The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | Want 19 grand more in your pocket?

Posted by bposton on March 31st, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Did you know…?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, if you only have a high school diploma then you’re missing out on over $19,000 in additional income per year.

That’s right - you could be making about 19 grand more per year.

How?

Easy - just get a Bachelor’s degree.

Or you can just get an associate degree, which could put an extra $6,500 per year into your pocket. 

OK - I know what you’re saying to yourself: ”just how to do I fit a college degree into my busy schedule?”

Well, since you’re reading this blog, you’re close to the answer:

Start by checking out online degree programs (which are near and dear to my heart )

If you’re a homemaker, active-duty military or someone who travels a lot with your job, you can find an online degree programs that will let you complete college while maintaining a work-home-school balance.

Have you seen the gas prices lately? Well, as an online student, you will never have to worry about driving and parking.

Child care? No problem.

Scheduling? Attend class at midnight if you like.

(see - I told you it was easy )

And you know what? You might even be able to complete work for an associate degree in as little as 18 months or a bachelor’s degree in three years - which measn you get to that extra dough sooner.  

If you have access to a computer (which I assume you do if you’re reading this), then you also have access to online courses and distance-learning degree programs. Most lessons are delivered through special, Web-based distance-education systems. A course may include online lectures, assignments, practice drills and quizzes with instant feedback.

So what do you need to look for in an online program? Here’s a short list:

- Find out how often you will be required to log in for class.

 - Look for a program where you can interact with classmates using a discussion board and instant messaging.

 - Ask whether exams will be taken online or at a local testing site, and whether tests must be taken at specific times.

Also, make sure that you search out a college program that leads to career advancement. Otherwise that extra 19 grand might not happen.
And make sure that you check out a college carefully so that you are in a better position to get that extra income when you finish. Make sure you find this out:

 - Do instructors in your career-specific courses have practical experience in the industry or business? (Tip - go to the school’s Web site and look for instructor biographies or contact the school and ask the program’s director to verify that your instructors will be experienced professionals)

 - Ask if business and industry professionals worked with instructors to develop a program that will provide you with the skills employers are looking for. For example, if you are pursuing a degree in Information Technology, will your program include industry certification training? Or, if you plan on a career as a paralegal, will you learn how to use state-of-the-art legal software?

If you are self-motivating, then getting an online degree is a great way to improve your career opportunities.

And hey, who wouldn’t be motivated, by the prospect of as much as $19,000 per year?

:-)
 

No Comments »

online degree programs psychology | annual online college rankings released

Posted by bposton on January 23rd, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hi there my dorm room buddy,

I thought I’d let you know that the second annual online college rankings have been released.

So, are you interested in knowing which online school is number one?

I’ll get to that later First I want to explain these rankings, who does them and how:

First who does the ranking: That’s OEDb (Online Education Database).
Founded in 2006, OEDb is dedicated to providing comprehensive reviews of accredited online colleges and universities and the degree programs they offer. OEDb is headquartered in Houston, Texas and is privately owned and operated.

Now that you know who, lets talk about how:

Each school’s ranking is based on data gathered from eight different measurement areas. These eight area are:
acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, peer Web citations, retention rate, scholarly citations, student-faculty ratio, and years accredited. 

Last year’s rankings by OEDb was the first of its kind, and each year OEDb works hard to improve upon its rankings by adding new colleges, and adding data as more information becomes available.

So, who is the number one online college, according to OEDb?

That would be Upper Iowa University
(applause, please )

Rounding out the top ten:

Nova Southeastern University
California University of Pennsylvania,
Grand Canyon University
Regent University
Champlain College
Westwood College
Tiffin University

And they give “honorable mention” to ITT Technical Institute at 16th, Kaplan University at 17th, and the University of Phoenix at 25th.

Last years top school? Grand Canyon University

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 »

online degree programs psychology | new year = new online degree?

Posted by bposton on January 3rd, 2008 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

So it’s 2008 — and this is the year you finally decided to start or finish that degree you’ve always intended to earn.

Good for you!!!

OK, so it’s time for a reality check.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve stepped foot inside a classroom that wasn’t your kids’
then I’ve got some very good suggestions…

 - and some things to think about -

to help you follow through on your New Year’s resolution.

1. You need to decide (right now) what you’re gonna give up.

Online classes in and of themselves might only last two hours a week, but that’s not the only thing you need
to consider. You need to add approximately three hours of homework or study time per class!

So you can see that going back to school can turn out to be a major time commitment.

You need to figure out how you’re going to make time for those classes and homework.
Which might mean cutting “American Idol” or “Law & Order” from your daily schedule.

Here’s a suggestion - take classes with a friend. That often can help adult students stay focused on their schoolwork.
 
2. Research your options.

Don’t just sign up at the first online university that sends you information. You need to find the program that will best meet your needs and goals.

Ask the Admissions officer to put you in contact with current students, who can tell you about their
experiences in the program.

Ask if you can talk with professors so they can tell you what they will expect from you and what you can
expect from the class.

And if they’re available, see if you can get teacher evaluations before signing up for classes. 

3. Consult an academic adviser.

Before enrolling, make an appointment to meet with an adviser to discuss the program requirements and to create a complete course plan for you that can help you meet those requirements in as short a time as possible.

4. Explore different class formats.

Now, I normally recommend online classes, but you should consider all your options.
Don’t discount adult classes are offered in a traditional, lecture-style classroom setting. Some find them better for their type of learning style that those that can be taken online at home.

Both types of classes have postives and negatives:

 - Online courses can be taken at your own pace while wearing pajamas and sitting on your couch.

(I personally like that benefit alot )

 - Traditional classes frequently offer more personal interactions and attention.

