Posts Tagged online college
Benefits of Acquiring Online Associate Degrees
Online associate degrees are the perfect option for those who wish to enter the workforce for the first time or for those who wish to switch their careers. The completion of an online associate degree program usually takes around two years. Certain online colleges and universities have a preset minimum of at least 60 semester credit hours before students can graduate. For those who are already working adults and professionals who wish to switch their line of work, then opting for higher education through an online associate degree is the perfect option.
The online colleges and universities which offer online associate degrees realize the fact that a vast number of their students can not spend their entire time on studies as they have prior commitments. For this reason, the assignments and projects that students are required to complete offer quite a bit of flexibility and convenience with regards to time as well as curriculum. The online institutions further provide an assortment of interactive tools for students to get in touch with each other as well as their online faculty. These include email, video presentations, e-books that can be downloaded, guides, worksheets, forums or discussion boards. Being able to chat with the online faculty and view streaming lectures gives the students a rather “classroom” like feel, and these methods have been taken up by a majority of online colleges that offers associate degree programs through eLearning. It is generally not required for you to attend a campus for your online degree program, but there are certain colleges and universities which might ask you to attend a 2 to 3 week campus.
So all those who wish to acquire their associate degrees through the online education route, make sure you check with your chosen institution whether you can complete your degree program completely online or would you have to visit campus occasionally. Other factors that you must take into consideration are the cost of the degree program, whether you can acquire a student loan, the duration of the course as well as the amount of coursework and projects you would be required to complete for the acquisition of your degree.
Studying for your online associate degree program and working simultaneously is not an easy job, especially if you have a family and children to take care of, but it definitely is not impossible. All you need to do is make a schedule and follow it, and have a passion for education!
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Online Degrees Are Avoided by Serious Students
Although members of the media and some academicians have been saying that online instruction is the wave of the future, one simple fact remains: More than a few online schools provide a second-rate education and diplomas from online institutions are essentially trash.
Until the summer of 2006, I was associated with a university that maintained a large online division in northern Virginia plus 43 satellite campuses in 10 southeastern states and the District of Columbia. For approximately five years I taught online business courses in both synchronous and asynchronous modes. To my chagrin, I discovered the following:
- The school has no library to speak of. It maintains various “Learning Resource Centers” that collectively have 32,000 volumes or about one book for each of the estimated 27,000 students who study online or at satellite campuses. Indiana University’s library system, in contrast, has 8.2 million volumes.
- Quizzes and exams are online, open-book and unproctored. Online students routinely enlist others to help them at exam time.
- There is pressure on instructors to give high grades and thereby maintain full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment numbers. Instructors who have the temerity to give grades of C or D are called in for counseling.
- Online students never meet or have direct contact with instructors.
- The school has an open-enrollment policy which encourages unqualified or marginally qualified applicants. Nevertheless, approximately one-third of all students graduate with “honors.”
Incredibly, this institution is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) . However, its business education program is not accredited by AACSB, and its MPA program is not accredited by NASPAA. Attend this or other online colleges at your peril.
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Online Psychology Degree Programs – Let’s Talk About It!
The field of psychology is ever expanding, as more psychologists are needed in school systems, and business, as well as the more traditional clinical role of counseling. The US Department of Labor expects the need for psychologists to increase more than the average occupation into 2014. An online degree program may be the avenue to obtaining the advanced degree needed to practice as a psychologist.
Entry-level psychology requires a masters or doctoral degree. A psychologist with a master’s degree can work in the organizational psychology arena or work with a limited license in collaboration with a doctoral prepared psychologist. A PhD is required to practice as an independent counselor, in a clinical setting, a health care facility or in a school. A PhD is also required for research.
The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits schools of psychology. It is important that the online college or university that you select to attend has this accreditation.
Four out of 10 psychologists are self-employed, and two out of ten are employed in a health care facility. In the year 2004 there were approximately 179,000 employed psychologists.
The median salary for a psychologist was $54,000 in 2004.The average salary for a psychologist employed in another health care providers office was $64,000, in a school it was $58,000, in an outpatient clinic $46,000 and for a private office specializing in individual and family counseling the average salary was $42,000.
Programs for the study of psychology specialize in the following areas: clinical, cognitive, counseling, developmental, educational, neuropsychological, health, forensics, rehabilitation and sports psychology.
