Thursday, March 15, 2007

College Education

Online college education is an important mode of education offered through the Internet. Today, a large number of online colleges offer various online degrees in a wide range of disciplines. Internet is the greatest means of this education.

Online colleges are an ideal solution for those who are desirous of attaining higher learning without going to a traditional college. There are provisions for earning associates, bachelors, masters, or even doctoral degrees through online colleges. There are specialized courses too, which prepare you for a particular job. Any individual interested in joining a particular online program can easily enroll into any of the numerous online colleges. The registration is generally simple and can be done through the websites of the respective online college.

Online college education provides practical as well as career-oriented courses in a homely online environment. These courses are mostly utilized by working individuals and those in various professions. University of Phoenix is the largest accredited university in the United States. Some of the other topmost online universities and colleges are the Devry University, Virgina College, California National University and Kaplan University.

You have to choose an online college to suit your needs from among thousands of online colleges. Make a thorough study of the terms and conditions of the online college before making a final decision. There are many fraudulent websites and bogus colleges and universities, so it is better to check whether the university or college you selected has proper accreditation. The online college education, an outcome of the modern technological development, can take you to further heights and achieve your career goals.

Education Online provides detailed information on Education Online, Continuing Education Online, Online College Education, Online Accredited Education and more. Education Online is affiliated with eLearning Companies.

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Distance Learning - Post Graduate Online Education Degrees

According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, as of 2004 there was a 3.4 percent increase in doctorate degrees awarded in the United States. In June, 2004, a total of 41,155 research doctorate degrees were earned by postgraduate students. The recent increase in doctorate degrees awarded after a decade of decline can be partially attributed to the convenience of distance learning postgraduate online education degrees.

Postgraduate degree programs offer students an opportunity to explore a subject to attain the highest levels of proficiency in that area of study. Courses can be based upon a curriculum or independent study and research. A recent study released by both Penn State University Outreach Marketing and Communications and University Continuing Education Association revealed that distance learning is anticipated to grow ten times quicker than on-campus education over the next ten years. Further, about 45 percent of college enrollment are adult students who frequently prefer distance learning opportunities to classes on campus. Sun Chairman Scott McNealy states, “Technology has to play a huge role in education. (It's) changed commerce...publishing...banking. It's got to change education big time.”

Distance learning postgraduate online education degrees afford busy students the opportunity to earn doctorate degrees at their convenience, without having travel to and attend traditional classes. By the time students intend to pursue distance learning postgraduate online education degrees, they are usually computer literate, self-motivated and able to manage their time properly. These are all essential elements to success in virtual classrooms. The two basic types of postgraduate degrees students may earn are professional doctorates or research doctorates.

Professional doctorates. The United States requires terminal professional doctorate degrees to perform in certain fields, such as dentistry, medicine, law, chiropractics, occupational therapy and psychology. Prior to entering these professional doctorate programs, students are required to complete a bachelors degree, preferably in a related field. Professional doctorate degrees, such as J.D. and M.D., usually do not require students to complete a thesis, although some do require an original research paper to be submitted. Doctorate degrees usually take three years to complete after postsecondary education, although distance learning postgraduate online education degrees may be earned more quickly. Because online education courses are often geared for the busy adult learner, students can progress at their own pace.

Research doctorates. The research doctorate that is most commonly earned is a Ph.D. The time is takes to complete research doctorate degree programs can vary quite a bit, depending on course pursued. It is common for students to take two to three years to complete coursework and three or more years to conduct pertinent research. The benefit of a Ph.D. is that a holder is qualified to pursue an academic career as an expert in their field. Distance learning research doctorate degrees are conveniently pursued online and can be easily worked around professional schedules.

Honorary doctorates. These degrees may be awarded for substantial contributions to a field and are not necessarily academic.

Financial Aid. Federal financial aid and loan programs may be applied to distance learning postgraduate online education degrees. Employers may offer tuition reimbursement for coursework. Private loans may also be secured to pay for higher education. Students have several options available that can help them finance their doctorates.

Thesis. Some postgraduate doctorate degrees require students to write a thesis. The learner defines their own area of research and takes years to write a detailed paper, which may be made available as pertinent information to other students in the field.

Coursework. Distance learning postgraduate online education degree programs offer students ongoing guidance through coursework, email, virtual lectures and online discussions. Students are, however, expected to work independently and use a variety of research resources to complete their course requirements.

