The Online Degree Dorm Room

Associate Online Degree Programs | All About Associate Degrees - Part 7

Posted by bposton on November 21st, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

I’d like to wrap up my posts about associate degrees with some things to consider when choosing a program, either on campus or online.

You need to make sure that whatever program you’re interested in is both fully accredited and the credits transferable. This is important even if you don’t intend to move on to a 4 year degree.

So how do you make sure of this?

Well, the best way is to follow the same rule that the US does in it’s relationship with Russia:

“Trust but Verify”

That means you need to verify with third party sources the accrediation status of the community college or junior college you want to attend. Don’t just trust what their information or website tells you. Check with the accrediting agency and even the department of education at the state or federal level if you need to.

Next, if you’re planning to transfer to a 4 year school, you should check with that school to make absolutely sure that the credits you earn at the community college will be accepted at the 4 year school. This is critical! Do just assume, and don’t take the community college’s word for it. Check it out for yourself.

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | All About Associate Degrees - Part 6

Posted by bposton on November 21st, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

I’m getting close to wrapping up this series of posts about associate degrees, but before I do I wanted to make sure you understood the advantages of getting an associate degree.

Here are some of the advantages:
 

Since it’s normally a two year program, getting an associate degree can be completed sooner than a bachelor’s degree. 

Today many skilled trades and professions, as well as high-paying technical jobs require an associate degree in a specialized field. Those types of jobs are predicted to increase over the next several years.

An associate degree is less expensive overall than a bachelor’s degree. Tuition is usually a lot less, and you normally pay less for room and board. In fact, a lot of students stay at home with their parents when enrolled in an associate degree program since most community colleges lack dorms.

(I have to interject here that since a lot of community colleges and 4 year colleges now offer online programs, the room and board aspect of this is a mute point.)

You can normally find a community college very close to home. There are many more community colleges and 4 year colleges, so you’re more likely to find one that’s close and that offers the courses that you’re looking for.

(Another interjection - with associate online degree programs, distance is not as much of an issue. However, some online programs still have minimal on-campus work requirements, so keep that in mind.)

People with associate degrees are more marketable than ever before since there has been an increase in the reputations of many community and junior colleges.

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | All About Associate Degrees - Part 4

Posted by bposton on November 20th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

Part 4 in my series, which I should be calling

Everything you wanted to know about an Associates Degree, but were afraid to ask

Here’s something you probably did already know. That the cost of getting an associate degree at a community college is normally much less than at a four-year college or university, even a public one. That’s why more and more students are choosing to attend a community college for two years to reduce the ever-increaseing costs of getting a bachelor’s degree. First, community colleges offer a great education in the way of associate degree programs at a great price. Second, many students are getting thier first 2 of their 4 year degree by going to a community college for 2 years with the intention of transfering to a 4 year school to finish their degree.

Be aware, however, that this is not as easy as it sounds. Especially for students who want to finish their 4 years in an out of state university.

That being said, it’s also been reported that even international students are now looking into the possiblities that US community colleges give in the way of lowering costs.

Even though the costs are higher for international and out of state students, it’s still cheaper that going a full 4 years at an out of state (or out of country) university.

So , if you’re on a tight budget, you should seriously consider associate degree programs at community colleges and junior colleges as way to cut costs.

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Associate Online Degree Programs | All About Associate Degrees - Part 1

Posted by bposton on November 20th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

OK, I found a note on my online dorm room door last night that asked sort of a strange
question - “Can you tell me everything you know about Associate Degrees?”

Well, if I could tell you everything I know it would take a few weeks

But we’ll just cover the basics over the next few posts, OK?

First - a simple definition.

An associate degree is a 2-year degree given by two types of colleges upon completion of an associate degree program. The two types are Community Colleges and Junior Colleges.
So, I guess you already knew that right?

So here’s something you might not know - the diference between Community College and Junior Colleges:

Community colleges are operated by the local government and are financed by public funds. On the other hand, Junior colleges are generally privately run. Either way, these are both excellent options if you want to earn an associate degree.

More to come…

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Tennesee’s Online Degree Programs

Posted by bposton on November 19th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

The University of Tennesee is addressing the needs of non-traditional students with their online education programs. The University offers several ways for students to work for degrees through this type of distance education.

UT’s chief information officer confirms what we in the online dorm room already know; online courses will become more and more prevalent in the future. 

UT has 13 graduate degrees available online. These include master’s degrees in engineering and information sciences among others, such as MBA degree programs.

They realize that and are trying to cater to the students who are not in the 18 to 24 age group.

The assistance dean for Distance Education, George Hoemann states that their online course allows these students to continue with work and family obligations while achieving their degree.

The UT online program utilizes “Centra,” which allows interactive video classrooms containing two-way video and audio. These “Live Online” classes can have specific class times that students must log on in order to be registered
as attending the class. Students see what the professor is doing live and have a chance to interact, and the professor controls what is shown.

The online classes have the same pricing structure as their classroom counterparts, and they are taught by the same professors and offer the same benefits.

