Posts Tagged ‘online degree programs’

4 Flexible Online Master’s Degrees

Friday, May 27th, 2011

How do working adults choose among the many online master’s degrees? My College Guide has gathered together 4 online master’s degrees that can help set you up to fit a variety of careers. In today’s economy, it’s good to be adaptable and prepared!

Choosing Flexible Online Master's Degrees

Choosing Flexible Online Master's Degrees

While you may decide that specialized online master’s degrees would provide you with more benefits than something more general, there is something to be said for a degree that won’t lock you into place—just in case your circumstances change down the road.

Flexible Online Master’s Degrees for the Tech-Minded

Computer Information Systems – Choosing between online master’s degrees is hard, but it doesn’t have to be! If you enjoy working with computer systems, snagging a degree in computer information systems can set you up to work in the computer departments and maybe even management positions for bigger and more powerful companies, non-profits, or even the government!

Adaptable Degree for Educators (and Beyond)

Education – Want to advance your teaching career and work in higher education? This is one degree that can help you get there! Of course, it’s versatile enough to help you move along into other positions, too, like administration or corporate training.

Versatile Degrees for Organizers

Project Management – Companies may come and go but project management is forever! Most companies need someone to stay on top of company projects. Your online master’s degree can help you help others. Project management is a much-needed skill and a great choice for adults going back to school.

Human Resources – Just like online master’s degrees in Project Management will never go out of style, so neither will those who work in Human Resources! Shuffling personnel from one place to another, hiring new help, or courteously handling complaints, this degree can help you move your way up the Human Resources chain and enable you to work for a variety of companies!

For this and all other master’s degrees, you may want to see if the company that you work for will help pay your way! An employee with flexible skills is an asset to any company—and some will help with the cost of paying for your master’s degree.

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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 master’s degrees that will get you on the road to the right career for you!

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Questions to Ask Before Enrolling into Your Degree Online

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Before you turn over your online college application, send in that deposit, and enroll into your degree online, we’ve got a few points to consider! Take it from folks who know: My College Guide can help you find a program that fits you–and your educational goals.

Points to Consider before Enrolling into Your Degree Online

Points to Consider before Enrolling into Your Degree Online

Your Degree Online: Questions to Ask

For adults going back to school, it’s an exciting time. But you need to do your research to be sure that the school you are considering will fit the way you learn.

The Technical Side of Things

Tech Support – Is there an official email or telephone number for tech support? If it’s 3 AM and you can’t get the system to accept your research paper for  your criminal justice degree program, is there someone you can count on for help? While there are many students who don’t (and won’t) experience problems, it is another point to ponder when attaining your degree online!

Online Writing Center – Tackling your first academic research paper is hard enough, but not having the convenience of an online writing center is even worse! A writing center can help you get the correct formatting, find typos, and make sure that your paper flows just right. It’s an invaluable resource and an important one that will help you out, free, in obtaining your degree online!

Online Delivery – How does your degree online work with regards to delivery? Is it asynchronous, synchronous, or some hybrid of the two? Find out if you need to be online at a certain time each day for online chats (synchronous learning). Other schools don’t have that sort of scheduled online interaction in your degree online program (asynchronous). Some colleges have a combination of the two: a hybrid learning environment.

Who They Are

Professors – Who are the people that will be teaching you for the next four years? What sort of educational requirements are online college professors expected to have? Do they teach on-campus classes as well? Find out more about the faculty where you are going to obtain your degree online!

Returning Student?

Transferring Credits – Have you been to college before? You may have transfer credits! What is the maximum number of transfer credits that your potential online college will accept? Also, see how credits transfer at the school you are considering. If your goals change and you need to switch schools, check to see how your online college credits will translate. For properly accredited colleges it shouldn’t be a problem, but that’s an important factor to consider.

Image Courtesy of Flickr, Graham Ballantyne / Graham Ballantyne.

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 your degree online to discover the right career for you.

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Follow It: Twitter List of Online Colleges

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

My College Guide knows Twitter is a useful tool in the college search process—so we had to share our latest Twitter list of online colleges! If you are an adult going back to school, you can connect to these online colleges and universities and keep on top of the latest news, easily!

Twitter List of Online Colleges

As an adult learner, your time is precious! Even though Twitter can turn into a potential time suck, why not put your Twitter account to good use! Start connecting to the schools you are interested in. Whether or not you are ready to go back to college right now and work toward your online bachelor’s degree or if it is in the not-too distant future, you will be able to quickly find out about exciting online classes and new majors just for adult learners using our handy list of online colleges.

The Big List of Online Colleges on Twitter

Get connected. Just remember that if you are going to engage with any of these schools from our list of online colleges, that you are always on your best behavior. On-campus or online college, schools still care about what students they admit—so if you don’t censor yourself, you may want to refrain from using your real name!

Your Turn

Have you seen any schools that My College Guide needs to add to our list of online colleges? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll add them to Part 2. Four year colleges with online degrees or online only colleges that cater to adult learners – well, we’ll take them all!

…And Then

Need some advice regarding social media and online colleges? We’ve got the truthful information that you need. Stay tuned to My College Guide for more great Twitter lists of online colleges, iPad apps, and more to help adults just like you make the transition to college.

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 programs, browse through our list of online colleges, and 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!

Image Courtesy of Flickr, Solo.

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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Associate of Arts Degree: All That You Need

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Many adults returning back to school (and even students fresh out of college) are turning to an associate of arts degree. Online or on-campus, this degree can help get you working towards a bachelor degree in less time and with less money!

Thinking of obtaining an associate of arts degree? There's no better time than now!

Thinking of obtaining an associate of arts degree? There's no better time than now!

An associate’s degree is an undergraduate degree like any other except—this one only takes two years to complete! Best of all, earning this degree cuts two years from earning a bachelor’s degree!

You can find an associate of arts degree from the usual higher education institutions, like community colleges, junior colleges, technical and vocational schools, and colleges with bachelor’s degree programs.

The Purpose of an Associate of Arts Degree

An associate of arts degree (AA) helps you complete your general requirements before continuing on and snagging a bachelor’s degree. Of course, your credits may transfer differently, but as  general rule, an associate degree will reduce your time spent studying for a bachelor’s degree by two years and help you prepare for the workload involved in earning a four year degree.

You’ll need to compare programs and check out the sister college for the four year university you plan on transferring to. Some four year colleges offer an associate of arts degree so you won’t need to transfer colleges and will know that your credits will qualify toward completion of your bachelor’s degree.

What To Expect

An associate of art degree can help bulk up your resume!

An associate of art degree can help bulk up your resume!

As with any degree, associates, bachelor, or beyond, you will have specific courses that you will need to complete in order to graduate college. You won’t just get to “do art” all day.

You may be required to complete courses in math, English (like English Composition or Literature), and the humanities (like sociology or psychology) as well as other subjects. Whether you complete these courses on-campus or online, you will have certain art-related courses to complete in order to graduate. Your art classes can also vary depending on the school you are attending and what they have to offer!

What’s Next?

Your associate of arts degree can help you work toward a bachelor’s degree in quite the range of subjects! These majors include business administration, languages, social sciences, law, accounting, and the arts, of course. Your academic background will then form the basis for jobs in the same fields—and beyond!

Image #1 Courtesy of Flickr, geishaboy500 / THOR.
Image #2 Courtesy of Flickr, DailyPic / Joan M. Mas.

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 associate of arts degree programs and find the right career for you!

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Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs: Enhance Your Skills

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 ProgramsOnline 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!

Forget Freud. What Psychology Degree Programs Are Really About

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?

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!

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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 psychology degree programs to get you on the road to 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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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!

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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