How To Choose A Reputable Online Distance Learning School

August 30th, 2008 by tech blogger

We live in a microwave culture that wants results faster, easier and more conveniently. The world of education is no different,where many courses ranging from Bachelors to Phd degrees are being offered online.

Getting a college degree requires time, effort and money and to cut corners, you might be tempted to get your degree through a mail-order or online program you see being advertised at the back of some tabloid. Hold your horses!

Indeed, online education is a viable option for those seeking an alternative to brick-and-mortar classes but you must do your due diligence and make sure that the distance learning school you are considering is accredited.

Accreditation ensures that the online institution is provides quality education and not some Mickey Mouse stuff you could learn in the third grade.

In the United States, accreditation involves non-governmental entities as well as governmental agencies.

Accrediting agencies are private educational associations of regional or national scope that develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether those criteria are met.

Institutions and/or programs that requests an agency’s evaluation and subsequently meets that agency’s criteria are then accredited by that agency.

Without this seal of approval what you will get after graduation is really a worthless piece of bond paper, not a bona fide degree.

So how can you tell the unscrupulous online colleges from the good ones? Here are some pointers:

1)Be wary of life experience courses. One of the warning signs of a bad school is if it claims to offer an accredited life experience degree without any classes or examinations. These could be a BA or an MBA. Don’t be fooled. There is no such thing as an accredited degree that is based purely on life experience.

2)Check the accreditation agencies that they mention as many are usually non-existent and so getting their certificates are a waste of time and money.

If they are certified by the following agencies then they are not solely a diploma factory.

a) DETC: Distance Education and Training Council

b) MSA: Middle States Association

c) NCASC: North Central Association of Schools and
Colleges

d) NEASC: New England Association of Schools and
Colleges

e) NWCCU: Northwest Commission on College and
Universities

f) SACS: Southwest Association of Colleges and
Schools

g) WASC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Now, how do you check their accreditation? Well, you first ask the school.

Reputable schools will have no problems at all telling you if they are accredited. Moreover, they will tell you in what State they are accredited and which educational governing bodies have accredited them. To make extra sure, you can check with the institution itself that accredited them.

Still, some schools will try their very best to give the appearance of being accredited. They do this by using such words as “authorized”, “legitimate” or “pursuing accreditation.” Again, don’t be taken in by this. Judge an online school by their association; not by their buildings, address or the persuasive advertisements they placed in the tabloids.

3)Another crucial thing to look out for is the online school’s operating license. Every institution of higher learning must have a charter for operations in a particular state. If they don’t have one, then they are operating illegally and most likely a fly-by-night. You need to steer clear of them also.

4)Applying for Federal Student Aid (FSA) Tuition Assistance can also help to validate an institution’s credentials.

In order for a student to receive financial assistance to pay for his education,the school must petition the federal government and demonstrate its accreditation status in the first place. If the school isn’t up to par, it won’t qualify. So, if the government won’t pay for you to go there, chances are there is a lack of accreditation.

The bottom line is that you are going to have to spend time, energy and money getting your degree. To ensure that you do not waste either of those things, check out the school first. Doing this will ensure that your school of choice is accredited before you enroll will save you a ton of heartache later.

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Many Advantages to Receiving an Accredited Online College Degree

August 29th, 2008 by tech blogger

If you are planning on getting involved in a new business or in starting a brand new career, then there are certain things you will need. Businesses and employers are constantly looking for new personnel to help expand and improve their companies. While they dedicate a lot of time to finding the right people, they often times will not even consider a worker unless they meet certain qualifications. If you want to be in the mix, you better make sure you have the right academic background. By gaining an accredited online college degree in business, you can position yourself to be one of those that companies love to hire. While it is true that you can be successful in business without a degree, having one will certainly help put your resume on the top of the pile.

The advantages of gaining an accredited online college degree are many. They are designed for the working professional who has already gotten a foot in the door, but needs a boost. By working on your degree over the Internet, you are allowed the flexibility to improve your career while not having to quit your job. A normal college degree would require students to enroll for four years. With an accredited online college degree, you can work from the comfort of your own home. It also offers the ability to work at any hour of the day. If you are willing to work hard enough on your own accord to gain the degree, then an online business degree can make you more marketable.

