The Online Degree Dorm Room

engineering degree online : The largest online schools

Posted by bposton on October 31st, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

BOO…

Did I scare you?  

I couldn’t let All Hallow’s Eve pass without giving you the top 20 largest online schools. Again, this list comes from US News and World Report. As expected, the University of Phoenix tops the list with over 187,000 enrolled (Now THAT’s scarry…:-) )

What was suprising to me was little Cape Fear Community College in my home state of North Carolina comes in thrid with 45,000 students. As Darth Vader would say…”Impressive…”

Just goes to show that there’s alot of folks getting an Associates Degree online too. Food for thought.

Speaking of food, I need to try out some the candy I got at the online Halloween Ball. So while I stuff my face, here’s the list:

University of Phoenix (AZ) 187,712

Troy University (AL) 77,845

Cape Fear Community College (NC) 45,000

University of Maryland–University College (MD) 40,009

Excelsior College (NY) 26,845

Indiana Wesleyan University (IN) 22,950

Central Texas College (TX) 22,723

Walden University (MN) 22,168

University of Florida (FL) 18,056

Baker College of Flint (MI) 17,633

Baker College–Auburn Hills (MI) 17,633

Baker College–Cadillac (MI) 17,633

Baker College–Clinton Township (MI) 17,633

Baker College–Jackson (MI) 17,633

Baker College–Muskegon (MI) 17,633

Baker College–Owosso (MI) 17,633

Baker College–Port Huron (MI) 17,633

Coastline Community College (CA) 16,755

Community College of Southern Nevada (NV) 14,098

Pennsylvania State University–University Park (PA) 13,928

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Ben 

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engineering degree online : The oldest online schools

Posted by bposton on October 31st, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

I was getting dressed up in my Darth Vader costume for the online Halloween ball, and I realized that since I showed you the newest online schools, maybe you’d like to see the oldest. One would at least assume they would have more experience and be better prepared to offer you the degree program that you’re looking for…

This lists includes the ever popular University of Phoenix ( I see there ads all other the place), as well as East Carolina University, in my home state of NC. However it seems that good ole Nova Southeastern University is at the top (anybody know who they are?)  

So without further adue, here the top 20 oldest online schools, according the US News and World Report:

Nova Southeastern University (FL) 1983

Roberts Wesleyan College (NY) 1987

New York Institute of Technology (NY) 1988

Boise State University (ID) 1989

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJ) 1989

University of Phoenix (AZ) 1989

Michigan Technological University (MI) 1990

Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) 1990

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) 1993

East Carolina University (NC) 1994

National University (CA) 1994

Baker College of Flint (MI) 1995

Baker College–Auburn Hills (MI) 1995

Baker College–Cadillac (MI) 1995

Baker College–Clinton Township (MI) 1995

Baker College–Jackson (MI) 1995

Baker College–Muskegon (MI) 1995

Baker College–Owosso (MI) 1995

Baker College–Port Huron (MI) 1995

George Washington University (DC) 1995

Mercer University (GA) 1995

University of Idaho (ID) 1995

Walden University (MN) 1995

…may the force be with you….

Ben

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engineering degree online : The newest online schools

Posted by bposton on October 31st, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

First of all - Happy Halloween!! I hope you’ll be a good little ghost tonight and get lots of candy  

I’m going to take a little time today to share with you some of my research from the October US News and World Report University and College rankings. That way, you’ll get an idea of how they measured the online schools that the focused on in this issue.

In this post, I’m listing the top 20 newest schools. Each school is listed below based on year they began offering online classes. Some of these are pretty well know, such as SMU and South Carolina. Other’s…well at least I have never heard of some of them.

So here they are - drumroll please …

Briar Cliff University (IA) 2006

Edison State Community College (OH) 2006

Pima County Community College District (AZ) 2006

Southern Methodist University (TX) 2006

St. Louis Community College (MO) 2006

Toccoa Falls College (GA) 2006

University of Mississippi (MS) 2006

Chatham College (PA) 2005

Cleary University (MI) 2005

Culver-Stockton College (MO) 2005

Edgecombe Community College (NC) 2005

Mohawk Valley Community College (NY) 2005

Northern Illinois University (IL) 2005

Research College of Nursing (MO) 2005

Rutgers–New Brunswick (NJ) 2005

SUNY–Plattsburgh (NY) 2005

Southern Oregon University (OR) 2005

Spartanburg Technical College (SC) 2005

St. Clair County Community College (MI) 2005

St. Edward’s University (TX) 2005

St. Vincent’s College (CT) 2005

Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management (AZ) 2005

Triton College (IL) 2005

University of Mary (ND) 2005

University of South Carolina–Columbia (SC) 2005

University of Texas Health Science Center–San Antonio (TX) 2005

York Technical College (SC) 2005

Ben

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engineering degree online : Regis University makes the Top Ten

Posted by bposton on October 30th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

If you haven’t read the OCtober 16 issue of US News & World Report, you’re missing out, because
this is the annual issue of college rankings.

