Archive for the ‘Career Colleges’ Category

Get Your Medical Degree Online: What You Need To Know

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

If you’ve ever dreamed about going into medicine, you’ll be glad to know that you can get a medical degree online! You can even get started down the road to private practice! A variety of schools now offer biology degree programs online—an undergraduate path that traditionally leads to medical school.

Get your medical degree online

Get your medical degree online

To actually get the letters M.D. after your name, you’ll still have to attend a traditional, campus-based medical school—but many other healthcare careers can begin with a medical degree online!

Nursing—A Great Choice for a Medical Degree Online

Whether you’re looking to take the first steps into nursing with an associate’s degree, or you want to advance your career by getting your bachelor’s of science in nursing, there are plenty of online nursing programs to choose from.

After graduation, you’ll have to take the licensing exam, but after you pass, a whole new world of job opportunities awaits!

Medical Coding—An In-Demand Specialty

Medical coders are the people who translate medical visits and procedures into the codes needed to bill insurances companies and keep the payment cycle moving. That makes them very important people! Best of all, you don’t need a lot of schooling to become a medical coder. Instead, you’ll attend a vocational program that prepares you for the certification exam. It generally takes less than a year!

Work in Healthcare Administration With A Medical Degree Online

Doctors and nurses are the public face of hospitals and other medical facilities. But working behind the scenes are dozens of healthcare administrators. These professionals make sure the medical staff has everything they need to care for their patients—and work to keep the hospital running! Their responsibilities range from human resources to long term service line planning—and everything in between.

To become a healthcare administrator, you’ll need to get at least a bachelor’s degree. But if your goal is to move into upper management, you should consider getting a master’s degree. The good news? You can complete all your schooling online!

So Many Online Medical Degree Options, So Little Time

Whatever your interest, there’s sure to be a medical degree online for you. Become a massage therapist! Explore the world of acupuncture! Get certified as a surgical technologist! It’s all there waiting for you. No matter which avenue you decide to pursue, a medical degree online can be a great way to start a new, rewarding career!

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on the best medical degree online programs to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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5 Tips For Choosing the Best Vocational Technical School For You

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Looking into a vocational technical school? There’s a lot of them out there, so how do you find the best school for you? My College Guide has tips to help you find the perfect fit!

Vocational Technical School Tips

Vocational Technical School Tips

Class Size – How big are the classes and the classrooms? If large lecture halls aren’t your thing, make sure that the vocational technical school that you pick includes plenty of hands-on class time than book time.

Hands-On – The key to a successful vocational technical school experience is that ever-critical hands-on learning! How does your potential college compare? Check out the kitchen or the garage and see if the field you are interested in is complete. There’s no better way to learn the skills you need than actually getting in there and doing it for yourself!

It’s All in the Details

Retention Rate – Find out the percentage of students that continue on in their education. A high drop-out rate could mean that the program isn’t up to par. Students may be dropping out because the course just didn’t meet their expectations. Do your research and see what you can find. Your potential vocational technical school can supply you with this information.

Accreditation – My College Guide has said it before and we’ll say it again: Make sure your school is accredited! An accredited school can be your key to financial aid. Not only that, but choosing an accredited vocational technical school can mean that your degree will be taken seriously—and that the program is well-developed to help ensure your future success!

Modern and Tidy – As an adult going back to school, you need to make a visit! If you are interested in mechanics, check out the garage. Want to be a chef? Browse the kitchen! Is everything taken care of and in good shape? Does it look up to date and modern? You should expect a little wear and tear if the vocational technical school has a lot of hands-on class time (as it should) but in general, it should feel well-kept, welcoming, and modern! An outdated facility could be a big, giant sign that you may not necessarily receive the education you are paying for.

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students discover the best college degree and career for them. Get information on things like vocational technical school and other questions to find the right career for you!

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The Best Online Degrees for Gamers

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Breaking into the video game development industry is tough, but by seeking out the best online degrees for gamers, you can give yourself a leg up! So what are the best online degrees for this industry? Well, the answer is: It depends.

What are the best online degrees for gamers?

What are the best online degrees for gamers?

What aspect of video gaming are you interested in? Developing a video game is a complex process requiring many different skill sets, from programming to scriptwriting. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all degree!

The Best Online Degrees For Gamers

If you want to work behind the scenes, developing the programming that is at the heart of every video game, you may want to consider degree in computer science.

A computer science degree will require you to learn all the programming languages you’ll need to succeed in video game development, plus give you a solid foundation in a variety of programming-related skills that will help you adapt as the industry changes.

You can, of course, also get a video game development degree. Many of the top schools offer them! Do your research before you decide which avenue to pursue!

The Best Online Degrees For the Creatively Inclined

Would you rather create the characters of the game and the world they inhabit? Then you have several options.

