Posts Tagged ‘distance education’
Saturday, April 30th, 2011
In tough economic times like these, getting a master’s degree online can give you a real competitive edge. But don’t kid yourself—getting a master’s degree is hard work—online or off.
Thinking about getting a master's degree online?
Before you make the commitment to getting your master’s degree online, put some serious thought into it. Do a gut check and make sure an online program is the right choice for you.
The master’s degree online and you.
Online master’s degree programs are a great choice for working professionals. But it’s a different sort of graduate school experience. Before applying, ask yourself:
How self disciplined am I?
Online master’s degree programs offer a level of flexibility that can’t be matched by most traditional schools. Often, you’ll be given a syllabus, access to pre-filmed lectures and an assignment list, and simply be expected to complete the necessary work by the end of the term.
That means you can study whenever it’s convenient for you, whether that’s before your morning Wheaties or after your kids are finally in bed! But, as an adult going back to school, if you can’t commit to a regular study schedule—and stick to it no matter what—getting your master’s degree online might not be the best choice for you.
Do I have the right personality to go to school online?
There can be no doubt about it—the experience of getting a master’s degree online is very different than that of a traditional graduate program. While you’ll probably participate in regular online discussions with your peers and may even chat with a study group over Skype, it can feel rather isolating.
So if you’re the type of person who needs regular, in-person interaction to feel fulfilled, studying online will be challenging for you. If, on the other hand, you just want to learn at your own pace, on your own time, getting a master’s degree online might be just the thing for you!
The #1 question to ask yourself before getting a master’s degree online.
Once you decide that yes, you do think an online master’s degree program is the right choice for you, there’s only one question you need to ask yourself:
Will getting a master’s degree online pay off?
For most professions, the answer is an unqualified yes! For careers ranging from business to education, an advanced degree usually translates into a bigger paycheck. But there are exceptions. So before making the commitment, take a look at your industry and make sure getting a master’s degree online will enhance your job outlook.
And if it won’t? Maybe you should consider using your online master’s degree as a way to transition into a better paying field!
Image Courtesy of Flickr, lauren-janelle.
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 master’s degrees online that will get you on the road to the right career for you!
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Tags: adult learner, adults going back to school, Choosing a College, distance education, Distance Learning, master's degree, online college, online college courses, study habits
Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education | No Comments »
Friday, April 29th, 2011
If you are a busy working adult and want a career change or to enhance your current skills, you may want to look into online criminal justice degree programs. It can be a great career option for those interested in the law and criminal justice but who just didn’t have the time or money to attend college right out of high school!
Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
While police and police detective learn many of their skills through extensive training and on the job, many of these people are also encouraged to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to supplement this training.
Some agencies even pay all or part of the cost of tuition for employees to pursue higher education with online criminal justice degree programs. If you currently have a job in this field, you may want to see if your employer will help pay your way!
What to Expect in Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Like any other college course, whether online or on-campus, you will have a required set of classes to complete in order to earn your degree. Depending on whether or not you have any college credit behind you, the length of time it can take you to finish your degree can vary.
Your course may focus on “police science” as well as enhancing your background in the study of crime and criminal behavior or criminology. Online criminal justice degree programs can also expand to include subjects like administration, policies and procedures of the agencies of criminal justice, as well as law enforcement and correction.
Programs can greatly vary so shop around to see what online criminal justice degree programs fit your goals and future plans. In fact, your life experience can sometimes translate into college credit—speak to your admissions representative to see if that’s a possibility for you!
Related Careers
After completing your online criminal justice degree program and you have your bachelor’s degree in hand—you’ve got options!
You can choose from an array of careers where your degree will give you the confidence and background you need to go far! You will be able to decide between the following careers and then some:
Law enforcement
Probation Officer
Parole Officer
Private Security Personnel
Advocate agency for victim or witness
Legal Offices
Court Personnel
If you want to enhance your current skills or get into a whole new career, there are online criminal justice degree programs to fit your needs! Shop around, get information, and get started. Don’t put your future on hold any longer—start your online degree and advance your career!
