leave you with debt and no degree.
This free course is only about picking the school. If you do not have a degree plan yet, start with BMU 103 Back to School Game Plan. To pay for school without debt, take BMU 203 next.
Start with what you already do
You already compare before you buy. You check price, reviews, and whether it does what you need.
Common belief: The school with the best ads is the best school.
What is actually true: Ads tell you what a school wants you to think. The FTC says to do your own research and not rely on glossy brochures. Federal tools like College Scorecard show real numbers.
In this lesson you will
- Write the credential you need for your goal
- Check if your job needs a state license
- Choose the format you can stick with
Key words
- credential
- What you earn: a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree.
- license
- Permission from the state to work in some jobs, like nursing or cosmetology.
- format
- How classes meet: on campus, online, or a mix.
Start with your goal
Write the job or goal you want. Then ask: what credential does it need? Some jobs need a certificate. Others need a degree. A job posting or your state's career site can tell you.
Read job posts like a checklist
- Find 3 to 5 posts for the job in your area.
- Write the credential each one asks for.
- Mark which posts say required and which say preferred.
- Aim for the credential most posts require. A longer degree may cost more than the job needs.
Check for a license
Some jobs need a state license. The FTC says to check with your state's licensing board first. Then ask the school if its program meets the state's rules. If the board will not accept the program, pick another school.
Three questions for the board: Is this program on your approved list? Is there an exam after school? Do training hours from another state count?
Pick a format you can keep
| Format | Think about |
|---|---|
| On campus | Set class times, face to face help, travel time. |
| Online | Study when you can. Needs a device, internet, and self discipline. |
| Hybrid | A mix of both. |
If you use the GI Bill, the housing allowance can be different for online only classes. Check VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Text version of this figure
Your school needs list. Decide these before you look at schools.
- Step 1, Goal: The job or next step you want.
- Step 2, Credential: Certificate, associate, or bachelor's.
- Step 3, License: Does the state require one? What does the board accept?
- Step 4, Format: Campus, online, or hybrid.
- Needs list: Use it to judge each school.
Source: FTC, Choosing a College (Oct 29, 2026).
Worked example: Tasha's needs list
- Goal: work as a dental hygienist.
- Credential: an associate degree in dental hygiene, per job postings she found.
- License: yes. She finds her state dental board's list of approved programs.
- Format: hybrid. She works days, so labs must be at night or on weekends.
Now she can cross off any school whose program is not on the board's list. Tasha is a made up example.
Practice: Find the first check
- Rosa wants to be a licensed practical nurse.
- Ben wants an IT help desk job. Four of five job posts ask for a certificate or an associate degree. None require a bachelor's degree.
- Ana works days, has two kids, and lives 40 minutes from the nearest campus.
For each person, write the one thing to check first, and why.
Check your practice: feedback
- Rosa: the state board of nursing. Nursing needs a license, so the program must be on the board's approved list.
- Ben: the credential the posts name. A certificate or associate degree fits. A bachelor's degree would cost more than the posts ask for.
- Ana: the format. Online or hybrid with night or weekend classes may be the only kind she can keep up with.
Common mistakes
- Picking a school before a goal. Write the goal first.
- Skipping the license check. Ask the state board before you enroll.
- Choosing online only because it seems easier. Pick the format you can keep up with.
Try it: Write your needs list
Pick your scenario:
- My goal needs a license
- My goal needs a degree
- I am not sure what my goal needs
- Write your goal.
- Find the credential it needs from two job postings.
- Check if your state requires a license.
- Pick your format.
- Save the list. You will use it in every lesson.
Do it by: today
Reflect
What matters most to you in a school besides cost?
Check your understanding
1. Leo wants to be a licensed electrician. What should he check first?
- The school's ads
- What the state board requires
- Which school is closest
See the answer and feedback
B is correct. Yes. The board's rules come first.
A: Ads are not proof. Review Check for a license.
C: Distance matters, but not first. Review Check for a license.
2. Which is a credential?
- An associate degree
- Accreditation
- A state license board
See the answer and feedback
A is correct. Yes. It is what you earn.
B: Accreditation is a check on the school, not something you earn. Review Key words.
C: The board sets license rules. It is not a credential. Review Key words.
3. Mia works nights and has young kids. Which step helps her most now?
- Pick the school with the best ads.
- Enroll first and plan later.
- Pick a format she can keep up with.
See the answer and feedback
C is correct. Yes. The format must fit her life.
A: Ads are not proof. Review Pick a format you can keep.
B: Plan first. Review Pick a format you can keep.
Takeaway: Know your needs first
- Goal first, then the credential the job posts require.
- If the job needs a license, the board's approved list decides which programs count.
- Pick the format you can keep for the whole program.
Recap
- Start with your goal.
- Find the credential it needs.
- Check state license rules before you enroll.
- Pick a format you can keep.
You now have: a needs list: goal, credential, license, and format.
Next up
Next you will check if a school is real and accredited. Go to Lesson 2: Is it accredited?.
Sources
- FTC Consumer Advice: Choosing a College: Questions To Ask (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- VA.gov: GI Bill Comparison Tool (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
