Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The Benefits and Drawbacks of an Online College

The proliferation of the internet is truly remarkable, especially in the realm of education. Twenty years ago, the only way to take college and graduate-level classes was through the traditional path (i.e. either commute to school or reside there until you complete your degree). Now, classes come to you and are available at your convenience. You can even obtain a legitimate degree entirely online. So is an online college the best choice for you? That's a difficult question to answer since it's totally dependent on your schedule and lifestyle.

Here are the primary factors that usually determine whether or not someone chooses an online college:

1.)Busy schedule

The rigors of daily life are stressful enough without having to commute to school. This is especially true if you're working full-time and/or have children. Re-arranging your busy schedule in order to take a morning or afternoon course really isn't attractive either. That's why online colleges are so appealing. A majority of these institutions provide the course material in downloadable links or in a discussion board format. This allows you to incorporate the coursework into your schedule when you have the time (as opposed to the other way around).

2.)Feel like you're "too old" to go back to school

There are many people who would love to go back to school in order to obtain an advanced degree, or simply just learn something new. Unfortunately, they fear being ostracized and embarrassed by taking a class with a bunch of teenagers. This makes the idea of an online college very appealing since you never have to set foot in an actual classroom.

3.)Not close to any traditional college

Even if you'd love to attend a traditional college, that option may not be available if you live a good hour or more away from the university. Choosing an online college eliminates the need to commute or worry about going to any physical location (with the exception of the room where your computer resides).

Here is some basic information you should know about online colleges:

1.)Graduate degrees are much more prevalent online

If you do a search of the degrees that can be completed entirely online, you'll hve a much easier time with advanced degrees. This is especially true for business and technology degrees. That's not to say an undergraduate degree is impossible to complete exclusively online. Obtaining your associate's degree (about 60 credits woth of work) is very attainable online. The options are just more limited. This is primarily due to the popularity of online colleges with people in the work force trying to get a graduate degree in order to achieve an advancement at their job.

2.)You have to go to a testing center for exams or acquire a proctor

Most online colleges require you to go to a testing center for mid-term and final exams. If this is not logistically possible for you, then you're responsible for finding a qualified proctor. Essentially, a proctor is someone who acts as a temporary professor watching over you while you take an exam. They cannot be family members and the completion of a proctor application is usually required. Of course, this varies institution to institution.

3.)Online colleges are not easier than traditional colleges

If you think an online college will be easier than attending a traditional college, you're mistaken. It can actually be more challenging, in certain respects. For example, people who attend traditional colleges have the guidance of an experienced professor. Some provide helpful hints before tests and can even be lenient when it comes to grading, if you make a good impression. This is not so with online courses. Yes, you have access to a professor, but it's usually through e-mails. Obviously, this decreases the chance of you developing any sort of relationship with the professor so grading is usually by the book. The online coursework is comparable to the coursework you'd be forced to complete at a traditional college, so you'll still need to study. And yes, the tests can be just as difficult.

Check Out the Best College Information Site on the Net

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Online Education - A Great Way to Fit College Into Your Busy Life

A survey of working adults conducted by Opinion Research Corporation shows that many people see education as their top priority, but busy schedule and family commitments may keep them from continuing their education. Busy schedule is the biggest barrier for those working individual who are interested in continuing their education. Online education has gained it popularity as it has overcome this barrier by fitting the degree programs into the busy schedule of working adults.

Once you have started your working life, you will have more commitments such as family, house and car installment. Your job or career is important to you as you need it to fulfill your commitments. Without the online education, if you would like to pursue a degree either for career advancement or job promotion, you will need to on hold your job in order for you to go back to school to accomplish your goal. Unfortunately, many were given up their intention to hitting the books as their busy schedule and on-holding their career is nearing impossible.

Online education which enabled people to learn from their comfort home, friend's house, the local library, an internet café or anywhere they have access to the internet has solved most working adult's concerns on : Unable to pursue a degree because they are unable to find a course that fit into their busy schedule.

There are various types of online degree program available; the most penetration is business and computer sciences related degree. More and more universities are opening their degree programs online and they cover nearly every subject taught in traditional face-to-face learning environment. Hence, you should be able to find one online degree program that meets your requirement.

Enquiry and enrollment on your favorite course is pretty easy; almost all online courses information is available on internet where you can search easily. Many online universities have their admission counselor available online to answer your questions. Course information can be easily requested through email. Hence, it's very convenient the busy one to search for your courses, ask for information and get further information material from the university, everything can be done from their home, work place, café or any place that is accessible to internet.

In Summary

Online Education is the best way for the working individual to accomplish their goal and their future career enhancement. With the online degree program, anyone can earn their degree at their own schedule that fit into their busy time table.

Jullie Harvard is the author of http://www.studykiosk.com. This site featured over 120 online universities and you can get more information on over 1000 of Accredited Online Degree Program at this site.

