Posts Tagged ‘online’

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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Medical Billing and Coding: Code Your Way to a Bright New Future

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Medical billing and coding online courses are your way in to the healthcare industry, a billion dollar money-making industry! Online courses can help you balance work, career, and even family commitments while allowing you to obtain a degree that will enable you to work in a great new career like medical billing and coding.

Medical billing and coding online courses put you in control.

Medical billing and coding online courses put you in control.

For adults going back to school, they will learn all about the paperwork process! Medical billing and insurance coding are the ways in which a physician gets paid. So, you’ll be directly responsible for correctly completing the paperwork that helps insurance claims go  through as well as the payment of the physicians involved.

As a medical and billing coder, you will submit and follow-up on medical claims to various insurance companies. This paperwork is submitted in order to receive payment for services rendered by a healthcare provider. It may be done on paper or, in some instances, even electronically.

Skills associated with medical billing and insurance coding professionals are:

Highly Organized
Efficient
Proficient Typist
Detail-oriented
Multi-tasking

In this fast-paced career, you will need to stay on top of paperwork, including following up on paperwork as needed. Good organization skills, a comfortable typing speed, and a knack for keeping on top of the details are a few skills that can help you go far in the medical billing and coding career–and make you become a desirable asset to any company!

In your medical billing and coding class you will learn about health insurance plans and policies as well as the laws and regulations that control them. You will also learn about the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, the standardized coding system used by the American Medical Association.

For this in-demand degree, you’ll learn all about bookkeeping, like the scheduling and registering of patients, and become informed about accounts receivable and how revenue flows. Medical billing and coding online courses also contain information regarding the ethical implications of this career as well as legal responsibilities.

Besides learning the ins and outs of medical billing and coding in your online classes, you may have a light biology class or two to learn anatomy and other medical terms (and we’ve got the list of nursing iPad apps to help!). You will become familiar with medical terminology in order to help you figure out which coding to use when.

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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 medical billing and coding to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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Top 5 Tips For Making the Most of Business College Online

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

If you’re a busy working adult, going to business college online could be a great way to get your business degree without totally disrupting your regular life.

Business College Online? Don't forget about the importance of internships and networking!

Business College Online? Don't forget about the importance of internships and networking!

But to make it worth your while, you have to put a lot of time and effort into it—just as you would if you were attending a regular, campus-based program. In addition, going to business college online presents some unique challenges. Below are tips for making the most of it!

How to network while attending business college online.

One thing most business schools do really well is to provide networking opportunities for their students. As an online student, you can still network—you just have to be a little more creative about it.

Actively participate in class forums, discussion groups and live chats. The best way to get to know your peers is to interact with them. So don’t miss an opportunity to get involved.

Join networking clubs in your community. Opportunities for networking are plentiful—even for adults going back to school. Whether your local chamber of commerce, an industry-specific association or even a Meetup group organizes them, events are happening all around you. Get out there!

Don’t forget about the importance of internships. You might think that by attending business college online, you can skip the internship. But that’s not a good idea! Many programs actually require you to complete an internship, but even if yours doesn’t, you should make an effort to find one. An internship can greatly enhance your network—and your job opportunities when you graduate.

Getting the most out of your classes when attending business college online.

Getting the most out of your business college online experience means more than just working hard towards your bachelor’s degree online—it means actively participating in class.

Get to know your professors. Many professors make themselves available for Skype sessions or, at the very least, live chats. Make sure you’re taking advantage of these opportunities! Use them to ask questions, get clarifications, and to get their perspective on subjects of concern to you. The effort could pay off when it comes to grade time!

Volunteer to lead. The most successful people in business are those who are unafraid to take charge. And the best place to hone those skills? Is in the lecture hall—virtual or not. So volunteer for group projects and presentations. You’ll be glad you did!

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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 business college online and then some to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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5 Easy Ways to Save Money For College

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

If going back to school is on your To Do list, you’re probably wondering how you’ll find money for college. But don’t worry—while going back to college can be expensive, there is plenty of help available.

Money for college: where will you find it?

Money for college: where will you find it?

Federal financial aid, private student loans, and scholarships can all help ease the burden. Plus, there are tons of simple things you can do to find money for college in your budget—even if money is tight.

