Interior Designers Turn To Online Degrees

Even more proof that there's no limit to what you can learn online: this month, the National Kitchen & Bath Association along with Century College, will provide a six-course online training program for interior designers and construction professionals who wish to improve their skills, and certifications, in kitchen and bath design.

The NKBA is allied with more than 46 colleges and universities across North America currently teaching NKBA Standards, which help ensure consistent, quality education for individuals across the industry. This is the organization's first partnership with a school for online professional development.

Students can use the courses for continuing education credit, or apply the credits toward a higher degree, such as a B.A. in Interior Design.

Complete details can be found here.

Sponsored Post: National University Leads Nation in Granting Master’s in Education to Minority Students

One of the most admirable things about modern education is the diverse range of students who are able to take advantage of fantastic opportunities. No other educational outlet realizes this more than National University.

National University takes an innovative approach in ensuring a quality education to all types of students with all types of goals, graduating more credentialed teachers than any other single institution of higher education in California. It should come as no surprise, then, that National University grants more Master's degrees in Education to minority students than any other college or university in the United States, as recently announced in Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

In total, National University conferred 773 master's degrees in education to minorities in the 2004-2005 academic year. Minority students represented 32 percent of the total master's graduates from National University in 2004-2005.

In total, 414 hispanics, 201 African Americans, 142 Asian Americans, and 16 American Indians earned their master's degrees in Education from National University in 2004-2005. National University is first overall in California in granting master's degrees in education to every minority category and is second in the nation in granting master's degrees in education to Asian Americans and Hispanics.

You can find out more information about the annual Top 100 rankings chosen by Diverse Issues in Higher Education here. For more on National University, please go here.

(Image Source: National University)

Options In Online Graduate Degrees Increase

As the online college industry expands, so do the opportunities it offers. Students have often decried the lack of available graduate degrees. What better way to get a graduate degree than online, as most students have careers and family after an initial College Degree, and cannot spare the 'in classroom' time? So of course, they want the opportunity to advance their studies in as many ways as possible.

Good news: online graduate degrees are increasing in both numbers and variety.

To answer the demand, degrees with career specializations – also referred to as "concentrations" or "tracks" – are fast becoming commonplace at institutions across the country. Prospective graduate students can find specialized online programs in everything from sports leadership, higher education enrollment management, and automotive systems engineering, to information assurance, information technology management, and business ethics.

Online graduate degree programs in education and business curriculums, for example, offer a wide variety of concentrations. At the University of Phoenix, online graduate education students can choose from concentrations in administration and supervision, curriculum and instruction, computer education, and much more.

Be sure to read the rest of the article, as it contains all sorts of helpful information and developments concerning graduate degree options. What degree choices would you like to see in online education?

Why Should You Get An Online Degree?

Certainly a worthwhile, and extremely timely, question. There are probably as many reasons as there are online students, but this article may offer some reasons you may have not yet considered.

Students have the ability to fit their coursework into a schedule that works for them, while still holding down a full time job and taking care of responsibilities at home. Getting an online college diploma offers students a chance to obtain a college education without shirking their other duties. This works especially well for older students who didn't go to college right out of high school and instead chose to pursue a career. Whether you work best at two in the afternoon or two in the morning, online diplomas offer the convenience and flexibility you need in your busy life.

For other students, the idea of sitting in a classroom is not very appealing. Many potential students desire to obtain a degree, but are turned off by the thought of having to work at the pace of others. By choosing to obtain a degree online, you have the ability to work at your own pace.

Please read the rest of the article, as it lists many thought-worthy considerations. I especially like the point about online students being able to work at their own pace. As an educator, I believe requiring all students to move at the same speed is one of the failings of a 'traditional education,' and often dashes the ambitions of otherwise determined students.

What are your reasons for obtaining a degree online?

Online Degrees, aka ‘Digital Diplomas,’ Going Strong

Digital diplomas: I like this new term. It makes online education sound…well, cool. Which it is.

And luckily, online degrees just keep getting more popular, ensuring that more and more choices for students will keep unfolding. Whether it's an exclusively online school such as the University of Phoenix, or traditional schools such as Harvard getting in on the act, people can't seem to get enough of these newfangled college degrees.

The sheer growth of the online educational market, the seriousness with which employers are treating these degrees, and the expansion of online classes by so-called "bricks and mortar" schools mean that a growing acceptance of the online diploma is upon us. Their creditability, once questioned, is being established.

Richard Garrett, senior analyst for Eduventures, an independent Boston market research firm, calculates that there are 1.2 million full-time online university students, up from 700,000 in 2003. By early 2008, one out of 10 college students will be enrolled in an online degree program, the firm says.

Did you have any idea there was a degree in turf-grass science? Thanks to online degrees, there is now. As well as thousands of other options. Be sure to read the rest of this interesting article, and enjoy going digital!

Choosing The Right Online College Is Now Easier

With recent warnings of online education 'scammers,' it is especially important that students have reputable sources to consider. Also, students who want to find an online degree may feel overwhelmed by the amount of searching required, and the vast 'spread' of knowledge across the Internet. Can't someone just put all the information in one place?

Someone has done a pretty good job at just that. The 'Directory of Schools' lists just about every online college–accredited online college– in existence, and even helpfully organizes degrees into subject categories, so you can easily find what you're looking for.

I wish I had discovered this sooner; I almost went crazy looking for the best place to earn my Ph. D. I hope this helps you out!

(Image Source: Directory of Schools)

Online Students Must Exercise Extra Caution

Recent scamming of online degree hopefuls has been featured in the news lately. Convenience has its price, and in acquiring an online degree, that price is strict vigilance.

With more than 1.2 million Americans enrolled in online college courses, this blurring has become especially pronounced in the realm of education: Though "virtual learning" might be a viable option for busy adults who can't schedule classes at traditional campuses, the trend has birthed online programs at well-respected traditional colleges as well as given the charlatans and hucksters new high-tech methods for juicing suckers.

Is it possible to tell the difference?

This excellent article provides examples of how to tell the authentic from the bogus, and offers tips to protect your trust and wallet. With an already shaky reputation from the spread of "diploma mills," online education is vulnerable to criticism and fear. It would be a shame for stories like these to keep students from achieving their goals.

Sponsored Post: Snag IT with Skype an excellent combination

Techsmith – Snag IT are sponsors of the CIO-Weblog have made a recent announcement about the release of thier new tool "Free SnagIt-to-Skype Screen Capture Profile".This tool allows SnagIt customers to send screenshots to fellow Skype users during secure chat sessions, providing an instant visual reference to improve communication and enhance collaboration on tasks such as building presentations, design reviews, technical instruction, or simply sharing online images and other content.

"Anyone who uses Skype and SnagIt on a regular basis will immediately recognize how well these tools compliment each other," said Peter Kalmstrom, Product Manager for Skype Toolbars. "They're fun, easy to use, and will considerably boost anyone's productivity and overall quality of communication. As a SnagIt user, I'm really excited about this new capture profile."

"Combining SnagIt with Skype is a simple-yet-powerful way to extend the productivity benefits of each product," said Tony Dunckel, Product Manager at TechSmith. "Just like we need emoticons for making our emotions clear over chat sessions, a SnagIt screenshot provides greater clarity to any topic of conversation by giving a specific visual reference, or by showing the other person exactly what you're 'typing' about."

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