The Online Degree Dorm Room

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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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 | How to make sure your online degree is worth the value

Posted by bposton on September 6th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Thinking about getting an online degree, but need one fast?

Then you better watch out for the diploma mills. 

Here’s how to make sure the degree your get won’t be worthless…

Everybody want’s things now, and a degree is no exception. There are a lot of ways to get a degree online in what I call the “fast-track” method.

You need to be aware of the fact that the most common fast-track degrees that can be earned with a minimum cost are something called “Life Experience” degrees. With these types of degrees, you gain credit for what you have learned in your job or any past experience.

But be wary. There are some of these “Life Experience” degree programs come with zero hour courses, and every others that allow you to complete the degree requirements in just a few days. Proceed with extreme caution. Many (if not most) of the diploma mills are issuing Life Experience degrees. Which are bascially worthless.

Although there are some online degree programs that count in you life experience, the credits from these life experience may just a small part of the total credit hours needed to complete the degree program.

Here’s an easy rule of thumb - if it is too easy to get a degree, then it really is not worth the paper it is printed on.

In order to protect yourself from the diploma mill scam and ensure your degree is worth the value, consider of taking a degree program that:

     * Require at least two years to complete the degree.

    * Come from a university that is listed in accreditation database of CHEA.org

    * Followes degree courses and either do not give andy credit, or only minimal credit  for your life experience.

    * is Offered by reputable university that have many good or positive feedbacks from online forums, or discussion boards.

If you’re even slightly suspicious about on any of the degree program you look at, then it’s better to drop it from your list then taking the risk to enroll it. You should be able to find the same online degree program from a prestige and reputable university.

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online degree programs psychology | Online course evaluations fail

Posted by bposton on August 25th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Soooo…

there was this university that had both classroom and online courses, and they wanted to get feedback from the students on how they liked the delivery of each type of class, physical and online.

So they prepared evaluations for both types of classes…

And the online evaluations failed…:-(

Not because the students didn’t like the online course. They failed because the trial proved unsuccessful because of low student participation.

So if you’re an online student and get send an online course evaluation, make sure you understand the implications of course evaluations.

In this test case, forty-one percent of the student body responded to the online evaluations compared to 75 percent who filled out the paper-and-pencil option. 

So this college will not test online evaluations for at least a year. And that’s a shame.

Ultimately, course evaluations exist to serve the student body. With adequate feedback, professors would be better equipped to improve courses and programs.

Online course evaluations not only allow students to respond on their own time, they allow for course-specific questions, making it possible for students to offer more constructive and accurate feedback.

But, alas, the course evaluations don’t hold a high place in most students’ priority lists.

Some students say they prefer the hand-administered version of course evaluations because they would rather spend class time answering them as opposed to their free time.

The potential improvements the online course evaluations offer the university outweigh any excuse for these students’ failure to spend the two minutes to fill out an online evaluation.

Students should take time to think beyond their immediate convenience and consider the long-term benefits of their two-minute investment in course evaluations.

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online degree programs psychology | More about K-State’s new online master’s program

Posted by bposton on December 17th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Here’s a little more information about Kansas State University’s new online master’s degree program in community development.

A student enrolled in this new program will find that the course work includes many  perspectives and the latest materials from the field of community development. Along with interaction with faculty, students will take required courses in principles and strategies of community change, organizing for community change, community analysis, community and regional economic analysis, and community and natural resource management.

After those courses, a student will be able to chose elective courses from among several tracks, which currently include working with native communities, building economic capacity and natural resource management. As the demand for the program builds over time, more elective tracks will be added to the program.

You’ll get your master’s degree after completion of 36 credits, which include either a thesis project or a non-thesis — course only — option.

K-State got together on this with five other participating universities — Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska and South Dakota State University.

At K-State, the program will be administered through the graduate program in regional and community planning, offered through the department of landscape architecture and regional and community planning in K-State’s College of Architecture, Planning and Design.

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online degree programs psychology | K-State’s new online program

Posted by bposton on December 17th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey, I just just heard that Kansas State University is putting together a new online master’s degree program in community development that they say will be the first of its kind.

Here’s how it came together -

The faculty K-State have partnered with other universities, all through something called the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance.

THe online program is designed to accelerate the work of those who are already at work in rural community planning and development. So now these folks have the opportunity to achieve a master’s degree online while applying their new skills and knowledge in the settings where they work.

Great idea, in my opinion - and it shows one of the benefits on online education.

The new community development master’s degree program was officially approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in November. And if you’re interested, they begin enrolling in the spring 2007 semester.

K-State got together on this with five other participating universities — Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska and South Dakota State University.

Each of these are providing nationally recognized faculty for the program instruction. These teachers come from several disciplines, including architecture, agriculture, regional and community planning, economics, Native American studies, sociology and speech communication.

And get this - students may choose at which of these universities they would like to matriculate.

I like it even better now

Funding for the development of the program was provided by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Higher Education Challenge grant, a U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education grant, and a Council of Graduate Schools Professional Master’s Program planning grant, which were received by K-State’s Institute for Academic Alliances and Iowa State University’s North Central Regional Center for Rural Development.

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | Is bigger really better?

Posted by bposton on December 17th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

So which type of institution is best a delivering online courses?