What’s really important to know is that they highlighted online learning in this year’s annual ranking
and one of the top ten largestest graduate programs on their list comes from Regis University.

They had three of their online programs make the top ten, which was measured by total enrollment number and other factors such as class size and technical support.

Out of 410 institutions across the U.S., Regis is the only Colorado-based university to be ranked.

The programs that were ranked where nursing, which ranked third, business, ranking seventh and education, which ranked eighth.

Regis is a Jesuit University and Allan Service, their provost, had this to say about the ranking:

“Our high quality and extremely successful programs in online learning are one of the latest applications of the tradition of innovation in Jesuit education. Our online degree programs nicely complement the other great work we are doing with 18 to 22-year old students in our classroom-based liberal arts and pre-professional programs. We’re very gratified by this recognition of Regis University’s continuing accomplishments. We will continue to seek new and innovating ways to server the learners and leaders of tomorrow.”

Ben

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engineering degree online : The top 10 “red flags” for online diploma mills

Posted by bposton on October 30th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

I saw this list of “red flags” at GetEducated.com’s website. I think it’s a very good
checklist to make sure the univerisity you’re choosing in not an online diploma mill. I’ve add some of
my own personal comments:

1. Your chosen university is not accredited. That’s the first and biggest warning sign.

2. Your chosen university is accredited - but NOT by an agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, You need to know this - the majority of degree mills will tell you they are “accredited.” Problem is, they are accredited by bogus agencies that they themselves have created. Pretty sneaky, huh?

3. Admission requirements equals “do you have a valid Visa or MasterCard?”
WHen your previous academic record, grade point average, and test scores don’t matter, that’s a problem.

4. You are offered a college degree based on a “review” of your faxed resume.
Here’s something to remember - no valid distance learning university in the USA will award a graduate degree (Master’s or Doctorate) based solely on a review of your career experience. However, undergraduate programs sometimes are more flexible. But they typically limit this type of credit to a maximum of one year of a four-year degree.
Now, there actually is one exception to this that I know of, which I discuss below.

5. You are promised a diploma within 30 days. Degree Mills are just that - “mills” they want to get that worthless paper in your hands and go on to the next sucker as quickly as possible.
 
6. You are promised a degree in exchange for a lump sum, normally around $2,000 for an undergraduate degree, or $3,000 for a graduate degree. Real universities typically charge by the credit or per the course.
 
7. Your prospective online university has multiple complaints on file with the Better Business Bureau.
 
8. Your online “admission counselor” assures you that online universities can’t be accredited by CHEA recognized agencies.
This is a lie. I say again, this is a LIE…
 
9. The school’s Web site either lists no faculty or lists faculty who have attended schools accredited by bogus agencies.
 
10.The university offers online degrees almost exclusively to United States citizens even though their location is outside the US. Most of the time this is in a foreign country that lacks any system of academic accreditation.

So please, please, please - don’t be fooled by diploma mills.

They have flashy and impressive web sites. They put ads all over the internet.
YOu need to look past the flashy graphics for the name of the school’s accreditation agency. And take the time to verify accreditation by an agency that is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Now, for the notable exception to flag number 4. That would be Thomas Edison State College of New Jersey.
They are a publicly-funded distance learning university and it is possible there for you, in theory, to earn Associate or Bachelor degrees entirely through career portfolios, military and corporate training, and challenge exams. But if you’re interested please check them out carefully and look at all the details.

Ben

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engineering degree online : Kudos for Capella U

Posted by bposton on October 30th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

I saw a press release the other day about Capella University, which is strictly an online University.

It stated that the Center for Transforming Student Services had awarded their career services programs as a “best practice” in providing student services online. They focused on the services related to resume development and CV training as “providing models for other institutions to emulate”. 

Julie Ofstedal, part of Capella’s staff that works in this area had this say about the student services they provide.

“Upon making these tools available to our students, we saw an immediate improvement in the quality of resume and CV drafts being submitted for review. They have been tremendously helpful in providing guidance to a large number of students simultaneously,”

In case you were wondering, the Center for Transforming Student Services is a virtual resource for higher education institutions interested in assessing the quality of their student services offered via the Web.

So Kudos to Capella, which is accredited online university and a leader in online education with over 16,000 online students from companies such as Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, Farmers Insurance, and Xerox.

By the way, if you work for any of these companies, you should know that they offer tuition discounts and reimbursement for their employees attending Capella.