Pick the type of class that’s right for both your schedule and learning style.

5. Investigate your financial aid options.

The very first thing you need to do is visit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Web site, fafsa.ed.gov.

To receive federal aid, whether by loans or grants, you have to first fill out the FAFSA form.
( If you can wait, I’d recommend you do this AFTER you complete your tax return because it uses alot of that information).
After that, check out your school’s scholarship resource center or financial aid Web site and visit with a financial aid officer.

6. Take it slow, and one step at a time.

Jumping in with both feet and taking four classes in your first semester might seem like a good way to get a jump-start
on your degree, but I’d sugges that it’s also a very easy way to get overwhelmed — fast.

Instead, just take a course or two (at the most) at the beginning to see if you can handle the work — both the classwork and how good you are at working the class into your other commitments.

7. Convince a friend to become a classmate.

OK, this is probably not that easy, unless you just happen to know someone who has the same goal as you - to get or finish their degree. But if you do this could be a great help to both of you.

Many people work out or train with friends because they know they have a better chance at
success if someone is there to supports them and keeps the pressurn on them to stay focused on their goal.

If you don’t have a friend to share the ride, try to make a friend with someone in your class who could be a study buddy, or join a continuing education group on campus.

8. Open your Mind!…

OK, so maybe a  glass-blowing class might not show up in your health care management degree curriculum, but that
doesn’t mean it’s not worth taking.

Taking a class in a subject you enjoy is a great way to rekindle your love of learning. And who knows? you might even uncover a passion that you never knew existed.

Good Luck!

No Comments »

online degree programs psychology | Penn State offers online Psychology degree

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

OK, my little dorm room buddies, this is it.

This is the news I’ve been waiting for. For the first time ever, a public university is offering online psychology degrees.

Beginning this month, Penn State will open admission to its bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) degrees in
psychology to online degree students. Students can begin applying to the program later this month, and courses begin in summer 2008.

The program is from the University’s College of the Liberal Arts and delivered through Penn World Campus.

This is HUGH!!

Why? - Because it;s PENN STATE, that’s why…

Penn State College of the Liberal Arts educates more than 5,000 undergraduates in 43 majors and over 800 graduate
students in 16 programs, in addition to being the largest provider of courses for Penn State World Campus.

The World Campus at Penn State specializes in adult online education, delivering more than 60 of Penn State’s most highly regarded graduate, undergraduate and professional education programs through convenient online formats.

It was founded in 1998, and now serves more than 7,000 students in all 50 states, 43 countries, and on 7 continents.

And now they’ve added two online psychology degrees–a bachelor of arts (BA) and a bachelor of science (BS) in psychology. 

The BA program is geared towards professionals who want to pursue psychology with a focus on the human-services aspects of the field, or plan to continue on to a master’s degree in psychology. The BS program follows a business track–for professionals interested in psychology-driven aspects of business–such as human resources, management, leadership development, and marketing.

As with all of Penn State’s online programs, the new psychology degrees are designed to empower working adults to
pursue life and career-enhancing higher education without sacrificing personal or professional time.

This is definitely a milestone for online education; the first public university offering of online psychology degrees.

Hat’s off to Penn State!!
 

No Comments »

online degree programs psychology | Opps - I missed it!!!

Posted by bposton on November 18th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Looks like I was sleeping too much this week in the online degree dorm room, and I missed a very important event.

The National Distance Learning Week was held this week Nov 12-16

Umm - that’s not a full week, so maybe since it’s Sunday I didn’t miss it after all ??

Anyway, the National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) is an event organized by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). It’s reason for being is to generate awareness through a nationwide campaign about the growing importance of distance learning within the areas of pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets.

The USDLA is a non-profit organization, and has been a world leader in the advancement of distance learning since 1987.

There were quite a few universities that announced new initatives that coincided with this week. One of them was the University System of Georgia.

the USG launched a new website,  www.georgiaonmyline.org. to provide access to a full array of distance-education offerings from the 35 USG institutions. This is to improve service to students within the system and at other institutions in Georgia and nationally. The website provides students a searchable catalog of online courses and programs updated each semester and a central location that allows students to register and transfer credits among multiple USG institutions.

Featured among the 1,600 courses and 35 programs on the searchable website are six new online graduate programs designed for Georgia teachers. The six new online master of education programs that will be available for admission beginning in January and course registration later this fall include instructional technology, middle grades math and science, secondary math, secondary science, reading, language and literacy, and a new degree appropriate for all teaching levels called Accomplished Teaching.

Two master of arts in teaching degrees for individuals who wish to change careers and become teachers will be available in special education and in reading, language and literacy.

Five of the USG’s colleges of education are piloting this new program development and delivery model. They include Columbus State University, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, North Georgia College and State University and Valdosta State University.

USD was just one of many colleges and online universities participating in the National Distance Learning Week.

No Comments »

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.

No Comments »

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.

No Comments »

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

No Comments »

Associate Online Degree Programs | One Dean’s View of Online Education

Posted by bposton on November 25th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

Andy DiPaolo is the executive director of the Stanford Center for Professional Development for Stanford University. He’s also the associate dean of the Stanford School of Engineering.

Here’s what he had to say about online education:

Online education is not appropriate for undergraduates, who benefit from on-campus socialization, he said. Nor does it work for doctorate candidates, who work one on one with faculty.

(I personally disagree with him on that one. I beleive online education is just fine for folks getting an undergraduate degree. Sure you may miss out on some socialization, but if you’re focused it works just great) 

But a masters-level degree from the School of Engineering is a good fit for older students who are working and so cannot attend class, he said. Many employers help pay for a worker’s graduate degree.

Now that I do agree with

Ben
 

2 Comments »