The struggles of the modern day are numerous. Not only do we continually have to work throughout our lives to maintain a stable life, but we also have to constantly learn new skills.
In the past, these skills were related to our chosen field of work or personal interest, but now they are more related to earning more to keep ourselves afloat.
As such, many people turn to easily accessible learning platforms to obtain the qualifications they need.
One of these platforms is ‘ed2go,’ which offers a variety of education courses for people to learn from. However, many want to know if ed2go is legit.
Ed2go presents a mixed bag: legitimate yet controversial. This in-depth review will dissect its course quality, accreditation concerns, and student experiences, ultimately helping you decide if this platform aligns with your learning goals.
What Is Ed2go?
Ed2go has evolved significantly since its founding in 1997. Originally conceived as an email-based correspondence course by a university instructor, it aimed to extend learning beyond the classroom. Over the years, Ed2go has grown into a major player in online education, offering a diverse catalog of courses that cater to both personal development and professional advancement.
Today, Ed2go partners with numerous colleges and universities to provide accessible and affordable online learning opportunities to students worldwide. These courses span a wide array of fields, including business, technology, healthcare, and more, mirroring the breadth of subjects offered by traditional educational institutions.
This evolution from a simple email course to a comprehensive online learning platform demonstrates Ed2go’s commitment to adapting to the changing landscape of education and meeting the needs of modern learners.
They offer over 150 different certifications, and they also offer to teach over 50 different industry specialties, which can be great for those who need help with a niche subject.
The learning group boasts that it corresponds with more than 2000 academic institutions, more than 80 big corporations, and more than 100 workforce agencies.
This suggests that the students will receive accredited certifications by learning through them, and they are an accredited business by the Better Business Bureau.
Although it is not the biggest learning platform in the world today, it has certainly become much bigger than it once was.
Is Ed2go Legit?
Ed2go is a legitimate company in the sense that it is a registered business that offers online courses. However, whether or not it is a good choice for online learning is a different question, and the answer is not straightforward.
This review will examine Ed2go’s various aspects, including its strengths and weaknesses, to help you make an informed decision about whether its courses are right for you.
As such, we will break down the different parts of Ed2go and see if the company appears legitimate.
If we take the actual courses, it seems that most of the beginner courses are fairly legitimate. Many people enjoy beginner courses, get good help from them, and want to come back to do more advanced courses.
However, when looking at the advanced courses—which are far more expensive—there seem to be many complaints about them being like reading a book or watching a series of videos with little to no instructor help.
Since ed2go seems to be partnering with some other institutions, it appears that many of these lessons rely on educators who are approved by these institutions or work directly under them.
As such, the quality of the course is probably dependent on them, but this still doesn’t excuse some of the poor quality.
Vague Certifications
Another problematic aspect is that the certifications are not really all that useful, according to various online reviews.
Although they are given out, several former students have stated that they do not mention what course they passed or their qualification, only saying ‘Certificate of Achievement.’
Naturally, this is not really useful if you are trying to get a job, as many will need to see legitimate proof that you have the skills and qualifications to do the work.
Is the Pricing Accessible?
One of Ed2go’s major selling points is its relatively affordable pricing compared to traditional college courses. While some specialized programs may carry higher price tags, many of their courses are available for a few hundred dollars, making them accessible to a wider range of learners.
Considering how much courses cost in America nowadays, this is a huge help and can be tempting for some who want to get an education, especially if they can afford it.
Student Loans
Yet, when people apply for student loans through them, they tend to have terrible experiences with it.
Ed2go has faced criticism for its handling of refunds and student loan issues, particularly when courses don’t meet expectations or are perceived as scams.
Multiple reports suggest that instead of assisting students, the company has actively ignored their attempts to recoup their financial losses. This pattern raises concerns about Ed2go’s commitment to student satisfaction and financial responsibility.
They have previously set students up with other student loan companies, and we are unsure if that is still the case, but people have reported that they are still struggling years later, thanks to the mismanagement of this system.
So, technically, the answer to the question ‘Is ed2go legit?’ is yes, but only because the Better Business Bureau says it is.
If you want to evaluate it as an educational business, we would say no, it is not, and it is best to steer clear of this learning platform. Most people have a really bad experience, and even if they have a good one, something goes wrong at some point.
Alternatives To Ed2go
Several alternatives offer a more robust and reliable online learning experience than ed2go. Coursera, for instance, stands out for its partnerships with top universities, ensuring that its courses maintain high academic standards and offer valuable, university-level content.
They are known for their openness and their well-thought-out learning plans. The one issue is price, but otherwise, they are pretty good at getting people educated.
Another good online learning platform is Pluralsight. They are slightly cheaper than Coursera, but they only tend to offer courses related to coding and computer sciences. You can check other features of Pluralsight here.
However, the courses are incredibly high quality and well worth a look.
What Colleges Work With Ed2Go?
Ed2go partners with a diverse network of colleges and universities to offer their online courses. Some notable institutions include:
- Alamo Colleges District: Offers a variety of career training and personal enrichment courses through Ed2go.
- Community College of Allegheny County: Provides online career training programs in partnership with Ed2go.
- Davis College: Features Ed2go’s online courses for professional development and career advancement.
- Hudson Valley Community College: Offers a range of online programs through Ed2go, including health, business, and technology courses.
- Lane Community College: Provides online career training and professional development courses through Ed2go.
This is just a small sample. You can find a complete list of partner institutions on Ed2go’s website using their school finder tool.
Are Ed2go Courses Accredited?
Ed2go courses themselves are not accredited. However, Ed2go partners with accredited colleges and universities, and courses taken through those institutions may be eligible for college credit or may count towards a degree or certificate program.
It’s crucial to confirm the accreditation status of the specific institution offering the Ed2go course you’re interested in. This information can usually be found on the college or university’s website or by contacting their admissions or registrar’s office.
If earning college credit or pursuing a degree is your goal, choosing an Ed2go course offered through an accredited institution is essential.
Final Thoughts
Ed2go is legitimate only because the Better Business Bureau says it is a for-profit business.
As an online learning platform, we advise you to stay away from it. It has had many problems since its inception, and they don’t look like they will be resolved soon.