Tennesee also use online classes to supplement traditional classes. Through Blackboard, teachers can ask students to work and turn in assignments online.

So it looks like the Vols have the right idea to me

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Another Online Degree Success Story

Posted by bposton on November 19th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

Alvaro Conde emigrated to the US from Guatemala and was a training coordinator at a
Home Depot store in California. His passion though was counseling for orphans, runaways, and victims of violence.

That’s when Springboard Forward got involved with Alvaro.

Springboard Forward (Springboard) is an award winning on-the-job coaching and mentoring service. Springboard improves the lives of entry-level and low-wage earners and helps businesses enhance worker effectiveness and performance.
Conde was a classic Springboard Forward client–an uninspired low-wage worker in need of support and redirection. Sure enough, with six months of guidance, he came to see the upside: The English he picked up on the job was actually helping him qualify for the work he really wanted. He practiced interviewing and made a career plan, taking a second part-time job with a program for disabled children while working on a human-resources degree online.

And he won a promotion at Home Depot.

Now he enjoys his job, even as he maps out a path to something better.

“I saw that it’s like a puzzle, the way it fits together,” he says.

Way to go, Alvaro!!

At Springboard, a job is just the beginning. Springboard’s mission is to partner with business and community  organizations to improve job performance and promote upward mobility for the working poor - people who already work hard but are losing hope of ever having a sustainable career.

With Springboard, everyone wins. Employers improve job retention and productivity. Workers develop economic hope. And when employers and workers achieve shared goals, the entire community benefits.
You can check them out at Springboardforward.org

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Why do we have to lie about it?

Posted by bposton on November 18th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

This doesn’t make sense to me…

Why do people have to lie on their application?

Yes, it does happen, evidently a lot. According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, 57 Percentage of U.S. hiring managers say they have caught a lie on a candidate’s application.

Seems that lying to employers is done more often than lying to the IRS

So why do we have to lie? Are we that focused on getting the job - no matter what? Maybe so.

But it’s certainly not worth it. OK maybe if you lied on your application and didn’t get caught you think it’s OK. But lying has a way of catching up with you.

At least that’s been my experience

Oh by the way, that study also said that 93 Percentage of U.S. employers did not hire a candidate after discovering a lie on their resume.

Don’t you just wonder about the other 7 percent who did hire a liar?

Hey “hire a liar” - that rhymes!

Ben

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associate online degree programs | Spelling recommendations to college under fire

Posted by bposton on November 15th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

More about the government’s attempt to “improve” higher education quality.

US Education Secretary Margaret Spelling created a commission awhile back to make recommendations to reform the nation’s higher education system.

The process itself and the motives behind it have come under scruntiny in the past few months. One reason are some of the resulting recommendations.

One recommendation that is coming under fire is the creation of a database to track individiual students. That worries a lot of Student groups across the country because it could raise tons of privacy issues.

This month Spelling and her department will be meeting with the accrediting agencies and also asking for public comment.

One of the questions they’re likely to be asked is why are they spending so much time an money on this when what really need to do is make more money available for lower income students who can’t afford to go to college.

In my next post I’ll look at their side of the story, and let you in on some of the distrubing facts and figures that the US DoE has put out recently.

Ben

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associate online degree programs | How to combat College Stress

Posted by bposton on November 15th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

So here you are, the end of the semester is approaching, and you’re and trying to balance exams, papers and projects. Meanwhile, the cafeteria food has you homesick for some good cooking, and your roommate’s pile of clothes is oozing into your side of the room.

Ah, but it’s so much easier here in the online dorm room

But hey, either way we all have to handle stress. With online classes, it might not come from roommates, but there’s always the stress of job deadlines and other family responsibilites trying to grab your time away from the classes you’re taking.

If the stress is more than you can handle, consider these tips:

 - Get organized. When your work space and schedule are organized,the rest of your life
becomes better organized. Take the time to arrange your papers into files by subject, putting your books on a bookshelf and clearing your desktop every day. Then, get an organizer or PDA and start putting due dates and social activities on the calendar.

Personal note - I currently use a Dell Axim PDA and I’m here to tell you, it really does make a difference when you’ve got your “to-do list” to refer to anywhere you want. It makes thing so much easier, especially for folks like me that forget half of what the need to do

 - Discuss any problems with your professors or an adviser. You should take full advantage of the knowledge your adviser has in helping you manage your schedule and to help you combat any problems you are having with certain subjects. If you have a spouse who supports your efforts to obtain an online degree, make sure he or she is involved and understands your issues. There’s nothing like having a supportive spouse to discuss things with.

It often amazing how much my wife knows that I don’t

 - Maintain a balanced lifestyle. It’s important to eat, sleep, and exercise regularly. I have to admit I need to get back on that expensive treadmill we bought this year. You should also make a point to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, and carry light snacks with you to maintain your energy throughout the day. You should also have a goal to get eight hours of sleep each night, and exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week.

 - Take your vitamins! Studies have shown some all-natural supplements can be beneficial in the fight against stress. So make sure you suppliment your diet with the right vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other suppliments that can help your body ward off the effects of stress.

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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