The Online Degree Dorm Room

7 Reasons Why You Should Get An Online Degree In Today’s Economy

Posted by bposton on September 2nd, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

There are a lot of people from all walks of life who are seeking out a way to learn online in today’s tough economy. Should you be one of them? Well, here’s a few reasons why now may be a great time to get a degree online.

Help keep the job you already have.

While there is no such thing as an indispensable employee, if you focus on increasing your skill sets right now you can certainly bring more value to your organization. So if you still have a job - now is the time to take note of the areas that you could use improvement and seek out some online learning to help. In addition, you can also focus on new skills, like network certification, web design, etc.

Help if the worst does happen.

Even if you have a job today, the worst case scenario could occur - you could lose your job. In this case, if you have completed any courses online this could make you a more attractive candidate in today’s job market.

Put more in your pocket.

After you have your degree from an online university or online program, you still might be able to ask for a raise - yet. But when things get better at your company, you chances of seeing more in your paycheck improve.

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Helps if you have to make a change.

If you lose your job, or can’t find a good job, take some time now to explore other fields and careers that may increase your employment prospects. For example, consider getting an online degree in areas that aren’t normally affected by the economy, such as education or something in the health care field.

Get your share of the scholarship pie.

Lost of universities and online colleges will provide assistance to those seeking to get federal loans for their education There are lots of options out there, some of which don’t require you to pay anything until you finish your degree program. And if you’re still employed, make sure you check into your company’s tuition reimbursement policy. You might be able to get your organization to foot the bill. If you already have student loans, you may even be able to have those payments deferred if you enroll in an online degree program.

Get great gas mileage.

If you focus on getting an online degree, you won’t have to commute to school every day. That could save you a bunch of money on gas.

Be a spare time student.

Whether you’re still employed or not, it’s probably not possible for you to attend school full time. So if you look into an online degree program, and start in your spare time, you should be able to earn your new degree while balancing either a full time or part time job, or the adventure of seeking new employment, which is a full time job all by itself!

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Do I need an IPhone to be a Gator?

Posted by bposton on July 4th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

OK, since my daughter (and a lot of my money) when to the University of Florida, when I read this story, I just had to pass it along to all my dorm room buddies…

Looks like UF announced recently that for students enrolling in one of it’s programs would be required to own either an IPhone or Ipod Touch. It seems that UF is the second university to require the Apple product.

According to information on the College of Pharmacy website, all students entering UF’s PharmD students must “have a iPod touch (or iPhone) and a computer meeting minimum UF and College of Pharmacy (COP) requirements,” 

Now, don’t get me wrong, UF is a great school (in my humble opinion ). It’s usually ranked in the top 10 every year by US News and World Report. The school began offering its Doctor of Pharmacy online degree program way back in 1994, and now, according to the school, this program has become one of the sought after pharmacy programs around. 

But, an IPhone? Give me a break. Why do I have to go out and get an Iphone (and subscribe to AT&T’s lousy service to boot)?

Sure, health care is one of the more recession proof career paths out there, and evidently, Apple’s developers have added a ton of software apps like medical reference applications, blood glucose monitor accessories, and the like. But why make it required?

UF is the second school to post this type of requirement. Last May the University of Missouri said that beginning this fall, all of its journalism students will be required to own an iPhone or iPod touch.

So what’s going on? Well, a little research uncovered that UF later announced that they would not actually enforce the requirement, and that they only listed it so that students would have an idea of what to budget for in their estimates of financial need.

What? Students actually budget?

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State Budget Woes Could End Online Degree Progams

Posted by bposton on June 11th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

On a national level, the growth of online education has been tremendous, growing a close to 20 percent a year over the past 10 years. Today, there are around 1.9 million people are working toward their degrees online. That number equates to about 11 percent of all college students.

While this number is expected to rise even further, some state university online degree programs will be taking a bit hit in their numbers - all due to the sour economy and resulting defecits in state budgets.

