The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | More Cool stuff going on…

Posted by bposton on October 26th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey, here’s even more cool stuff going on the the online dorm room…

Looks like the great state of Tennessee is tring to reduce the nursing shortage by offerin a new online degree program.

They voted last month to approve an new associate of applied science in nursing degree to be offered an online program.

“This program will help meet the current and emerging needs of the workplace for registered nurses, using alternative delivery methods and shared resources,” Paula Short, vice chancellor for academic affairs in the TBR system, said in a news release. “We applaud and thank the Board of Nursing for its vision in approving the program, which will help improve the lives of many Tennesseans.”

Back in 2004 a fed report projected a shortage of more than 13,000 registered nurses by 2006 and a shortage of 35,000 nurses in Tennessee by 2020.

And the American Hospital Association guess that there are 126,000 vacanies for registered nurse vacancies across the US -  in hospitals alone.
The Tennesee Board of Regents program will be offered beginning in spring 2008 at nine of the 13 community colleges in the system, including Jackson State Community College and Dyersburg State Community College.

Students will spend a minimum of 360 hours online, plus an additional 630 “on-ground” hours for the courses in the curriculum, not including general education and other major required credits.

Course material will be offered through the Regents Online Degree Program, while lab sessions and clinical experiences are offered on-site and supervised by faculty from participating institutions.

The projections are to have 300 students enrolled by fall 2009, with 50 graduates by fall 2009 and 100 per year starting in fall 2010.

Just so you know, the Tennessee Board of Regents is the nation’s sixth largest higher education system with 45 post-secondary educational institutions. That includes six universities, 13 two-year colleges and 26 technology centers. Overall they provide programs in 90 of Tennessee’s 95 counties to more than 180,000 students.

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online degree programs psychology | Cool stuff going on…

Posted by bposton on October 24th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey my little online dorm room buddy.

There’s some interesting stuff going on the world of online degree programs:

First off, Capella University, a fully online university based in Minneapolis, has announced four new specialization degree programs. They include Gerontology, a specialization within Capella’s Master of Science in Human Services, and Early Childhood Education, a specialization within its Master of Science in Education. Also on the new list are two bachelor’s-level specializations, Homeland Security and Security Management, both within Capella’s Bachelor of Science in Public Safety online degree program.

So what do these four specializations get you if you get them?

Well, for one - they were designed to address employment needs in fields that are experiencing a lot of growth. The Gerontology specialization, designed around the recommendations of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), was developed to help address the shortage of workers with skills and experience in caring for the nation’s growing population of older adults, which is expected to more than double between 2000 and 2030, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging.

Professionals who work with the other end of that range, the preschoolers types, are find that they are going through alot of change as well, not the least of which is an increase in educational standards. According to the National Institute of Early Education Research, 28 states now require lead teachers in state-funded prekindergarten programs to have specialized training.

The new Early Childhood Education specialization is designed for the licensed teacher who has a passion for education at the early stages of development and wants to pursue specialized training.

Capella’s new bachelor’s-level specializations in Homeland Security and Security Management reflect the growing need for security professionals in both the public and private sectors.

 More cool stuff to come…

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online degree programs psychology | More evidence of increasing acceptance

Posted by bposton on October 16th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hi, I’m back, sorry for my absense… 

There are a couple of reports out that provide even more evidence that online degree programs are here to stay - and growing. 

First, the director of marketing for eLearningYellowPages.com, Carrie Sommers, states: “According to statistics, the number of students studying for degrees online has increased dramatically over the past several years.”

Next, a survey by the Sloan Consortium in 2005 reveals shows that sixty-three percent of schools offering undergraduate face-to-face courses now also offer undergraduate courses online. And at the graduate level, forty-four percent of schools with Master’s programs now also offer them online.

The Sloan Consortium collected data for this study from over 2,200 colleges and universities. It showed that from 2004 to 2005, the number of students taking at least one online course climbed from 2.3 million students to 3.2 million, an outstanding 40% increase.

What are the most popular areas where the growth of online degrees are greatest?
You’ll find that online courses are most popular in the areas of areas of business, technology, health care and education. And this growth covers all types of degrees - associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree level.

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online degree programs psychology | Nursing degree programs

Posted by bposton on September 9th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

If you’re considering becoming a nurse, you’re not alone.

Being a nurse is a great career choice, not only for those who are seeking a fulfilling career but also for those who want to move away from a monotonous, cubicle bound, nine to five office job.

The rapid changes in regulation and technology in health care sector make it a challenging profession
too. Which is why employers in medical and health care industries are always looking out
for those who are qualified, efficient, at ease with latest technology and knowledgeable in this field.

You could be one of those people, by getting a degree through an online nursing degree program.

You can get a nursing degree online even while continuing with your current job. Since you can schedule your classes around your personal commitments, they do not have to conflict. In,fact the flexibility of a nursing degree program is its major advantage. Studying online also means that you do not have to commute daily to college and that saves a lot of time and energy. You get your course material online and you can submit your assignments and projects online too.

An for the practical portion of your course, (which you can’t don online, of course) often times clinical lessons are arranged at a medical facility near your home.

One option is to get an online associate nursing degree just to get a feel of this profession.
It will work not just as an introduction but also as a gateway to getting advance degrees in nursing.

If you’re already a nurse, then a nursing master degree can do wonders for your career growth and future
prospects. 

So if you are interested in becoming a nurse, or enhancing your current nursing skills, getting
an online nursing degree program should be your first priority.

Also note that as compared to regular degree courses, it can also be less expensive option. Many online institutions also offer scholarships based on merit and need.

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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 | Grantham University increases staff

Posted by bposton on August 22nd, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Ok, I admit it - I did even know Grantham U even existed.

