Online colleges can be the perfect solution for a busy teacher who wants to earn a master of education degree, but doesn't want to trade running her own classroom to go back to school.
Many states require that a teacher continue her own education to renew certification, so many elect coursework that will count toward an advanced degree as well as allow them to keep on the latest in pedagogical theory. There are many advantages to earning an advanced degree online. For a teacher who already holds a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in education can be a way to achieve a higher pay grade. Or for a teacher who would like to move into school administration, a master's degree is often a required credential.
While attending classes on campus might seem impossible to a teacher who's already in school from morning to night, online master's degree programs are designed to fit into teachers' busy schedules. See what online master of education degree programs are available to you.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Financial Aid Quiz
Test your college financial aid savvy with this quiz:
True or false:
1. We're in the middle of a recession, so there's less government money available for college.
2. If my parents set up a college fund for me when I was a kid, I won't qualify for financial aid now.
3. I'm a pretty average student, so I won't qualify for any scholarships or grants.
Check your answers in this article about college financial aid myths.
True or false:
1. We're in the middle of a recession, so there's less government money available for college.
2. If my parents set up a college fund for me when I was a kid, I won't qualify for financial aid now.
3. I'm a pretty average student, so I won't qualify for any scholarships or grants.
Check your answers in this article about college financial aid myths.
Photo Credit: Svilen Mushkatov
Copyright: sxc.hu/svilen001
Copyright: sxc.hu/svilen001
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Value of Online Degree Programs
Dr. Pamela Pease, the president of Jones International University, and Brian Meuller, the CEO of the University of Phoenix Online, gave an recent interview about the value of online colleges. They both discuss the benefits and drawbacks for different types of students enrolled in online degree programs.They both readily admit that online degree programs might not be right for all students, like those seeking extracurricular activities and a campus environment. However, for adults already invested in careers and looking to make a step forward, online colleges might be the ticket to success.
Regional accreditation is important in determining the value of an online degree, they say. They also discuss how networking with teachers and peers happens in an online learning environment with small teacher-student ratios to help students get ahead in the real world.
Photo Credit: Ariel da Silva Parreira
Copyright: sxc.hu/arinas74
Friday, August 21, 2009
Online College Demos
Maybe you've got work or family commitments and have been considering an online college as a way to earn a degree without rearranging your entire life. Maybe you like the idea of taking accelerated classes, or maybe you don't want to pack up and move to attend school. Whatever your reason, attending an online college can be a real lifesaver for professionals, stay-at-home parents, and folks living in rural areas.
Most online colleges pride themselves in creating virtual environments in which students can feel connected to each other and their professors, even at 3:00 a.m. But if using e-learning technology scares you a little, you can check out demos of the platforms that online colleges use to deliver course material and provide interactive classroom experiences.
Check out these online college demos to get a feel for the learning environment to see if it's right for you.
Most online colleges pride themselves in creating virtual environments in which students can feel connected to each other and their professors, even at 3:00 a.m. But if using e-learning technology scares you a little, you can check out demos of the platforms that online colleges use to deliver course material and provide interactive classroom experiences.
Check out these online college demos to get a feel for the learning environment to see if it's right for you.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Online College Reviews
Photo credit: Harrison KeelyCopyright: sxc.hu/harrykeely
It's hard to tell what attending an online college is going to be like before you enroll. Sure, your admissions counselor will tell you all about the requirements and the technology. But how do you know if your teachers are going to top-notch professionals or faceless slackers?
By reading online college reviews before you commit, you can get a pretty good idea of whether the coursework is challenging enough and whether the professors care about your success.
Online college reviews by current and former students give you the kind of insider information you need to make an educated decision about where you'll spend your tuition money. Don't sign up for an online degree program blindly--see what real people have to say first.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Why do employers like online colleges?
Employers have embraced online degree programs as a legitimate way for an employee to gain new skills and credentials. Company tuition reimbursement plans will usually foot the bill for an online degree program just like it was an on-campus program.
If you're one of the millions of people considering using an online degree program to get a promotion or a raise at work, there are many reasons why employers love this new technology.
Besides never having to miss a day of work or rearrange your schedule, an online degree program mimics a corporate environment in many ways. It beefs up your e-communication skills, improves your technical writing, and teaches you how to effectively use interactive software to communicate with peers.
Here's an interesting article that explains these and other reasons why online degree programs are helping people get ahead at work.
If you're one of the millions of people considering using an online degree program to get a promotion or a raise at work, there are many reasons why employers love this new technology.
Besides never having to miss a day of work or rearrange your schedule, an online degree program mimics a corporate environment in many ways. It beefs up your e-communication skills, improves your technical writing, and teaches you how to effectively use interactive software to communicate with peers.