Take North Carolina as an example.

While the North Carolina General Assembly is currently grappling with how to balance their budget, one thing seems certain - a drastic cut in funding for online program development at the state’s universities.

Some expect the cuts to online programs to be 50% or higher. In addition, some schools, like East Carolina University, have already diverted online education funds to make up for budget cuts elsewhere.

North Carolina’s public universities started rolling out online programs about five years ago, and the number of programs is about double what it was just two years ago.

But that growth could come to an abrupt end very soon.

Some schools, like NC State University, have already seen a decline in online enrollment, due to the lack of new programs. State budget cuts are targeting this very area - the development of new online degree programs.

Each school has a budget for program development and those numbers are expected to be cut in half - or more. So for now NC schools will have do make due with less, and focus on the limited number of degree programs they were already developing.

And the worst case scenario is that there will not be enough funding to keep the current programs running.

North Carolina is just one example. With 48 of the 50 US States currently experiencing budget woes and the chances are that online degree programs at State Universities are going to take it on the chin.

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Arizona High schoolers can get credit for college online

Posted by bposton on April 27th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hi there my little dorm room buddy.

I hope that your exams go well, and that your plans for the summer are shaping up nicely.  

If you are still a high school student, or know someone who is, then this information may be of great importance. There are a lot of high-school students out there who have no idea what to expect of college. In fact even if they have some expecations, many are intimidated at the thought of pursuing a college degree, and that keeps them from acheiving higher goals in life.

Yes, a lot of high schools due offer advanced classes that can be used toward college credit, but the big difference between high school and college is the experience of being taught by a college professor instead of a high school teacher. 

So to help students who otherwise might not pursue a college education feel a sense of ease and comfort in pursuing a degree, the Arizona Charter Academy (ACA) and Grand Canyon University (GCU) are collaborating to offer online concurrent- and dual-credit programs for high-school students, taught by GCU faculty on the high-school campus.

It’s a know fact that if a student can get college credit in high school, then they are much more likely to consider going on to college. There are many students who have had no exposure to college so this concurrent-credit program can help them get a feel for the college experience in an unobtrusive way and help them come to understand that for them a college degree is actually achievable.

Online classes are taught by GCU faculty in ACA’s computer lab for $60 per credit hour, which is less than community-college courses. ACA even provides scholarships for students who can’t afford the tuition. In addition, next semester the school will be offering on-site college courses for students who prefer more structured classes.

Getting credit for college in an online environment is certainly the least intimidating and most affordable option for most students, and this credit program at ACA is taking that and offering up a great opportunity for high schoolers.

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Online Degrees - Don’t forget these important points to getting your degree online

Posted by bposton on March 4th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

In today’s down job market, one way to make your resume stand out is to have an advanced degree.

But you have to realize that it’s now as easy as some schools make it sound.

While it is true that Online masters programs are often less expensive and  more convenient than traditional degree programs there are several issues that you need to think about.

Regardless of how you earn your degree, remember that it’s not a ticket to six-figure paycheck or job security — consider the slew of MBA casualties on Wall Street in recent months. But if you think it will give your career a kick, here are a few points to keep in mind.

The first one is the fact that you have be self-motivated. This is a MUST.
An online degree program doesn’t force you to sit in a classroom and because of that you don’t always have social support group.

THe next one is picking the right school.

Many traditional universities also offer online courses. At some schools, such as Duke and Columbia universities, select masters programs are entirely online.

If you’re not set on getting a degree from a traditional institution, online-only schools can be viable options. For instance, the University of Phoenix offers master’s programs in business, education health care and psychology. Other career-focused schools, such as DeVry University, also offer masters programs online.

But be vary wary of any online school that promises a quick and easy time to get your sheepskin. They may ask for only a fraction of the total cost of a traditional degree in tuition and have names that echo those of prestigious universities. But when their mailing addresses is a P.O. box - run away - FAST

Always remember that the U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accredited schools on its Web site (www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation) and you can also check the site of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation at www.chea.org.

