Key questions for learners: what to ask before starting a course of study
	The increasing diversity of options available when choosing a field of study poses new challenges to learners in assessing the value of their qualifications either to continue their studies or to find employment. Before registering in a field of study it is important to ask key questions concerning the learning experience and the status of the institution. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WCET) have each developed a set of questions aimed at assisting learners to evaluate the learning experience offered by higher education providers. We strongly advise that you consult these two resources before starting a course of study.

 

CHEA provides a list of questions concerning the external review, accreditation status as well as the acceptance of credits and courses by (future) employers. These questions, reproduced in this section with the kind permission of CHEA as well as further electronic and print resources are also available on the CHEA site. WCET has produced a ‘Distance Education Consumer’s Guide for Students’, to assist students in better understanding the learning experience offered. Other resources including ‘Principles of Good Practice for Electronically Offered Academic Degree and Certificate Programs’. Please note that these questions are intended for students planning to continue their studies in United States higher education institutions, but are of interest to all students as they address key issues. It would nevertheless be important that students keep in mind that certain terms such as ‘accreditation’, ‘credits’and ‘transcripts’ have different meanings in different higher education systems.