Image #1 Courtesy of Flickr, Phanatic.
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 for online criminal justice degree programs and find the right career for you!
Tags: adults going back to school, bachelor's degree, Choosing a College, criminal justice field, criminology, distance education, Distance Learning, online criminal justice degree programs, online degree programs, online education
Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
While Sigmund Freud might be the most famous psychologist who ever lived, psychology degree programs go way beyond his teachings. In fact, Freud will only play a small part in your psychology education.
Which psychology degree program will fit your interests?
There are many different kinds of psychology degree programs, and earning a psychology degree online could be your ticket to a wide variety of careers!
Choose the Psychology Degree Program that matches your passion.
At the undergraduate level, there are two different kinds of psychology degree programs—the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. So which one’s right for you?
A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is your best bet if you’re interested in helping groups of people. Social workers, human resource professionals and forensic psychologists typically get a B.A. in Psychology.
If, however, you want to go into practice as a licensed therapist or counselor, a Bachelor of Science is the way to go. This type of psychology degree program spends a lot of time focusing on research methods, statistics and other mathematics and science-oriented courses.
Remember, though, in order to become a licensed therapist, you’ll have to get your master’s degree at the very least. To maximize your earning potential, you might even want to get a Ph.D.! Whichever degree you choose, you’ll quickly realize that the field of psychology is much more varied than you thought! Areas of specialization include:
Sports Psychology
Health Psychology
Human Factors Psychology
Industrial Organization Psychology
School Psychology
Social Psychology
Experimental Psychology
Researching Psychology Degree Programs Online?
There are plenty of great online psychology degree programs. But, if you are planning on a psychology career that requires a license, there’s one thing you need to remember—make sure the school is accredited.
Why? Well because most states require that you get your psychology degree from an accredited school to even be considered for licensure. Plus, attending an accredited psychology degree program is the best way to make sure you’re getting the education you need to succeed in the workplace!
Image Courtesy of Flickr, Wonderlane.
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 psychology degree programs to get you on the road to the right career for you!
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Tags: adult learners, adults going back to school, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, bachelor's degree, Choosing a Major, distance education, Distance Learning, online, online college, online degree programs, psychology, psychology degree programs
Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Classes, College Life, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education | No Comments »
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!
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!
Image Courtesy of Flickr, Éktor.
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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Tags: college, college admission process, college application, college application deadline, college application fees, course program, distance education, Distance Learning, distance learning colleges, online college, online college application
Posted in Career Colleges, Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Applications, College Campus, College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education, Vocational School | No Comments »
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 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.
Image Courtesy of Flickr, fredlet / fredlet.
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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Tags: adult learner, adults going back to school, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, best online degree, distance education, Distance Learning, distance learning colleges, master's degree, online, online college, online degree programs, online education
Posted in Career Colleges, Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Campus, College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education | No Comments »
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!
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!
Image Courtesy of Flickr, realSMILEY / Matthias Rhomberg.
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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Tags: adult education, adult learner, adults going back to school, best online degree, Choosing a College, distance education, Distance Learning, online degree programs
Posted in Career Colleges, Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education, Vocational School | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Do you worry about who your online distance learning classmates are going to be? My College Guide is here to tell you that online distance learning is probably not what you think. From busy working adults to traditional college students, this style of learning is a popular choice for higher education!
Who uses online distance learning?
Facts About Online Distance Learning
There is no one “right” way to go about getting your college education. Whether you already have college credits behind you or this is your first time, there are many people choosing the path of online education. You may have seen the latest factoid behind online learning: More than 1 in 4 college students take at least one course online.
The Usual Suspects: And Then Some!
Students who go the online route are no longer strictly working adults. My College Guide thinks you may just be surprised by the varied students taking advantage of online distance learning courses! From education majors to nursing to culinary and hospitality, there’s something for everyone.
Traditional College Students – As the world becomes more reliant on technology, many traditional college students are combining on-campus with online distance learning. Not only do they get to sample the best of both worlds, but they can also save themselves a bit of green by making the choice to plug-in.