An accredited online college degree is ideal for the business field because it is primarily a knowledge-based profession. Another reason why the business world is a perfect place for this degree is because you can earn this qualification in many different fields. With a growing business world that is becoming much more specialized, it is important to carve a niche. Whether the focus is on accounting, management, marketing, or any other part of business, an accredited online college degree will push you to the top.

Recent business trends show that businesses are looking for people who are leaders. They want highly motivated individuals who will have the initiative to take their corporation to the top of the business world. When you go out on your own to earn an independent degree in the business field, you show a desire to learn and get better at what you do. This hunger for success is something that will undoubtedly attract the eye of employers everywhere. In addition, by gaining more education in business, you will have an updated knowledge of business practices. College students who earned their degree thirty or forty years ago probably have the basic background knowledge on common business practices, but likely lack the modern expertise.

New accredited online college degree programs also offer a crash course in communication. According to employers at fortune 500 businesses, the one characteristic that new workers lack is the soft communication skill that allows them to work well with other people. By gaining new experiences within your online courses, you will be better suited to take on the challenges of an ever-changing business world.

Accredited online college degree programs are an excellent and exciting opportunity for experienced business professionals who need that little boost. They offer not only a chance to improve educational credentials, but the capability of doing that on your own time and at your own leisure. By gaining this experience, you will become much more marketable in a competitive business world.

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Debunking the Myths about Online Bachelor Degree Programs

August 28th, 2008 by tech blogger

There are many people who wonder about an online bachelor degree program and what exactly the advantages might be. As these programs begin to gain acclaim, there will continue to be questions. Potential students will want to know what they offer and whether an online degree is better than a degree from a regular university. The myths continue to pile up when concerning these things. If you are considering getting your degree online, then you must be educated about the different programs. Here is a look at some of the myths that are often associated with online bachelor degree programs.

Myth number one, an online bachelor degree program is not as recognized
This is absolutely not true. Online programs are just as recognized as any university. When you are considering where to get a college degree, it is important to make sure the university is accredited correctly. While this is a concern with most four-year universities, you should take special care to ensure that the program of your choice is accredited. If you gain an education from an accredited program, then it will be as respected as any university in the nation.

Myth number two, problems with reputation
Online degree programs are becoming more popular with universities all over the world. Even popular four year universities are offering some sort of online bachelor degree program for certain students who are more suited towards this format. Many people believe that because a degree is earned with an online university, it does not carry as much clout. Online degree programs are geared towards individuals that do not have the time to take in a four-year education, or are possibly even continuing their education. Employers understand that, as well. With an online education, you will gain as much respect as with any other college degree.

Myth number three, businesses are more likely to hire a person with a traditional bachelor degree
Studies show that businesses and employers show little preference for one over another. Generally, simply having completed college is the qualifying aspect that will get you in the door. After that, your qualifications, experience, and personality will land the job. In many cases, applicants who hold an online bachelor degree will impress employers. In getting this degree, it shows that the person had the initiative and drive to gain the education needed and become more qualified for the career they wish to pursue. Businesses are always looking for people who have that motivation.

Myth number four, the price is too high
Compared to many four-year universities, the price is actually very low. While it may seem like you are paying a lot for the cost of running the online program, in most situations the price per course is much lower than a university. You must also take into account that gaining this degree will afford you the opportunity to make more money in the future. Not all online programs are the same. Like with traditional universities, they can be divided into categories. Private, public, specialized, and religiously based online universities offer different things. Finding the one to suit your needs will go a long way toward gaining a quality education at a value.

Online bachelor degree programs are growing in popularity and employers are taking notice. Despite common myths, there is no stigma associated with obtaining your education online as opposed to a traditional degree. By gaining the education qualification and valuable experience, you can position yourself to move to the top of the business world in a hurry.

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Law Enforcement Training Online: Another Route to Peacekeeping

August 27th, 2008 by tech blogger

The level of violent crimes all over has been increasing at a steady pace over the past few years, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. It has been especially obvious among the younger population, which consists of high school and college students. They acquire knives, guns, sometimes even bombs and send their area into chaos. Upon researching how these young men and women learned how to use the weapons they bring with them, I stumbled upon an interesting source of information: law enforcement training online.

