Posts Tagged online school

Broaden Your Learning With an Online Doctorate Degree

Education and learning certainly does not end with college degrees. In fact it is common for people to continue learning even through their golden years. This is why many individuals strive to achieve higher education degrees. However, it is not easy for every professional to devote the time to higher studies when they are struggling through family and career life.

Time and distance are just some of the major factors why interested professionals cannot proceed to their doctorate studies. If you are one of the people who desire for a more flexible system in achieving continuing education, online doctorate degrees are perfect for your needs.

Applying for an online doctorate degree is very easy. If you have already finished your master’s degree courses successfully, you can present the results and other requirements to the academic institution online. There are various universities nowadays that cater to the online education needs of doctorate students.

Most of the time, these online schools require a certain grade standard from their applicants before accepting them. Qualified students will attend classes through an internet ready computer. It is their responsibility to successfully pass their doctorate degrees.

Before you actually decide to take up online doctorate education, it is necessary for you to verify the credibility of the school and the course you are planning to take up. There may be slight differences depending on location. You also have to consider the best degree offered in your location. There may be colleges or schools not ideal for your requirements. Finally, depositing payments online should be done securely if you are paying tuition fees and other charges.

Related posts

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.

Related posts

Online Degrees – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The advantages of Online degrees are not black and white, but shades of grey. Companies and departments that are not allowing employees to be reimbursed for online degrees are missing out on a popular and convenient education format.

They are many good reasons to support online learning. Some of the positives are: More Degree Options; More School Options; Save on Travel Time; Meeting with Learners and Professors from all over the Country.

We don’t see articles that list lots of negatives about online degree and online schools. Some of the negatives are problems and concerns and some are outright deceptions. There are suggestions below to check out each of these problems.

  • Some universities overload classes and professors are paid per student. The results are less time with a professor. Ask the college representative what is the average number of students per online instructor.
  • School may have accreditation problems or financial aid issues. These problems do not show up in your local newspaper because the online school is at the other end of the country. Do an Internet search for the school name to read about any problems or irregularities.
  • Online schools may ask for personal information before giving out tuition costs, listing of courses or answering questions. If the information is not on the website and representatives will not answer questions before gaining your personal information (even the Social Security number), look at other online universities. Most schools disclose tuition, courses and admission requirements on the website.

The above are negatives about some online programs. There are other, more serious attempts to lure students into signing up for less than acceptable means.

  • School reps say they are “accredited” but the accreditation bureau may be owned by the school’s owner or stock holders. Most companies require their employees to attend Regionally Accredited universities and colleges. The Council of Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org) has the listings of regionally accredited schools.
  • The online school may be a Diploma Mill (also known as Degree Mill) with a name similar to an established school. CHEA offers information on Diploma Mills at: chea.org/degreemills/frmPaper.htm
  • School demands most of the year’s tuition upfront and is non-refundable if student quits or does not like the program. Remember that reputable schools do not ask for program costs up front and always have a Drop Schedule that allows you to get tuition back within a certain time.

You and other working professionals may spend thousand on an online degree, or your company will reimburse the costs. Spending some time researching the school to make sure the school meets with the company’s criteria, as well as your own, is an important first step to take.

Related posts

How to Choose the Right Online MBA Program to Suit Your Needs

Obtaining an education online is becoming increasingly popular as it is a convenient and adaptable form of learning. Online schools offer diversity and flexibility that is not offered at many brick and mortar institutions.

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree has been touted as one of the best post graduate degrees to obtain in our modern world. An individual who studies online and receives their MBA can work in any number of management roles in a company or organization. The options are practically limitless. Individuals with an MBA are often employed in accounting, finance, consulting, sales, general management, human resources and marketing.

In looking for a distance learning university that can offer you what you require in an online MBA program, it is important to consider certain factors.

Expectations of the Online MBA Program

Not all MBA programs are exactly the same. While you will be learning the same information, the teaching methods and syllabus may vary considerably. You must carefully assess what your expectations are in regards to studying for your MBA online.

Ask yourself these pertinent questions:

  • Will this online course give you the experience that you are seeking?
  • Are the topics included in the syllabus in line with the career that you have in mind?
  • Is the overall content of the course geared to what you require?
  • What type of electives does the online program offer?
  • Do you have the aptitude to successfully complete the program and to graduate?

Accreditation of Online Schools

Accreditation of the online school that you choose to attend is of paramount importance. Online accredited colleges are those that are meeting the proper standards of higher education. Accreditation protects you as a student, and it also puts you in the best of standing with prospective employers.

In looking for the right online MBA program, make sure you verify accreditation of the schools you are considering. A properly accredited online institution will be recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE).

Your online MBA will be the most widely accepted if you select a school that has been accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies that are in turn, recognized by both the CHEA and the USDA.

Financial Considerations

The cost to enroll in an online MBA program is not cheap. While you do not have any worries about transportation costs when you engage in online learning, the cost of materials for the course and the tuition can still be expensive. Find out what the school offers in terms of payment plans. Look for one that is flexible enough to fit your income and budget.

The final decision regarding an online MBA program should be geared towards careful consideration of all aspects of the program and also an honest assessment of what you are willing to do in order to succeed. Your lifestyle should also be a serious consideration as well.

Related posts

Online Medical Transcription School and the Busy Worker

These days it seems like everyone is working harder and harder just to stay in the same place. With so many of us working ten, twelve hours and more every single day just to keep up with an every expanding workload, advancing one’s career can seem like a far off goal. The thought of driving across town and sitting in a traditional classroom for three or four hours after putting in a full day at work can be anything but pleasant, and it is no wonder so many workers have given up on their educational dreams.

Fortunately for harried workers there are a number of alternatives to that traditional classroom. In these days of the Internet and worldwide connectivity it is easier than ever to pursue medical training and earn a certificate in medical transcription, for example. No matter what your educational or career aspirations, chances are good that there is an online medical transcription school out there ready to make your dreams come true.

here are many great reasons why even the busiest workers should explore the value of a medical transcription course or medical transcription program. One of the most important reasons is that in some cases the employer will be more than willing to pick up part of the tab. Many large corporations, and a number of smaller firms as well, have recognized the value of sending their workers to learn a new skill, including medical transcription. Having a well educated and dedicated workforce is a major competitive advantage for a medical office or healthcare organization, and smart business owners understand that providing reimbursement for that medical transcription online program can be a real motivator.

Those healthcare organizations who have chosen to reimburse some or all of the cost of a medical transcription class can benefit from increased employee retention, higher morale and increased productivity. Workers who are considering advancing their education should be sure to inquire about programs that help pay the cost of a medical transcription online school.

Having a medical transcriber education is a great way for workers to increase their competitive advantage in a difficult job market. It may not be fair, but when tough times hit, those with the least education are often the most likely to find themselves standing in the unemployment line. To make matters even worse, those laid off workers often find it difficult to find meaningful new employment without the power of career training behind them. By increasing their skills, those workers can increase their value with the company. Not only will that medical transcription training make it easier to find a new job — it may also help to make a layoff less likely.

Related posts