Thursday, May 17, 2012

Getting Out, Getting an Education and Getting Ahead

Possibly the largest military money-saver, the GI Bill allows military members to access education funding for college degrees, apprenticeships, and higher education learning of all kinds. The Bill can net you a full-ride at a wide variety of educational organizations and can help you prepare for your next dream job or even start your own business. Check your particular Service for its customized programs. Some basic limitations might apply, like have only a little service time left or keeping credit hour costs below a certain amount (typically $250 per credit), but the deal is still a great one. Living stipends, books and supplies, potential for additional contributions…the list of advantages goes on.

Benefits often extend beyond a bachelor's and pave your way to a master's degree as well, especially when army benefits and university programs merge. Take Army National Guard 1st Lt. Gregg Carey, a platoon leader who received a head injury in Iraq and found the Army Wounded Warrior Education Initiative at the University of Kansas. The program paid all Carey's tuition for a master's in education technology and guaranteed him aid in find a job in Training and Doctrine Command after graduation.

Of course, not all benefits are a guarantee in the constantly changing political games. The original GI Bill, which has cost more than $17.2 billion since it's inception after 9/11, has been under serious scrutiny of late. Senator Jim Webb, a key player in creating the first bill, is hoping to set new school requirements and limitations that will preserve the function of the old bill. This way funds "will not be lost or squandered on an education that fails to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful," as Webb said. Still it is best to act as early as possible in case budget cuts do have far-reaching effects.

Another popular option to keep in mind: online education. This is a favorite of those still on leave or with the typically unpredictable schedule. Online access allows you to smooth over holes in your class time no matter your location. While some schools do allow for military students to claim excused withdrawals, online colleges often remove the need for such delaying tactics. Service members tend to favor tech, communication, and science fields, which is another added bonus: These sectors often have the most job openings and offer the most lucrative salaries for graduates.

Small Business Leaders Make Use of Top Online Universities

In today’s economy, it is not enough to want to run a business successfully. Commitment and hard work can go a long way, but to truly run a profitable business, particularly a small business, you need to be a jack-of-all-trades. You need to have a diverse skill set, which is something that many people simply do not have. For example, according to a study conducted by the Small Business Development Corporation of Western Australia, successful businesses need to be effective in accounting, information technology, marketing and human resources. And, because Australia’s economy is very similar to that of the U.S. and other major Westernized economies, this holds true in the United States as well. But where could a budding business person learn these skills? Many are turning to top online universities to expand, improve and modernize their skill sets. After all, online education is now acknowledged as one of the most convenient, effective and logical ways to learn necessary skills on a busy schedule.

Moreover, there are now many accredited and vetted courses and degrees, so people who turn to the top online universities will know that they are getting their money’s worth, as well as training that will be recognized by relevant oversight boards and peers. In fact, online education is becoming so ubiquitous that even the United States government is getting involved to help small business owners. For example, the U.S. Small Business Administration provides online marketing courses for people who run small businesses. While these courses are short, they are free and demonstrate just the tip of the iceberg for what can be achieved by taking classes online.

For example, one popular program is accounting, which all business owners should know in and out. Additionally, there are a plethora of online courses on marketing and public relations, as well as on effective communications. And there are many IT classes online as well. One of the best ways to research what programs are available is to go to a reputable site that provides a list of programs available in your area of interest. One such site is U.S. News’ college listings, which has a special area that allows users to search just for online programs. Once you have conducted several searches and determined that there does exist courses or a program that may help you in your business, it may be time to take a leap and take a course at one of America’s top online universities.  

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Seven Mind-Blowing Careers a Masters Degree in the Sciences Could Land You

By now it should be common knowledge that the U.S. produces fewer science and engineering graduates per capita than our main global competitors for the twenty-first century, India and China. There are several possible explanations for this trend, not least of which is that obtaining a degree in one of the STEM fields is, for most, more challenging than a liberal arts degree. But with the economy in such a gloomy state, a strong science background, especially a mid-career online MS that works to modernize an aging set of skills, could very well be your greatest defense against unemployment.

Following are seven desirable careers available to science majors.