Also, the admissions process for an online program at Duke or other traditional universities is the same as their on campus programs, while online-only schools have admissions that are typically on a rolling, monthly basis.

Another issue is your courses and cirriculum.

It you think that course work will be easier because it’s online - forget it, it won’t…

In fact, at traditional schools the online materials are usually the same or at least comparable to what’s taught in classrooms.

As with any degree related course, you’ll be expected to hand in periodic assignments - on time

So if you are more accustomed to the structure and disipline that a physical classroom provides, then meeting these deadlines with an online class might be a struggle.

Of course, the benefit to all of this is that you can study when and where you please.

Another beneft is the fact that you might actually interact with classmates and professors more with an online class than if you were in a lecture hall packed with hundreds of students. Chat rooms, frequent e-mail exchanges and online message boards are often integral elements of online courses.

Also be aware that for certain degrees, like those in the medical profession, you’ll likely need to complete some courses in person at some type of facility.

Another issue is cost - and with that - financial aid. Online degrees are typically cheaper than traditional programs, but tuition is still considerable.

At the University of Phoenix, for instance, tuition for full-time graduate students was $13,500 in 2007, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. At the American Intercontinental University Online, it was $21,300.

But that doesn’t mean you have to pay the full price. If you’re getting a paycheck that will limit how much federal aid you can qualify for, but by all means, still fill out the FSAFA application. Another (and often better) resource for aid might be your employer. Professional associations also offer scholarships and stipends, and don’t forget the instituion itself - there are a lot of universities and online-only schools that offer scholarships.

You really should not worry about how a potential employer will accept your degree from an online program, so long as it is accredited by the right institution, especially if it is comes from a traditional university.

But ultimately, the decision to get a master’s degree boils down to whether you think an advanced degree of any sort will boost your career.

Here’s something that might help in that decision: According to the Census Bureau, median earnings for people with a graduate or professional degree was $61,000 in 2007. That’s compared to $47,000 for people with just a bachelor’s degree.

If you are currently employed, make sure that one of the first things you do is to talk with your human resources department. Ask what new opportunities additional schooling could open up or how it could affect your pay.

And don’t forget that even if your currently employer doesn’t offer you more money or a better position because of your new degree, any edge you can get is worth considering in this job market.

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online degree programs psychology | Best Online Degree for Your Dollar

Posted by bposton on September 16th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

OK, my online degree dorm roomate - are you still thinking about improving your career propects by earning an online masters degree in management?

Want to save several thousand dollars and earn your masters degree at a top ranked online university?

Sure you do!

Well, now you can do both. There is a website out there called GetEducated.com and they’ve just come out with a new comparative college rankings of online universities, Top Ranked Consumer Best Buys in Online Masters Degrees Management Education.

Here’s a little of what they included in their rankings.

How about a regionally accredited distance learning masters in management that cost only $4,709?

Yep, you read it right. That’s what you’ll pay if your are a North Carolina resident and enroll at Western Carolina University seeking a Masters in Project Management.

And since I live in North Carolina, and I tell you that Western Carolina is a VERY good school. It’s not in a very populated area like Raleigh or Charlotte, (some say it’s in the boonies, but that’s not true either) but it has a very good reputation.

So how does that compare to the most expense online degree? Well how about spending as much as over $51,000 to get a Masters in Management Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon University?

 Yikes!!!

The average cost of an online masters degree in management is just under $21, 000 according to GetEducated.com’s national survey of online education.

Or how about the University of South Dakota’s multiple online masters in administrative studies, which was ranked number 10 in the survey and is just over $10,000. This is a great example of the budget deals available to you if you take the time to compare online education masters.

So make sure you do your homework; Check out the accreditation, and the cost.

And make sure that you follow the experts advice and check out publicly funded online university systems, such as the University of South Dakota, for the best programs at the best price. Over 70% of government-funded universities now offer online degrees.

