The Online Degree Dorm Room

The Most Popular Online Degree Programs - What online degrees do people want?

Posted by bposton on September 29th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

I thought I’d pass along some results of a recent survery that was done this past summer regard the types of online degrees that most popular.

There seems to be a trend shaping up if you look closely at the results, and the trend is that folks are getting more serious about the exact program they want to go for.

Maybe this is due to the fact that, with today’s job market, many are realizing that you have to be very focused on what kind of job you want, which translates to a more definiitive search for the degree program that fits that goal.

So people are make much more definite decisions about where they want to go, and how to get there, as well as understanding that they want to have a degree that will immediately prepare them for a competitive job marketplace.

So what are the most popular online degree programs?

The top 3 are business administration, nursing and criminal justice degrees, followed by health care, education and engineering.

Rounding out the remaining 4 of the top ten most popular online degrees are computers and IT, Psychology, Legal/Paralegal Degrees and Public Administration.

2 Comments »

Posted by bposton on June 25th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Just the other day I was blogging about the US Pell Grant and how it was being “beefed up” so to speak to help more students struggling to find the funds to finish college.

Well here is another avenue that you can consider. Grants offered by the institution itself.

Case in point. Ellis University, has announced what it calls an “Opportunity Grant Program” to make its degree programs more affordable to students across the globe.

The Opportunity Grant Program offers qualified students funding on a per credit basis, and is available to eligible new or continuing students for coursework that begins with the June 29th term.

The thing I like about this particular Grant program, is that it’s available for the student through the completion of his or her degree program. Of course, to remain eligible, the student must be and remain in good academic standing with the University.

Who is Ellis University?

Ellis University is an online university that offers certificates, undergraduate and master’s programs in a variety of disciplines. Based in Chicago, Illinois, they are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and they are a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The University is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.

For more information, visit www.ellis.edu or call (877) 355-4762.

No Comments »

Bad News and Good News about the College Dropout rate

Posted by bposton on June 23rd, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey there my dorm room buddy

Hope you’re enjoying the summertime.

I thought I’d pass along some good news and bad news on the college education front. 

Back in the 1960’s the college dropout rates were as low as one (1) in every five (5) students.

You DO remember the 60’s don’t you?

Well, this 1 out of 5 ratio got worse over the years, and stood at one (1) in every three (3) in the 1990s.

And it’s even worst today. Figures from the Department of Education for 2000 through 2008 show that 30% of student enrolled on schools leave in their first year and 50% never graduate.

Believe it or not, these numbers are expected to go even higher. Why?

The biggest reason is the lack of funds to finish college. Another is the fact that most who drop out of college think they can never go back since they (hopefully) have a full time job.

But here is the good news…

The advent of online degree programs are finally giving those who could not finish college a great opportunity to do so now. Sure it’s a struggle to hold down a job and go to school, but at least students can now fit online classes in their busy schedules.

As I hope I’ve pointed out time and time again, even though it is a challenge to study online it is a lot simpler to attend online classes than missing classes in traditional colleges. You can have a one-on-one interaction with your professor via emails and Instant Messaging. You can also attend lectures anywhere (and anytime) so long as you have an internet connection. And, most importantly, you can usually go at your own pace and time schedule. 

Now, what about the lack of funds? Well there is good news here too. It appears that the US government is working on a to help in offering financial aid to the many students who qualify for the federal financial aid – i.e. the Pell Grant.

Last I heard, Congress will now allow up to a maximum of $5500 to those seeking their degree and who have insufficient funds to help with their college education.

To learn more about the Pell Grant check out the US Government website:

http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html 
 

No Comments »

Online courses help retirees live out their dreams

Posted by bposton on April 5th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Does this sound like you?…

Your children have grown and the nest is empty, your mortgage is paid off (or almost) and you’re thinking of retirement…

…or maybe a part-time retirement given the current economic mess.  

So since us Americans are living longer than ever (an expected 77 to 78 years according to the Centers for Disease Control), how will you spend your golden years?

More and more, retirees are pursuing their dreams through what some call “encore careers”.

Let’s say that you’ve always wanted to pursue a passion, or perhaps to run your own business. Retirement provides a great opportunity to finally be able to do what you’ve long dreamt of doing.

Although most retirees have a lot of work experience, starting a new career may require additional education and training. So dust off those old interests and refresh your skills by taking a course at home.

Today, one of the most popular ways to study at home is through online courses. From online degree programs to professional certification courses, more and more schools are offering a traditional education over the Internet.

Across the United States, thousands of schools offer distance education to students based anywhere in the world.

The possibilities are limitless, and age is not a consideration or a problem.

In fact many schools prefer to have students over the age of 25. With professional and life experience to enrich class conversation, classmates can learn from both the professor and you.

You can find class types to suit every schedule.

For example, self-paced courses allow you to study on your own time. As long as you complete all the work within six, nine or 12 months, you can take as long as you want.

Asynchronous online programs let you login whenever you want, but everyone is required to complete their work
on the same day.

Regardless of the type, all online programs offer the benefits of convenience and flexibility. As long as you have access to the Internet, you can still travel wherever you please, study whenever you want and still be able to earn your degree, or become certified in a professional field.

So, if you’ve always wanted to study photography or become a freelancer or consultant, now you can make it happen.

No Comments »

Is this the number 1 online school in the USA?

Posted by bposton on March 12th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Here’s a newsflash, my little dorm room buddy… 

This year Nova Southeastern University, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was ranked No. 1 in OEDB’s 2009 Online College Rankings.

OEDB stands for Online Education Database, which is an organization that which ranks the top online colleges in the nation. 

In second place went to Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., followed by Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., in third.

