[WATCH] The Hidden Video of the After School Fight That Paralysed a Student

RELOAD AND GO TO END OF POST TO PLAY THE FULL VIDEO 

Online College CoursesKey Providers, Types of Courses, and the Best Colleges for Your Buck

According to a Babson Survey Research Group report on higher education, more than 30% of college students enrolled in an online course in 2016. To meet this demand, more colleges and universities are making online courses available to both traditional and non-traditional students. Not all of these courses are created equal, however. Some require admission to the college and have standard tuition and fees, while others come from third-party vendors and are completely free of charge. If you have your eye on an online college course, make sure you know the types available, the leading providers (and the differences between them), and why accreditation means everything. Use the following guide to get started.

Key Online Course Providers

Before enrolling in an online course, it’s important to learn about the schools and other entities that offer them. And not only their basic characteristics, but also their similarities and differences and how each could help you meet your educational and career goals. See how today’s most popular online course providers break down.

Free Providers

A growing number of top colleges, universities, and industry experts are partnering with online course providers to deliver quality education to students. Coursera, Udemy, and edX make advanced learning available via Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), designed to accommodate dozens, hundreds, and sometimes thousands of online students. Most free online courses require internet access only, so users from different educational and geographical backgrounds are able to join. Courses cover a wide range of topics, including traditional college subjects, tech skills, and personal development. Keep in mind, while it’s often free to participate in the online course, the provider may charge a fee for grading papers and exams, and for a certificate of completion.

Public Colleges & Universities

Many public colleges and universities, which are state-funded institutions, offer online courses to enrolled students as part of their degree program. The number and type of courses often vary depending on the school and the program. There are admissions requirements for acceptance into a degree or certificate program at public schools, and many online courses require prerequisite courses before a student can enroll. However, some public colleges and universities may offer stand-alone continuing education and certification courses online that don’t require admission to the school.

Private Non-Profit Colleges & Universities

Private non-profit schools are funded by private organizations rather than by taxpayers. These include well-known universities such as Harvard and Johns Hopkins, liberal arts colleges, as well as smaller schools focused on career training. Online courses at private non-profit colleges and universities are usually part of an online or on-campus degree or certificate program, and the school may require admission to a program before a student can enroll in a course.

Fully Online Schools: For-Profit or Non-Profit

A number of schools, including Western Governors University and Capella University, are completely online and do not have a brick-and-mortar campus. Online schools can be non-profit or for-profit, and offer vocational, certificate, undergraduate, and/or graduate degree programs. Admission requirements depend on the school and program. Fully online schools don’t always follow a traditional semester or quarter-based schedule, so students may be able to complete courses at an accelerated pace.