Ben

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engineering degree online : more on the “non-traditional” student

Posted by bposton on October 29th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

Here’s some more data for your hungry minds from the report I read from WorldWideLearn.com

This report, called “Adult Learners and New Traditions in Higher Education,”
comes to a conclusion that both online and campus schools have found out that’s it’s good for their bottom line to seek out and cater to nontraditional students.

Many traditional colleges and universities have been trying to meet the needs of the
nontraditional student by providing flexible course schedules, financial aid, online degree programs, and aggressive job placement.

So, just what IS a “non-traidtional student”?

I thought you’d never ask

Here’s the official definition from the National Center for Education Statistics:

A “nontraditional” student is a college student who attend part-time, work at
least 35 hours a week, or are past age 22.

In fact, some of these nontraditional students lack a high school diploma, and many have
little dependents of their own. So it makes sense that six of out ten nontraditional
students attend college part time.

Another interesting number: there are more than 1 million of them, and they’re all
enrolled in degree programs that are completely online.

Here’s what Steven Jones, who is Managing Producer for Worldwidelearn.com had to say in summary:

“Earning a college degree will always be a challenge, regardless of circumstances, but
nontraditional students are confronted with obstacles not faced by an 18-year-old

freshman, Such students need timely, reliable information concerning what college degree

programs are offered, where the schools are located, what services they can depend upon, and whether a campus-based or online degree program is the right solution for them,” Jones continues. “They’re demanding–and getting–everything from campus-based child care to courses on weekends, in the evening, and via distance education.”

Rise up, you non-traditional students! The world is your oyster!

Ben

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engineering degree online : Is the “non-traditional” student becoming the norm?

Posted by bposton on October 29th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

I was up last in the dorm room last night, and found a report by
WorldWideLearn.com, the world’s premier directory of education.

After reading it, I’m beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, the tide
is turning - that online education is finally becoming mainstream.

Here’s why…

In this report, it states that working adults are looking for
college degrees in greater and greater numbers, and they are changing the way
universities and colleges are doing business.

According to the report, 58 percent of those students taking courses today are
financially independent adults over the age of 22.
 
That’s in stark contrast to the typical freshman right out of high school.

In fact, they report that only 16 percent of college students
fit the typical profile of a 18-22 year old studying full-time on campus.

Interesting, huh?

So what is causing this stampede to the online colleges?

One reason may be that those without degrees are seeing the “writing on the wall”.

For example, the Federal government estimates more than half (63%) of the 19 million new jobs that will be created in the next 10 years will require at least a B.A.

In my next post I’ll go over a more of what I learned in this report

Stay tuned…

Ben

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engineering degree online : interesting news story

Posted by bposton on October 29th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

I was reading the news in my online dorm room the other night and saw an interesting story.

Seems that a grand jury in Seneca County (in Ohio I believe) indicted a new police chief on two felony counts of tampering with records and two misdemeanor charges of “falsification involving his qualifications”.

The chief was accused of misrepresenting his credentials when applying for the police chief’s position earlier this year.

At issue is that fact that he obtained a criminal-justice degree from Concordia College and University, an online degree program in the Virgin Islands.

Now he did have 16 years of experience so that should count for something, and I’m not sure if they’re actually saying that the degree is bogus, but if he’s convicted, he could get a potential prison term of one to five years and a $10,000 fine for each felony count and a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for each misdemeanor count.

So I’ll try to keep an eye on this and let you know what happens.

But just another way to give word to the wise - make sure you check out your program!

Ben

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engineering degree online : fake diplomas - it’s a crime

Posted by bposton on October 28th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

I’ve been talking alot about fake or phoney diplomas, and degree mills.

Sorry for staying up on this soap box, but I really wanted you to understand that they are bad, bad, bad.

Actually, they’re against the law - in some states. One of those is Oregon, a state that cracks down on diploma mills all the time.

Alan Contreras works on this for the State of Oregon. Here’s a comment he made:

“You don’t want somebody with a fake degree working in Homeland Security. You don’t want somebody with a fake degree teaching your children or designing your bridges.”

I’d agree. But here’s the sad news - it’s a reported fact that investigations have found employees with diploma mill degrees at the Transportation Security Administration, the Defense Intelligence Agency and at the Departments of Treasury and Education.

A while back there was a report that one individual -  who sat on an advisory committee for the Department of Education - had two degrees from two diploma mills including Kensington University.

Kensington was forced out of business by officials in California and Hawaii.

There was also another person - A Florida State representative, who was also on the National Commission on Presidential Scholars that was another Kensington alum.

Both these people say that they worked very hard for their degree and thought it was legitimate.

What irks me is that taxpayers have probably paid for the bogus degrees of these and many other government employees. 

Just my final warning - check out the program very carefully.

OK, I’ll get off my soap box now - a least for awhile  

Ben

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