The Online Degree Dorm Room

Associate Online Degree Programs | Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by bposton on November 22nd, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

Hello, my online degree dorm room buddy!

Just wanted to let you know that I’m gonna be skipping a few classes and taking a little time off from my postings to enjoy Thanksgiving with my family.

I want to thank you for putting up with my crazy sense of humor and I hope you’ll continue to come back and learn more about getting your online degree.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday (if you’re in the US, that is) and I’ll be back soon!

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 | Some states give 539 plans get tax break

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

If you’re saving for college, you’re probably already up to speed on the benefits of
investing in a state-sponsored 529 college savings program.

Ah, but what you might not know about are the tax parity laws.

There are a lot of states that give up-front state tax deductions or credits to residents who enroll in their own state-sponsored 529 plans.

But until April, no state allowed residents to receive a tax break when investing in out-of-state college savings plans.

Did you know that?

Well that all changed when Maine, and then Kansas, enacted a tax parity or state tax deduction law enabling families to invest in any in-state or out-of-state 529 college savings program and receive their own state’s tax deduction.

Yeah 529 plans are a popular way to invest for college, but those who try to compare plans state-by-state run into a great deal of confusion when navigating the different tax treatments.
Residents of Kansas will have an open door to other states’ 529 college savings programs starting with the 2007 tax year. Previously, they only received a tax advantage if they chose the state’s 529 Learning Quest plan, which is administered by Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins and managed by American Century Investments.

While Learning Quest is a nationally competitive and well-managed plan, Kansas residents will now be able to utilize the annual adjusted gross income deduction of up to $3,000 per beneficiary ($6,000 if married and filing jointly) for contributions made to whichever 529 college savings plan best meets their investment objectives. 

Many other states have introduced parity efforts in their legislatures, but they’ve not been going anywhere. That’s because these states are worried about tax revenue loss or they want to protect their own in-state 529 college savings franchise. But they’re missing the benefit of providing their residents with more choices and enhancing competition in the 529 industry.

Tax parity is a great way for states to help families catch up with escalating college costs. The tax deduction will help level the playing field among college savings plans, challenging program managers to shape programs competitively, which will ultimately provide the best savings plans for consumers.

So write your state senator and tell them to support tax parity for 529 plans!!

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | More employers accept online degrees

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

Here’s some great news if you’re thinking about getting a degree online.

I just read a report that said 85 Percentage of U.S. employers say that online degrees are more acceptable today than they were five years ago. That’s according to a survey conducted by Vault Inc.

That’s not all. The report also mentioned that 86 Percentage of U.S. employers would be willing to accept a job applicant with an online degree.

Now in my opinion, that should be 100%

But it is improving. What needs to happen is that employers need to understand that there’s no different in the quality of an online education than one received in a traditional classroom environment.

And it seems to be taking place. The study indicated that 34 Percentage of U.S. employers have encountered a job applicant with an online degree. and 20 Percentage of U.S. employers have hired a job applicant with an online degree.

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Tips to Concentrate in Class

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

All of us want to succeed in school, right?.
 
But for many of us, concentration in this always-pressured, starved-for-time era can be
difficult. (that’s a real fact for me, anyway)

Here are some tips for helping you improve concentration and do better in either the traditional or online classroom:

 - Take time for breakfast. Those who have breakfast and enough to eat during the
rest of the day will be better able to concentrate in class.

 - Introduce yourself to music. Playing instruments has shown to increase focus and
concentration in other areas.

 - Take a supplement. I heard about one product is Focus, from the “Spray” line of sublingual sprays. Developed by doctors, Focus is a combination of homeopathic remedies that can improve concentration, support memory and help overcome apathy. It acts gently, causes no side effects and meets all FDA guidelines for good manufacturing practices. To learn more about Focus, call (866) 412-7827

 - Get thyself to bed on time. Studies show that you concentrate best after about nine hours of sleep.

 - Give thyself some space. You will be better able to concentrate on homework if you 
have a clear, uncluttered workspace. And turn off the TV; you won’t learn if you’re squeezing your homework in during commercials.

 - Get thyself organized. The National PTA suggests organizing your assignments by recording them on calendars or planners, along with due dates and dates turned in.

 - Don’t “Cram”. It increases anxiety and interferes with clear thinking, according
to the Department of Education. You’ll do better on tests if you spread out studying over several days or weeks and can relate the information to what you already know.

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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