1. Forensic Scientist. Nothing is more satisfying than catching the bad guy, and that is precisely what you would be doing in such a career. A forensic scientist must be trained to investigate a wide spectrum of criminal behavior, from forgery to murder. Much of the workload is done in the lab, analyzing evidence from crime scenes, but forensic scientists must also make occasional court appearances. Median pay is $51,500.

2. Environmental Scientist. With the green movement in full swing, this career is in high demand. In 2010, Forbes named environmental science as the sixth best graduate degree to receive. As such, you would be responsible for studying and minimizing the effects of environmental hazards that threaten our health and safety, from pollution to deforestation. Tasks might include collecting samples in the field or analyzing data in a lab. You could be employed by the government or a private-sector company seeking ways to limit its carbon footprint. Median pay is $61,000.

3. Physicist. Galileo. Newton. Einstein. Some of the most famous people in history have been physicists, and you could join their ivory-tower ranks. Physicists study the physical behavior of the natural world at the quantum level, cosmic level and every scale in between. An exciting and innovative field, the downside is that to be truly successful, you need a doctoral degree, which requires additional time and tuition. Median pay is $105,000.

4. Computer Scientist. This is a no-brainer. Computers are ubiquitous even where you least expect them, and every computer needs software. You could be employed writing code or securing digital data, or you could work in a lab researching the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. Median pay is $100,000.

5. Medical Scientist. Like physics, this career path requires a PhD. But talk about rewarding. Medical scientists, working in university, hospital or government labs, help eradicate one of humanity’s greatest foes -- disease. Every modern remedy or treatment, from blood pressure medication to radiation therapy, is the result of medical scientists’ research. Median pay is $77,000.

6. Meteorologist. Not all meteorologists appear on the 6 o’clock news, so fret not if you are camera shy. Most meteorologists are employed by the government or a university. They work with computers and satellites, monitor and analyze weather patterns and make predictions about atmospheric and environmental trends, both in the near and not-so-near future. Median pay is $88,000.

7. Technical Writer. Good news, English majors: there is a job for you too. These professionals are responsible for interpreting complex terminology and technical jargon and making such language more accessible for consumers and other laypersons. Knowledge in Web design is a plus. Median pay is $63,000.  

Studying science might not be as smooth-sailing as, say, journalism or education, but the salaries and intrinsic rewards are highly competitive. And in today’s shaky job market, you cannot ask for much more.   

The Worst Reasons to Not Earn a Criminal Justice Degree Online

There are a thousand reasons people choose not to go to or return to school: The rent is due. I’m too tired. I need to spend time with my kids. I just don’t want to do it. These may or may not be legitimate obstacles to online education. But for those who really do want to attend the best online criminal justice schools, it takes more than the words to hold them back.

I don’t have the time

Not having the time to fully dedicate one’s self to school is the longest-standing excuse for avoiding adult education. But unless you’re a single parent with a full-time job and a sleeping disorder, time is no barrier to continued education. The beauty of online programs is that many allow a prolonged degree path and are tailored to part-time students. You might not be able to schedule twenty hours of homework and a drive to campus five days per week, but you can squeeze a team chat and a couple of chapters into your hectic life. It might not be easy, but Internet university programs are perfect for the ultra-busy student.

I don’t have the money

College is expensive. And while it’s never advisable to take out loans for items or services beyond a consumer’s means, most college students need some sort of financial assistance to complete a degree. Thankfully, many colleges offering Criminal Justice degrees via online programs are fully accredited and therefore afford potential students eligibility for federal loans and grants. Said opportunities may not cover all of your expenses, but the fear of monetary barriers is no excuse.

But I don’t want to get my degree from an online institution

The stigma of Internet education has been all but eliminated by the value of online degrees offered by respectable universities, but brand recognition still counts, and many online programs are not well known. Fortunately, many traditional, brick-and-mortar institutions have begun to offer their programs on an online basis. Look into the online criminal justice programs offered by Penn State University, Colorado Tech University and Portland State University. Each of these prominent institutions offer online-only degrees.

