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May 26th, 2009
Last year, the economists admitted it. The U.S. has been in a recession since early 2007. There’s no end currently in sight. Despite the stimulus packages and financial bailouts, Chrysler has filed bankruptcy and GM is close to the edge. Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, this dim economic forecast has resulted in a marked spike in interest concerning higher education.
In fact, interest in online degree programs rose by about ten percent last quarter. This interest in distance learning reflects the national trend toward online education. Currently, more than 4 million persons are enrolled in distance learning degree programs, and this number only continues to rise.
The current economic crisis is also partly responsible for the increased interest in distance education. People are reluctant to leave stable job positions to go back to college and earn a degree. Online degree universities, however, allow people to finish their college educations without quitting their jobs and mortgaging their homes. With major corporations such as Microsoft, as well as many banking institutions, also reducing their workforces, people just aren’t taking chances with their financial security.
Higher education institutions, though, are reaping a benefit: More people are returning to school to sharpen their skills and cross-train for increased job security. Furthermore, interest is very high in areas such as nursing and other healthcare-related fields, where jobs are still available and personnel are in high demand. This trend toward enrollment in high-need fields will help to relieve the intense nursing shortage predicted by healthcare experts as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement.
Hopefully, economic experts and government officials will soon get the national economy back on track. In the meantime, people are banking their futures in higher educations. Sensible. Investing in personal improvement almost always pays off in the end. The challenge, however, is in bridging the financial gap during that transition.
Tags: distance learning, distance learning degree programs, Online Degree Programs, online degree universities, online education
Posted in Online Degree Programs | No Comments »
May 18th, 2009
Millions of people are currently enrolled in online degree programs, and this number continues to soar. Hardworking adults are realizing they don’t have to quit their jobs and give up their family lives to get a promotion or change careers. Until recently, though, costs for tuition at many distance learning universities were significantly higher than the costs at traditional college campuses.
This has begun to change, however. As more universities offer distance education degrees, these schools realize that they have to keep their prices competitive. Who wants to pay more than necessary for an online college degree? Most adults don’t care about how prestigious the school is; they only want to earn a degree from an accredited online degree university.
A number of universities and scholarship foundations have begun offering scholarships to students enrolled in distance learning degree programs. These scholarships help to cover the cost of tuition and book fees. Many government grants are also available for online degree universities, and most government loan programs can now be used to help finance a distance learning education.
Finding scholarships for distance education programs may not be as easy as finding traditional college scholarships. Still, many are available to students who are willing to look for them. Why pay more than you have to in order to earn a degree online?
Tags: accredited online degree, distance education programs, distance learning, distance learning degree programs, earn a degree online, online college degree, Online Degree Programs, online degree universities, online degree university
Posted in Online Degree Programs | No Comments »
May 16th, 2009
Despite the promises offered by President Obama’s leadership, the economy is looking worse than ever after 116 days of the new administration. Chrysler has filed bankruptcy proceedings, and GM is facing probable bankruptcy as well. For many years, our country’s workforce has depended for stability on the automobile and transportation industry, and it is becoming more obvious than ever that this just isn’t going to continue to be a viable possibility. So what’s going to happen to the tens of thousands of people who could be facing unemployment in the very near future?
If you’re working for a company in financial trouble, the idea of quitting probably seems as foreign as moving to the moon. Forgoing unemployment benefits to go back and get a college degree? Trying to earn your college degree by attending class each evening when you’re stressed and wondering if you’ll have a job next week? Taking out thousands of dollars in college loans seems just about as financially wise as buying a new home.
A college degree is more than just another expense, though. It’s an investment in your future. And thanks to the wide variety of online degree programs, you can earn a degree online without quitting your job. Rather than spending every day after work commuting to a traditional campus, you can go home, eat dinner, and sit down in your easy chair. Login to your classroom, and start learning.
Distance learning requires time and motivation, but allows you to relax and focus at home. Set an example for your children by showing them how important education is. It’s going to take some time and practice, but at the end you’ll have marketable skills that will offer you and your family the security and financial stability. Keep the American Dream alive, and share it with your children.
Tags: college degree programs, degree., distance learning, earn a degree online, earn your college degree, Online Degree Programs
Posted in Education | No Comments »
January 17th, 2009
In a few days, we’ll have a new president of the United States, and we’ll have a chance to see what kind of impact he has on the economy, and how this impact will affect students who want to earn a degree online. This will help us advise students regarding what online degree programs are likely to offer the most (and best) job opportunities in the next few years. In the meantime, though, let’s take a look at the jobs that are still hiring, and what distance learning degree programs can help you earn that job.
The healthcare profession is still hiring. As the nursing shortage continues to increase across the country, graduates with nursing degrees aren’t having trouble finding jobs after graduating. Be prepared, though, to take a part-time job, or start in a position and move your way up. Increasing numbers are also returning to school to earn a distance degree and earn a Bachelor Degree online or even finish their Master’s Degrees.
