Posts Tagged ‘Online Degree Programs’

8 Points to Consider When Choosing an Online University Degree Program

December 21st, 2009

Since the introduction of online degree programs, more and more colleges and universities offer online degree programs with subject areas range from business to nursing, degrees from Bachelor to MBAs and Ph.Ds. Online degree programs enable busy people to pursue their degree from any places and at their own schedule.

But, with the rapid growth and high demand in online degree programs, many fake online degree programs have been introduced by unaccredited online universities. Mistakenly earning a fake online degree definitely will not help in your educational journey. Thus, if you are considering online universities for your degree or career training, there are a few important points to consider in choosing your online degree offers by online university. This article will lists down 8 of them for your reference:



How long has the universities been established? While a short educational history is not a red flag, a long-standing position in the educational committee is a sign of institutional security and reputability.



Is the online university accredited? Accreditation ensures a basic level of quality in the education you receive from an institution. It also ensures your degrees will be recognized for the true achievements they are. Most potential employers review a job applicant’s educational history to make sure that he or she has received his or her education from a college, university, or program with accreditation. If your degree, diploma, or certificate comes from a school without accreditation, it could hurt your chances for future employment.



What is the institution’s financial history/current position? Beware of fly-by-night operations that may not be in business next year!



What other expenses are associated with your selected online degree course? Many online degree programs may require you to attend some hours of physical classes or lab works. Thus, the online universities may assess additional items such as technology fees or lab costs.



Does the coursework of your selected online degree program meet your educational goal? Taking irrelevant courses may waste your time and money. Ask for a list of coursework of your selected degree program and review it against your educational goal before you decide to sign up.



How current is the course material? Ask for a list of current textbooks or other learning materials to ensure they are current and relevant.



What technological support is available to you as their online student? Online Universities normally has a webpage for online student which allow you to logon to view your coursework status, assignment submission, getting support from online university on any course related issues and access online library if any. Check with online university on these related information.



What student services are available to online students? Full advising, placement, and tutoring services may or may not be available to long-distance learners. Get this information from the online universities; it is important to know how much the online university can support you as their online student.



In conclusion, get as much as information on your selected online university’s program and review it to see whether it is truthful in its advertising and recruiting and the most important is whether it meet your education need and career goal.

Visit http://www.studykiosk.com/ for more information on the best listed Distance Learning Programs. Discover the ins and out of attending a “Virtual Classroom” to earn the online degree and how it can help you succeed in realizing our education goals.




By: Jullie Harvard

How to Compare Online Universities

September 15th, 2009

Although there are many online universities available, choosing the best online university that offers your preference online degree program can be a challenge. You may know what type of program you are looking for, but narrowing your list to the programs that contains the courses which meeting your requirements may be difficult. Here are five considerations which can help you compare online universities based on a few important factors.

1. Compare Online Universities Accreditation

I believe you have seen the word “accreditation” mentioned in many online education guides and articles. It’s the most important factor to consider when comparing online universities. If you earn a degree from an online university with regional accreditation, your degree will be accepted widely in the job market, and it helps you to have easier time finding jobs after graduation. You may want to continue to a higher education in the future, which you most probably will use your degree to apply for graduate programs, and a degree from an accredited online university will enable you to transfer your credit easier because these online degrees are accepted by most schools.

2. Compare Online Universities Residency Requirements

Not all online degree programs are offered 100% online, some universities requires their online students to attend a certain hours of physical classes on campus; others may require once a week for group meeting among students on group coursework discussion, or perform their lab work at school. Hence, when comparing online universities, you need to consider the residency requirements that best fit your schedule especially if you are a working individual or traveling to campus is a concern to you.

3. Compare Online Study Schedules

Although one of the key features of online education program is “flexible schedule”, but not all online universities allow you a full flexibility to study at your own pace, you may need to meet strict deadlines, or you are required to logon to the online classes at a fixed time to attend real-time learning sessions. If you are a working individual who have un-fixed working hours or a frequent traveler for job assignment, then you may prioritize on the online universities that allow you to study fully at your own pace.

4. Compare How Online Universities Carry Out Examination

There are online universities allow students to complete course exams entirely online, with open-book tests, while others may require their students to attend the exams at a proctored testing center. If you prefer to take open-book examination, then online universities that need you to attend closed-book tests might not be the best option for you.

5. Compare Online Universities Admission Requirements

Each online university has it own admission requirements; some schools have a very lengthy application process that require you to attend interviews, writing an essay or get a recommendation letter for your admission application, while others may have simple and easy admission process. When comparing these online universities, you need to ensure you are able to meet the admission requirements before you submit your application.

Summary

Comparing various online universities that offer your preference degree program can be very challenging, but it is a need process in order to select the best online university that meet your requirements.




By: Amelia Turner

List Of Online Schools – Is This Online University Right For You?

September 5th, 2009

Online schools could provide the solution to many of the problems faced by mature students. With more and more people finding that they need extra qualifications to advance in the employment market, mature students are often faced with a dilemma; how to obtain those coveted higher educational qualifications whilst juggling work, family and financial commitments. By studying through online schools, students are able to maintain their current standard of living, while working towards a better lifestyle.

Just to give you an idea, there are many good reasons for you to consider earning your degree online, including:

- You can study when you wish and at your own pace

- You can keep your existing job while you study

- You do not have to leave your family and live on a campus

- You have round-the-clock access to the many facilities of your college

- via your Internet connection

- Online Degree programs generally cost less

Allthough I reside in Texas, I do know that a good list of online schools are available in Texas. But there are many other list of onlilne schools around the nation offering courses in every subject and specialty area. Whatever your area of interest, you will be able to find a program that will suit your needs and give you the education and training you’re looking for.

But because there are so much information and options available on online universities; it sometimes can be difficult to choose which online universities to enroll for your degree program?

Hence, if you decide to earn your degree online, which is the best online university for you? I can honestly say that online education has it’s risk, but a well run program requires a great deal of self motivation and discipline. I have a college degree and have taken classes both in a class room and from a distance.

So which list of online schools are you interested in? Do you know? Have you found that right oline accredited school? If not, let me provide you with a short list of online schools to get things started on your search:

1) University of Phoenix – A well recognized and good reputation online university. Employers consistently regard the students coming out of University of Phoenix Online as prepared for the job market and as a result, a degree from University of Phoenix Online, more than any other online university, confers marketability.

2) DeVry University – One of the oldest and most widely recognized online universities. DeVry is an accredited school offering studies in the areas of business, technology, healthcare technology and management. DeVry provides assistance in job placement and many companies actively hire from DeVry.

Other good reputation and well known list of online schools include:

- Everest College

- Kaplan University

- Concord Law School

- Berkerly College

- South University

- Keiser University

- eCampus Online

- National American University

- National Technological University

- Penn Foster Career School

- Penn Foster College

- Penn Foster High School

There are many more list of online schools on the net, you just have to do some thorough research to find the right one in your hometown. Request free online college degree information from as many of these schools as it takes to make the right decision for you.

Keep in mind that each good online university has it pros and cons against their competitors. To maximize the investment on your education, you must choose the best list of online schools which meets your career goals.




By: D. Pruitt