Let’s face it. With so many options available on the internet, choosing an online bachelors degree program can be a daunting task. Try a little test. Type “online bachelors degree” into Google and glance at the results. Many “featured” programs on various degree websites usually include names like University of Phoenix, Walden University, Kaplan University, and Capella University.
Based on the test mentioned above, it should come as no surprise that these for-profit universities also rank in the top twenty of the largest online student bodies in the United States. According to the latest data from U.S. News & World Report, University of Phoenix served over 187,000 online students during the 2006-2007 school year. Significant online enrollment figures were also reported by Walden University (22,138), Kaplan University (22,000), and Capella University (13,726) for the same time frame.
But other non-traditional students take a slightly different approach to earning their degrees via online college courses. Instead of completing a 4-year degree through a for-profit online school, degree completion programs offered by well-known state universities are attracting considerable attention. To meet graduation requirements, many non-traditional students with little time for on-campus classes use inexpensive local community colleges as stepping stones to state universities. The reason: more public two-year colleges now cater to working students than in previous decades.
Three factors appear to be driving students back to long-established public and private universities, some of which are represented by a few big names. For starters, several institutions have adopted special tuition rates for distance learners that are not only less expensive than those for on-campus classes, but also considerably cheaper than the big for-profit universities. Comparable fees for in-state and out-of-state residents at these big schools are becoming more commonplace.
Next, to meet rising demand, more traditional universities are responding by increasing the variety of online classes and degree programs. For example, the Cincinnati Post recently reported that enrollment in online-only programs at the University of Cincinnati is up 257 percent over the past 4 years. In another recent article, the Tuscaloosa News cited enrollment figures from the University of West Alabama for the 2007 Fall semester. A staggering 47 percent, or almost one-half the entire student population at the Livingston, Alabama university take only classes held onlne.
Finally, the thought of having a resume tossed by corporate human resources staffers because the degree was earned through an online-only university may simply be too much for some students. In 2006, career information provider Vault Inc. surveyed hiring managers about how they view applicants with degrees that were earned online. A whopping 77% responded that they believe an online degree granted by an accredited institution holds more credibility than one from an internet-only school. As one unnamed HR professional confides, an online degree obtained from a well-established, traditional university stands a much greater chance of escaping the “correspondence school” stigma.
A related factor, branding, appears to heavily influence school choices as well. Listing a highly-respected, name brand college degree on a resume usually proves advantageous when competing for positions, especially in tight job markets, according to some career coaches. Similarly, nearby lesser known universities are also thought to carry considerable name recognition among prospective employers.
In other words, when choosing an online degree program, choose wisely. The opportunities to earn college degrees from highly-respected schools are many. Spend a little time and do some research. Yes, the larger online-only colleges and universities appear more often in Google searches. But it is highly unlikely that their exposure level is close to what the major state universities receive on those memorable autumn afternoons during college football season.
Below, you’ll find five solid bachelor’s degree completion programs that are fully capable of sprucing up many resumes with eye-catching credentials. Each degree is attainable through numerous options that can include CLEP exams and liberal college-credit transfer policies. Tuition rates, except where noted, apply to both in-state and out-of-state residents. For more information, please visit the respective university’s Continuing Education or Extended Learning website to learn more.
Colorado State University – Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts – $223 per semester hour
Indiana University – Bachelor of General Studies – $145.06 (in-state)/$164.22 (out-of state) per semester hour
Texas Tech University – Bachelor of General Studies – $189 per semester hour (includes fees)
University of Iowa – Bachelor of Liberal Studies – $224 per semester hour
University of Missouri – Bachelor of General Studies – $247.60 per semester hour (includes fees)
Above information current as of September, 2007.
By: Paul Barnette
Posts Tagged ‘Google’
Big Name State Universities – 5 Relatively Cheap Online Bachelor’s Degrees
April 12th, 2010Rhode Island Jobs – Rhode Island Sales & Marketing Employment. info,
August 18th, 2009Rhode Island has the nations highest unemployment rate, because the Rhode Island government has not created an environment that is business friendly, Little Rhody has lost more jobs that ever before.