Monday, June 18, 2007

It's A Good Time To Study An Online Teaching Degree

There has never been a better time to take advantage of modern technology and earn an online teaching degree. The online education presence offers a potential student many different options. The option is available for existing teachers to brush up or fine-tune their degree by earning an internet teaching degree. As the choices continue to grow and develop, the opportunities continue to grow and are becoming infinite. No matter the reason for obtaining an online teaching degree, becoming a teacher is just a click away.

One of the biggest obstacles for a person studying an internet teaching degree is the argument of hands on experience. As mentioned earlier, the technology surrounding online education continues to grow and as challenges are presented, the experts designing the programs find alternatives. One of the alternatives to hands on experience is the professional development of the programs. The online resources are just as vast and inspire a creative environment for both student and teacher.

As well as the interactive development within the online teaching degree programs, they also offer forums where there are many students. This setting seems to draw out the community of students much like in a real life school setting. The forums are brilliant learning tools in respect to internet teaching degrees because there is a wealth of information to be found. Other students share resource secrets as well as their own experiences within the online education system. It also provides the students and instructors to collaborate on assignments and projects that will better help them become expert teachers!

Many argue that obtaining an online teaching degree lacks the human touch that is required for any great teacher. There is some argument to be had surrounding this issue. An internet teaching degree becomes quite personal due to the fact that the teacher/student relationship goes much beyond skin deep. They both have the opportunity to not only become familiar by looks, but the depth of conversations typically go much beyond those of a traditional education system. There are far less barriers and to those student who are intimidated by speaking in a classroom, this is the perfect atmosphere for cracking the shell.

The flexibility afforded to the students enrolled in an internet teaching degree is numerous. The programs can be taken from any location in the world that offers an internet connection. The student can participate and enjoy asynchronous sessions with the teacher and other students. The online teaching degree can be fit in to any person's schedule because the lessons are available online through the chosen provider's server 24 hours a day. The convenience of the online teaching degree is much too tempting to pass up for any up and coming teacher.

Troy Degarnham is the author and webmaster of http://www.onlineeducationteaching.com, an informative website about Online Education.

Extensive help and tips on online education teaching, learning, degrees, and available courses.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Online Learning - At A Glance

Dispelling popular myths about online learning can go a long way in the future of any student. There is a vast array of information to be learned and researched on the internet and internet learning provides just the opportunity to take advantage of that. However, online learning isn't for every person and every situation. Taking a up close look at the different areas of internet learning will greatly aid any prospective student.

The world of online learning is virtually as endless as the universe. The structure is one that basically is geared toward the adult audience. Not only does this structural groundwork generate applications that can be applied to real life, but also it allows the student to learn what they need to learn. The work is accomplished at the student's own pace within a pre-determined time period.

Online learning also bears another huge advantage over conventional type of education. Not only can it be accomplished at the student's own pace, it can also be taken from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection and a computer. Traveling becomes less of a hassle when the capability to conduct internet learning can be at any location. Flexibility like no other types of education and typically, the cost is much lower as well. There is no commuting and fighting busy crowds or being stuck in traffic for endless periods of time. After all, there is always a green light signal with an internet connection even during 'rush hour'. Online learning offers many advantages over the time-honored tradition of physically sitting in a classroom.

There are many kinds of people who do not benefit from internet learning as well. That number is astonishingly high because many students learn better in a classroom setting. The interaction and hands on type of learning is most beneficial and provides the environment to maximize their learning experience. In fact, many students require that type of formal setting in order to even accomplish any kind of learning. That doesn't mean that online learning doesn't offer a similar environment. It does however; it cannot replicate that of an actual formal setting.

A solid set of disciplines must also be followed in order to benefit from an internet learning atmosphere. Self motivation is one area that many people fall victim to when taking online learning courses. Time management issues are another huge disadvantage to internet learning because many younger adults don't have the necessary life experience to effectively balance their time. Taking responsibility for one's entire education is a big gamble and without these essential skills, it is doomed to fail. It would be wiser for someone without these specific attributes to consider a conventional type of education. Every potential student is different but weighing the options very carefully and selecting the appropriate course of action to suit one's learning abilities are of the utmost importance.

Troy Degarnham is the author and webmaster of http://www.onlineeducationteaching.com an informative website about Online Education.

Extensive help and tips on online education teaching, learning, degrees, and available courses.

Monday, June 11, 2007

A Degree in Psychology Offers Many Career Paths You May Not Be Aware Of

All psychologists, whatever their specialty, study the mind and human behavior. To understand these complex systems, it is important to get the education that will prepare you to meet the challenges of such an important area of work.

A degree in psychology offers you a wide range of job opportunities and specialties. Whether you're interested in research or you want to become a counseling psychologist, you can get the education you need online to help you reach your goals.

Specialization Areas in Counseling

You may be interested in counseling in a Clinical, Community, Marriage and Family Therapy, Forensic, Mental Health, Industry, or School setting. Whatever your area of interest, you can find online programs from top online colleges and universities to help you accomplish your goals. Other areas of specialization include research, developmental, and social psychology.

