Sunday 16 May 2010

Easy Guide To The Best Online Degree Tips

Author: Helen Hecker

Today the recognition of the quality of online degrees compared to on-campus degrees varies. According to one recent report, about two-thirds of the largest institutions in the United States have fully online degree programs. Today there are even consortiums formed of universities, such as the Canadian Virtual University, which offers no courses or degrees, but simply acts as a portal for courses derived from 14 universities across Canada.

Working on your online degree at home enables you to learn in your own way and will allow you to decide just how quickly you want to earn your degree. One survey some time back, found that 55 percent of employers preferred traditional degrees over online degrees. In 1996, the University of Colorado at Denver expanded its metropolitan campus with the formation of CU Online, creating one of the first fully accredited online education programs offering online university degrees.

Today, you can easily learn a bachelor's degree, master's degree or graduate degree online from a major university without ever having been in any one of their classrooms. Many of the long-time established colleges and universities are now offering online courses and online degree programs. The term online degrees refers to college degrees (sometimes this includes high school diplomas and non-degree certificate programs) that can be earned primarily or entirely through the use of a computer connected to the Internet, rather than attending college in a traditional on-campus setting.

There any many scholarships, grants, education loans and other types of financial aid available today for distance learning or online degree programs. When seeking financial aid or an education loan for online degree, it's important to know they are now readily available, which was not the case a few years ago.

Your reading skills should be above average to be a good online degree student. Of the many types of online degrees available today they include: interior design degree online, online law degree, education, engineering, paralegal, computer science degree, nutrition, mechanical engineering, music, nursing, animal behavior, and online history degree.

It has been reported that employers think that an employee receiving an online education degree compared favorably, in terms of the knowledge learned, to someone who has a resident degree. Make sure that any online credits you earn are transferable; ask the institution directly or in person if possible because most schools vary from course to course and with individual school policy.

If the institution offers successful job placement after graduation or completion of your online course, this may be the deciding factor in your program search. Ask the counselors or representatives handling the accredited online degree program or bachelor degree online program what the job prospects are. Some of the types of online degrees available include: associate degree, bachelor degree, master degree and doctorate degree online.

And do make sure you know that your credits will be transferable into the college or university you plan to attend if you plan to transfer in the future. Check and double-check this with the counselor at both schools. Whether you want to earn an associate degree online, a bachelor's degree online or even a master's or doctorate degree online, know that most online programs are fully accredited, but make sure to check this out before you commit to any program. Today if you want to earn a degree while you're working or you're just a busy person with a busy schedule and don't have to go to school on campus, know that getting an online degree just isn't as hard as it used to be.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/online-education-articles/easy-guide-to-the-best-online-degree-tips-269205.html

About the AuthorFor more info on choosing the best online degree program, accredited bachelor degree online and finding the best online degree scholarships, grants, education loans or financing go to http://www.OnlineDegreesTips.com for tips and info on all types of online degrees

Best Online Degree Tips You Can Use Today

Author: Helen Hecker

Many people are earning a bachelor, master's or doctorate degree online in their field whether it's an online nursing degree, online education degree, psychology degree, or even an online criminal justice degree without conforming to the traditional, time consuming schedule. Others include a business degree online, online accounting degree, and online teaching degree. The term 'online degrees' refers to college degrees (sometimes including high school diplomas and non-degree certificate programs) that can be earned primarily or entirely by the use of a computer connected to the Internet, rather than by attending a college in a traditional campus setting. It's been reported that employers feel that an employee receiving an online education degree compares favorably, in terms of knowledge learned, to someone with a resident degree.

According to one report, about two-thirds of the largest institutions now have fully online degree programs. Working on your online degree at home enables you to learn in your own way, at your own speed and will allow you to decide how soon you want to earn your degree. You will want to make sure your online school choice has accreditation, which means that the institution has passed a particular set level of standards through a recognized organization for upholding quality education.

Today there are even consortiums formed of universities, such as in Canada, the Canadian Virtual University, which offers no courses or degrees, but simply acts as a portal for courses from 14 universities across Canada. While most major online colleges are regionally accredited, the public perception of their quality has been in dispute but is gradually changing. In 1996, the University of Colorado at Denver in the United States expanded its campus with the formation of CU Online, creating one of the first fully accredited online education programs offering online university degrees.