This can be a tough situation for out of work Rhode Island sales and marketing people, as they are mainly 1099 employees and don’t have unemployment insurance or other benefits. If they do have benefits, they pay dearly for them out of pocket.
There are people making a lot of cash on opportunities in this downturn. Why can’t you? There are money making opportunities everywhere, including Rhode Island. You just need to know how to spot them.
I was one of those people who lost their job. I searched frantically online for ways to make money with little or no cash. I had no online marketing skills. So after a couple of days of research, I choose an online marketing university to learn whatever I could. It was only $39 a month to join and there was nothing to buy for any course, everything was included.
I learned about Google Adwords, and how to market a successful Google Adwords campaign using low cost keywords and keyword phrases. The knowledge I learned in the Google Adwords course is enough to make me a consultant to local businesses on Google Adwords campaigns. I am now offering my services to set up successful online advertising campaigns on Google, Yahoo and Bing search engines. Local business owners need an edge in today’s economy. The average Google Adwords Pro makes $65 an hour doing campaigns for businesses.
I learned how to use free online article marketing techniques as a way to drive traffic to affiliate websites. I get a commission every time a sale is made through my traffic. I mainly sell ebooks since there is a 50% to 70% commission per sale. There are literally thousands of ebooks on every imaginable subject. Pick your topic. See what books are available and then check their gravity.
The place to find the most ebooks to sell is www.Clickbank.com. While writing this article Clickbank.com has paid out $1,362.566,085.00 in affiliate commissions to date. A Clickbank affiliate makes a sale in the world every 3 seconds.
At the university I learned how to spy on the competition with the keyword spy tool. You find out what keywords the competition uses for success and you set yourself up to start taking their business away.
I am not a writer as you can probably tell. That is why I use the free university online marketing tools, like Rapid Writer to spin my articles. This is also included for free. They even offer free web hosting.
If you are out of work, this is a great way to brush up on your marketing skills, to make yourself a more valuable employee. This knowledge may also increase your hiring wage. You can also get certified in certain online marketing practices for cheap.
The university were I learned my marketing skills is having a one week trial membership for only $1. You can check out every single thing in the university for a buck. The best place to start is the user forums. The rags to riches stories are everywhere. It will almost bring tears to your eyes when you read the success stories. You do not need even need a high school diploma to join.
Everyone helps each other as a community. If you have a problem just post it in the forum. You will have people offering assistance that are experts. Some make 5k a day and are there to help guide you to success.
I just wanted to let all of my fellow Rhode Islanders know, that you can make awesome money from home, if you have the tools and the knowledge. I didn’t have any experience at all. It took about 8 weeks to mold me into a pro at WAU
This is not a get rich quick thing. There is no such thing.
If your interested in checking the WA Online University out click here.
Best of luck on your future. If you decide to check out the university please come back and leave your feedback.
Thanks,
A Warwick Guy from Norwood.
By: Rhode Island Sales & Marketing Jobs
20 Secrets to Prepare University and College Students for Landing the Best Graduate Job Or Career
August 10th, 2009There’s alot more than just studying hard that you can do as a college or university student, that will help when it comes to getting the best job or career after graduation. We take a look at the top 20, from playing a team sport to learning to give a compliment.
1. Get out of the library. “You can have a degree and a huge GPA and not be ready for the workplace. A student should plan that college is four years of experience rather than 120 credits,” says William Coplin, professor at Syracuse University and author of the book, “10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College.”
2. Start a business in your dorm room. It’s cheap, Google and Yahoo are dying to buy your website, and it’s better than washing dishes in the cafeteria. Note to those who play poker online until 4 a.m.: Gambling isn’t a business. It’s an addiction.
3. Don’t take on debt that is too limiting. This is not a reference to online gambling, although it could be. This is about choosing a state school over a pricey private school. Almost everyone agrees you can get a great education at an inexpensive school. So in many cases the debt from a private school is more career-limiting than the lack of brand name on your diploma.
