Hi, Am from Africa and would like to pursue an online degree from a recognized institution which is reasonably priced. Can you offer any advice? Do's and dont's for me?? I have been surfing but I dont know how much of the information out there is reliable and I cannot afford to be conned. But I do know Online and distance learning is hard work.

I have read about excelsior college but am not sure I understand their fees policy and whether they will accept a foreigner not based in the USA. Any Advice? 

 I want to persue a BSC in computers.

 

Thank you all!

 

Thoughts become things. Choose good ones!
 

It sounds like you're making a careful, well researched decision, which is great.  I wish everyone did what you're doing!

As far as American schools go, you'll probably want to make sure that the school is accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education.  (All of the schools listed here at eLearners.com are.)  There are a few legitimate unaccredited schools, but they're pretty rare and I'm not aware of any that have a computer science program.

Where there are people here with experience with Excelsior you should  probably contact them directly with those sorts of questions.  That way you'll get the most updated information, and you'll gain a sense of how responsive they are, which is very important for distance learners.

As for other suggestions, that depends on what your definition of "reasonably priced" is.  Roughly, what's your annual tuition budget?

Regards, 

-=Steve=- 

I don't know if it is an option for you but the University of South Africa is generally well regarded even in the United States.  Have you checked into their programs?

hi,

 

thanks UNISA is a good school but their processes are very slow and If I apply now I will probably start next year. I dont want to wait so long. I was reading the responses to questions on Ashford University Do they accept Clep certification? I went to the clep website but they do have a test centre in my country. Can I attend Charter Oak from a foreign country? I have visited these sites but your site has people with experience that is  much better in my opinion.  

hi!

 

My annual budget is about $1500  per year or thereabout.... Any advice or am I fooling myself?

There are a couple of ways of looking at it.  First, if it takes a year to enroll in UofSA but then you can work as fast as you like because they are inexpensive, I would wait and do that.  If Ashford is your choice, $1,500 may be a problem as with many US schools.  You may take one or two classes at a time until the $1,500 is gone and then have to wait until the next year.

Another option is to take individual classes from LSU Extension or Distance Education and transfer them to another school.  They are still about $225-$250 a course plus books $100 a course (likely) which would exhaust your funds right around the 5th class.  But you would theoretically transfer these classes into a degree program after working on it slowly but surely for years on end. 

 

I am assuming that the $1,500 is US dollars correct?