The Online Degree Dorm Room

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.

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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 | 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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online degree programs psychology | Convenience is number two

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

Back from my Christmas and New Year break

Hope you didn’t miss me too much

Here’s a little tidbit of information I found interesting.

Based a study done by findtherightschool.com, 38 percent of students surveyed said that “convenience” was one of three major factors that influenced their decision to apply or enroll in a particular academic program, which includes both a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.

OK so what was number one?

It seems that “program offerings” was the most important factor, coming in a at 51 percent in the survey.
Of course, if convenience is a big factor, then it stands to reason that online degree programs are a good choice. Online degree programs allow students to work in the convenience of their own homes and at their own pace.
U.S. Department of Labor data shows that about 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs over the next decade will require some form of postsecondary education. So you’ll need have a higher education in order to break into the exciting job market in the future. And getting that education online is a great option for those that already have a steady job and want to move up in thier careers.

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