Types of online degrees available today include: interior design degree online, online law degree, education online, engineering degree online, online paralegal degree, online computer science degree and online history degree. When seeking financial aid or an education loan for an online degree, it's important to know they are now readily available, which was not true a few years ago. Graduates of any online degree program will be a good source for recommendations and make sure to ask about anything they think you should look out for.

Make sure that all the online credits you earn are transferable; ask at the institution directly, if possible, because most schools vary from course to course and with the individual school policy. Try to find online forums or chat rooms with actual students who are attending the school or who have attended the school you have in mind. Make sure to find out if you have to go to a campus to take some of the exams or complete some of your online coursework; if so, would you have difficulty getting to the campus if during the evenings and on weekends if necessary?

If you're not sure about where you'll be working when you earn your degree you might ask the counselors or representatives handling the accredited online degree program or bachelor degree online program what the job prospects might be. There are many online schools that are complete, stand-alone online universities with no campuses, football teams, sororities or fraternities.

Students seeking online degrees should get proof of accreditation from a regional or national accrediting body in the US if they have any doubt. Whether you want to earn an associate degree online, a bachelor's degree online or even a master's or doctorate degree online, rest assured that most online programs are fully accredited, but make sure to check this out before you commit; the value of the degree often rests on whether or not an institution is accredited.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/best-online-degree-tips-you-can-use-today-244832.html

About the AuthorFor more info on choosing the best online degree program, accredited bachelor degree online and finding the best online degree scholarships, grants, education loans or financing go to http://www.OnlineDegreesTips.com for tips and info on all types of online degrees

Tuesday 11 May 2010

7 Ways to Ensure Success With an Online Education Degree

Attaining an online education degree has opened opportunities for many students, especially those who find paying for traditional full-time courses outside their reach. But as much as acquiring an online education degree has many benefits over traditional learning, many factors play a role in order to make it successful for online students. Because of the differences in the way that online education is disseminated and acquired, some amendments in approaching this mode of learning need be put in place to make it a success.1. Choosing the right accredited online college or university - The first step is to select the right institution to provide for your online education degree. Do your homework before starting school, and make sure the school has been accredited by the appropriate accrediting agencies. Unfortunately, without that educational stamp of approval, the degree will not be worth the paper on which it is printed. In fact, "diploma mills" offer substandard, or no education with the promise of a quick (but worthless) degree.2. Analyze cost vs. benefit - Some students enroll in a distance learning program without considering the cost. Generally, the cost per credit hour is fairly expensive. However, decide whether the education will translate into better income opportunities down the road. Only after assessing the true benefits can students appreciate the rewards of obtaining an education online degree.3. Degree validation by employers - No wonder many employers are wary of online degrees. With bogus institutions literally selling degrees, employers have good reason to be doubtful and cautious. Therefore, immediately alleviate any potential misgivings by your prospective employer by offering verification of accreditation through an agency sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.4. Practice discipline, time management and be determined to succeed - During the course of learning, many students simply lack discipline and are unable to focus. This makes it difficult to keep up with their online lessons and coursework, it is thus crucial for students in pursuit of online education degree to have a great determination to succeed. It is very easy to lose focus and motivation when studying alone. Exercising good time management and keeping in constant touch with classmates would increase the morale to succeed.5. Utilize all the facilities provided by your college - Many education degree online courses provide online lectures and email access to facilitate communication among students, lecturers and administration staff. It's important to take full advantage of these services as they keep you "connected" with your accredited online college. It helps further your motivation in your studies when you make use of these facilities to stay in touch.6. Make use of credit transfers - Many online education degree colleges allow students to transfer their credits from courses they took in previous colleges, whether online or traditional. By doing this, it means students don't have to repeat courses they learnt before. For this to be effected, it's important for a student who intends to pursue an education online to make sure they get transcripts and results from their previous universities or colleges and make them available to their accredited online college so they can be passed as transfer credits.7. Using Educational technology is essential - The only way to facilitate an excellent online education degree is to take full advantage of all the educational technology available. Virtual libraries generally have all the information necessary to complete research projects and other assignments. The online materials have been factored into the cost of the course. The convenience is another reason for using this benefit to the fullest.
M. Jackson - About the Author:
Mary J. writes articles about online education degree programs and a guide on distance learning colleges that are legitimate and accredited.