Did you know your refrigerator could help you find money for college?

If you’re like most Americans, a significant portion of your budget goes to food. But there are lots of little ways you can cut back—and those small contributions can really add up when it comes to finding money for school.

Learn to love those brown bags. If you routinely eat out, try packing your lunch a few days a week instead. Just think—if your average lunch costs $10, you could save up to $50 a week! That’s $2,600 a year!

Give up the daily latte. When you’re under a time crunch, it can seem easier to stop at the nearest coffee shop drive thru than to take the time to brew a pot of coffee at home. But at $4 a pop, losing those lattes can add up to a lot of money for college!

Leave the convenience foods at the store. Those pre-packaged dinners can be a lifesaver when your family’s hungry and you’re out of time. But that convenience comes at a price. Consider investing a few hours on the weekend to making freezer meals—things that you can freeze and defrost whenever you find yourself pressed for time. You’ll be amazed at how fast the savings stack up!

Is money for college hiding in your bills?

It might sound bizarre, but by taking a good look at your monthly bills, you might be able to find ways to save money for college!

Cut the cable cord. If you’re like most people, you probably spend more than a hundred dollars each month for your cable TV. But there are ways to avoid paying that huge fee. Sign up for a mail order DVD service, or invest in a device that lets you watch Internet-streaming shows right on your TV! You could easily cut your bill in half—if not more! That’s good news for adults going back to school.

Budget your utilities. By signing up for yearly “budget plans,” you can avoid those $300 heating bills or $400 electric bills. Instead, you’ll pay the same (lower) amount all year long. That could add up to hundreds of extra dollars for college!

These are just a few of the ways you can find money for college—without feeling the sting. If you take a good hard look around you, you’ll probably find plenty more!

Image Courtesy of Flickr, Colby Cosh.

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 finding money for college to get you on the road to the right career for you!

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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.

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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Beyond CSI: 5 Things To Know About Criminal Justice Degrees Online

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.

Think criminal justice degrees are all glitz and glamour? My College Guide has the facts.

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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7 Invaluable iPad Apps for Distance Nursing Degree Students

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!

Distance Nursing Degree Students: Invaluable iPad Apps!

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!

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Online Bachelor’s Degrees: A Wave of the Future

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Twenty years ago, if anyone told My College Guide that one day we could earn online bachelor’s degrees while sitting in our pajamas and sipping herbal tea, we would have told them they were being ridiculous. Well, fast forward twenty years and this dream is a reality! Adult students can realize their dreams of earning a degree that works for them.

With online bachelor's degrees, you can have your cake and eat it too!

emkeller / Emily

Online Bachelor’s Degrees Allow for Complete Flexibility

Are you a stay at home mom who can’t leave home every day? Do you need to keep your full-time job, yet long to further your career by earning a degree? Regardless of your walk of life, online bachelor’s degrees provide the busy, non-local student of all ages the chance to attend school and achieve the career or degree they desire!

Online Programs Offer Quality Education

Worried about the quality of online education? Potential students sometimes worry about distance learning schools and programs and whether they are equal in quality to in-class education. However, according to a study at California State University at Northridge:

  • Online students tested 20% higher than the students enrolled in their traditional learning programs.
  • Distance learning students generally spend 50% more time collaborating with other students online. This is a shocker!
  • Online learners are often students who possess more self-motivation and discipline (these are necessary traits to obtain an online bachelor’s degree)

The fact is that you can earn a quality education and achieve high grades in an online bachelor’s degree program. From an online business management degree to vocational careers, you can find it all online. You can succeed!

Formula for Success

Though studying via distance learning is the wave of the future and it is becoming very popular among potential students, it still requires a certain attitude and the ability to stay focused and disciplined. The main components to achieving success with online degree programs are motivation and determination. If you can work on your own schedule and continue to keep moving forward, you will completely nail it!

Step into the Future

Convinced yet? Online bachelor’s degrees truly are a wave of the future. Having the chance to work towards a degree program while staying at home or while continuing to bring in a full time income is a dream come true! Take advantage of this wave of the future and the flexibility it provides and realize your dream of earning a college degree.

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 any online bachelor’s degree to find the right career for you!

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