Here's an interesting article that explains these and other reasons why online degree programs are helping people get ahead at work.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Online College Degree Programs and Accreditation
Considering an online college degree program? Imagine this: You sign up for an online college degree program, thinking that this will be your ticket to success. You study hard, ace all your tests and assignments, and receive an associates degree after two years of hard work. You make your first resume and proudly list your online degree.
When the calls don't come pouring in, you wonder what went wrong. Finally you land an interview and are offered a job in your field. The day before, you get a phone call from human resources, telling you that the job offer has been rescinded. You call the person who interviewed you, wondering if there was some kind of mistake.
The woman who interviewed you explains, "I'm very sorry, I really wanted to hire you. But when we looked into your credentials, we discovered that your online program is not accredited."
Stunned, you realize you now have $40,000 in debt and no viable job prospects.
Don't let this happen to you. Check the accreditation of your online college degree program before you sign up.
Photo credit: Carl Dwyer
Copyright: sxc.hu/wagg66
When the calls don't come pouring in, you wonder what went wrong. Finally you land an interview and are offered a job in your field. The day before, you get a phone call from human resources, telling you that the job offer has been rescinded. You call the person who interviewed you, wondering if there was some kind of mistake.
The woman who interviewed you explains, "I'm very sorry, I really wanted to hire you. But when we looked into your credentials, we discovered that your online program is not accredited."
Stunned, you realize you now have $40,000 in debt and no viable job prospects.
Don't let this happen to you. Check the accreditation of your online college degree program before you sign up.
Photo credit: Carl Dwyer
Copyright: sxc.hu/wagg66
Friday, August 14, 2009
Online Colleges
Do you feel like you're ready to make a big career change, but you're not sure how? If you've been stuck in a rut doing the same thing for your whole adult life, it can be hard to imagine entering a completely new field. That's where online colleges come in.
Designed for working adults, online colleges are for students who want to learn at their own pace and without having to relocate or commute to go to school. Online colleges are also perfect for busy moms and dads who take care of children during the day.
Whether you're looking for an accelerated program or a college that seamlessly integrates the latest technology into the learning environment, online colleges have something for for everyone. Read more about different online colleges and how to find the one that's right for you.
Designed for working adults, online colleges are for students who want to learn at their own pace and without having to relocate or commute to go to school. Online colleges are also perfect for busy moms and dads who take care of children during the day.
Whether you're looking for an accelerated program or a college that seamlessly integrates the latest technology into the learning environment, online colleges have something for for everyone. Read more about different online colleges and how to find the one that's right for you.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Paying for College
Going back to school can be a big financial risk. Should you quit your job to take full-time classes, or should you keep your job and take online college classes at night? Should you take out a ton of loans and hope you'll be able to make payments after you graduate?
While no one can tell you how best to financially plan for your education, there are ways to make it cheaper that you may not have considered. In addition to traditional loans and scholarships, you can pay for college (or at least cut costs) in many ways.
For example, an accelerated degree program (getting a four-year degree in three years) might be tougher in terms of course load, but can save students a ton of money in the long run. Some students have also found sponsors or taken advantage of loan forgiveness programs after graduation.
Check out more non-traditional ways to pay for college.
While no one can tell you how best to financially plan for your education, there are ways to make it cheaper that you may not have considered. In addition to traditional loans and scholarships, you can pay for college (or at least cut costs) in many ways.
For example, an accelerated degree program (getting a four-year degree in three years) might be tougher in terms of course load, but can save students a ton of money in the long run. Some students have also found sponsors or taken advantage of loan forgiveness programs after graduation.
Check out more non-traditional ways to pay for college.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Healthcare administration
When you go to the hospital, who's really in charge of your care? Your first instinct might be to say, "My doctor, of course!" But even your doctor has to answer to someone, and your care is managed by the healthcare administrators supervising the various departments of your hospital.
You never see them, but healthcare administrators are the behind-the-scenes people responsible for setting hospital policies, managing budgets, and coordinating care. The nurse who inserts your IV or brings you water in the middle of the night didn't just show up on her own (although good nurses can seem like angels). She was scheduled and assigned to your care by someone in charge.
If you love the idea of supervising a team of people in the exciting and growing field of health care, check out these online MBA programs in healthcare administration.
You never see them, but healthcare administrators are the behind-the-scenes people responsible for setting hospital policies, managing budgets, and coordinating care. The nurse who inserts your IV or brings you water in the middle of the night didn't just show up on her own (although good nurses can seem like angels). She was scheduled and assigned to your care by someone in charge.
If you love the idea of supervising a team of people in the exciting and growing field of health care, check out these online MBA programs in healthcare administration.
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