Many professionals are making the decision to go back to school and further their education. Whether intending to earn a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in engineering you are likely to find a large number of options available to you. Online degrees are a great way to get the education to further your career while allowing you to keep commitments you have such as a job or family. With distance education you can take the courses to learn new skills, or further your current position by earning credits toward an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree. Many individuals choose this method of learning because they can study when it fits into their schedule.
You will have no trouble finding a program to help you earn a degree in business administration online. Online degrees of this nature are extremely popular making your choices vast. The biggest hurdle you will face will be deciding which program you want to participate in. With so many options and can be overwhelming to say the least. Knowing your goals and being prepared will help you make your decision more quickly. Taking some time to review all of the different programs and talking with various advisors about their courses will help you narrow down the choices.
Some of the programs can help you earn online degrees in as little as six months or as much as two years depending on the degree and the program you are interested in. Deciding this first is vital to your selection process. If you have credits from a previous school you may want to consider if those transfer to the online classes. This could reduce the time you have to attend classes to get your degree. You may want to start with that question when discussing the options with the advisors. Also ensuring that the credits you will be learning will also be transferable is important.
When making your choice for earning online degrees do not hesitate to ask about financing options. Some of the programs offer loans and grants for students and others offer payment plans that will allow you to pay the debt over time. This may be an affordable option for your situation and allow you to start working toward your degree right away instead of having to go through the loan application process. Discuss these options with your advisor and be prepared with a good grasp of your current financial situation.
Online Degree Options for Business Administration
Big Name State Universities – 5 Relatively Cheap Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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.
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Education Options for Careers in Holistic Nursing
Educational training in holistic nursing is available to those looking to start a career in the exciting field of nursing. Accredited educational programs allow students to achieve the education they need to pursue their desired career. Students can enroll in the program that meets their individual career goals. Training is available for those looking to become a number of nursing professionals with a concentration in holistic medicine.
*Education
An education in holistic nursing requires students to receive additional education in areas specific to the field of holistic healing. Certification in holistic nursing can be obtained from a variety of accredited schools and colleges. Students will learn a variety of career skills with enrollment in a holistic nursing educational training program. Educational options for careers in this field will allow students to work in a variety of places. Students can receive an education that focuses on learning how to treat a patient as a “whole” being instead of just an individual illness. Educational training programs can last anywhere from a few months to several years.
*Coursework
Specific areas of study will vary based on each student’s desired area of employment and school or college of attendance. Students can learn a number of topics with an accredited program. Holistic nursing certification programs will cover the study of course subjects such as:
AcupunctureMental and Spiritual HealingChinese MedicineReikiHolistic MedicineMassage TherapyReflexologyChiropractic
…and many other career related areas of study. By studying specific courses students will have the opportunity to gain the knowledge needed in certain areas of the field. Curriculum will cover a number of areas that relate to the field of holistic healing. Students can expect to study various courses to prepare for licensure.
*Career Opportunities
Career options include learning to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Registered Nurse (RN). Students typically hold one of these titles prior to enrolling in an accredited holistic nursing program. This type of program simply helps to prepare students for a specific holistic related career. Students who choose to become a holistic nurse can train for career working in acupuncture clinics, holistic clinics, hospitals, home health, government agencies, and many other facilities. Specialty areas can include pediatrics, oncology, cardiac, neonatology, and much more. Employment opportunities will be based on the specialty chosen by each individual student.
Students who choose to gain an education in holistic nursing can do so by researching accredited educational training programs. Accreditation is a school or colleges proof that they can provide students with the quality education they deserve. Agencies like the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (http://www.acics.org) are approved to provide full accreditation to programs that qualify. Not all educational programs are accredited so students should check prior to enrollment. Students can learn more about education options for careers in holistic healing by contacting available schools and colleges. Start your career training today by enrolling in the holistic nursing program of your choice.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.
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