Friday 12 February 2010

Online University Degree Programs - Don't Let Anyone Discourage You Against Them!

Not everyone approves of online university degree programs. Some employers don't consider them to be as credible as the programs at traditional brick and mortar colleges. Although there are many people that have this negative viewpoint of online education,do not let them discourage you from getting an online college education.

Do your research. Although online university degree programs have become more popular within the last few years,there are still negative viewpoints concerning these programs. In order to get a better understanding of these convenient programs,research them. Make a list of the many different degree programs and research them and see if they are up to your standards. If you are interested in earning an accounting degree,by all means research the many different online schools and online accounting programs that are available. You will find that there are a lot of positive things to be said about online university degree programs. In addition, evaluate a few online universities and colleges. Don't rely on the negativity of others when it comes to making a decision about something as important as your education.

Think about your future and weigh your options. Focus on the reasons as to why you want to pursue an online college education. Are you impressed with the convenience of online education? Following the degree requirements of an online education program will give you the flexibility that you may need as a result of family or employment responsibilities. Flexibility and convenience are two of the main reasons that people prefer online education programs. Instead of allowing others to discourage you from getting your online degree, think about the many reasons why an online education is right for you.

Prove them wrong. Get your degree and find gainful employment. Yes, there are many negative viewpoints when it comes to online education. Ignore them. You must pursue an online university degree program that meets your educational standards and personal lifestyle. Follow and finish the applicable degree requirements and graduate. Graduation is your ultimate goal. In the end,you will be able to get high paying jobs just as well as anyone who graduated from a traditional brick and mortar school. What a perfect way to prove all of those naysayers wrong. It's not how you obtain your degree,but how you use it in the end.

By J F Jones

Accredited Online Degree Programs Are Your Best Option to Receive a Degree

Are you planning to improve your prospects in life? Then the perfect way to begin is to extend your education. You have two choices, to seek learning online or through the conventional way. But it can be very demanding if not impossible for an adult to go back to school with the single purpose of earning an accredited online degree. It is even more challenging when it comes to going to a standard campus or school against staying back at home or in the office and just receive lecture with the accredited online degree programs.

If you are one of the busy individual that want to be educated more but you don't have that time to go to a standard campus, it will be perfect for you to enroll in an online degrees accredited colleges. With this you can have nothing to be distressed about it since you still can maintain your busy schedule while learning. The fact about online accredited online degree programs is that anyone and everyone can earn a qualification in different fields such as associate, undergraduate or graduate degrees at their spare time with comfort and lack of difficulty. There is nothing more befitting than the benefits online degree education offers. At least you won't be enclosed in the four walls of a class room.

Studies have shown that many of educational institution nowadays systemize online learning programs. Unlike before one can now simply get an online degree in a field they want, in which science degree and engineering degree is most popular field. National accredited online degrees are those degrees that are license and authorized officially as a result of meeting an appointed standard. In whatever time students want to acquire your decided degree online. But be sure to enroll with an online university that is certified and not fraudulent ones.

Many research works have declared it that an online student can also learn well using online method of learning, in that way they can receive certificate the same as a regular university student receives. Online degree program has become very popular these days and with the popularity on the said program, employment for those individual has elevate. In them, most employers will apprehend fascinating qualities needed from a good employee such as inspiration, self-sufficiency and industriousness.

You can earn an online associate, bachelor or master degree through these accredited online universities. Compliance of online college degrees from all accredited institutions is definitely on the rise. Consumers can explore their choices by downloading the free university guidebook in some accredited online universities. You can easily receive your degree certification after you comply to all of the programs of an online university.

By Toby Criddern

Kaplan University Online College Admission - How is it Done?