Working Adults – All grown up but want to finally go back and get that bachelor’s degree? You won’t be alone. Online courses frequently hold a variety of adults from different backgrounds and college majors. Whether you are changing your career or expanding your job skills with a bachelor’s degree, you will be in good company!
High School Students – Some colleges also allow high school students to participate in online distance learning. They can actually earn college credit while still in high school! For them, it’s a way to graduate high school, show prospective colleges they are serious – and have a definite edge on the competition! Spending less on higher education in general is a rather nifty little bonus.
The Next Step
So what does all of this mean to you? It means that no matter how old you are or where you are in your career, that you will have a diverse and interesting virtual classroom. If you decide that online distance learning is right for you and need more information, well, My College Guide is here for you! Feel free to ask our College Admissions Guru your admission questions.
Image Courtesy of Flickr, Kevin Steele.
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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Tags: adult learners, adults going back to school, bachelor's degree, Choosing a College, distance education, majors in college, non traditional student, online college course program, online college courses, online courses, online learning
Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education, Vocational School | No Comments »
Monday, April 18th, 2011
We’ve all seen criminal justice professionals on TV poring over crime scenes in stilettos and designer shades. But when researching criminal justice degrees online, it doesn’t take long to find out there’s a lot more to it than that.
The Truth about Criminal Justice Degrees Online
Below, you’ll find the top five things My College Guide wants you to know about getting a criminal justice online.
The Truth About Criminal Justice Degrees
1. A criminal justice career is not always—or even usually—about crime scene investigation. In fact, while a criminal justice degree can lead to a job in police work, many graduates go to work for federal agencies, in the judicial system and even social work.
2. There’s more than one kind of criminal justice degree. Depending on the school you enroll in, you could choose from a variety of specializations within the criminal justice field—psychology, law, administration—you name it! So before you decide on a school, think about what you want to do with your degree. It could make a big difference!
3. You don’t have to get a bachelor’s degree to pursue a career in criminal justice. Some criminal justice jobs (like crime scene technicians) require only an associate’s degree or technical school certificate. Others do require a bachelor’s degree, and most high-level jobs require a master’s. The good news is that you can get all these criminal justice degrees online.
Hoping to Get Rich With Criminal Justice Degrees Online?
4. Criminal justice professionals work hard for their money. While those sexy detectives on TV walk around in Armani suits and Manolo Blahnik heels, the average criminal justice professional isn’t quite so lucky. For most criminal justice jobs, the average starting wage is between $25,000-$30,000. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with advanced degrees can expect to make a lot more than that. Top detectives can make almost $100,000!
5. The world needs people with criminal justice degrees. Most fields within the criminal justice industry are expected to grow by at least 10 percent before 2018, with the most in-demand professions, like social workers, growing by almost 25 percent! That’s good news if you’re hoping getting your degree is going to pay off.
Hopefully, you have a better idea of what to expect from your criminal justice degree. It might not be as glamorous as TV makes it look—but it can certainly lead to a rewarding career that’s in high demand—just what every college student wants to hear!
Image Courtesy of Flickr, Rosie O’Beirne / Rosie O’Beirne.
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 criminal justice degrees online to get you on the road to the right career for you.
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Tags: adult education, adult learners, adults going back to school, bachelor's degree, choosing a college major, Choosing a Major, criminal justice degrees online, criminal justice field, criminology, distance education, Distance Learning, online, online college, online college course program
Posted in Career Colleges, Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Campus, College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education | No Comments »
Friday, April 15th, 2011
The benefits of online education are many! Making time for on-campus courses for adults working full-time is next to impossible—but online? It’s infinitely easier: Here’s why!
kennymatic / Kenny Louie
Benefits of Online College
Your Life, Your Way – It’s not very often that you get to call the shots but one of the big benefits of online education is that you don’t have a specific place to be. You’ll have a specific course schedule for when assignments are due. So, you can complete assignments in your business administration class at 2 AM or 2 PM—it doesn’t matter. On-campus courses just can’t compare!