It will take forever

If you are already in the workforce or raising a family, the prospect of obtaining an education can be all the more daunting. You might not be able to take sixteen credits per semester or cram intensive courses into those precious summer months, but if you have patience and determination, spreading the course load over an extra year or two of schooling might be viable in the short-run and a worthy investment over the long haul.

I’m perfectly happy where I am

Even if you are content with your job now, would you be perfectly happy to be doing the same thing in five years? The idea of starting a new degree might be intimidating, especially if you’re anxious to kickstart your career right now. But imagine yourself in another four or five years, still without that Criminal Justice degree. Now imagine yourself in a new career, making more money, with the added benefit of the confidence and satisfaction of knowing you set and attained a worthy goal.

Applying to college can be a frightening experience. For adults looking to upgrade their skill set, it can be terrifying. But the hard work required to complete a degree is justified by the sense of accomplishment and pride that come from earning a degree. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

America's Most Reputable and Affordable Online College Programs

More and more students are going online for college due to the ability to live at home, keep working, maintain a flexible schedule, and in many cases, save fistfuls of cash. More and more, traditional brick-and-mortar schools are developing a variety of online degrees and programs. The Huffington Post recently reported that 6.1 million students were studying online in 2010, and the number appears to be rising. But how do these affordable online programs stack up with employers?

The US News and World Report, which has long been the standard for college rankings, has finally developed a similar ranking system for online degrees. The report ranked nearly 200 Bachelor's programs, and over 500 Master's programs with over 80% of the coursework done online, across a variety of fields. Perhaps surprisingly, the top-ranked online programs were all developed by private and public brick-and-mortar institutions.

Top-tier universities are clearly seeing online education as an important part of a sustainable revenue strategy. Pace University and Florida Institute of Technology stood out across multiple categories, from Faculty Credentials and Training, to Student Services and Technology, to Student Engagement and Assessment.

Another useful ranking report, this one about the most affordable online degree programs, was done by toponlinecolleges.org. It ranks schools by cost per credit hour. None of the top-ranked programs from the US News and World Report ranking appeared in the Top Online Colleges ranking. Instead, the top colleges were Liberty University, Ivy Bridge, Capella University, and others demonstrating a mix of traditional programs, all-online not-for-profits, and for-profit institutions.

The market is in a state of transition right now--online colleges can't be ranked by traditional schools' criteria, since most of the students are mid-career or have already pursued some higher education. Employers will look to long-trusted reports like US News', but the criteria for both "top" colleges and most affordable need to evolve to reflect return on investment.

Affordability is not just the up-front cost of a degree. Many students will incur additional, unexpected costs by going to a lesser quality school. Contingencies are everywhere: assistant professors that are spread too thin to answer questions; lack of administrative staff to help with choosing classes or financial aid services assistance, even the realization that the online school you chose is not challenging enough, can all be crippling.

The University of Phoenix, ranks in the top most affordable colleges, with one of the highest enrollment rates. But students report running into clerical and administrative difficulty in registering for classes. In fact, it is ranked among the lowest for attrition--only 16% of students graduate as ranked by the Federal standard. Employers might sneer at a school with such a hit-and-miss reputation.

In a market as competitive as the present one, it's important to balance the idea of affordability in the short term, with the return on investment in the long term. One of the best ways to combine your research of rankings is to explore consumer reports and talk to alumni. Shelling out a couple more fistfuls of cash now might allow you to earn quite a few more in the job market.

8 Top Schools with Accredited Online Psychology Programs

Never before has the study of psychology been so accessible to working adults and rural youth. The availability and affordability of online psychology degrees has changed the way Americans earn degrees and further careers. No longer are aspiring psychologists required to attend campus classes full-time. Today, degrees in psychology can be earned entirely online, from respectable, accredited institutions.

Here are eight top schools with accredited online psychology programs.

The Pennsylvania State University

Penn State’s World Campus is the result of a correspondence learning program that began with a farming course in 1892. Penn State knows distance education and arguably does it better than any other American Institution. Their online bachelor of arts in psychology is indistinguishable from the on-campus equivalent--both in terms of curriculum and the conferred degree. If you’re looking to earn a psych degree online, Penn State demands your attention.