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | High Gas Prices Could Mean More Online Degrees

Posted by bposton on June 9th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey there my little dorm room buddy…

Don’t know about you, but gas prices are driving me CRAZY!!

In today’s ecomony, high gas prices are actually having a good news / bad news affect on the online degree industry.

On the one hand, high gas prices are forcing educators and students alike to take a much harder look at online degree programs.

For example, the Tennessee Board of Regents has called for a statewide effort to cut down on students’ drive time, asking schools under their jurisdiction to condense class schedules and reach out to students with their online education programs. As a result, enrollment in the Regents Online Degree Program is up 29 percent over last year, and 72 percent of those who have enrolled say gasoline prices are the reason they are pursing online courses.

So that’s the good news - an online degree can save a ton of money in gas.

So what’s the bad news??

Well, because gas prices are so high, and the ecomony is in such bad shape, a lot of folks that could use a degree are finding it much harder to shell out the money to oay for one.

Usually, Universities and two-year institutions benefit to some degree from economic downturns because struggling individuals looking for higher-paying jobs turn to education.

But with today’s gas prices pinching businesses and individuals’ purse strings, fewer are willing to budget for the cost of that education. 

When you think about the fact that in today’s poor ecomony, the hardest pressed group is an adult part-time student who is already juggling a family and a job or two. Often times they just can’t justify the cost of more education.

Sort of a double edged sword. so to speak…

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online degree programs psychology | another online degree success story

Posted by bposton on April 16th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey my online degree dorm room buddy:

Here’s a great story about Stefanie Lund, 33, of Gulf Port, Miss.

She had all but given up on her dream to earn a college degree.

If fact, Stef has been through an awful lot, such as surviving Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, a colorectal cancer syndrome that ultimately led to a full colectomy.

Not to mention the fact that she move 37 times after high school.

But now this 33 year old mother of 3 has finally found a way to a better future — through Flint-based Baker College Online.

“Baker Online changed everything,” she said. “No matter how bad I felt, I could keep doing it … and when I left New Jersey for Georgia and then to Mississippi, I could take college with me.”

Now, after a packed day of homeschooling her children, she does her own classwork sometimes as late as 4 a.m.

No re-applying for financial aid, no re-doing credits, just re-connecting to the Internet.

Lund started pursuing her online degree at Baker in 2005 after reading about the program on the Internet. Now she’s two years away from a bachelor’s degree in marketing. After studying business through Baker, she has also become a jewelry merchant, runs a wholesale home decor business and works as a Baker Online tutor.

Lund is among the growing number of students at the Flint-based Baker Online program, who has seen their online student population increase from 2,900 students in 2005 to 4,700 students in 2007.

Now that’s what I call a great online degree success story!

Hey Stef - you’re welcome at our dorm room anytime!

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | economy goes down, degree search goes up

Posted by bposton on March 5th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Ahhhhh…

Spring Break…..

So I decided to take some time during the break to do a little research, and here’s what i found.

(I thought it was very interesting…)

It seems that every time the U.S. economy starts to fail, the search for college degree programs increases.

According to a February 21, 2008 Conference Board report, the US leading economic index steadily decreased between October 2007 and January 2008.

And during that same period, resources for online degrees showed an increase in visitors. Some, like SchoolsGalore.com, experienced a whopping 27% increase in visitors searching for higher education.

So this proves that our national labor force identifies a need to be better educated at times when the US economy seems to be slipping.

It can also be seen as those that have put off getting their degree have gotten a wake-up call from the rush of forclosures and stock market declines.

:-(

It’s a well know fact that the competition for good jobs is extremely tight, even more so in a falling economy. A college degree is always highly regarded by employers. In fact, a college degree is almost always required to qualify for employment these days. There is little room for the uneducated laborer without college level credentials.

So hang in there, get that degree, or - if you haven’t started yet, today’s economy is proof that now is good time to get going!
 

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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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