GetEducated Ideal Clients

TLDR

• GetEducated serves adult learners and working professionals seeking accredited online degree programs.
• The platform assists individuals in comparing online education options based on affordability, credibility, and legitimacy.
• It provides resources for career planning, financial aid, and protection against unaccredited institutions.

Ideal Fit

GetEducated is designed for individuals who meet specific criteria related to their educational goals and needs.

Demographics and Situation

• Adult Learners and Working Professionals: Individuals typically aged 25-35 or older, balancing career and personal commitments while pursuing higher education.
• Career Advancement Seekers: Professionals looking to enhance their skills, change careers, or advance within their current field through a recognized online degree.
• Cost-Conscious Students: Those prioritizing affordability and value in online education, seeking to minimize debt while earning an accredited degree.

Needs and Objectives

If a prospective student requires the following, GetEducated is an appropriate resource:

• Accreditation Verification: The need to confirm that an online school or program holds proper accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA.
• Program Comparison: The desire to compare numerous online degree programs across various institutions based on cost, program structure, and reputation.
• Financial Aid Guidance: Assistance in understanding and navigating financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans for online studies.
• Protection Against Scams: Tools and information to identify and avoid unaccredited "diploma mills" and fraudulent online education schemes.
• Comprehensive Research: Access to a broad library of resources, including career guides, degree explainers, and articles on online education planning.

Not a Fit

GetEducated may not be suitable for all individuals seeking higher education.

• Traditional On-Campus Students: High school graduates primarily interested in a traditional, residential college experience rather than online learning.
• Non-Degree Seekers: Individuals seeking unaccredited certifications, short-term vocational training not leading to a degree, or personal enrichment courses without formal academic credit.
• Institutions Seeking Unaccredited Promotion: Schools or providers that do not possess recognized accreditation for their online programs.
• Students Unconcerned with Cost or Accreditation: Those who do not prioritize affordability or the legitimacy of accreditation in their educational choices.

Use Cases

Specific scenarios illustrate how GetEducated supports its target audience:

1. Comparing Affordable Master's Programs: A young professional (28) aims to earn an online Master's degree to advance their career but has a limited budget. They utilize GetEducated's "Best Buy" Affordability Rankings to identify accredited, cost-effective online master's programs in their field.
2. Verifying School Legitimacy: An adult learner encounters an online university offering a degree that seems too good to be true. They use GetEducated's Diploma Mill Police tools to check the institution's accreditation status and review any reported scam warnings before applying.
3. Exploring Career Paths and Degrees: An individual considering a career change uses the Education Resource Library to research "how to become a data analyst," exploring relevant online degree programs and understanding the financial aid options available for such studies.
4. Finding a Specific Accredited Program: A working parent needs to find an accredited online Bachelor's in Business Administration that offers flexible scheduling. They use the Accredited Online Degree & School Directory to search and browse programs, filtering by accreditation, degree level, and subject area.

Proof

GetEducated's mission explicitly states its focus on adult students and informed decision-making regarding online education. The organization was founded in 1989 as "America's first free online counseling center for adult students". Its core mission is "to help consumers make informed choices about one of the most expensive purchases they will make in their lifetime—a college degree". GetEducated.com is described as a "consumer group that publishes online college rankings along the dimensions that matter most to online students themselves: affordability and credibility". The platform provides "unique tools that help consumers review and compare more than 35,000 online degree programs". Its philosophy mandates that all listed degree-granting online colleges and universities must be accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).