Other healthcare professions that seem to be relatively immune to the economic crisis include pharmaceutical sales reps, pharmacists, and surgical technicians. Students enrolling in these college degree programs probably won’t have much difficulty finding jobs.
Foreclosure companies are still hiring business professionals, so if you don’t mind getting your start by foreclosing on homes or businesses, you may still choose to earn a business degree online. After all, when times get better and businesses start to boom again, you’ll have a few years of experience that your colleagues didn’t get.
If you’re interested in the business world, but not interested in foreclosing on mortgages, consider earning a distance degree in accounting, or get an online business degree and work as a financial adviser or accounts manager. It may take some some hard work and energy to get your first position, but a few years from now, it will be well worth the work!
Tags: college degree programs, distance degree, distance degree in accounting, distance learning degree programs, earn a bachelor degree online, earn a business degree online, earn a degree online, online business degree, Online Degree Programs
Posted in Education | 1 Comment »
January 11th, 2009
Just how important is it, anyway, to be accepted at an elite college or university and get your degree? Does a business degree from Harvard really matter more than a business degree from the local community college or online degree university? Unfortunately, it really does. Most of us, though, aren’t likely to enroll in Harvard University any time soon, so what other options do we have for getting a good education online?
Probably the most important fact in any distance learning degree program is to make sure that the school is regionally accredited. If the school isn’t accredited, your degree won’t be worth much, and neither will all the time or money you spent earning it. Don’t waste your time in a degree program that isn’t accredited.
Take time to do your research. If you are already employed and seeking a promotion or wanting to advance your career through other employment, ask around to see what university degree programs are most respected in your area. Certain universities may be more well-known, and therefore carry greater weight, than other online degree programs.
If you are just beginning your career, interview accredited online university degree programs. Talk with the admissions counselors and find out what the requirements and expectations are. Tuition costs are often an important consideration. Don’t enroll in a degree program you can’t afford to finish!
There are literally thousands of distance university degree programs available. Look around and find the one that’s right for you. After all, it’s your career – not anyone else’s – that is at stake!
Tags: accredited online university degree programs, degree program, distance learning degree program, distance university, distance university degree programs, Online Degree Programs, online degree university, top online schools, university degree programs
Posted in Education | 1 Comment »
December 30th, 2008
One of the hottest debates surrounding the field of education today is how the so-called “data deluge” has affected student scholarship. Some experts argue that the overwhelming flood of information available to scholars and students has caused them to stop thinking in terms of meta-theories, algorithms, models, or even the scientific method. Instead, they think in terms of data bytes and clips of information that help them digest bits and pieces of information.
Distance learning degree programs have contributed to this shift in perspective. As students from online degree universities search through the Internet to find information for a course or project, they scan abstracts, browse summaries, or read excerpts of books. Rather than spending long hours in a library copying journal articles or reading reference materials, they turn to search engines to help them quickly find the information they need.
One approach that traditional and accredited online university degree programs are taking to alleviate this problem is to work together to establish data structures that can be shared, referenced, and are continuously available to students and educators alike. Although this solution has helped somewhat, issues concerning data ownership, author credit, and authorization of access continue to require resolution.
The goal of distance degree programs is not to diminish scholarship, but rather to make it more accessible to everyone. By taking it out of the libraries and off traditional college campuses, however, scholarship has become more informal and casual. Many scholars argue that this trivializes efforts at scholarship. Rather than making scholarship less important, however, educators have succeeded in making it possible for the common man or woman to access and understand scholarship, without making it an exclusive property of academicians.
In short, distance learning students aren’t causing a lower quality of education and scholarship. Instead, through the efforts of online degree universities, scholarly information is much more accessible to everyone. Distance education degree programs have not lowered the standards for education; rather, they have lowered the bar that prevents access to education for everyone.
Tags: accredited online university degree programs, distance degree programs, distance education degree programs, distance learning, distance learning degree programs, Online Degree Programs, online degree universities
Posted in Education | 1 Comment »
December 29th, 2008
If you just graduated from a Bachelor Degree program and are beginning your career in teaching, you may get only one or two job offers your first year. Don’t be discouraged, though – you have to start somewhere. Rather than wait another year or two while you finish a Master Degree, take that entry level job and start working on advancing your career.
Before you resign yourself to being stuck in a deadend job for years, though, get more information about the distance education degree programs that will help you to move into the teaching job you really want. If you’re planning on teaching at the elementary level, for example, an online graduate degree program in education can offer you the extra classroom skills and strategies necessary to excel in your profession.
