Distance Learning - A Flexible Option For Today's Busy Lifestyle

What would have been impossible -- and even laughable just a few decades ago have now rocked the foundation of higher education altogether. Our lives have changed. We no longer follow the predetermined path of college at 18, graduation at 22, marriage and 2.5 kids, retirement at 65 with a gold watch and a pension.

As our lives have become busier and less structured, the world has become more flexible to accommodate us. We have many more options than our parents did. Relatively, fewer students than ever are earning their degrees on traditional college campuses while distance learning is becoming more popular than ever.

Distance Learning Gains Credibility

In the early days of non-traditional learning, options were limited and many organizations offered credits that weren't accepted by other universities or employers. Even degrees from legitimate sources were frowned upon by some companies.

While non-accredited institutions still exist, universities have taken the increased demand for new educational options to heart. Fully accredited online programs are now available in nearly every field. Some combine traditional courses with online courses, while others are online only allowing students to earn their degrees from home at their own pace.

Students from Every Demographic

The flexibility of distance learning programs has given opportunities to people from every sector of society. Stay at home moms and dads attend to their education while their toddlers nap or their older kids are in school.

People in full-time jobs take online classes nights and weekends. Employees who travel monitor courses from a hotel room. Seasonal workers cram coursework in during their down times, and then when their jobs pick up they temporarily suspend studies without any loss of credit.

Distance learning appeals to environmentalists who want to save the gas burned by driving to campus. It allows people housebound by medical problems to continue their education. Night owls can do their work at 2 am.

Flexibility Doesn't Mean Carelessness

Some students who are new to the concept of distance learning may struggle in their first course or two as they get used to the flexibility. Successful students must have the self-discipline to pay attention to coursework and get assignments in on time. They have the freedom to schedule their work, but they still have to get the work done eventually.

After a short time, almost any student can find a rhythm that allows courses to be completed in a more relaxed atmosphere. They can focus their time on learning rather than driving to campus, finding a parking space, walking to class, and waiting for the professor to start.

The flexibility of online courses will continue to expand as increased demand allows universities to expand their offerings. As distance learning evolves further, students will be offered even more options so that each one can adopt a unique and personalized curriculum that fits their lifestyle, their educational options, and their personal likes and dislikes.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Distance Learning, visit http://www.Petersons.com/DistanceLearning.

Online Degree Programs - Identify The Legitimate Among The Scams

Online distance learning is becoming more and more popular for good reasons. It makes degrees accessible to many students who could not attend a traditional college. But not all degrees will be equally valued. That is why you need to do some careful research.

You have decided to advance your career by pursuing an online degree program. You will be investing a lot of resources in your endeavor so you want to be certain that potential employers will recognize and value your diploma. So how do you identify a legitimate internet college and avoid the scams?

While there are many fine prestigious distance learning institutions, the field is also rife with fraudulent programs and degree mills. Some schools just want to "process" a lot of students and hand out fake degrees. They basically sell their diplomas. You need to be smart and aware to avoid the degree scams.

Red Flags

If the school is lax or uninterested in your previous education or academic record or if you are guaranteed a degree in a specified period of time or for a stated price you are dealing with a fraudulent organization. Avoid any degree program that does not require coursework in exchange for a degree. If they offer a diploma based entirely on life experience it is likely a degree mill. Also be wary of schools that are operated overseas. Be certain the school's contact information includes a phone number and a physical address and not simply an email address.

Accreditation

The most crucial factor in selecting an online college is their accreditation status. Some degree mills may claim to be accredited but it is important to know if they are accredited by a recognized agency. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is the agency that oversees legitimate accrediting in the U. S.

Resources for checking the legitimacy of Distance Learning Accreditation:

-- U.S. Department of Education: www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.asp

-- Council for Higher Education Accreditation
List of recognized accrediting organizations: www.chea.org/Directories/index.asp

Properly accredited colleges and universities will have the .edu designation. The recognized accrediting organizations have strict standards set by educational experts. Degrees and credits earned at these institutions will generally be accepted by other schools.

After you have found some programs that appeal to you and verified their accreditation status, compare their offerings and their reputations. Contact prospective employers and ask if they are familiar with the programs and get their opinions. Ask what online degree programs they would recommend.

Terrance C. Douglas writes for http://www.advanced-online-degree.com. Visit the website for more information about online degree programs and avoiding diploma mills.

Lear How To Get A GED Online

How to Get a GED Online

It has been asked over and over again - Can you get a GED online?

In all honesty the answer is no you can not get a GED Online at this time.

