Accounting Distance-Learning Programs Key Terms

Understand online educational terms when looking for an accounting distance-learning program

By Rhyah Fletcher

An accounting distance-learning program utilizes an online platform to deliver instruction. Online learning lets busy families or working individuals complete a college education while still having time for family and job responsibilities. Accounting distance-learning programs consist of a few different financial fields. Students can find online classes for finance, accounting and business administration. Many students find earning an MBA with an emphasis on accounting an easier task when utilizing online learning.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a process that colleges and universities undergo to gain approval of their curriculum and methods of instruction. Unaccredited schools run the risk of having non-transferable credits. It's important that students make sure online learning programs in accounting come from accredited universities.
Try: eLearners discusses the accreditation process and lists the approved accrediting agencies in the United States.

Online MBA programs

Graduate students looking for online accounting degree programs will run across a variety of online MBA programs. These programs offer students the opportunity to earn a master's degree in business administration with an emphasis on accounting or finance.
Try: MBA Explorer offers a ranking system for online MBA programs.

WebCT or Blackboard

Online students may run across the terms WebCT or Blackboard when registering for online accounting classes. These terms refer to the online learning platforms that deliver the lessons. Most online programs have tutorials for students to learn how to utilize these platforms.
Try: Read more about WebCT.

Residency requirements

Students needing a 100 percent online accounting degree program need to pay attention to the residency requirements. Some online degree programs expect students to spend a week or two on campus and then complete the rest of the program online. Others may expect students to attend the first week of classes on campus for each semester. Online college degrees usually have a no residency or low residency classification.
Try: Fast Web offers a list of state residency requirements.

Listserv

A listserv is an e-mailing program that consists of all the people involved in the course. A student may see an instructor or ask to send comments or opinions on a lesson to the listserv. This simply means to send the comments through the email assigned to the course and share your views with the other students.
Try: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a glossary of common distance-education terms, including listserv.

Uploading

Online students will most likely be told to upload accounting assignments. Most people are familiar with downloading, where you pull a file or program onto your computer. Uploading is just the opposite. When you upload, you save an assignment to your computer and then use the online learning platform to transfer the file to your professor.
Try: Tech Target gives an in-depth explanation of uploading.