The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | Save the planet - get your degree online

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

Hello my little dorm room buddy

In case you were too busy cramming for those exams, yesterday was Earth Day.

Of course, isn’t EVERY day Earth Day? :-0

Anyway, I thought I’d instill upon you some interesting fact regarding the “green economy” and how you can benefit from a “green job”.

Today, jobs with a green focus are growing faster than the average for all occupations.

OK - let me repeat that -

Jobs with a green focus are growing faster than the average for all occupations!!!

Want proof? OK - here’s what the US Department of Labor has to say about it:

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the employment of environmental scientists is predicted to increase by 25 percent from 2006 to 2016.

That’s HUGE… 

The strongest growth is expected to be in private-sector consulting firms as more businesses realize the importance of going green.

So if you’re wonderin what kind of job you might be interested in or what your next major will be (assuming you’ve already got a major and will change it soon ) How about an online degree in environmental studies?

This is a rapidly growing industry that is constantly seeking knowledgeable and highly skilled professionals to lead the charge.

And you could be one of them…

…think about it…

You could pursue an online graduate programs in Environmental Management or get Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences.

And getting a “green” degree online verses on campus is an exercise in being green as well!

So help save the planet - in two ways…

Get your Environmental Management or Environmental Sciences degree, and get it ONLINE!

:-)

Ben 

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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!

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Has the growth of online degree stalled?

Posted by bposton on November 26th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

As I mentioned yesterday, there’s a new study out sponsored by the Alfred Sloan Foundation. It’s the 4th yearly report obout the condition of online learning in U.S. higher education.

One of the questions this survey and report tried to answer was:

Has the popularity of getting an education online grown or stalled over the last few years?

Here is what they found - I think it’s very important:   

First of all, for several years the number of people enrolling in online degree programs have been growing much faster than the overall higher education student body.  But the results from last year’s study. although reporting that the raw increase in numbers was the same from the previous year, also showed a lower percentage growth rate. 

Was that an early sign that online enrollment growth has finally begun to plateau?

Well, according to this year’s report, the answer is an overwhelming NO…

Here are the facts:  the growth of online enrollments has not leveled off. In fact, institutions of higher education reported a record online enrollment growth on both a numeric and a percentage basis.

Ya-hoo! Great news for everyone in the online degree dorm room!

Here’s even more information - In 2005 there were 2.3 million people taking at least one online course during the fall term. That number has now grown to nearly 3.2 million. A hugh increase.

Also, more than 800,000 new online students were taking classes in 2006 which is more than twice the number added in any previous year.

So there’s absolutely no doubt about it - online education is growing, and growing fast.

Ben

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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
 

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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 | A sampling of associate online degrees

Posted by bposton on November 19th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

I’ve been doing some quick checking and found that there’s a lot of associate online degree programs out there.

Getting an Associate Degree is a great way of starting on the higher education pathway.

An Associate Degree is a two year qualification, which can be a degree all by itself, or it can be the first step to a Bachelor Degree and beyond. Many colleges recognize GEDs, testing them to place them in classes for their level of learning.

Here are some of the many colleges where you can get an online assoicate’s degree:

The Art Institute Online

St. Leo University

University of Phoenix Online

FMU Online

Westwood College Online

I’ll be taking a look at these and other colleges that offer associates degress in the near future, but this should get you started

Ben

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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 | 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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