Is it the institution that is the biggest online university, or is it the smaller brick and mortar college that offers online courses as part of it’s overall program.

I’m afraid the answer is different for everyone. It really depends on the type of program you’re looking for. Is it a four year undergraduate degree or an MBA? If it’s an MBA then you can find a wide selection of online programs across the country.

It then depends on how well you know the instituion.

Here are some facts about two of the largest online degree-granting institutions in the USA:

FIrst, we have the University of Phoenix. A Huge presence in the online degree world. You probably see their ads all over the internet.

University of Phoenix got started about 30 years ago, and it began with online courses in 1989. It now has about 300,000 enrollments and offers something like 126 degrees and certificates.

If you can’t find a program at UOP, it’s probably nowhere

They have 191 campus centers, some of which are at military bases.

Yes, it’s huge. Probably the biggest. BUT…

Did you you know that it was fined by the U.S. Dept. of Education and Dept. of Labor?

And did you know that for whatever reason, it has earned a Web site devoted to it called uopsucks.com?

Here’s another big instituition - Capella University.

Capella’s head of operations is in Minneapolis, Minn., was they were incorporated in 1991.

Interesting fact - Capella was founded by the head of Tonka.

Capella received their first accreditation in 1997, and they original focus was on graduate programs and their market was serving military students. They now have about 16,000 enrollments.

Again, Capella is big. BUT…

Did you know that it’s under audit by U.S.Department of Education?

And did you know that some states won’t license students from Capella programs because their programs don’t meet state standards?

I’m not trying to scare you aware from either of these schools. Overall I think they’re OK. The point I’m trying to make is be VERY careful. Do a complete evaluation of the program any school has and do some research. In fact, do a LOT of research on the school.

You’ll thank yourself in the long run if you do

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online degree programs psychology | Windows or Mac for your onine classes

Posted by bposton on December 15th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

I got a question about my post on computer hardware. The question is:

Do I need a Windows PC or a Mac computer?

Good question!

However I’m afraid the answer is not that easy

If you are in the market for a computer to use for college classes, I recommend that you check with the college to see if they recommend one or the other.

That will depend on the type of degree program you’re in as well. For example, if you’re taking an Graphics Art degree program, once you get past the general education requirements the Art College may require a Mac computer. If you’re taking business classes then a Windows PC is probably OK.

So again, check with the college. Now if you’re not in a specific degree program and just taking a class here an there, then I don’t think it makes as much of a difference, but you should check nonetheless.

One last thing - today’s Mac computer is able to run most if not all of today’s Windows programs. In addition, the Mac is less prone to virus and other problems that have plagued the Windows PC for years. So if you don’t have a computer yet, take a serious look at the Mac.

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online degree programs psychology | a short software primer for onine classes

Posted by bposton on December 15th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

So what kind of software do you need for the computer you’re going to use to take online classes?

Well that gets into the second section of this primer - the specific requirements.

A lot of this depends on the technology that the college uses to deliver the class online. and what form that content is in.

For example, some of the electronic textbooks that are used with online courses are in a .pdf format, which means you’ll need a program like adobe reader to see the book on your computer. Not to worry though, adobe reader is a free program.

The college or class will probably define the type of word processing software you need to use, such as Microsoft Word. They may also recommend an entire suite of software like Microsoft Office Professional or iLife Suite. These are not free, so you need to pay attention to those requirements.

You need to take a little time and get into the software requirements for the class. If you’re not sure, contact the professor or the admissions folks and ask them to clarify anything that is not clear to you. It’s important that you understand and can have the right software for the class you are taking. You don’t want to get behind just because your software is not what they recommend.

One last thing - software is becoming less and less of an issue these days. That’s because alot of the software that is being used is being stored on the college servers and delivered to the student. One example of this is Webex, a program that lets you see another person’s computer and have a discussion. The software is normally delivered to you computer via the internet so you don’t have to go out and buy or install anything.

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online degree programs psychology | a short hardware primer for onine classes

Posted by bposton on December 15th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

So what type of computer do you need to take an online class?

The answer can be divided into two sections: first there’s the basics requirements and then there are the specific requirements.

First, the basics. Most communication for an online class is done via e-mail or discussion group (some call it chat rooms), and most if not all of the transactions between you and the instituion, such as class registration, is done via Internet.

You also probably have some electronic textbooks or a combination of hard copy books and electronic books, most of which are in a .pdf format.

So what does that all mean when it comes to the computer you need?

Well, you need a computer that is capable of accessing the internet, and you need to have some form of high speed internet access. Such as DSL, cable modem.

Although some classes are still done via dial-up modem over the internet, I don’t recommend you stick with dial-up access. If you’re serious about taking online classes you will need high speed internet access. That’s because the technology is best used on that type of access.

Also your computer needs to have a fairly fast processor, which means the size of the chip on the CPU. If you don’t know what CPU stands for then let’s just say that you’re better off with a fast computer than an slow one. The geeks at best buy and help you figure that one out

How fast? Well most schools have a webpage where they recommend the minimum technical specifications of the computer. If you have a computer that’s more than 3 years old then you may want to consider reviewing these requirements. If you computer is fairly new then it more than likely already meets or exceeds the requirements.

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