Kaplan University is said to be one of the top universities providing online education. Online education is a great option for those who are not able to relocate to attend college. Aside from the flexibility, anyone can enroll in Kaplan University online for as long as the needed requirements are provided and the applicant meets the standards of the university. Kaplan University online college admission is pretty simple so the applicants are more focused on their goal of entering college and not on paperwork or completing requirements.

So for those who are interested in applying to this online college, here are the requirements and standards that must be met:

  1. The applicant must be a high school graduate.
  2. Must have a certificate of General Education Development (GED)
  3. Transcript from a Home Study program or Home Study certificate that is equivalent to a secondary level and home state recognized and must be beyond the age of required attendance in the state they are in.
  4. Must also be a high-school senior that is able to apply and present proof of high school graduation.

The following documents will serve as an evidence that the applicant graduated from secondary level must also be provided for Kaplan University online college admission:

  1. High school diploma certified copy
  2. Copy of high school transcript that lists down the date of graduation
  3. Copy of DD214 military record that proves that the applicant graduated from secondary level or equivalent
  4. GED certificate proving that a GED has been earned.
  5. College transcript that shows the date of high school graduation

Kaplan University online college admission is made easy and can be done online in just a few minutes. Also, with the help of their Admission Advisor, application process will be a breeze.

By Crystal Jennings

Online University Programs Cater to New Versions of College Students

The cost of going to college is higher than ever causing many students to either postpone or draw out their educational endeavors in order to work to pay for tuition. As the job market becomes increasingly competitive during times of economic turmoil, many professionals with extensive experience are returning to classroom-based or online schools to update or enhance their qualifications.

Consequently, the stereotypical version of a college student - a recent high school graduate aged 18 to 22 years enrolled in a four-year degree program - is no longer representative of the majority of post-secondary students.

"In fact, only 15 percent of individuals pursuing higher education fall in this age range, live on campus and attend school full-time," Michael J. Offerman, vice chairman of Capella University, reports on his blog, "The Other 85 Percent".

Over the past year, the cost of attending a public, four-year university rose by 6.5 percent, according to a recent report from the College Board. Although the government is currently working to improve federal lending programs for students, approximately 65 percent of bachelor's degree recipients graduated with educational debt last year. Additionally, many bachelor's degree candidates are unable to graduate within four years, as the National Center for Education Statistics reports first-time college students who received their degrees between 1999 and 2000 took an average of 55 months to do so.

As a result, many universities have changed their curricula to cater to a wider range of college students - those who have family and professional commitments to fulfill outside of work. In fact, several online universities, such as Capella, "exist to serve working adults," Irene Silber, the school's director of public relations, told the Quinnipiac Chronicle.

Many institutions, such as Bisk Education, offer online training and certification courses to help professionals supplement their credentials. The professional education company's accredited CPEasy online courses aim to "make it easy for accountants...to successfully fulfill their work responsibilities, while earning the CPE credits they need to maintain their certification," Nathan M. Bisk, the company's founder and chairman, told Reuters.

Such offerings are representative of how online degree and certification programs are leading "higher education to the leading edge of an incredible revolution," Mark S. Schneider, former commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, told Education Week.

By Natasha Bright

Finding Out the Most Reliable Information For Online Education

It can be said without any doubt that the vision of obtaining a degree from an online university appears quite shady. As far as looking for a school that completely satisfies your needs is concerned, you may not even think about opting for a university that wants you to provide tens of thousands of dollars right from your pocket and sit in unnervingly dark and dingy classrooms. On the other hand, going for a school having the same level of accreditation as any 'brick and mortar" institution, accompanying an improved view (specifically your bedroom) and a realistically advanced approach to funding seems highly reasonable.

Online universities are increasingly gaining popularity in the educational world, yet scores of individuals still find their legitimacy doubtful. Well, no worry as this issue isn't as serious as it appears and certainly has a solution and that too online. You can find answers to your questions and concerns regarding online education by visiting a reliable Internet Portal for Online Study that lists the top online degree programs in the nation. Such a website enables individuals interested in online education to continue on a more non-traditional course to educational success, without even making them leave the comfort of their own homes.

