The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | Paralegal - The Next Best Thing to Becoming A Lawyer?

Posted by bposton on February 4th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Interested in the field of Law, my dorm room buddy?

Well, you’re in good company.

As the law becomes more complex (maybe thanks to the lawyers on Capital Hill ) and since people in the US will sue you at the drop of a hat, there is more demand for legal representation.

Of course, this means that there is not just a need for more lawyers, but more legal support professionals as well.  

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals will be among the top 30 fastest-growing careers in the 10-year period ending in 2014.

Interested in becoming a Paralegal?

More than just a legal secretary, the paralegal career has advanced to the point that paralegals are taking on more responsibilities that require advanced training, and employers are demanding it.

That’s why All Criminal Justice Schools (ACJS) has launched a comprehensive, 16-page career guide for people wishing to become paralegals. The online guide can be found here. 

ACIS’ guide contains up-to-date information on certification, accreditation and degree information. It is designed to give people considering paralegal careers the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about choosing schools, types of degrees and legal specialty areas.

Most important (at least to me) is that it also includes is a section on online degree programs, which is becoming more and more popular for paralegal training.

So have at it, my future paralegal…

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online degree programs psychology | military spouse discount tuition at Kaplan

Posted by bposton on January 29th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

If your spouse is in the military, then first of all you have my deepest thanks for all that you do for them and our country.

In a very small way, I’d like to post this as a way of giving back to those who have given so much.

I recently learned that Kaplan University is giving a 10 percent tuition discount for military spouses. And also that President Bush has asked Congress to allow service members to transfer unused G.I. Bill education benefits to their spouses and children.

So if you have a dream of earning or finishing your degree, then here is an opportunity to do so.

Just so you know, Kaplan is a leading provider of online higher education. They offer more than 100 academic programs that can be completed from anywhere in the world. So now, no matter where the military tells you to go, you have the flexibility of earning a degree online that could help you move to a new career or improve your current career.

By the way, Kaplan also offers a 15 percent tuition discount to all active military personnel, which they’ve been doing for a while now. They even have a dedicated military admissions team that understands the issues that active duty military personnel and their families face every day. 

The military spouse tuition discount will be available starting Wednesday, Jan. 30. If you’d like more information just call them at 866-889-4582.

And again, thanks so much for your sacrifice for our country!

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online degree programs psychology | annual online college rankings released

Posted by bposton on January 23rd, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hi there my dorm room buddy,

I thought I’d let you know that the second annual online college rankings have been released.

So, are you interested in knowing which online school is number one?

I’ll get to that later First I want to explain these rankings, who does them and how:

First who does the ranking: That’s OEDb (Online Education Database).
Founded in 2006, OEDb is dedicated to providing comprehensive reviews of accredited online colleges and universities and the degree programs they offer. OEDb is headquartered in Houston, Texas and is privately owned and operated.

Now that you know who, lets talk about how:

Each school’s ranking is based on data gathered from eight different measurement areas. These eight area are:
acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, peer Web citations, retention rate, scholarly citations, student-faculty ratio, and years accredited. 

Last year’s rankings by OEDb was the first of its kind, and each year OEDb works hard to improve upon its rankings by adding new colleges, and adding data as more information becomes available.

So, who is the number one online college, according to OEDb?

That would be Upper Iowa University
(applause, please )

Rounding out the top ten:

Nova Southeastern University
California University of Pennsylvania,
Grand Canyon University
Regent University
Champlain College
Westwood College
Tiffin University

And they give “honorable mention” to ITT Technical Institute at 16th, Kaplan University at 17th, and the University of Phoenix at 25th.

Last years top school? Grand Canyon University

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online degree programs psychology | 5 hard questions to ask before you start your online education

Posted by bposton on January 17th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

OK, so you’ve finally realized and decided that this is the year you’re
gonna start (or finish) that degree - right?

And, you’ve also decided that you’ll be taking most (if not all) of your
classes online.

So welcome to the online dormroom, good buddy!

Now, for a little “tough love”

(”What? on my first day in the online degree dormroom? )

There are a lot of online degree sites out there, and alot of wisdom on
what it takes to get your degree online. But I’d like to sum all of it up with just 5 questions…

Call it - the 5 hard questions to ask before you start your online education:

Numero Uno: Is the Online College or University you’re considering ACCREDITED?