Online Students. A recent national study entitled Degrees of Opportunity revealed some interesting facts about online students. Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed felt that the benefits derived from higher education are equal to or even greater than the money, time and effort involved. Lyungai Mbilinyi, Ph.D and author of this report, stated, “Eighty-one percent associated higher education with a sense of personal accomplishment and seventy-eight percent believed education would better develop their talents or pursue their interests. Despite the assortment of obstacles many adults face when considering a return to school, the overwhelming majority believe the resulting benefits have made it worthwhile.” Finally, eighty-four percent of enrollments in higher education programs are non-traditional students such as distance learners and adults with jobs. Students who participate in distance learning postgraduate online degree programs are not only seeking better positions, but the increased knowledge and self-esteem that comes with an advanced education.

The study “Growing by Degrees: Online Education in the United States, 2005” found that full distance learning postgraduate online education degree programs were offered by 38 percent of schools. The popularity of postgraduate online degree programs makes it clear they are a viable way to earn higher education and improve career options.

Summitlearners.com Is the leading resource for people wanting to learn Online. They offer detailed information on Online Education Guide

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4 Tips To Find The Best Online University For You

Online degree programs have growth rapidly in conjunction with the high demand of online education. Today, getting a university degree online has become a practical reality for people who cannot spare the time and commitment just to go back to regular university for earning a degree. You may find it confusing and hard to make a decision on so many online degree program choices. Although it is a hard decision, making the right choice that will suit your schedule, your learning style as well as your education goal is of prime importance.

Depending on your specific needs and goals, here are 4 tips to help your find an online university that best suit your needs:

1. Know your education goals

Different people have different needs for getting an online education. Some people enrolled into an online degree program just to sharpen their knowledge in certain area whereas others may hope to make a career switch by earning a degree in the area they are interested in.

Hence, you need to know what you are your purpose of getting an online education. Before you begin considering your options on various online degree programs, do some self assessment on what kind of education you are looking for, how much time and effort you plan to invest and whether it is personal fulfillment or career advancement that you aim to achieve through the course.

2. Do research on your options

Most online universities provide free information on their online degree programs and many do provide online chat session with their academic advisors so that you can ask any related questions and getting the necessary information needed before you make up your mind. Take your time to gather as much information as you can from various online universities that offer the education program that within your education scope. Ask the academic advisors for further clarification for any doubts; make sure you have a clear idea of the program being offered before you invest your hard earned money and time into any one of them.

3. Beware of online degree scams

Onlinde degree scams or mostly know as diploma mill is a college or university that operates primarily to make money; such schools are not properly accredited and issue degrees without ensuring an education occurs. You need to be wary of these degree mills when doing your searches for the right course; make sure your are enrolled with online university that offers legitimate courses with proper accreditation. Fake degrees and credentials are plentiful and you will only be wasting your time, effort and money if you go with one of them.

4. Look for online degree program with recognized accreditation

Accreditation of the online university that you enroll in is vitally importance. Accreditation provides assurance that the program in which you are enrolled is engaged in continuous review and improvement of its quality and it meets nationally endorsed standards in the profession, and that it is accountable for achieving what it sets out to do.

If the reason you are pursuing further education is to advance your career, the degree you will be earning needs to be recognized by your employers or prospective employers. A degree from an accredited online university is one of the important consideration factors by many employers.

In Summary

It's easy to find an online degree program in your area of interest as almost all degree courses offered by regular universities are now go online. But you need to make some research in order to find an online degree program that really meets your education goals.

Jullie Harvard is the author of http://www.studykiosk.com. This site featured over 1,000 online degrees and you can get more information on Online Nursing Degree at this site.

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Online Education with the University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix Online Focuses on Team Learning

Unlike some other schools, the University of Phoenix Online focuses on Team Learning. For all classes, team assignments can make up to 20% of the student’s total grade. Consequently, students get more than they bargained for when pursuing an education at Phoenix’s online university (UoP online).

Online Education for those Working Full-Time

UoP online believes that distance learning shouldn’t be a solely individual or isolated effort. In an effort to help their students do better in their careers, UoP online believes that its students should get more practice working effectively as a virtual team. Besides submitting individual short answers and papers, students must also work as a part of a team, usually on a single course long project where the work on one week builds on the week done previously.

UoP online targets mature adults who have been in the work force for at least five years. The majority of UoP online students have been career oriented for some time. By designing their online classes so that they don’t require meetings at set times, UoP online helps busy individuals advance their educations. But don’t get the wrong idea; UoP online is not set up like other distance learning programs, say a correspondence course, where you set your own timeline. UoP requires you to be online at least four times a week to participate and you need to post assignments on a weekly schedule.

Effective team work is an integral part to a successful career. Many an interview has revolved around a person’s “team spirit.” Even online jobs require collaboration to a certain degree. UoP’s stance on online team learning might educate you on more than what you signed up for, too.