What Can I Expect to Earn?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for psychology graduates will increase through 2014, particularly for those with a specialist degree like education psychology. And most psychologists have excellent earnings, averaging around $54,950. Depending upon your specialization, salaries can be much higher than average.

What Training Do I Need?

To be a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist, the two largest professional groups in this field, you should plan to complete a doctoral degree. Some sub-fields require only a master's degree, such as industrial-organization psychology or working as an assistant.

A bachelor's degree in psychology may help you with other fields, such as market research, or serve as a gateway to entering one of the competitive graduate-level psychology programs. Those with a bachelor in psychology might assist psychologists in a community mental health center, vocational rehabilitation center, or correctional facility. There are also opportunities for administrative assistants and technicians with a bachelor degree.

Earn Your Degree Online

Making a commitment to earn a degree in psychology is an important one considering the nature of the work you will be doing. If you're ready to take the step to get started in the field with a bachelor's degree, or you've been in the profession for a while and you're ready to go for the advanced degrees, you can find top quality online programs to help you get there.

Accredited Online Colleges and Universities offer programs designed for busy working professionals just like you. Why not find out how you can begin today?

Nancy Lambert is an executive for Accredited-Online-Colleges.com. Accredited-Online-Colleges.com provides information on online psychology degrees offered through accredited colleges and universities. From online certificates to Associates, Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees, Accredited-Online-Colleges.com helps students and adults discover the advantages of earning their degree online.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Five Ways to Spot a Diploma Mill

Adult students have a rich array of schools to choose from when selecting online or distance learning programs. Unfortunately, reputable degree programs stand alongside unaccredited diploma mills — fake schools that exist solely to make money and fleece busy adult students. On the Internet, it’s hard to tell a legitimate institution from a fake one. Here are just a few warning signs that a school is not worth your time or money.

1. Its site lists no names and little or no contact information. At the bare minimum, a legitimate school will list a phone number and physical address on its website. Be wary of “schools” that list only an apartment or a P.O. box. In the same vein, a legitimate school will list the names and contact information of faculty members, deans, and other officials, while a diploma mill will not (usually because they have no teaching faculty whatsoever).

2. A school claims to be small, yet offers a large number of majors. This is a good indication that a school has no teaching faculty, requires little to no work from its students, and is simply trying to net as many victims as possible.

3. The school is vague or ambiguous when speaking about its accreditation, or attempts to downplay the importance of being accredited. The bottom line is that a school needs to be properly accredited if you want your degree to be recognized by employers. Therefore, if a school downplays the importance of being accredited, they are more interested in your money than in supplying quality education. Similarly, don’t take a school at face value if they claim to be “fully,” “nationally,” or “globally” accredited – anyone can claim to be accredited, and anyone can claim to be an accrediting agency. To snare unsuspecting students, some diploma mills even set up fake websites for an accrediting agency. To be absolutely sure a school is properly accredited, check it against a list of known diploma mills (http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx), and research the school’s accreditation using the database of the U.S. Department of Education (http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/).

4. The school makes outrageous promises. Only a diploma mill will brag that they don’t require studying, essay-writing, or test-taking. Similarly, steer clear if a school claims to award degrees on the sole basis of portfolio assessments of life experience. Though some legitimate schools allow students to earn some credit through portfolio assessments or passing tests based on life experience, they are picky about what they accept and allow students to earn only a limited number of credits amassed using the portfolio system. Lastly, avoid schools that claim to award degrees in mere weeks or months.

5. The school offers degrees for a flat fee, rather than by course or credit hour. This is a good sign that the “school” requires little to no work and is not interested in teaching students anything.

When researching online or distance learning programs, don’t fall for the slick, official-looking websites that diploma mills use to lure students. A little independent research and skepticism can steer you away from diploma mills and toward a reputable program that can help you achieve your goals.

Visit DegreeScout.com for more information about diploma mills and online degree programs!

Friday, June 01, 2007

Rochville University

Rochville University's Bachelor's Degree Programs
Rochville University offers a wide range of majors that are sure to
help you meet and depending on your level of dedication to your
studies, exceed the requirements of the industry you are interested
in. This program requires 125 credits, which may take 2-4 years for
completion, depending on the schedule you choose.

Rochville University's Master's Degree Programs
Requiring 65 credits, which may take from 2-4 years for completion,
depending upon the schedule you select, Master's Degree Programs of Rochville
University
prepare you for a leadership role in the profession you
are most passionate about.

Rochville University's Doctorate Degree Programs
Rochville University takes pride in the authoritative position
Doctorate Degree earners of it possess in their industries. If you are
interested in a Doctorate Degree Program of Rochville University, you
will be required to complete 2-4 years of simplified studies in the
subject that interests you the most, depending on the schedule you choose.

Rochville University's Associate's Degree Programs
If you are looking to get yourself prepared for further studies in
graduate programs, rest assured that the Associate's Degree Programs
offered by Rochville University that are accepted as the best in the
world even by the competitors will make you ready to conquer the world
with your academic intelligence. This program requires 65 credits,
which may take from 2-4 years for completion, depending on the
schedule you opt for.