Drexel University

Philadelphia’s Drexel University offers a quality online campus, with degrees covering a wide variety of interests. Their Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is available to full or part time students and provides the same lesson plans and evaluation that on-campus students enjoy.

University of Massachusetts

UMass Online’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology is one of the institution’s most popular online offerings, with full accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Arizona State University

ASU Online New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with instruction by the school’s best staff. The school also confers Master degrees in Behavioral Health and Education, providing a natural course of progression from a BA psych degree.

California Southern University

CSU’s School of Behavioral Sciences is one the few on this list that provide postgraduate psychology courses. The Doctor of Psychology degree, PysD, differs from a PhD in that emphasis is given to application rather than academics and research. Read more about CSU’s PsyD in Psychology.

Utah State University

USU’s Department of Psychology proudly provides one of the more lecture-intensive programs on this list, with regular video interaction being part of the curriculum for their online psychology degree, though some in-person interaction is required for completion.

Colorado State University

For those seeking a specialized psychology degree applicable in the business environment, CSU’s Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology is worth a look. The program focuses on effectual management and HR techniques.

Colorado Technical University

CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus in consumer behavior will prepare you for a career in marketing, industry analysis, and various positions in the production space. The program is 100% online.

Whether you’re fresh out of high school or a sixty-year-old retiree, that degree in psychology you’ve been dreaming about is there for the taking. Distance from a good campus, accreditation and lack of time for study are no longer the barriers they once were to a quality education. Some of the top schools in the nation provide psych programs in which the curriculum and conferred degree are exactly the same as enjoyed by on-campus students. The challenge today is one of making that final decision to pursue a degree.

Monday, May 14, 2012

A Dr. Phil Free Psychology Degree Program

If you’ve been looking for a career that combines elements of science with social work, a job in the field of psychology may be the perfect fit. We humans are a unique lot in that we are able to contemplate our existence and examine our behaviors in a way that other species are not. The vast majority of jobs in the psychology field require a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Getting either of these degrees requires both time and money. If you are working adult, the thought of returning to school can be a little intimidating, no matter how passionate you are about your future career. However, with the increasing in the number of programs offering online psychology courses, getting a degree and seeking employment is much easier now than it has ever been before.  

Before you choose a program, it is important that you clarify exactly what it is that you are working towards. The discipline of psychology is a wide-ranging field with a large body of knowledge. Practitioners must be familiar with the latest theories and research in their specialty area. Many jobs in the field of psychology require specific licensure or a graduate degree. Admission to both on and offline graduate programs is competitive, and for this reason, it is important to be sure that you are taking the courses that will fulfill the requirements for advanced studies. This often involves a bit of research on the front end.

Of course, there are always some jobs available to those with only entry-level psychology training. If you’re planning on pursuing a career directly after completing an online bachelor’s degree, research the types of jobs that will be available to you. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics,  is an excellent resource. The handbook includes job descriptions, salary information and outlook for various occupations. Knowing what type of job you are interested in will help you to narrow the field of online colleges to those that are aligned with your career goals.

Online psychology programs are available from numerous universities and colleges. There are so many different programs that it can be difficult to find the one that is right for you. First and foremost, it’s vital that you do your research when choosing a psychology degree program, and look for a school that not only has the programs you want, but also has a good reputation in the field. Online “diploma mills” have become a big problem over the past decade, and low-quality programs abound.

One of the best ways to assure that you are dealing with a legitimate, quality degree program is to check out the university or college’s accreditation status. Regional and national accrediting agencies assure that educational institutions meet specific quality standards. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of approved agencies that should be regularly checked.

While it’s never easy to break into a new a career, getting your psychology degree online can get you started you on the road to a high-paying job that will allow you to use your interests and skills to help others. An online psychology degree can open doors to many exciting jobs in fields as diverse as child psychology, forensics, family counseling, behavioral analysis, and research. Online schools offer flexibility and quality education for individuals who are interested in the diverse field of psychology--and the best part is, nearly all requirements can be fulfilled from the comfort of home.