However you can take GED courses online. The following are benefits of taking GED courses online:

1) You increase your chances of Passing your GED Exam

2) You can take GED Courses in the comfort of your own home

3) GED courses are very brief generally lasting a few days

4) Depending on your success in the GED Course your registration fee may be waived

Although this doesn't help you get your GED Online persay it does help you
greatly improve your chances of successfully getting your GED once you take the
actual GED exam. One of the main reasons that taking GED courses online is
popular is because of privacy. Nobody will even know that you are going to take the GED test because
your taking the GED courses in the privacy of your own home. Before you know you will be finished with
the GED course and ready to pass your GED exam.

Many people don't want to physically drive to a location for a GED course. For two reasons: they are generally lazy,
and they are embarrassed and don't want others to see that they are trying to get their GED.

Did you know that a record high number of employers are employing staff members who their GED?

More
and more people are getting their GED diploma. With the competition in our already staggering economy I
strongly advice you to do the same. Also many colleges accept students who have obtained their GED diplomas.
You can find information online regarding Colleges and Universities who accept students who have their GED diplomas.

Learn how to Get a GED

1) Prepare yourself take an online GED course, purchase a GED book and take GED practice Test.

2) Review the rules specific to your State and GED Testing Center.

2) Register with your local GED Testing Center or with the State Department of Education.

3) Arrive at the GED Testing Center, enter the facility prepare now go make yourself proud.

One last thing be prepared before you register for the GED exam. Also have some cash on hand during your GED registration
in case you have to pay a GED registration fee. Good Luck!

How To Get A GED

Some Facts About Online Degrees

The Internet has revolutionized many industries and it has done that in many ways. This is also true for the Education field, because now people have the unique opportunity of pursuing higher education online. Online education is what was once called distance education, and it is very appropriately called like this since students from all over the world can be taught and can learn in the online or virtual environment.

And when it comes to online education, the degrees really come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From really established and trusted accredited universities to institutions that give out diplomas with the only requirement being the payment, you can find everything you want. This is one of the reasons why you should really know your priorities. If you want to follow the courses of an accredited university, you really need to study the market.

However, the advantages of online education are worth the trouble. It is very suitable for people who already have a job and don't have a lot of time. Time flexibility is one of the major advantages of studying online.

And since there are so many universities out there which offer online degrees, it is very important that you take the time and do your research. You must be able to identify a university which specifically meets your requirements, in terms of accreditation, courses, cost and time.

Also, you must think about the importance that getting an online degree bears for you. If you just want something to put in your CV, maybe a school with lower requirements and cost is the best option for you. However, if you are interested in a serious course plan and a serious university, it's better if you choose universities like Phoenix University, Capella University, etc.

Once you get in a program, do not make the mistake of thinking that this is going to be easier than any other traditional school. Be prepared to read, write, study, just as you would at a standard university. The only major difference is the fact that you will be doing all these things from the comfort of your own home.

The final issue is how the potential employers view online degrees. Most definitely, having an online degree is far better than having none at all. However, to be perfectly honest, there are some employers who look down on them or may even confuse them with fake diplomas. If this is the case, you must inform your potential employer that the degree is just as valuable, and it will be your task to educate him/her in this aspect. Make sure you explain exactly what you have learned and what your expertise is.

You can start requesting free information from the many universities that offer online education in order to see what programs suit your needs.

Chris Stevens has a computer science online degree and decided to build a websites which explains why you should earn a degree online and what are the advantages of online degrees.

Online MBA Course - Having It Before You Start Your Own Business

You might easily get tired when you do things that you do not like. This might as well affect your work productivity that leads to career suicide. Then, you have decided to leave your company and start a new company on your own. This might be indeed a brilliant decision but it has certain risks. Making your own business requires proper skills in order to overcome unwanted adversities.

How does these skills are developed?

These skills can be develop if you have proper guidance. It does not mean that you need to engage with several self-professed business gurus. You need to have adequate business knowledge which comprises several fields of study including accounting, marketing, business administrations, finance and other related business fields. If you are lack of these particular knowledge, you have to spare some extra time to find out these information from related resources.

Brain-storm for plans and ideas before making the final decision.

In order to avoid making bad and rush decisions, start planing for a career advancement. Earlier, you have already know that lack of relevant knowledge will actually lead to tremendous failure, so it is time to get yourself back to school. Brain-storming your plans and ideas by using simple mind mapping technique for effective decision-making. In this critical decision-making, you might probably want to do a part-time course at one accredited business school.

Find for one suitable accredited business school.

There are several business school which able to provide online MBA courses at your convenience. In this way, you can invest some money in this particular course program without leaving your present job. Furthermore, you will be able to learn the on-going business processes of a real company as these course programs provide hands-on experience for the students.

If you want to start your own business, it will be a total failure if you start it up with lack of related experiences. Enrolling to an online MBA course program from one top business school which provides hands-on training for students in order to have your future company operate in a dynamic business world. Find more about online MBA course preparation tips and information via http://mbaforbetterfuture.com