Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 23rd, 2006
It's difficult enough being a working mom. Who could be busier? Could you imagine doing all that, AND attend traditional university classes, too? Luckily, working moms have a much better option: online degrees. And it looks like those degrees are really paying off.
According to the latest estimates from the U.S. department of labor's Bureau of Statistics, women are projected to enter the workforce at a higher percentage rate than men over the next ten years. And the fastest growth industries will be in the computer technology sector and health industry, where a college education can make a tremendous impact.
Wheeler-Farily is among the growing number of women who are advancing their careers by getting a higher education online. "It would have been impossible for me to go to a regular 'ground' college because I am a single mother and would have had to find a sitter for my four kids," recounts Wheeler-Fairly, who over the past ten years has earned three advanced degrees online in the technology field from the University of Phoenix, and is currently working towards her fourth, a PhD in organization and leadership.
As blue collar jobs transfer to lower wage nations, and as more machines replace assembly line workers and clerical work becomes computerized, women can do a great service to their careers by embarking in online studies during their children's nap-time.
Great news!
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 22nd, 2006
Long known for its top caliber student body, the University Of Illinois wants to diversify and attract the best students possible. The best way to do that? Offer online courses and degrees.
The University of Illinois will focus on tapping the online market through its Global Campus initiative, a for-profit enterprise that could draw tens of thousands of students to online degree programs.
"If you don't actively intervene, what tends to happen is a certain level of sameness tends to creep in," Nassirian said.
Not everyone agrees with the step, but the university is going ahead with online degree plans.
It's a new generation offering endless opportunities, and it's great to see a college recognize that.
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 20th, 2006
If you have any reason to doubt the popularity of online degrees, just check out the statistics in this–or any other–article. And be sure to read the interesting developments made by Southern New Hampshire University, which has offered online courses since 1996. Keeping pace with the huge demand for online degrees, the university has led the way in connecting students with 'virtual' degrees.
SNHU has one of the largest online programs in New England. Early on, they worked with the military and now are a preferred provider of online courses for the U.S. navy. SNHU is getting close to having all their degrees available online. LeBlanc envisions a seamless transition between online courses, in-person courses at the main campus or a satellite campus, and hybrid courses that include face-to-face meetings.
The sneaky part, depending on your perspective, is that your SNHU online degree just says SNHU. If you don't want employers to know immediately that you did some or all of your coursework virtually–as in University of Phoenix, which is widely known for online programs–than you might see this as an asset.
The article goes on to explore the motivations and trends in the online higher education world today; it's quite a fascinating read.
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 19th, 2006
Finally, the stigma associated with online degrees is finally fading. Thanks to the elimination of many diploma mills, and thanks to highly respected colleges and universities embracing online education, online degrees are now seen as a true asset…even by employers. Especially by employers.
85: Percentage of U.S. employers who feel that online degrees are more acceptable in 2006 than they were five years ago, according to a survey conducted by Vault Inc.
86: Percentage of U.S. employers who would be willing to accept a job applicant with an online degree.
This article provides more interesting and uplifting statistics.
There has never been a better time to pursue an online degree.
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 18th, 2006
More and more institutions and companies are 'cracking down' on online degrees, making sure the achievements are valid, and not a result of a 'diploma mill.' After several people in high-ranking positions, including politics and law enforcement, were fired after their online degrees proved to be a joke, employers just aren't going to risk it anymore.
An investigation by the federal General Accounting Office in 2002 discovered more than 1,200 resumes on a government Web site listed degrees that came from the Internet. Such degrees usually require no testing or classroom time.
The department toughened standards in June and only accepts diplomas recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
"We found a problem and we fixed it," district Fire Chief Bruce Clark said.
Although it may seem harsh, this is exactly the sort of thing that proves beneficial for online education. With the elimination of bogus degrees, the hard work put in by students to obtain valid degrees can finally be appreciated and rewarded.
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 14th, 2006
Here's an article you can show the online degree naysayers. The Sloan Consortium has published an intriguing new study.
Perhaps your online degree will be worth even more than you think! Many educators says that the man who is lazy takes the online degree, but new research has suggested that stigma is not only fading, but transforming into eLearning accolades. Recently, an in-depth study from Sloan Consortium, a group supporting online education, confirmed what advocates of cyber-academics had been saying for years: Online learning can be just as good as — if not better than — a classroom degree.
"A majority of academic leaders (57 percent) believe learning outcomes for online education are equal to or superior to those of face-to-face instruction," proclaims the Sloan study.
Looks like good times are on the way.
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 13th, 2006
From PR Web:
What's the value of a high school diploma or college degree? The answer is clearly spelled out in dollars and cents.
In a report released this week, the rewards of attaining a college degree and the financial hardship associated with not finishing high school are dramatic. In the United States, an adult with a university degree earns, on average, 72 percent more than someone with just a high school diploma, according to a study from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The annual study called "Education at a Glance" is released annually by the Paris-based organization, which compares how industrialized nations perform academically and what results economically. And, in the U.S., dropping out of high school has a steep cost. According to the report, adults who don't finish high school in the U.S. earn 65 percent of what people who have high school degrees earn. It was the biggest gap in any of the surveyed countries.
The report underscores the absolute need for obtaining a degree or diploma, which is being done with more frequency through Internet programs like Online Degree Direct. A private company, Online Degree Direct (online-degree-direct.com) is a one-stop shop for adults looking to further their education. Online Degree Direct is committed to maintaining strict objectivity in its opinions and information regarding a database of more than 60 schools.
(Image Source: PR Web)
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 12th, 2006
Hooray for stanford university. The much-respected educational powerhouse is now offering an excellent education to students worldwide who may have never otherwise had the opportunity. How are they doing this? Through online classes, of course.
Some of Stanford University's most diligent students are never in class — or even in the same time zone.
These foreign students, earning a master's degree in engineering through a program available entirely online, concede that they miss the sports, sunshine and the easy camaraderie of fellow Cardinal.
But they gain an education — and a competitive edge in the workplace — not available in their home countries.
"It was my dream to study in the best engineering school in the world," said Bing Ma of Beijing, who is studying economics and finance at Stanford's Department of Management Science and Engineering.
Great news. Let's hope we see more schools follow Stanford's lead.
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 11th, 2006
From EmediaWire:
It has never been easier to obtain a college degree. eLearningYellowPages.com, an online resource for distance learning programs and K-12 learning resources, has just added a new Online Degree Directory to its Web site.
With the online accredited degrees and distance learning programs available through this tab, those in pursuit of knowledge or a career change can earn a degree online conveniently in the comfort of their home or office. Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees are available within a wide array of disciplines, some of which include: business administration, computer science, education, engineering, health and human services, law, management information systems and psychology. For a complete list of available degrees, visit the Web site at http://www.elearningyellowpages.com/OnlineDegrees/.
Great!
Posted by
in
Uncategorized
Dec 10th, 2006
Resources for supporting online students abound, but what about resources for loved ones of an online degree-seeker?
This unusual subject was the highlight of a recent podcast offered by Capella University.
This is just one of the many helpful subjects offered in these podcasts, designed to help online students succeed. You can get complete details here.
