The Online Degree Dorm Room

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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Associate Online Degree Programs | Are we really non-traditional?

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

I really dislike the “labels” that some people give others.

One “label” I really don’t like is the label called non-traditional…the one that all of us in the online degree dorm room seem to get.

That’s because everyone beleives that we’re not the typical college student.

Well, that may be true, but here’s what the latest Sloan Foundation report found:

There’s a lot of information to suggest that online degrees appeal to a different type of student from those who go with face-to-face classroom instruction. 

Online students tend to be older, and often hold additional employment and family responsibilities, as compared to the more traditional student.

OK - you got me - that description fits me to a T

However, do those differences mean that online students are taking different types or levels of courses or are they studying at different types of institutions?

Accord to the study, the the general population of online students is a close match to the overall higher education student body, but the mix of schools where they study is not.

Students getting their degree online, like the overall student body, are overwhelmingly undergraduates.  And the amount of graduate-level students is a little higher in online education relative to the overall higher education population.

Now, who was it that said online eduction is not for undergrads? A dean from Stanford, I beleive. - HA! - take that, Stanford!

One difference the study did find is that online undergrads are more likely to be studying at Associates institutions than are their face-to-face contemporaries.

More on that later…

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | All About Associate Degrees - A summary

Posted by bposton on November 21st, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

I hope I haven’t bored you to tears with all these posts about associate degrees

And maybe you’ve even learned a few things that you didn’t know, like:

The difference between Community and Junior Colleges

The three different classes of associate degrees

The three different types of people that persue associate degrees or take associate degree courses

The advantages of associate degrees over 4 year degrees

How to make sure that your community college is accredited and that the credits you earn will be transferable to a 4 year school if that is your plan.

If you didn’t catch all of the posts, don’t worry, there still here in the online degree dorm room. Just take a look around and you’re find those and other posts that I hope you’ll find helpful.

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | All About Associate Degrees - Part 3

Posted by bposton on November 20th, 2006 — Posted in associate online degree programs

Part three in my little mini-series on Associate Degrees.

Let’s talk about who is a good candiate for an Associate Degree. Bascially there are three types of people who seek an associate degree program.

The first type is someone who does not want (or cannot) pursue a bachelor’s degree but instead wants to attend a US community college. Quite alot of people fall into this group. Many of them are seeking a post-secondary education to get the skills needed to quickly join the workforce or learn a trade.

The next type is someone who wants to pursue a bachelor’s degree but they decide that they want to complete the first two years of their undergraduate education by getting an associate degree at a community college and then transfering those credit to a four-year college for the last two years. Again, many college bound student fall into this catagory, and there are many more (in my humble opinion) that should consider it. It’s an easy way to transition into the rigors of college without having to jump in with both feet. A lot of students could use that transition. Just think about all the freshmen in college that don’t make it. A lot more would make it in college if they went this route.

The third and final group are folks who want to attend associate degree program classes in various subjects areas at a community colleges, but don’t want or need to get any type of formal degree at all. I like to call this group the “lifetime learners”. They enjoy and relish gaining knowledge in an area they are interesting in for many reason. One of them, for example is to become better at their current job or to gain knowledge in order to move to a new career path. 

Any one of these types of people would perform well in a community college or junior college. And the associate online degree programs that the community colleges are offering are normally right down their alley - especially group 3

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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 | Online Nursing Associate Degree successful in Ohio

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

At Ohio University - Southern I’ve learned about a very successfull online degree program.

One example is that the university has invested in human birthing simulator called Noelle that is being used in the training nursing students working on their associate degree in nursing. The Ironton campus is in the process of buying a pediatric simulator by next semester, said Deborah B. Meehan, associate director of the nursing program at Ohio University-Southern.

Noelle gave Dawn Watson, a Portsmouth resident and a second-year nursing student, practice she couldn’t ordinarily get. “I always wanted to get into nursing,” the 2004 graduate of Clay High School said. “I plan to get my four-year degree in nursing, but I want to get a job first. I can take classes online” to get that bachelor’s degree.

Now that’s what I call a smart idea

Melissa Bailey is another smart student. She’s a part-time medical technician and is a sophmore working on here degree online. Her dream is to become a flight nurse. She’s been an EMT for 6 years, and she also plans to pursue her four-year nursing degree online, but seek a job first.