That just goes to show that the online degree program world is growing faster than I can keep up with it

OK so here’s the deal.

Grantham University specializes in online education for working adults, and the future is so bright that they plan to hire approximately 50 new employees at their Kansas City campus by January 2008. 

The online university needs help in areas of admissions, student progress and other administrative positions.

“We are  looking for people who want to be ‘life changers’ because Grantham’s mission is to change lives by offering an affordable and accessible online college education to everyone,” said Jerome Wilson, human resources director at Grantham University. 

Interesting note - Grantham University had to relocate from Louisiana to Kansas City after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In case you’re interested in working for them, here’s a great benefit; completely free tuition for its employees and spouses (or significant others). Discounted tuition is available to immediate family members. 

Grantham University offers online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, General and Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Science, and other technology related fields.  Grantham’s online degree programs are flexible and self-paced, allowing students to complete their coursework at the times and places that fit their busy schedules.

Grantham University has 200 employees in Kansas City. For those interested in working at Grantham University, call 1.800.955.2527

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online degree programs psychology | Drexel announces another education partnership

Posted by bposton on January 4th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Drexel University Online has been busy lately announcing educational partnerships with some big names in Industry.

A few week ago they hooked up with Johnson Controls. And they just recently announced the launch of an online educational partnership with Bio-Imaging Technologies, the world’s largest independent provider of medical image management for clinical trials.

Through this educational alliance, Bio-Imaging Technologies employees will have the opportunity to complete an online degree or certificate program through Drexel and receive special tuition rates. Employees can choose from a range of bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs that Drexel offers online in areas such as business, engineering, computer science, computing technology, education, nursing, and information science.

If you work for Bio-Imaging, or Johnson Controls, you should check it out. Or ask your HR manager about hooking up with Drexel. It could save you a few bucks on the way to your new online degree.

Drexel University Online has been doing this for the past four years. And they have partened with corporations, health systems, schools, and professional associations across the United States who are now able to offer their employees and members such benefits as special tuition rates and career development opportunities, as well as the chance to earn a reputable degree all with the flexibility working professionals need.

Drexel, which is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best National Universities” for 2007, is accredited by the Middle States Association for Colleges and Secondary Schools and its curricula hold the highest level of accreditations from their respective accrediting bodies such as AACSB (Business), NLN and CCNE (Nursing), and ALA (Information Science). Additionally, Drexel’s online programs target adult learners and offer the convenience of advancing their skills on their own schedule.

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online degree programs psychology | Wisconsin Colleges increase online offerings

Posted by bposton on January 4th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

It may be cold in Wisconsin these days, but the university system is warming up to the idea of online degree programs.
The University of Wisconsin Colleges - which is the freshman/sophomore institution of the UW System - will be offering 35 courses this spring taught over the Internet as a flexible way to start or continue a college education.

Students have a lot options on how to use these courses, as well, They can be used to assist in completing degrees from other colleges or universities or they can be part of a total online Associate of Arts and Science degree now offered from UW Colleges Online.

But you better hurry if you want to sign up for the spring 2007 online courses. The deadline for registration is Jan. 4.

The cost is $195 per credit plus a $60 course registration fee.

Although these online courses never meet at a particular time or place, they are structured within the spring semester time frame with regular deadlines for assignments. The spring semester runs from Jan. 22 through May 18, 2007.

To register for courses or to apply to the online degree program, call (877) 449-1877.

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online degree programs psychology | Arkansas State plans online AA degree

Posted by bposton on January 4th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Realizing the growth of online education, the folks at Arkansas State University Mountain Home are planning for the day when students can earn an associate of arts degree without setting foot on campus.

Dr. Pat Bailey, who is vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, has announced that the top priority for the 2007-2008 academic year is making an associate of arts degree available online.

They hope to begin the first program in the fall semester.

Looks like they’ve figured out that distance education over the internet is the way to go, and they want to grow the offerings of online courses and degree programs.
 
As it stands now the college already has more than 30 online courses in the spring semester that begins Jan. 8. Some of the online courses are Internet-assisted and require minimal visits to the ASUMH campus, but other classes are completed via the Internet.

Online courses are available in accounting, biology, business, computer information systems, economics, English, history, mathematics, speech and sociology.

And official say that students are always asking for more classes to be online. The college recently created a staffed computer lab to help students taking online courses.

For more information about ASUMH’s online education program and to view a list of online courses, go to asumh.edu.

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online degree programs psychology | Another Online Success Story

Posted by bposton on January 2nd, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

I just love to hear about folks that complete an online degree and acheive great things

Like Stella Luckey. She recently got her Masters degree and at the same time was named a top teacher at her school, West Glades School.

Her career in teaching began sixteen years ago. Since 2004, when West Glades opened she has been the media specialist there.

She is the wife of the principal of the school, Larry Luckey.

She earned her Masters Degree in Technology in Media Education from the University of Central Florida. Mrs. Luckey did all the work and research for her degree online at her home.

“If I had had to drive to a campus anywhere I think I would not have been able to sacrifice enough driving time to have completed the work for this degree,” she said.

She graduated with honors, no less!

Not only that, but she’s also gifted in the art of sign language, and is certified to teach the hearing impaired and when needed or requested to do so. And she is gifted in painting and drawing. One of her most outstanding art accomplishments is a mural on the library wall at West Glades. It is a painting of a panther, the school mascot, in a mammoth oak tree. The work is approximately five feet high and twelve feet long.

During her tenure at West Glades, she started a new library, a new library program and her artwork made that library unique to West Glades School. She is an integral part of the technology acquisition plan and assists in installing new technology and teaching teachers how to use it.

Kudos to Stella Luckey and West Glades!

Ben

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