Yes: There’s Still Community – Online college courses have come a long way. You won’t feel isolated from your peers at all. In fact, many colleges have special discussion areas so you can get to know and chat with your new online classmates. Some even have forums and allow online students to join on-campus activities and attend campus events. Now, is that one of the greatest benefits of online college, or what?
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You (Financially)
Let’s Talk Turkey – Higher education isn’t cheap but you know that if you want to advance in your career or get your foot in the door in a brand new career, it’s a necessary addition to your resume. Rather unknown benefits of online college include the cost of classes—in many cases, it’s cheaper! In state or out, some higher education institutions charge the same amount and the cost of online courses can be a significant savings. That’s money in the bank!
Free Money for College: Even for Online Students – Did you know that even adults going back to school can still apply for and receive free money for college? Fill out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and see if you qualify for financial aid. Your college will use this information to match you up to their own institution-based scholarships. Every non-traditional student should be sure to take advantage of awesome benefits of online college like this one.
What are You Waiting For?
There are plenty of reasons to consider beginning or finishing your college degree. The benefits of online education are many—why not see for yourself? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Your future is waiting!
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 for the benefits of online education and programs to find the right career for you!
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Tags: business administration, college classes, distance education, Distance Learning, distance learning degrees, Financial Aid, financial aid policies, free money for college, online college, online college courses
Posted in Career Colleges, Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search, Distance Learning, Financial Aid, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education, Paying for College, Scholarships, Student Loans, Vocational School | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
My College Guide collected five of the most useful Apple iPad apps for distance nursing degree students. As an adult learner, you have most likely recognized the importance of multi-tasking. The iPad can be a great study tool when you are on the go — especially with the addition of these applications!
Quack712 / Antony Kwok
Medical Reference Apps for Distance Nursing Degree Students
When it comes to reference iPad applications, distance nursing degree students have quite a few choices! From free to paid, the medical apps below will go a long way in helping you prepare for what lies ahead.
Medscape – Medical reference, drug database for both name brand and generic options, this nursing app for the iPad even includes images! Get the scoops on common procedures in this handy and info-packed reference app. Did My College Guide forget to mention that it’s also free?
MediMath Medical Calculator – Don’t waste time trying to hunt down specific formulas in your college textbook. Using the MediMath Medical Calculator, you can easily reference 135 medical calculators and scoring tools. You’ll find plenty here! From APGAR score to Winter’s formula, this nursing iPad app could be just what you need!
Mediquations – An interface that differs slightly from MediMath Medical Calculator, this nursing app possesses over 200 formulas and scoring charts! Loads of information right at your fingertips. This could be a great supplement to your course textbook.
Micromedex Drug Information – Free is a good thing, especially when it contains more than 4500 search terms relating to drug information. Is that a good fit to your distance nursing degree or what? From directions, black box warnings, and even generic names, this free iPad medical app could just be your new best friend!
Study Tools for Nursing Students
Get familiar with the tools and terminology that you will need to know to advance in your distance nursing degree—and beyond! My College Guide found these interesting apps that could be great study tools.
3M™ Littmann® SoundBuilder — Sometimes, it’s the little things that help the most. Soundbuilder may seem like your basic free iPad app—but it is what it does that makes this one truly special! Learn to recognize the sounds of the heart, discover common problems and, more importantly, how to identify and treat them!
Med Mnemonics – Let’s face it: as a distance nursing degree student, you have a lot of memorization ahead of you! Make it easy on yourself. Using this iPad app, you can memorize the terms for subjects like anatomy, biochemistry, and even surgery. Perhaps the best feature of this medical app is that you can even add in your terms.
AnatomyLab – Only anatomy, not physiology, this iPad app is perfect for students studying for their distance nursing degree. Learn the parts of the body with detailed visual imagery. It’s applications like this that were made for the iPad!
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. Subscribe via RSS or email and get information on distance nursing degree programs and find the right career for you!
Tags: apple ipad, college tools, distance education, Distance Learning, distance nursing degree, health, ipad, ipad apps, nursing, online, online college courses, Online Colleges
Posted in College Search, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education | No Comments »