Probably the most important question. You HAVE to look into accreditation.
Get your online degree from a non-accredited institution and you’re soon fine that
your degree is not recognized by some employers.

Or, almost as bad, that course you took will not transfer to another institutions.

Did you know that, unlike the practices of most other countries, the United States government does not ensure all online colleges are accredited?

So make absolutely sure you can answer YES to this question.

2. Can I transfer my credits?

Every online college and university has a different credit transfer policy.
So it’s very important if you’ve already earned some college credits understand the credit transfer policy before beginning an online program. Check with the institution to clarify any questions about transfer requirements, so you won’t be surprised later.

3. Do you know your Financial Aid options?

One of the most important things to consider with When researching an online college it is to look into the institution’s financial aid options. According to a 2003-04 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, 63 percent of all undergraduates receive some type of financial aid. Financial aid options include scholarships, work-study programs, grants, loans and loan-forgiveness programs.

So make sure you know how to “follow the money”

4. Are you the right kind of “learner” for an online degree program?

OK, this is tough one, because you have to be brutally honest with yourself.
Although an online education is the ideal way to learn for millions of people, it doesn’t fit everyone’s learning style.

So before you even apply for an online degree program make DARN SURE that online learning is conducive to your lifestyle. You have to think about your technology access and skills, your personal motivation and overall learning style and then decide if online learning is right for you.

5. Can you rely on your family and/or employer for support?

It’s a must that to do your best academically, you have to have the support of those closest to you. Talk this over with your family, because it WILL have an impact at home. It’s also important for you to make sure you have buy-in from the boss.

Or his boss .

Make sure your employer and manager will support you when you take your lunch hour catching up on a paper or answering a discussion question for your class.

Getting an online degree is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly and one
that will have a tremendous impact on your life. If you do things right, that impact will be very positive, such as improving your career, confidence and salary.

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online degree programs psychology | get your degree and save the world

Posted by bposton on January 10th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

OK, so here’s another reason why a goal of acheiving your degree online is a good one.

…It can help save the planet

No, it’s TRUE!

It turns out that choosing an online degree program is an incredibly easy way for
students to make an environmental impact.

That’s according to a new article from WorldWideLearn.com, the world’s premier online
education directory.

The article titled “Nine Ways to Save the World with Your College Degree” reveals
the environmental benefits associated with online education.

While there has not been much research done on this in the U.S. a number of
European organizations have already released studies that show the potential of the Internet
and other e-learning methods to radically reduce energy consumption and emissions.

At least that what the article says…

For example:

The Stockholm Environmental Institute and the UK’s Open University Design Innovation Group
found that, compared to traditional campus college courses, distance learning courses:
-   Consumed nearly 90% less energy
-   Produced 85% fewer CO2 emissions

These energy reductions included:
-   A 92% reduction in travel-related environmental impact
-   A nearly 50% reduction in paper and print consumption

So there you have it - get your degree online and help save the world!

If you want to get the article, just go to WorldWideLearn.com

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online degree programs psychology | new year = new online degree?

Posted by bposton on January 3rd, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

So it’s 2008 — and this is the year you finally decided to start or finish that degree you’ve always intended to earn.

Good for you!!!

OK, so it’s time for a reality check.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve stepped foot inside a classroom that wasn’t your kids’
then I’ve got some very good suggestions…

 - and some things to think about -

to help you follow through on your New Year’s resolution.

1. You need to decide (right now) what you’re gonna give up.

Online classes in and of themselves might only last two hours a week, but that’s not the only thing you need
to consider. You need to add approximately three hours of homework or study time per class!

So you can see that going back to school can turn out to be a major time commitment.

You need to figure out how you’re going to make time for those classes and homework.
Which might mean cutting “American Idol” or “Law & Order” from your daily schedule.

Here’s a suggestion - take classes with a friend. That often can help adult students stay focused on their schoolwork.
 
2. Research your options.

Don’t just sign up at the first online university that sends you information. You need to find the program that will best meet your needs and goals.

Ask the Admissions officer to put you in contact with current students, who can tell you about their
experiences in the program.

Ask if you can talk with professors so they can tell you what they will expect from you and what you can
expect from the class.

And if they’re available, see if you can get teacher evaluations before signing up for classes. 

3. Consult an academic adviser.

Before enrolling, make an appointment to meet with an adviser to discuss the program requirements and to create a complete course plan for you that can help you meet those requirements in as short a time as possible.

