Happy Wednesday, all you readers out there. Both of you.

Today’s post brings up an important point in the debate about online education–the cons. One of our readers recently asked us to talk a bit about the drawbacks of online education, and as with anything in life, there certainly are some. To make this extra-educational, what I’d like to do in this post is tell you how to avoid the biggest pitfalls of online degrees, and ensure your educational experience is successful.

And so, don’t make these mistakes with your online degree:

• Get stuck with a diploma mill. The biggest danger for students in the online education world is diploma mills–”institutions” which basically offer fake degrees at a premium price. The prevalence of online degrees has provided an enormous market for these frauds, and unfortunately they are not entirely illegal in the U.S., so it’s up to you to make sure your institution is regionally accredited.
• Slack off just because you’re at home in your PJs. The independent nature of online learning can be a drawback for students who need supervision and the pressure of in-person class participation to get motivated. Make sure you aren’t one of them (and if you are, consider hybrid programs that blend online learning with face-to-face interaction).
• Compromise on quality. There’s still a lot of cachet associated with big-name or state schools, and frankly still a stigma associated with online colleges. When you’re considering a school, do your homework and don’t let their admissions counselors pressure you into signing up until you’re satisfied. Ask for syllabi from previous courses, or find out if you can sit in on an online session. Depending on your profession, the name of your school may matter (in which case you might consider taking online courses from established traditional schools)–or it might not, if your prospective employer just needs to know that you have the skills she’s looking for.
• Get in over your head financially. Online colleges are convenient but they aren’t always cheap. If you need to sign up for loans, make sure you know what you’re in for–what the rates are, whether your loan is subsidized or unsubsidized, etc. Find out if you’re eligible for federal aid. Consider studying part-time if it makes more financial sense.
• Get in over your head academically. I personally am all in favor of more education for everyone–but make sure you’re not investing time and money in a degree you don’t need. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for many entry-level professional jobs these days; if you already have a good job and want to advance, it may be all you need. In a more competitive profession, a master’s degree or MBA might be required. But be sure you’re getting the right tools for your job.