4. Get involved on campus. When it comes to career success, emotional intelligence—social skills to read and lead others—get you farther than knowledge or job competence, according to Tiziana Casciaro, professor at Harvard Business School. Julie Albert, a junior at Brandeis University, is the director of her a capella group and head of orientation this year. She hones her leadership skills outside the classroom, which is exactly where to do it.
5. Avoid grad school in the liberal arts. One in five English Phd’s find stable university jobs, and the degree won’t help outside the university: “Schooling only gives you the capacity to stand behind a cash register,” says Thomas Benton, a columnist at the Chronicle of Higher Education (who has an English degree from Yale and a tenure-track teaching job.)
6. Skip the law-school track. Lawyers are the most depressed of all professionals. Stress itself does not make a job bad, says Alan Kreuger, economist at Princeton University. Not having control over one’s work does make a bad job, though, and lawyers are always acting on behalf of someone else. Suicide is among the leading causes of premature death among lawyers.
7. Play a sport. People who play sports earn more money than couch potatoes, and women executives who played sports attribute much of their career success to their athletic experience, says Jennifer Cripsen of Sweet Briar College in Virginia. You don’t need to be great at sports, you just need to be part of a team.Continued…
8. Separate your expectations from those of your parents. “Otherwise you wake up and realize you’re not living your own life,” says Alexandra Robbins, author of the popular new book “The Overachievers.” (Note to parents: If you cringe as you read this list, then you need to read this book.)
9. Try new things that you’re not good at. “Ditch the superstar mentality that if you don’t reach the top, president, A+, editor in chief, then the efforts were worthless. It’s important to learn to enjoy things without getting recognition,” says Robbins.
10. Define success for yourself. “Society defines success very narrowly. Rather than defining success as financial gain or accolades, define it in terms of individual interests and personal happiness,” says Robbins.
11. Make your job search a priority. Jobs do not fall in your lap, you have to chase them. Especially a good one. It’s a job to look for a job. Use spreadsheets to track your progress. And plan early. Goldman Sachs, for example, starts its information sessions in September.
12. Take a course in happiness. Happiness study is revolutionizing how we think of psychology, economics, and sociology. How to be happy is a science that 150 schools teach. Preview: Learn to be more optimistic. This class will show you how.
13. Take an acting course. The best actors are actually being their most authentic selves, says Lindy Amos of communications coaching firm TAI Resources. Amos teaches executives to communicate authentically so that people will listen and feel connected. You need to learn to do this, too, and you may as well start in college.
14. Learn to give a compliment. The best compliments are specific, so “good job” is not good, writes Lisa Laskow Lahey, psychologist at Harvard and co-author of “How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work.” Practice on your professors. If you give a good compliment the recipient will think you’re smarter: Big payoff in college, but bigger payoff in the work world.
15. Use the career center. These people are experts at positioning you in the workforce and their only job is to get you a job. How can you not love this place? If you find yourself thinking the people at your college’s career center are idiots, it’s probably a sign that you really, really don’t know what you’re doing.
16. Develop a strong sense of self by dissing colleges that reject you. Happy people have “a more durable sense of self and aren’t as buffeted by outside events,” writes Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California-Riverside. When bad things happen, don’t take it personally. This is how the most successful business people bounce back quickly from setback.
17. Apply to Harvard as a transfer student. Sure people have wild success after going to an Ivy League school but this success is no more grand than that of the people who applied and got rejected. All people who apply to Ivy League schools seem to have similar high self-confidence and ambition, even if they don’t get in, according to a study by Kreuger.
18. Get rid of your perfectionist streak. It is rewarded in college, but it leads to insane job stress and an inability to feel satisfied with your work. And for all of you still stuck on number 6, about ditching the law school applications: The Utah Bar Journal says that lawyers are disproportionately perfectionists.
19. Work your way though college. Getting involved in student organizations counts, and so does feeding children in Sierra Leone or sweeping floors in the chemistry building. Each experience you have can grow into something bigger. Albert was an orientation leader last year, and she turned that experience into a full-time summer job that morphed into a position managing 130 orientation leaders. A great bullet on the resume for a junior in college.
20. Make to do lists. You can’t achieve dreams if you don’t have a plan to get there.
Provided by The Student Zone
By: Mike Harding