A degree in art design will enable you to get your foot in the door as a 2D artist, designing game environments, backgrounds and characters. But if you want to bring the games to life, rendering them in 3D and animating characters, you may want to consider a degree in animation, or even gaming art.

But don’t forget, every video game needs a plot, a story line, and even a script! If words are your thing, try a screenwriting or film studies degree—although even a BFA in creative writing could give you the skills you need.

Ultimately, there is no one “best online degree” for the video game industry. Make sure the program you choose has a solid foundation in liberal arts, a focus on the technical or creative skills you’ll need to succeed, and, most importantly, a curriculum that feels comfortable to you. That’s the best online degree for you!

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on the best online degree programs to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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5 Online Degree Programs That Will Really Pay Off

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

When you’re trying to decide whether you should pursue an online degree program, there’s one question you want answered—will this be worth it? After all, no one wants to spend hundreds of hours and potentially thousands of dollars for a degree that goes nowhere. You need to be sure that there will be a job for you when you graduate—preferably one that pays well!

Consider your interests to find the best online degree program that will pay off!

Consider your interests to find the best online degree program that will pay off!

We have good news—My College Guide did your homework for you! Online degree programs targeted toward any of the five careers mentioned below are almost guaranteed to pay off! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they’re among the fastest growing professions in the country!

Scientifically inclined? Choose online degree programs in healthcare.

Registered nurses will be in high demand, with job growth percentages in the double digits! You can begin your career with an associate’s degree in nursing, but many nurses go on to get their bachelor’s or even master’s degree!

Medical assistants will also be sought after—especially as the baby boomer generation becomes elderly. The lowest paid medical assistants can receive all of their training on the job, but an associate’s degree will ensure you’re qualified for a broader range of (potentially higher paying) opportunities.

Doctors and surgeons always have a pretty healthy job outlook, but as the elderly population in the United States grows, so does the demand for physicians. And online degree programs can get you started!

Got a head for business? Choose one of these online degree programs.

Accountants have never lacked for opportunities. But job growth is expected to be higher than ever—increasing by more than 20 percent! To become an accountant, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree. However, to qualify for the highest-paying accountant jobs, you’ll need to pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. The good news? Many online degree programs can help you prepare for it!

Management Analysts—also called consultants—will experience almost a 25 percent growth in job opportunities! If you’d like to help companies learn how to become more efficient and profitable, you should start by getting a bachelor’s degree in business. But to really hit pay dirt, you’ll want to get your MBA.

These are just a few of the many fast growing occupations in the United States. Do your research and you’re sure to find online degree programs that will quickly get you on your way to a rewarding career!

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on the best online degree programs to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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Tools of the Trade: Online Distance Learning Checklist

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Bring on your desire to begin your online distance learning – but you’ll need more than motivation to finish your online degree program! Check out My College Guide’s list of online distance learning tools of the trade. Figure out what you already have and what you need to know before you officially enroll and before that first day of class!

Your online distance learning checklist!

Your online distance learning checklist!

Online Distance Learning: Personal Checklist

Textbooks – For some online distance learning programs, your textbooks will be available completely online. For others, you will have to go to an outside source or your school’s online bookstore. You can cut costs if you consider purchasing new or used college textbooks! Make sure you plan ahead in case you need to buy or rent your college textbooks!

Time – You are a busy working adult. Are you ready for the challenges of balancing work and leaving time to study for school? Every online distance learning institution is different. Find out how many hours on average you will be expected to set aside for schoolwork and see how you can fit that into your schedule.

Tools of The Trade

Computer – A busted computer is not going to make your online distance learning experience an easy one! If you have a computer that is prone to crashes and lags, that won’t make your college experience very enjoyable. You’ll need something that will let you take quizzes and tests without getting you locked out! Some financial aid options will go towards the expense of a new computer or laptop. Fill out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and see what how you qualify.

Reliable Internet – Do you have internet access? While the thought of heading to the library or stealing from your neighbor may sound appealing, not having access to the internet won’t work as an excuse for when you can’t turn in your research paper! You may want to consider getting your own internet service. Free up your time and make life a little bit easier on you (Psst! Even your browser can help with your online distance learning experience).

The Joys of Technology

Tech Support – Things happen. If there’s a glitch in the site or you can’t access a needed page on your college’s website, you’ll need the assistance of tech support! See if there’s an email address or working phone number that you can hang on to “just in case.” It’s reassuring to know good to that there’s somewhere to go for help!

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on online distance learning and find the right career for you!

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The Many Faces of Continuing Education

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

What does the phrase “continuing education” mean to you? Do you picture a room full of senior citizens learning to use the computer? Or a room full of doctors learning about the latest surgery technique?

The many faces of continuing education.

The many faces of continuing education.

Neither definition would be wrong. In fact, “continuing education” is a fairly generic term meant to encompass every single form of post secondary education.