The idea of online classes has been highly popular among both the old and new generations. For the old, it is a chance to go back to school and brush up on their skills. For the young, it is a way to escape college and take the courses at a slower pace, one that is more comfortable. The necessity of some of these classes is understandable; computer classes, management, business, art perhaps. But when courses such as swimming lessons online, driving lessons online, law enforcement training online and many such others begin to surface, it is time to call a halt.

Every citizen looks to their government for security, in the form of police, firemen, detectives. These people are taught how to use dangerous weapons so that, should there be a crisis, they have a way to protect the people. Some of these lessons are practical, some theoretical. But when books on how to assemble guns, what the best kinds are, what materials to buy to create a home-made bomb and how to dismantle it, are easily available online, it is no wonder that the amount of people dying has increased. After all, they are being given the ammunition to do so with no restrictions. The internet has no librarian.

The Anarchist’s Cookbook is just one of the places that are easily accessible to would-be terrorists. The website it was on was did not have a password or any other means to keep this book away from prying eyes. The only protection it has was a single button that states, ‘By clicking on this you certify that you are over 18 years of age’. Websites such as these are just among the many reasons why more keepers of the law are always needed. Just as the Internet could be a tool for the spread of terror, it could also be a tool for the creation of protectors!

Law enforcement is only one of the ways in which a person can serve their country. There is no doubt that it is patriotic to do so. However, it is also a lot of work. Law enforcement training online is one of the routes to achieving that sort of patriotism.

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Are There Any Benefits Of Online Courses?

August 26th, 2008 by tech blogger

In 2006, more than 3.2 million U.S. college and university students enrolled in at least one online course, an increase of 850,000 from the year before. For the last several years, enrollment in distance learning education has been increasing at a phenomenal rate each year, and there appears to be no let up in sight. With interest in distance learning education at an all-time high, one might wonder just what all the fuss is about. Are there any significant benefits of online courses and if so, what are they? To answer that question, here is a short list of benefits that are attractive to students seeking an e-learning solution for their educational goals.

- Many online schools offer year-round enrollment. There’s no need to wait until the fall or spring semester, online students can begin class throughout the year.

- Online courses often feature condensed curricular modules that accelerate the learning process by removing extraneous material and focusing on core content.

- Online courses are convenient. Students can attend classes from practically anywhere, and at any time, 24/7, as long as there is an available computer and access to the internet. This flexibility allows students to continue their current lifestyle with minimal disruption, if any. Students can work full or part time, spend time with family and friends, participate in regular daily activities, and still be able to study at a convenient time and location that fits right into their schedule.

- Students can study at their own pace. Online courses don’t usually have “scheduled” meetings, so students can work on assignments according to their own schedule and learning method. However, it’s important that students remember that assignments and exams are regularly scheduled events. All due dates for course assignments must be adhered to, just as in traditional college classes.

- For many students, there is reduced expense, as e-learning courses can be less expensive overall than traditional campus-based courses. While the online class, textbooks, and other material may actually cost as much as in a traditional classroom, the savings come from a significant reduction of expenses in other areas. Students can save on such things as travel or automobile expense, on-campus housing costs, child-care, and loss of earnings if the student can’t work or works less while attending school.

- E-learning programs provide equal learning environment for students, regardless of physical appearance, age, health, gender, personality traits, religious, social or economic status. Students that might otherwise feel intimidated or overwhelmed by more talkative students are on the same footing in an online classroom. With more time to formulate a response to the instructor’s lectures and questions, even the most word-shy student has an equal chance to be heard in the threaded classroom discussions. Furthermore, there is improved communication with classmates and the instructors through instant messaging, email, chat rooms, threaded discussions, phone or fax. The lines of communication are wide open in the online classroom.

- Accredited online programs qualify for financial aid. Eligible students may qualify for grants, scholarships, and student loans, just as traditional campus-based college students would.

Arguably, there are some compelling reasons for students considering online distance learning courses. If you are looking to continue your own education but you just don’t see how you can do it with a traditional program, online courses may very well provide the right e-learning solution for you.

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