While Nova boasts a 300-acre campus with classrooms and students living on university grounds, their online program is growing and now offers 78 online degree and certificate programs.  The school has virtual students in nearly every state.

According to the information used in the ranking, online classes at Nova take advantage of a number of web resources, including threaded discussion boards, chat rooms, email and other online tools. Course materials are all available online and there’s genuine student-teacher interaction as well.

The OEDB survey is based entirely on numerical data derived from eight metrics: acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, peer Web citations, retention rate, scholarly citations, student-faculty ratio and years accredited.

Here’s how Nova sized up in those categories:
Acceptance rate: 51%
Financial aid: 96% of students receive financial aid.
Graduation rate: 47%
Peer Web citations: Close to 5,000. (Peer web citations are links to Nova’s web site from another college’s web sites. It’s kind of a popularity contest. Nova won this category by a landslide.)
Retention rate: 60% This measures the student body’s overall interest in what is being offered by the school.
Scholarly citations: 11,800. Through a Google Scholar search, Nova had 11,800 references to scholarly academic work, the most of any online school.
Student-faculty ratio: No data.
Years accredited: 38

Undergrads at Nova Southeastern can enroll in online programs such as education, computer science, health science and psychology. There are even more online programs for graduate students in the fields of business, law, education, osteopathic medicine, psychology and more.

So, is this the number 1 online school in the USA?

Well if you agree with the numbers, then it probably is. But just because it ranks well, doesn’t mean it’s the right school for YOU. Make sure you do your own research and decide if the courses, environment, educators, etc are what you need to succeed in your online education.

No Comments »

Happy New Year from The Online Degree Dorm Room

Posted by bposton on January 3rd, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to all my dorm room buddies to say Happy New Year!

I hope you had a great Holiday Season. Now it’s back to work or back to school - or both!

So - what is YOUR New Year Resolution? If it’s to get that college degree that you’ve always wanted to get, the congratulations - you’ve take the first step. Now let this blog help you figure out which degree is right for you and where to get it.

You may have decided to go full speed ahead and shoot for a 4 year B.S. or B.A. degree, or maybe you want to start with a 2 year Associates Degree. Either way may sure you read some of these posts to learn the best way to go about it.

If you’re interested in an Associates (AA) degree, then make sure you come back to this blog, because in a couple of days I’m going to post a guide to getting Associate degrees online and I’ll also be giveing you a great resourse you can use to help find the best one for you.

So stay tuned, and have a great 2009!

No Comments »

online degree programs psychology | Something new…

Posted by bposton on May 6th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hello my dorm room buddy

Hope all is well and your exams didn’t blow your mind…

I came across this story this other day and thought it was quite interesting.

Most universites know how to reach out new students, Tiffin University is doing something no other school has tried:

They create an online college just to get students to its school.

Ivy Bridge College is an online-only school developed and run by Tiffin University
offering associate degrees which can open up doors to a four-year degree at Tiffin
and other schools.

Just what is Tiffin?

Well, they are an independent, coeducational institution that has been educating
students since 1888, and they’ve achieved national recognition for its accredited
on-campus and online courses.

Tiffin’s Ivy Bridge program is designed particularly to help students who need extra
academic assistance to succeed and will team students with coaches who will monitor
their progress.

Specifically, Ivy Bridge College offers:

Log On Anytime. Students can log on to take classes at any time, setting their own
schedule, and completing the program in as little as 20 months.

Connection with teachers and students. The school is encouraging email contact with
teachers, news group discussions, online chats, and office hours. Students will be
able to connect with each other as well.

A planned path. Ivy Bridge has agreements in place with Tiffin University and dozens
of other colleges and universities throughout the United States. These agreements
make it easier for students to be accepted into and to transfer credits to four-year
institutions once they have completed their Ivy Bridge degree.

Earn a highly prized degree. Ivy Bridge students will earn a Tiffin University degree,
which is authorized by the Ohio Board of Regents and accredited by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission (NCA) and by the Association of
Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Applications for new students is currently under way, so if you’re still just thinking about starting with an online course - stop thinking and start doing!

No Comments »

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

No Comments »

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!
 

No Comments »

online degree programs psychology | financial aid to get your degree online

Posted by bposton on January 14th, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

So, you want to start the New Year by going back to school and getting or finishing your degree online, right?

Alot of folks have this same goal, but they often put it on hole when holiday bills start rolling in.

Did you know that the average American household has about $10,000 in credit card debt? And a lot of that is left over from holiday spending. So this is can be a major hurdle stopping you from fullfilling your New Year’s resolution to get your degree. 

But there is hope…

eLearners.com, a resource of EducationDynamics that connects students to online education, has introduced one of the most robust financial aid resources on the web, the eLearners Student Loans and Financial Aid Center.

This center provides prospective students like you with an up-to-date database of more than 2.4 million scholarships
totaling $15 billion in financial aid.

One of the most unique features of eLearners.com is The Debt-Free College Guide which can give students over 500 debt-free financing options, including:

Grants
Tax incentives
Scholarships
And the most comprehensive list of loan forgiveness programs on the Internet

eLearners.com’s Student Loans and Financial Aid Center helps prospective and current students identify
and understand financing options for higher education. In addition to detailed information about financial aid,
loan consolidation and employer tuition assistance programs, visitors can also find a loan-buying guide that eLearners.com built in collaboration with The Greentree Gazette. The site allows prospective students to compare more than 300 student loans by loan vendor, type, up-front fees and interest rate.

So check out eLearners.com’s Student Loans and Financial Aid Center. It could very well be the what you’re looking for to get going with your online degree this year.

4 Comments »