Yes, there certainly are websites that can guide you through the process but the condition is that the site must be reliable and trustworthy. It can not be ignored that there exist sites that claim to be rich in informative resources relevant to online education but in real they are nothing more than "scams". You must make sure that your guiding source offers you the best of online educational schemes and strategies. An ideal educational portal enlists universities having lecturers from various skilled backgrounds, with several having superior degrees in specific fields. And these universities apart from offering their students some of the greatest minds to learn from also provide a plethora of degree features and programs that will assist all students in changing his or her stars irrespective of their present circumstances. Whatever your passion, your potential target is, those listed universities are certain to offer something that will motivate your mind and most likely provide you with the tools essential to succeed regardless of whatever life throes at you.

In order to discover which school ideally harmonizes your needs, what you need to do is to take a look at the selection offered at a dependable and well-established educational; portal. Undoubtedly, there are online degree courses that will brighten your future with the confidence to hunt for higher education in order to get your career started, or seek higher education to give you the qualifications required to take a step ahead in a career of your choice. Each online university that a "Reliable, Trustworthy and Comprehensive Educational Portal" has listed accompanies vital description and an approach by means of which you may obtain additional information straightforwardly from the university.

The next step is to decide what features you're seeking in a university. For nearly everyone, the opportunity to acquire an celebrated degree from a university with good reputation is sufficient to make payments through the backside; however, with an online degree you're saving yourself practically hundreds of dollars for a four year education that is just as feasible through an online university that will eventually cost you a simple fraction of that payment. At the end of the day, it is money that rules --how much something costs and how much can be secured with the other choice. If you're in search for a university that is as justifiable as it is easy on your bank account, visiting an ideal online educational website is your path to make educational and economic success certain.

By Sheila Danzig

Top 10 Universities Offering Free Online Learning

Good news for those who want to advance their education but lack money for tuition! It is possible to earn a degree from a highly reputable university free of charge. Below is a list of the 10 best free university courses (in no particular order) available for you:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (mit.edu) - MIT is ideal for those looking for a wide range of free courses offered online. The university's OpenCourseWare project has more than 1,750 free courses that are in text, audio and video formats. OpenCourseWare is used by students worldwide, most of whom say they would recommend the site to other students.

2. Stanford (stanford.edu) - Stanford University, one of the world's top universities, has teamed up with iTunes U to offer access to Stanford courses, interviews and lectures. Available courses can be downloaded and played on iPods, Macs and PCs and can also be burned to audio CDs and played in CD player.

3. University of California, Irvine (uci.edu) - UC Irvine, recently teamed up with the OCW Consortium to offer free university level courses online. Although currently there are only a few courses to choose from, the list is rapidly growing. Course materials include lecture notes, assignments as well as exams.

4. Open University (open.ac.uk) - Open University's (UK) OpenLearn website offer both undergraduate and graduate learners free access to learning materials. The materials cover a wide range of topics, such as IT and computing, education, mathematics and statistics, science, health, business and more.

5. University of California, Berkeley (berkeley.edu) - For almost a decade, the University of California, Berkeley has been providing live webcasts of a number of courses including IT, legal studies, engineering, philosophy, psychology and astronomy. Many of the university's courses, are currently available as podcasts and webcasts.

6. Carnegie Mellon University (cmu.edu) - Carnegie Mellon University's program called Open Learning Initiative (OLI) offers several free online courses. OLI courses are aimed to allow introductory college level students to learn about a particular subject without formal instruction. Courses cover a wide range of topics, such as economics, biology, French, statistics and physics.

7. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (kutztownsbdc.org) - The Kutztown University of Pennsylvania has a resource centre, Small Business Development Center, that boasts the web's largest collection of free business programs.

8. Utah State University (usu.edu) - Utah State University is also a good choice for those looking for free online courses. The university offers a number of download-able text-based courses ranging from physics to anthropology and theatre arts.

9. University of Southern Queensland (usq.edu.au) - University of Southern Queensland, Australia, offers free online courses through its OpenCourseWare initiative.

10. Tufts University (tufts.edu) - Tufts University, a private research university in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts, has OpenCourseWare that is available free to everyone. Course materials include lecture notes, assignments and other supplementary materials.

By Samuel Njihia