However, it’s most commonly used to describe the following three types of education.

Continuing Education for Adult Learners

Nontraditional students returning to school are often said to be taking part in continuing education. People in this category could be pursuing a four-year college degree, learning new skills at a vocational school, or even taking post-graduate classes.

If you fall in this category of learners, your goal is to learn a new set of skills that will propel your career in a new direction!

Continuing Education for Dabblers

Some people are simply perpetual students at heart. They probably already have a bachelor’s degree (or three), but never tire of learning. If you usually take classes based on your interests—and not concrete career goals—you’re most likely a dabbler. You can even elect to audit classes—meaning you won’t collect college credit for them (and don’t have to worry about your grades)!

Continuing Education for Professionals

Some industries require practitioners to take a certain number of continuing education credits to stay licensed. For instance, if you work in the health services industry as a doctor, nurse or other medical professional, you will have annual continuing education requirements.

You can also expect to have to take continuing education classes in the fields of law, accounting, engineering, massage therapy—even hair styling!

Continuing Education the Online Way

No matter which category of continuing education aficionado you fall into, chances are you can fulfill your needs online. There are thousands of colleges and technical schools offering online degree programs—and many will allow you to cherry pick classes if you don’t want to pursue a formal degree!

People seeking professional continuing education credits can also find what they’re looking for online. Whether that’s through a series of webcast seminars, or taking an online class, there are plenty of opportunities for distance learning. Just check with your state licensing board to see what the requirements are!

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on continuing education to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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Online College Application: 5 Tips to Perfection

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

So you’ve finally narrowed it down and are ready to turn in your online college application. While you may feel overwhelmed and more than a little nervous at this point, My College Guide is here for you! We’ve got 5 handy tips to help you turn in a winning application!

Tips to remember before turning in your online college application!

Tips to remember before turning in your online college application!

Online College Application Tips

Polish That Essay – If you should spend a lot of time on any one portion of your online college application, make sure this is it! Ask your spouse, friend, parent or other trusted individual to give your college essay a quick read for errors and to make sure everything makes sense. You have one chance to make a first impression – make sure it’s a good one!

Connect – Many online colleges and universities assign someone to you as a prospective student to answer your questions. It can help to make a lasting impression! If you receive an email from your admissions representative, be sure to send back a simple thank-you. After all, your admissions representative can pass on much needed information, like scholarships for women your way or even waive your application fee.

The Fine Print

Busy Bees – Adults going back to school lead busy lives. Sometimes, just sometimes, we don’t pay as much attention to detail as we probably should. Don’t make that mistake! Make sure to completely read each statement before filling it out and sending it off. While it may look like the others you’ve already filled out, don’t skim it, read it!

Follow Directions – Don’t press the back arrow on your browser if the online college application says to use the arrows on the page. Don’t neglect deadlines or fail to get your high school transcript sent over. If you want to go back to school, complete the online college application the right way. Stay on top of your due dates and get everything turned in before the deadlines.

Speak Up

Ask – Online college application fees can really add up—especially if you plan on applying to more than one college to see where you financial aid dollars will stretch the farthest! Speak with an admissions representative to see if there is some way for you to get out of paying the fee. At some colleges, you can complete your application while on the phone with them and they will completely waive your fee (you will submit your essay later). At others, there is never a fee for college applications submitted online!

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on subjects like online college application tips and find the right career for you!

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The Best Online Degree Programs for a Telecommuting Lifestyle

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

If you want to work at home, we’ve got good news—we’ve found the best online degree options for you. These in-demand professions offer plenty of telecommuting job opportunities—giving you a career you love, without a cubicle to go with it!

Want to work from home? My College Guide has the best online degree programs for a telecommuting lifestyle!

Want to work from home? My College Guide has tthe best online degree programs for a telecommuting lifestyle!

Love computers? Then here are the best online degrees for you.

Not surprisingly, some of the fastest growing work at home careers involve information technology.

Web designers/developers are always in demand! If you’re a creative type, you should focus your online learning efforts on graphic design or web design. With a degree in one of these fields, you can make a living creating custom websites or designing online advertising,

If you’re more technically oriented, web development could be the best online degree for you. Among other things, you’ll learn how to program websites and create mobile apps.

Tech support specialists are also in high demand. Plus, it’s an industry that offers opportunities for people with differing levels of education. If you’re pressed for time (or money), you could get an associate’s degree in computer science and still expect to get a great work at home job. If you’re willing to make the commitment to get a bachelor’s degree, you’ll find even more telecommuting jobs available after graduation!

Education—One of the best online degree options around!

You might be surprised to learn that education is a fast growing telecommuting industry, but it’s true! From teaching elementary school students in a virtual school to tutoring high school students and beyond, the opportunities to work at home are everywhere.