4. Explore different class formats.

Now, I normally recommend online classes, but you should consider all your options.
Don’t discount adult classes are offered in a traditional, lecture-style classroom setting. Some find them better for their type of learning style that those that can be taken online at home.

Both types of classes have postives and negatives:

 - Online courses can be taken at your own pace while wearing pajamas and sitting on your couch.

(I personally like that benefit alot )

 - Traditional classes frequently offer more personal interactions and attention.

Pick the type of class that’s right for both your schedule and learning style.

5. Investigate your financial aid options.

The very first thing you need to do is visit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Web site, fafsa.ed.gov.

To receive federal aid, whether by loans or grants, you have to first fill out the FAFSA form.
( If you can wait, I’d recommend you do this AFTER you complete your tax return because it uses alot of that information).
After that, check out your school’s scholarship resource center or financial aid Web site and visit with a financial aid officer.

6. Take it slow, and one step at a time.

Jumping in with both feet and taking four classes in your first semester might seem like a good way to get a jump-start
on your degree, but I’d sugges that it’s also a very easy way to get overwhelmed — fast.

Instead, just take a course or two (at the most) at the beginning to see if you can handle the work — both the classwork and how good you are at working the class into your other commitments.

7. Convince a friend to become a classmate.

OK, this is probably not that easy, unless you just happen to know someone who has the same goal as you - to get or finish their degree. But if you do this could be a great help to both of you.

Many people work out or train with friends because they know they have a better chance at
success if someone is there to supports them and keeps the pressurn on them to stay focused on their goal.

If you don’t have a friend to share the ride, try to make a friend with someone in your class who could be a study buddy, or join a continuing education group on campus.

8. Open your Mind!…

OK, so maybe a  glass-blowing class might not show up in your health care management degree curriculum, but that
doesn’t mean it’s not worth taking.

Taking a class in a subject you enjoy is a great way to rekindle your love of learning. And who knows? you might even uncover a passion that you never knew existed.

Good Luck!

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online degree programs psychology | An online degree refresher course for the Holidays

Posted by bposton on December 22nd, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Happy Holidays to all my online degree dorm roommates!!

With all your money going to Christmas gifts, textbooks for the next sememster, and gas, your money can stretch thin this time of year. Why not save some traveling cash by taking one or more online courses?

Here’s quick refresher course about online degrees:

You’ve seen the ads that say “Get your degree online”, but have you thought about what it means to school through an online program?

Online education, (also called distance learning and online learning), refers to taking classes over the Internet, usually using a course management system. For the most part, if you sign up for an online class, you will have access to a secure Web site with a course syllabus, reading materials, lectures, course materials discussion rooms and more. As long as your school and program are accredited, you are taking a real class, with a legitimate professor and genuine classmates.

Online education often appeals to working professionals, military personnel, and busy parents. Because you can access your class materials through the Internet, you can take your course virtually anywhere. You can login at the office during your lunch break, e-mail your professor from the airport and check your grades from your PDA.

There are different types of online education. The first is self-paced, which means that, so long as you complete your course within a certain period of time (usually 6,9 or 12 months), you can progress through your work as quickly or as slowly as you’d like. This type of online education is a great option if your schedule varies widely and the time you can dedicate to your course work is unpredictable.

“Asynchronous” courses are classes that do not require you to login in at a specific time, but require that your work be completed at a deadline assigned by the professor. This type of class is a great option for people whose learning style requires a balance of flexibility and structure. Either type allows you to fit your coursework into your busy lifestyle.

Taking classes online can help you freshen your skills and stay competitive in your industry, which helps you move up the ladder and negotiate a higher salary (or a bigger raise). Online education provides you with a way of keeping your professional goals in sight without disrupting your life.

So, save gas, and take online classes in 2008!

See you next year!

Ben
 

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online degree programs psychology | 64 Year Old earns BA online

Posted by bposton on December 16th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hello my dorm room buddy.

This story was so sweet I couldn’t resist

64-year-old Billie Norczyk of Florida recently received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida (UCF) after completing the requirements entirely online.

Her goal was to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida to expand her job options in health care but she didn’t want to trek to the main campus in Orlando to do it. So she entered their online program.

Now equipped with a bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration, the former registered nurse can pursue business-side administrative jobs in hospitals and nursing homes with more confidence. She plans to take her time weighing options.