And Courtney Whitley took college option course while in high school, and when she graduated she had enough credits to be a college sophmore. The associate degree she is pursuing is just the first step in a planned career in nursing. She hopes to get her masters and be a nurse anesthetist.

So there’s a few very smart students using online education to acheive their dreams.

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Why do we have to lie about it?

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

This doesn’t make sense to me…

Why do people have to lie on their application?

Yes, it does happen, evidently a lot. According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, 57 Percentage of U.S. hiring managers say they have caught a lie on a candidate’s application.

Seems that lying to employers is done more often than lying to the IRS

So why do we have to lie? Are we that focused on getting the job - no matter what? Maybe so.

But it’s certainly not worth it. OK maybe if you lied on your application and didn’t get caught you think it’s OK. But lying has a way of catching up with you.

At least that’s been my experience

Oh by the way, that study also said that 93 Percentage of U.S. employers did not hire a candidate after discovering a lie on their resume.

Don’t you just wonder about the other 7 percent who did hire a liar?

Hey “hire a liar” - that rhymes!

Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Traveling Nurses Easing Staff Shortages

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

Remember my posts a few days ago about the predicted shortages of nursing positons?

Well, With the acute shortage of nurses nationwide, travel nursing has come into its own within the health care profession.

Today, a well-qualified nurse with experience in a high-demand specialty can find
short-term placements almost anywhere in the country - including exotic resort locations like Hawaii and the Caribbean - throughout the year.

Now doesn’t Hawaii or the Caribbean sound good this time of year?
Registered nurses with at least 10 months of clinical experience and good references are
eligible. These temporary assignments, typically lasting 13 weeks, are often staff positions in critical care settings in locations ranging from rural areas to cruise ships and resort
areas.

Travel nursing offers something for everyone at every career stage: the allure of
travel and unique settings; rewarding positions at top teaching hospitals and research
institutions; and challenging work in hard-pressed, underserved areas.

“For a nurse or nurse practitioner with a flexible schedule, travel nursing can be a
very appealing career option as it offers higher pay, flexibility, variety and often the
opportunity for business travel,” said Andrea Higham, director of The Johnson & Johnson
Campaign for Nursing’s Future, a public awareness and image-building campaign that is addressing the nursing shortage through nursing scholarships and nursing student recruitment activities. “It’s one of the many areas of specialty where current demand far exceeds supply.”

Those interested usually get their start with placement companies to determine
openings. Candidates complete an application, discuss their plans and interests with a recruiter, and conduct telephone and in-person interviews with potential health care facilities.

If the candidate is offered a position, the travel company helps with the details of travel
documents, credentialing and licensure, hospital orientation, housing (some provide free or subsidized apartments) and even arrangements for furniture and utilities.

Sounds like a sweet deal to me - be a nurse and see the world!
Ben

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Associate Online Degree Programs | Survey: Gap Exists Between Hope, Opportunity for Teens

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

While optimistic about the future, the youth in our country find themselves trapped in a gap between hope and opportunity, according to a recent survey. Struggling with violence in their neighborhoods and the challenges of just finishing high school, many young people feel they are not being afforded real opportunities for their future.

This year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the nation’s fastest-growing youth
service organization, celebrates its centennial. As part of the milestone, BGCA conducted the “Youth Report to America,” a national survey sponsored by American Express of more than 46,000 young people.

The Youth Report to America shows that nearly one-third of teens want a less-violent
world, but nearly one-fourth identified the possibility of going to war as their greatest fear.

Almost half felt college is necessary for a successful career, yet more than one-fourth feared they wouldn’t be able to graduate from high school. Meanwhile, close to half said their parents significantly influence their decisions.

BGCA is in a position to help close the gap. Throughout the year, Boys & Girls
Club members are rallying youth to work with parents, community officials and political leaders to develop new programs and evolve existing programs that address the concerns of today’s youth.

“After a century of serving our nation’s youth and providing a safe place for kids to
learn and grow, we decided the best way for us to commemorate our centennial would be to provide a platform for our young people to express their views to the nation,” said Roxanne Spillett,president of BGCA.

BGCA’s ongoing commitment to the youth it serves means the creation of innovative
programs that reflect changes in our society, from technology initiatives that teach kids how to be safe online to diversity education efforts that teach the importance of tolerance in our multiracial society.

Since 1906, BGCA has helped young people connect with opportunities for personal
growth and achievement. The organization provides services that promote the health, social, educational, vocational and character development of youth.
 
So my hat is off to BGCA - keep up the good work!

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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