If you want to teach from home, you’ll need to get at least a bachelor’s degree, but plenty of great online degree programs exist. If you get your master’s degree online, you can even be a college professor! There’s almost nothing you can’t teach online.

Writing—the original work at home career.

To write, all you need is a computer and the sentences that weave themselves in your head, so it’s an obvious choice for a telecommuting career. The best online degree programs for aspiring writers are things like journalism and creative writing, although even an English degree can work. If you are an adult going back to school, just make sure that the program you choose gives you lots of opportunities to write and before you know it, you’ll have the skills you need to make a living writing online!

Of course, almost any career can adapt itself to telecommuting. You’re only limited by your imagination—and willingness to hunt down the right job.

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on the best online degree programs to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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What is a Vocational School?

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

Have you been asking yourself, “What is a vocational school?” Well, My College Guide has the answer! Read on for the details about this type of higher education option to see if it fits into your future plans.

What is a vocational school?

What is a vocational school?

What is a Vocational School?

A vocational school is different from a four year college (online or off). Instead of taking four years of your life to get that degree, a vocational school will let you get it done in two!

It’s not so much about building you up to fit a bunch of different careers but more like providing you with specific skills to do a particular type of job, like construction or massage therapy.

A Rose by Any Other Name

What is a vocational school and how does it relate to trade schools or career schools? No matter what it is called, a vocational school is the same as a trade or career school. They describe the same thing, much like how the terms “college” and “higher education” are used.

Selective Skills

Still wondering what is a vocational school? Are you great at fixing motorcycles or want to be a chef? Then you you might want to look into a vocational school! Do you want a way in to the heating and air conditioning industry or service and repair marine engines? A vocational school could be the perfect option for you!

What is vocational school? When you know what you want but just need a way to get there, vocational schools are the answer! Earn your degree in less time (and usually a lot less money) than your typical four year college while learning skills in the specific field that you want! It’s hands-on and, in many cases, in-demand!

Vocational School Coursework

A vocational school is hands-on!

A vocational school is hands-on!

While students at four year schools have a varied list of core subjects to complete before college graduation, vocational schools are highly specialized. What is a vocational school? Two words: hands on!

In vocational school, you won’t just read out of your college textbook, you’ll get in there and get dirty! Depending on your career path, you’ll take classes that reflect your field. Need an example?

You won’t only learn how to read and understand blueprints and schematics but learn how to apply them in real life. Interested in becoming a chef? You won’t just study what happens to milk when it is heated, you’ll learn how to make sauces and gourmet meals.

Tools of the Trade

Vocational school students frequently leave their colleges not only with a degree and a firm background in their field, but they often leave with tools of the trade. Those mechanically inclined may have the cost of name-brand tools as part of their tuition. Likewise, a future chef will usually exit the doors of the school with a snazzy set of sharp knives.

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Image #2 Courtesy of Flickr, Michael W. May / Michael May.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students discover the best college degree and career for them. Get information on things like what is a vocational school and other questions to find the right career for you!

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Tips for Choosing the Best Online Degree For You

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Making the decision to go back to school is easier when you know you’re getting the best online degree. But how can you be sure you’re making the right choice?

My College Guide has tips to find the best online degree for you!

My College Guide has tips to find the best online degree for you!

When choosing the best online degree for you, start with the basics.

First, do your homework. Make sure you only consider accredited colleges. Why? Well, because to get accredited, a college has to meet certain requirements. That, in turn, means the education you receive is more likely to help you learn what you really need to know—and move you ahead in your career.

Then, make sure the college offers degree programs that meet both your short and long term goals. No matter how good that associate’s degree in Video Game History looks, it’s not going to do you much good if you ultimately hope to be a film critic for a major daily newspaper. It pays to think ahead.

Remember, to be your “best online degree,” the program has to work for you.

If you were a high school senior investigating colleges, you’d visit the campuses, ask about class sizes and think about whether you felt comfortable there. Your online education should be no different.

Find out how many students are accepted into each class. If you wouldn’t be comfortable in a lecture hall with 300 other students, chances are the same goes for your online college experience. Remember, generally speaking, the more students a professor has, the less personal attention you’ll get.

Ask how available the teachers are to students. Some schools ensure their professors are readily available by email, phone and Skype. Others are less accommodating. Make sure your teachers’ availability is in line with your learning style—otherwise, no matter where you get your education, it won’t result in the best online degree for you.

Finally, make sure you understand how much time (if any) you’ll have to spend on campus. This is important, because while most programs can be completed entirely online, some require at least a little face-to-face time. You don’t want to find out six months in that to get the best online degree possible, all your vacation time for the next four years will have to be spent in a college dorm!

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have no problem finding the best online degree for you. Especially since My College Guide is here to help you every step of the way!

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Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on the best online degree that will get you on the road to the right career for you!

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