Students such as Norczyk — working adults looking for a boost on the career ladder — are a driving force behind the growth in online education.

And more and more employers in the health-care industry and other fields say they favor making the bachelor’s degree a minimum requirement in some professional jobs because the extra years of instruction enable workers to handle more complex work with less on-the-job training.

Job prospects in the health-care industry are good in part because people are living longer, which raises demand for services.

Norczyk’s husband, John, was the one who challenged her to return to school after she lamented being turned down for a job that required a bachelor’s degree. She became a nurse before schools were offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in the profession.

She was beaming as she emerged from the first commencement ceremony to take place at UCF’s new arena, where more than 3,000 degrees will be handed out by the end of the final ceremony. She accepted hugs and kisses from friends and family who stood in a knot amid the crowd of hundreds.

Her daughter, who lives in Pennsylvania, and her son, who is stationed by the military in Afghanistan, had both been planning to watch the live webcast of the ceremony.

Now, wasn’t that a great story? 

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online degree programs psychology | Opps - I missed it!!!

Posted by bposton on November 18th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Looks like I was sleeping too much this week in the online degree dorm room, and I missed a very important event.

The National Distance Learning Week was held this week Nov 12-16

Umm - that’s not a full week, so maybe since it’s Sunday I didn’t miss it after all ??

Anyway, the National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) is an event organized by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). It’s reason for being is to generate awareness through a nationwide campaign about the growing importance of distance learning within the areas of pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets.

The USDLA is a non-profit organization, and has been a world leader in the advancement of distance learning since 1987.

There were quite a few universities that announced new initatives that coincided with this week. One of them was the University System of Georgia.

the USG launched a new website,  www.georgiaonmyline.org. to provide access to a full array of distance-education offerings from the 35 USG institutions. This is to improve service to students within the system and at other institutions in Georgia and nationally. The website provides students a searchable catalog of online courses and programs updated each semester and a central location that allows students to register and transfer credits among multiple USG institutions.

Featured among the 1,600 courses and 35 programs on the searchable website are six new online graduate programs designed for Georgia teachers. The six new online master of education programs that will be available for admission beginning in January and course registration later this fall include instructional technology, middle grades math and science, secondary math, secondary science, reading, language and literacy, and a new degree appropriate for all teaching levels called Accomplished Teaching.

Two master of arts in teaching degrees for individuals who wish to change careers and become teachers will be available in special education and in reading, language and literacy.

Five of the USG’s colleges of education are piloting this new program development and delivery model. They include Columbus State University, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, North Georgia College and State University and Valdosta State University.

USD was just one of many colleges and online universities participating in the National Distance Learning Week.

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online degree programs psychology | More Cool stuff going on…

Posted by bposton on October 26th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey, here’s even more cool stuff going on the the online dorm room…

Looks like the great state of Tennessee is tring to reduce the nursing shortage by offerin a new online degree program.

They voted last month to approve an new associate of applied science in nursing degree to be offered an online program.

“This program will help meet the current and emerging needs of the workplace for registered nurses, using alternative delivery methods and shared resources,” Paula Short, vice chancellor for academic affairs in the TBR system, said in a news release. “We applaud and thank the Board of Nursing for its vision in approving the program, which will help improve the lives of many Tennesseans.”

Back in 2004 a fed report projected a shortage of more than 13,000 registered nurses by 2006 and a shortage of 35,000 nurses in Tennessee by 2020.

And the American Hospital Association guess that there are 126,000 vacanies for registered nurse vacancies across the US -  in hospitals alone.
The Tennesee Board of Regents program will be offered beginning in spring 2008 at nine of the 13 community colleges in the system, including Jackson State Community College and Dyersburg State Community College.

Students will spend a minimum of 360 hours online, plus an additional 630 “on-ground” hours for the courses in the curriculum, not including general education and other major required credits.

Course material will be offered through the Regents Online Degree Program, while lab sessions and clinical experiences are offered on-site and supervised by faculty from participating institutions.

The projections are to have 300 students enrolled by fall 2009, with 50 graduates by fall 2009 and 100 per year starting in fall 2010.

Just so you know, the Tennessee Board of Regents is the nation’s sixth largest higher education system with 45 post-secondary educational institutions. That includes six universities, 13 two-year colleges and 26 technology centers. Overall they provide programs in 90 of Tennessee’s 95 counties to more than 180,000 students.

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