University of Phoenix offers degree programs in the following fields:

• Accounting • Health Care

• Administration • Human Services

• Business • Information Systems

• Counseling • Management

• Criminal Justice • Marketing

• eBusiness • Nursing

• Education • Technology Management

• Finance

Online college courses lead to salary increase

Take online college courses that you can work around your schedule. Why go back to school? How about for more money? Studies show that the more education a person has, the more that person will make over coworkers who do the same thing but are less educated.

The more education you have, the more you get paid

Another reason you should consider distance learning courses is that it can help you change careers. If you’re sick of your current job and want another career, quit dreaming and starting working toward your goals. Recognizing the need to accommodate “non-traditional” students, more colleges are setting up online courses to help educate students via online campuses. They aren’t stopping with courses either. Many colleges offer complete degree programs that you can get entirely online.

When considering what online program you will enroll in, look at the following factors:

• Costs

• Accreditation. For example, the only state that will let you sit for the bar if you get an online law degree is California.

• Program requirements. What courses do you have to take to graduate? How many classes can you CLEP out of or get credit for courses you’ve taken elsewhere?

• Distance learning tools. What does the school use for its virtual classroom? Not all schools use the same online tools.

• What kind of financial aid is available to you?

Online programs are constantly being improved so if you looked into them a few years ago, you owe it to yourself to learn what educators have been up to in the meantime.

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Online Education: GED vs Fake High School Diploma

For today's student, distance learning is a worthwhile and affordable way to work toward a GED, usually the most official way for an adult to demonstrate the skills of a high school graduate. But there are a growing number of companies and schools who aren't really in the business of education. Instead, they're in the education business -- their main business is selling quick and easy programs or simple online tests, complete with worthless transcripts and fake diplomas.

There are exceptions. But as a rule most transcripts and diplomas ordered or obtained from online high schools are useless. Unfortunately, students and adult learners are often and easily misled by diploma factories or diploma mills. Many of these companies and 'schools' appear to be professional businesses or accredited educational institutions. So, when selecting online education, it's smart to be cautious. Make sure the online learning solution is a real solution, and will help you achieve your goals.

First, it pays to understand how diploma factories work. Many adult learners fall victim to diploma scams, usually paying $200 to $800 in tuition, testing, transcript or diploma fees. But because the school or program isn’t accredited, the diploma has no value. When it comes to employers, job training programs, tech schools, community colleges and universities, bogus diplomas are useless. And often, new 'graduates' don't learn that a diploma has no value until they're told by an employer or a college admissions department.

In most cases, the GED -- the term for General Education Development credential -- is the official 'diploma' that's meaningful for adults who never completed their high school education. For today's 34 to 38 million adults in the US who never graduated from high school, passing the GED test is a pass key to both career and educational opportunities. That's because approximately 95 percent of employers and even more US colleges and universities accept the GED.

When choosing an education program, a student's best bet is a GED solution, whether enrolling in a local GED class or using a self-guided online GED program. If online learning or distance learning is the solution you need, look for a program that includes all the components necessary to prepare for the GED test.

Here are some guidelines for choosing a quality learning solutions provider and avoiding bogus schools or fake diploma scams:

  • GED guidelines are established by the American Council on Education. Under the agency's rules, the test covers science, social studies, language arts reading and writing, and math -- including algebra, geometry and data analysis. Find a program that includes all testing areas; avoid any solution or school that doesn’t include all test areas or information about test areas and the ACE's requirements.
  • GED practice tests are available online. These tests are a good way for a student to determine skill strengths and weaknesses and to understand how the test works. But the actual GED test cannot be taken online! The test is only given at official test sites. So avoid any company that claims to offer the official GED test or a quick version online.
  • Read the fine print, before you pay -- make sure you understand what the company or school is offering and determine if it's worth the price. Is it a worthwhile learning process or just a fake diploma? Will it help you progress in your career or education? Ask for advice if you're not sure.
  • Look for outside information about companies or schools. Discover what other teachers, students and adult learners have experienced. Contact a department of education. Explore GED and education message boards, online forums or learning communities. Are there complaints, or reports of success?
  • Be very cautious in dealing with any company or online high school that offers a diploma or transcript after passing a quick online test. The GED test is hard! The exam is a timed 7.5-hour test.

Consider education as an important investment -- an investment you make in yourself and your future. Make sure your investment is a good one, and gives you a return that's worthwhile. The GED credential might be harder to get than a $250 diploma, but you can sure count on it to take you to where you want to go.

For more information about the GED online, visit http://www.passGED.com. While products are offered, the website provides plenty of free study, test tips and testing resources, with links to other quality resource and information providers.

Leonard Williams, an e-learning instructor with http://www.passGED.com, is also a curriculum specialist who focuses on research and development, implementation and assessment of best-practice learning solutions for adult learners and people with educational challenges. Leonard's email is LeonardWilliams@passGED.com. He invites feedback and questions from

GED students and instructors.

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