If you want to teach at the secondary level, you will need at least a Master Degree. Explore the online college degree programs available at distance learning universities nationwide, and determine which of these will be most helpful to you. Be aware that most school districts prefer that you have a Master Degree in the field in which you intend to teach instead of a graduate degree in education.
Most people don’t start their careers in the job they’ve always wanted. It takes time to get where you want to be in your profession. Start where you can, and work your way into your dream job. Sometimes, the practical experience you gain is well worth your while.
Furthermore, with the availability of online degree universities, you can earn a degree online frop a top online school while you are starting your new career. Learn more about accredited online university degree programs that will help further your teaching career today!
Tags: accredited online university degree programs, distance education degree programs, distance learning, earn a degree online, online college degree programs, online degree program, online degree universities, online graduate degree program, top online school
Posted in Education | 3 Comments »
December 26th, 2008
For the first time in three years, an educational organization in the United States has been awarded the coveted Baldridge Award. Three different organizations received this award in 2008, and the North Carolina Iredell Statesville School District (I-SS) was among them. The other two organizations that were so honored including a healthcare business and a food industry giant.
The Baldridge Award was developed in 1987. It is given with the intent to honor service and performance excellence, as well as strategic planning and effective implementation, especially with regard to quality control and improvement. This award is designed to recognize the achievement of organizations that have made a serious commitment to quality and productivity.
School Superintendent Holliday believed that the school district’s commitment to distance learning made the organization stand out among the 88 other applicants. I-SS offers distance learning programs for secondary school students throughout the state of North Carolina. In the school’s first year, approximately 500 students participated in this distance degree program, while approximately 1000 students are enrolled in 2008.
Teachers use traditional and distance education degree program technology to interact with and educate their students. This online degree program also uses a variety of technologies, incluing podcasts, videos, and interactive learning methods. In addition, this top online school offers teachers the ability to meet and interact with one another, and to learn from one another, throughout the school year.
Distance degree programs for secondary students are becoming increasingly popular. This trend is underscored by the national recognition offered to I-SS with the Baldridge Award. Find out more about online degree courses and programs for secondary school students today!
Tags: distance degree program, distance degree programs, distance education degree program, distance learning, distance learning degree programs, distance learning programs, online degree courses, online degree program
Posted in K-12, online education | No Comments »
December 22nd, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama claims to support distance learning degree programs, citing technological advances as one means of assisting students to enter 21st century classrooms and benefit from increased access to learning technologies. However, he vocally criticizes for-profit educational institutions, such as online degree universities, explaining that they are responsible for draining public education funds.
His approach to distance degree programs seem ambivalent at best. Further, he strongly advocates expanding the services of colleges traditionally serviced by the United Negro College Fund. I wonder whether he has taken a moment to review the educational research that clearly shows that African American and Latino students are enrolling in online degree university programs at a much higher rate than they are choosing traditional university degree programs?
Indeed, the rate at which these students are opting to attend top online schools is unprecedented, and has been increasing every year. According to education researchers, the rate at which minority students are leaving traditional campus degree programs and attending online degree programs has increased by as much as 500 percent in the last five years. Graduation rates among these students are also higher in distance degree programs than in traditional campus based alternatives.
One thing is certain: if Mr. Obama fails to take note of this important trend, he will limit the very students he is attempting to assist. Failing to account for the needs of students who want to earn a degree online could seriously decrease his ability to achieve his goals for education reform. Let’s hope he takes a moment to listen to and understand the needs and desires of all the American people instead of just assuming that he knows what’s best!
Tags: degree programs, distance degree programs, distance learning degree programs, distance learning degrees, earn a degree online, Online Degree Programs, online degree universities, online degree university programs, top online schools, university degree programs
Posted in online education | 2 Comments »
December 19th, 2008
As parents, we spend countless hours focused on our children’s education. We make sure they go to bed on time, eat breakfast before school, and do their homework each afternoon. We put our efforts and energy into making sure they get a good education, so that they are ready to enter a college degree program right after graduating from high school.
Do we ever stop to think, though, that the best way to teach is by modeling an example? Our children do what they see us do, not what we tell them to do or encourage them to do. The best way to help your child take interest in learning and value his or her education is to learn while they learn, and show your interest and appreciation for it.
Distance learning can help you get a better job, but it can also teach your children the importance of a college education. With jobs becoming scarcer in today’s economy, earning a competitive salary can be a big challenge. Help your children prepare for challenges like this by teaching them to learn from your behavior. Earn a degree online at a top online college and advance your career while you teach your children!
How can you learn as an adult? Start by taking online degree courses, or if you are sure of your career interests, enroll in an accredited online university degree program. Do your homework while your children are doing their homework, and they will see you learning. This will help to motivate them to learn.
Tags: Accredited online university degree program, college degree program, distance learning, earn a college degree at home, earn a degree online, online degree courses, top online college
Posted in Education | 4 Comments »
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