Competition for places in a doctoral or masters program is steep. Starting an online college degree program may be the segue to obtaining that degree.
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Psychology Graduate Programs
You can earn a graduate degree, Master’s and doctoral, in Psychology either through a regular grad school/university or through an online college.
Before applying you should do thorough homework about the schools, their curriculum, reputation, teaching approach (some schools are research-oriented whereas some schools emphasize coursework and practical training), financial aid, and career opportunities after completing the course. “Graduate Study In Psychology”, an annual publication of the American Psychological Association, is a mine of information on schools, courses and career prospects in psychology in America. Almost all reputable schools contribute to this book.
To enroll for a graduate program you should have a bachelor’s degree with a high GPA from an accredited college. You also need to get an excellent GRE score and prescribed number (generally three) of recommendation letters from your undergraduate instructors. Any research/work experience in psychology would be an added advantage.
Many schools require the applicant to write a comprehensive Statement of Purpose (SoP) justifying his/her candidature, career aspirations, why s/he wants to study from that school and why s/he chose a particular program.
Though a bachelor’s degree in psychology is very helpful, it is not compulsory. If you can convincingly demonstrate your interest and your ability to succeed in the area, admission should not be very difficult. You can ask your undergraduate professors to vouch for your capability to do justice to the course in their customary recommendation letters. Before applying, you can also try taking short-term certificate courses in psychology to prove your interest.
Grad schools are very selective in filtering the applications, since psychology is a niche area. The admission rate is less than 5% in some leading schools. You should apply to at least 4-5 schools of first choice, and another 4-5 schools of second choice. You should also finalize funding sources before admissions. Student aid websites provide the necessary information about funding; many universities, too, help through fellowships and assistantships.
A Master’s degree takes around two years and a doctoral degree 4 to 6 years to complete. Students who want more clinical training and are not very interested in research can go for a PsyD, “Doctor of Psychology,” instead of a traditional Ph.D. But it is an expensive program and admission is much tougher.
Psychology offers a wide range of career openings. The American Psychology Society, American Psychological Association and various other organizations list the latest job openings.
Research, teaching, clinical/criminal psychology, social counseling, organizational behavior, employee training and development, industrial relations, change management, leadership development, quality of work, organizational development etc. are some of the major work areas. One can be a full-time employee or a consultant.
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Online PhD Psychology Degree Programs
With the kind of hectic life we all are leading today, the tension associated with our work seems to be mounting, leading to frustrations and depressions at the end of it. Hence, psychologists and counselors in the field are more in demand today than ever, and it could be in any stage in man’s life. In US alone, the demand for psychologists is expected to increase considerably in the next five years. It may not be possible for all to get into the university for a regular course, owing to many personal compulsions and other financial constraints, pursuing an online degree may be an answer to many problems.
To be a full-time psychologist, you need a graduate degree, either master’s or doctorate. A master’s degree will allow you to work in organizational purview and the license will permit you to work in conjunction with a PhD in the field. If you have a PhD, you can work as an independent consultant anywhere you like. Their contribution is useful in various researches too. If you plan to pursue an online course in psychology, make sure the college or the university you have been enrolled to, enjoys a certification from the American Psychological Association (apa). There are many of opportunities in the mental health profession. If you are seeking careers where you’re
compensated for helping people, first advanced training is necessary. One university to consider is Walden University online. Walden University is a fully accredited online college. The institutions goal is to offer high quality training to students interested in focused professions that are truly applicable to the world we live in today. Walden University has stayed true to its goals: serving the higher education needs of professionals who strive for positive social change. The college’s programs can help students achieve their goals of personal enrichment and career advancement.
Investigate Walden University Online psychology programs information to see what it offers. A doctoral degree in the subject of psychology allows you to be either self-employed or seek employment in a health care facility. Almost 40% of the present number of psychologists in America happens to be self-employed. Professional salaries are usually $42,000 – $58,000. Once enrolled, one may opt to specialize in any of the various disciplines, like clinical counseling, educational, rehabilitation, or sport
psychology etc. Go on the net and choose the college of your choice befitting your affordability and timing. Get info on online doctoral degrees in psychology easily on the web. Online doctoral degree programs in Psychology are a great investment in your future.
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