Checking your online course is all about making sure that the course which caught your attention is worth your time and money. So each time you imagine yourself graduating through the end of the course, ask yourself, “Is it even real?” before you enroll.
According to research, about 54.8% of postsecondary students took online courses in 2024. On the downside, a survey states that about 15% of individuals have fallen victim to it.
In short, just because it’s popular and sounds too good to be true doesn’t always mean it’s safe. In such moments, you must use caution and be smart about it.
To make sure you’re not among those 15% of the unfortunate bunch. We’ll walk you through the reasons to fact check, steps to choose the right course and warning signs to take note of before you enroll.
Why You Must Verify an Online Course Before Paying
Before you enroll, you must make sure that the course is legitimate. Not every online course creates a foundation for your dreams. Some can waste your time and money. Verifying them will save you from unnecessary disappointment and frustration.
Protect your money
Life would’ve been so much easier if money could grow on trees but unfortunately, they don’t. Enrolling in a course that lacks value is a financial loss. Verifying their credentials guarantees that you’ve invested your money in the right program.
Avoid Wasting Time
A course that doesn’t have a proper structure will cost you your time and effort. Make sure to verify their legitimacy so you can continue to work on your present and future without any worries.
Ensures real Skill Value
A legitimate course doesn’t just consist of theories, they consist of practicals as well to test and develop your skills. Verification ensures that whatever you’ll learn will be valuable in your field.
Build learning confidence
If a course is verified then it’ll boost your confidence and you’ll be more eager to look forward to the challenges you’ll face in your institute and professional life.
Boost career opportunities
Even if skills are the primary requirement, recruiters will still ask you about your educational background. A legitimate course will give a good impression of what you’ve learned.
8 Steps to Check Online Course Legitimacy
You’re probably not into law enforcement courses but even so, you must start doing some detective work since you’re about to stake your wallet on a certain course. To make sure you have a smooth, rewarding and interesting journey in your course. Make sure to take note of the following steps.
Step 1: Check the Course Provider’s Official Website
A course’s official website shouldn’t just look all flashy, they must have clear and transparent information. Most legitimate courses come from a credible website, so watch out for:
- Layout to see if it’s outdated or not
- Courses that have clearly stated their structure and pricing
- Contact information with phone number and email
Step 2: Verify their address
When you have their physical location verified, it assures you that the course provider is real. If the physical address isn’t hidden then you can easily reach out to them (if they’re available in your area) if things go south. Make sure to check:
- Google Maps to see if it matches the given address
- Contact number which is usually available on Google maps
- Some have public databases where you can check their registration status
Step 3: Look into the Instructor’s Background
Your platform might be top-knotch but your learning outcome is determined by how qualified your instructor actually is. When you look into their background, you’ll figure out how much of an expert they are on their job. So check out their:
- Profiles on LinkedIn or any other professional website they’re on
- Career history and how they performed on specific projects
- Professional instructors have published their own research, blog or tutorials.
Step 4: Review the Curriculum
A detailed curriculum can give you a proper roadmap for how this course can go. It won’t just show you what you’ll learn but also the skills you’ll develop by the end of the course. Make sure to look for the signs that state:
- Breakdown of each topic and a clear outline
- The outcome and the skills you’ll gain
- Duration and how long each module takes
Step 5: Analyse Pricing Structure
Low prices may seem tempting but they can either be scams or provide low-quality education. Similarly, expensive courses don’t necessarily guarantee world-class value. Their pricing can help you make the final choice. It’s best to consider:
- The market rates and compare them with those of other institutions
- Hidden fees, since most legitimate courses have their costs listed publicly
- Refund policy as a provider offers a refund under a specific time period if you’re unsatisfied
Step 6: Check payment methods
Online courses can be very sketchy if they push you to transfer fees directly through bank transfers or mobile apps. Direct payments don’t provide any protection, making it impossible to recover your money if the course turns out to be fake. Use secure payment methods like:
- Buy now and pay later service
- Credit or debit cards that let you reverse transactions
- Digital wallets like PayPal, Apple pay and Google Pay
Step 7: Verify their Certification
Completing a course might feel like you’ve achieved a milestone but your efforts can go to waste if the certification isn’t recognised. Legitimate courses are recognised by various institutions and other bodies. Spare a few seconds and:
- Research if their certification has official backing like CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation)
- Notice if the course is from an official platform like Coursera, LinkedIn and edX
- Look into its past employers and see if they found value in it
Step 8: Check Independent Reviews
It’s not just institutions, almost every company will be filled with nothing but positive reviews. One platform can be filled with praises, while another can be filled with criticism that the course providers don’t want you to find out. Don’t forget to check:
- Reddit, where users discuss their experience
- Quora discussions and LinkedIn posts
- Sitejabber or Trustpilot for verified ratings
Identify Red Flags
Even if you’ve managed to figure out the steps to verify your course’s credentials. It’s also best that you know about the common red flags. To save your or someone else’s dream from scams, make sure to observe the following warning signs.
Unrealistic Promises
Claiming that you’ll end up becoming an expert overnight and earn in 6 or 7 figures is far from the truth. Scammers make full use of this method, knowing how desperate people are to change their lives. This often leads to a tragic outcome.
Hidden Instructor Info
Hidden info means you can’t look into an instructor’s background or contact him to ask questions. This not only leads to having trust issues but also low-quality learning.
Vague Syllabus
A syllabus lacking details and learning outcomes is built upon a poor foundation. An unclear roadmap will prevent you from learning the skills that were promised during the orientation.
Hidden Fees & Pressure
Some courses will literally pressurise you like loansharks and ask you to pay immediately. This method is more focused on profit and less on learning. You’ll be left without any refund options.
Fake or poor reviews
Reviews filled with nothing but praise often have noticeable repetitive patterns, whereas reviews that are negative are rarely fake and highlight their actual issues. Choosing a course based on fake reviews will be a waste of money.
FAQs
- Are reviews on the website always trustworthy?
Not necessarily, testimonies on the course website can be very selective or generated by AI. It’s best to check out external platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, etc.
- How do I verify if a certificate is recognised by employers?
Check if their certificate is accredited by the official government or educational bodies. If possible, then find out if former students have used it for employment.
- Can I trust free online courses?
Honestly speaking, some are legitimate while others lack quality. It’s best to verify the provider and compare reviews.
- Why do some online courses turn out to be fake or low quality?
This is because such courses are focused on generating money rather than helping people out. They also don’t have qualified instructors and a proper course structure.
- How long should I research an online course before enrolling?
It depends on the level of your doubts but it’s preferred to keep researching until you find out about their verification status, instructors and basic information (like phone number and address)
