The Internet is a wide open playground for scams of all sorts.  Education scams are pretty costly, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of the time and effort expended in earning a degree or diploma, only to find it all in vain when your degree proves to be worth less than the paper it is printed on. Elearners offers a few protection pointers for those interested in pursuing an online degree.

• Search other forms of media besides the internet and the classified sections for the program that interests you.
• Check if the institution is accredited by an officially sanctioned agency.
  Find out from professional agencies and licensing boards if the training is up to an adequate standard.
• Rule out any cases of complaint against the institution by checking with the Better Business Bureau and the attorney general’s office.
• It helps if the institution is part of a larger, reputable umbrella organization.
• Find out if another institution will accept credits earned here if you intend to transfer them.
• Check out the staff members who will be delivering the online course content.
• Peruse published guides of distance and online courses before you finalize your decision.