Choosing which degree program to take, whether online or offline, is a complex task, for which there is usually no one right answer. Here are some general guidelines:

• Research, research, research! Obtain as much information about potential schools as possible. If a school offers free literature or a free course catalog, get it!
• Define your own goals as specifically as possible. Make a physical list of what you intend to achieve from a program, academically, vocationally and personally. Be precise, and elaborate in detail.
• Compare your goals with the offerings of each potential program, and determine how much these coincide. Again, make it is best to write this out physically, perhaps using a spreadsheet.
• When evaluating a program, look at such factors as the specializations of the department as a whole, specific research interests of the faculty, profile of the faculty, facilities available, the reputation of the school and anything else you can think of.
• Use email to contact current students, graduates and faculty involved with programs that interest you. Ask specific questions on matters of importance to you. You could even create a short survey, but try keep it short.