The Online Degree Dorm Room

Associate Online Degree Programs | Prestigeous Schools go online

Posted by bposton on November 24th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

Online education has grown much more popular since the advent of the Internet. But to be honest, most online degrees are still coming from for-profit schools like the University of Phoenix, and not from the traditional brick-and-mortar colleges.

In fact, a lot of the country’s most elite universities have pretty much avoided the trend towards online degrees, thinking that a computer cannot replace the intellectual exchange offered by attending classes in person.

But that is changing - finally

The new online engineering master’s degree offered by Stanford and a handful of other respected universities are embracing online education. Or a least giving it a try. 

Duke University’s new “Global Executive MBA'’ is completely Internet-based. Johns Hopkins University offers an online master’s degree program in bioinformatics.

This is important because it’s a sign that online education is becoming mainstream when these prestigous universities are sticking their toes in the water to see if it’s warm.

It’s a very good sign to me

Ben

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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 | 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 | Online Nursing Associate Degree successful in Ohio

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

At Ohio University - Southern I’ve learned about a very successfull online degree program.

One example is that the university has invested in human birthing simulator called Noelle that is being used in the training nursing students working on their associate degree in nursing. The Ironton campus is in the process of buying a pediatric simulator by next semester, said Deborah B. Meehan, associate director of the nursing program at Ohio University-Southern.

Noelle gave Dawn Watson, a Portsmouth resident and a second-year nursing student, practice she couldn’t ordinarily get. “I always wanted to get into nursing,” the 2004 graduate of Clay High School said. “I plan to get my four-year degree in nursing, but I want to get a job first. I can take classes online” to get that bachelor’s degree.

Now that’s what I call a smart idea

Melissa Bailey is another smart student. She’s a part-time medical technician and is a sophmore working on here degree online. Her dream is to become a flight nurse. She’s been an EMT for 6 years, and she also plans to pursue her four-year nursing degree online, but seek a job first.

And Courtney Whitley took college option course while in high school, and when she graduated she had enough credits to be a college sophmore. The associate degree she is pursuing is just the first step in a planned career in nursing. She hopes to get her masters and be a nurse anesthetist.

So there’s a few very smart students using online education to acheive their dreams.

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Traveling Nurses Easing Staff Shortages

Posted by bposton on November 17th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

Remember my posts a few days ago about the predicted shortages of nursing positons?

Well, With the acute shortage of nurses nationwide, travel nursing has come into its own within the health care profession.

Today, a well-qualified nurse with experience in a high-demand specialty can find
short-term placements almost anywhere in the country - including exotic resort locations like Hawaii and the Caribbean - throughout the year.

Now doesn’t Hawaii or the Caribbean sound good this time of year?
Registered nurses with at least 10 months of clinical experience and good references are
eligible. These temporary assignments, typically lasting 13 weeks, are often staff positions in critical care settings in locations ranging from rural areas to cruise ships and resort
areas.

Travel nursing offers something for everyone at every career stage: the allure of
travel and unique settings; rewarding positions at top teaching hospitals and research
institutions; and challenging work in hard-pressed, underserved areas.

“For a nurse or nurse practitioner with a flexible schedule, travel nursing can be a
very appealing career option as it offers higher pay, flexibility, variety and often the
opportunity for business travel,” said Andrea Higham, director of The Johnson & Johnson
Campaign for Nursing’s Future, a public awareness and image-building campaign that is addressing the nursing shortage through nursing scholarships and nursing student recruitment activities. “It’s one of the many areas of specialty where current demand far exceeds supply.”

Those interested usually get their start with placement companies to determine
openings. Candidates complete an application, discuss their plans and interests with a recruiter, and conduct telephone and in-person interviews with potential health care facilities.

If the candidate is offered a position, the travel company helps with the details of travel
documents, credentialing and licensure, hospital orientation, housing (some provide free or subsidized apartments) and even arrangements for furniture and utilities.

Sounds like a sweet deal to me - be a nurse and see the world!
Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Survey: Gap Exists Between Hope, Opportunity for Teens

Posted by bposton on November 17th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

While optimistic about the future, the youth in our country find themselves trapped in a gap between hope and opportunity, according to a recent survey. Struggling with violence in their neighborhoods and the challenges of just finishing high school, many young people feel they are not being afforded real opportunities for their future.

This year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the nation’s fastest-growing youth
service organization, celebrates its centennial. As part of the milestone, BGCA conducted the “Youth Report to America,” a national survey sponsored by American Express of more than 46,000 young people.

The Youth Report to America shows that nearly one-third of teens want a less-violent
world, but nearly one-fourth identified the possibility of going to war as their greatest fear.

Almost half felt college is necessary for a successful career, yet more than one-fourth feared they wouldn’t be able to graduate from high school. Meanwhile, close to half said their parents significantly influence their decisions.

BGCA is in a position to help close the gap. Throughout the year, Boys & Girls
Club members are rallying youth to work with parents, community officials and political leaders to develop new programs and evolve existing programs that address the concerns of today’s youth.

“After a century of serving our nation’s youth and providing a safe place for kids to
learn and grow, we decided the best way for us to commemorate our centennial would be to provide a platform for our young people to express their views to the nation,” said Roxanne Spillett,president of BGCA.

BGCA’s ongoing commitment to the youth it serves means the creation of innovative
programs that reflect changes in our society, from technology initiatives that teach kids how to be safe online to diversity education efforts that teach the importance of tolerance in our multiracial society.

Since 1906, BGCA has helped young people connect with opportunities for personal
growth and achievement. The organization provides services that promote the health, social, educational, vocational and character development of youth.
 
So my hat is off to BGCA - keep up the good work!

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | RX for Success: A Pharmacy Career

Posted by bposton on November 17th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

What would happen if no pharmacists were available to fill your prescription at the local drugstore, or to recognize medication errors in the emergency room?

Not a good thing to me…

Believe it or not, that could be reality if America doesn’t train another 150,000 pharmacists by 2020. That’s according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which reports that 7,000 to 10,000 pharmacist positions are left unfilled every year.

Does that sound like a career opportunity?

Pharmacy graduates can expect a variety of possible career directions as well as four or five job offers. The mean annual wage of is $77,050, and you can choose from a wide variety of employment settings, from research laboratories to poison control centers to veterinary clinics.

To help teachers encourage students to pursue a career in pharmacy, health and
science, the pharmaceutical company Roche created a free teacher’s guide in collaboration with the Parenteral Drug Association Foundation for Pharmaceutical Sciences Inc. and WLIW New York public television.

The guide is designed to help teachers identify students with an interest in science and show them how to engage students in dialogue about career opportunities in pharmacy. It includes profiles of students who have pursued a career in pharmacy, a list of colleges and professional organizations and a student self-assessment tool.

Would you succeed in a pharmacy career? You should consider the following:

 -  Are you good at math?

 -  Are you interested in science, especially biology and chemistry?

 -  Are you detail-oriented and focused?
 
-  Do you care about others and want to make a positive contribution to society?

-  Would you be interested in a career that offers the opportunity to work anywhere in the country?

If you answered yes, the maybe a career as a pharmacist is the right prescription for you

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