Education Articles from College Matching Service » Online Degrees

Are Online Colleges The Future of Education?

Aaron Blakely — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:13:10 +0000

Online Colleges – An explosion of accessibility.

Because the Internet has become available almost anywhere, the availability of distance learning has grown tremendously. A student can now achieve education through the Internet from the comfort of his or her home.

An online college is essentially an online portal, or otherwise known as a website. Through web 2.0 technology, a student can interact with other students and a professor through online chat rooms, bulletin boards, virtual classrooms, conference calls, webcam conferences, and much more.

This essentially turns their website into an online campus, one that is accessible from any Internet connection in the world.

What does an online college do better than a campus-based college?

There are plenty of advantages that an online college has, namely the ability to hand in assignments easily. Campus colleges are starting to adopt this practice of uploading documents that get sent to the professor.

Imagine you have a thesis due on Friday. If you attended a campus based college, the professor may require you to print a document and have it turned into their office by 5pm on Friday. But with an online college assignment, you can simply log into your online college website, upload the thesis, and then you are done.

Furthermore, exams and quizes are online as well. Often times this means that grades can be immediately returned to the student after the exam is finished.

Online College Accessibility

Would it not it be nice to attend college in your pajamas? What about the comfort of your desk at home? What about the ability to attend class on your own time? These are just some of the advantages of attending an online college.

For many people, the time commitment that comes with attending college is not feasible. You may be working a full-time job that prevents you from attending college. Or you may be a stay-at-home mom. There are literally thousands of reasons why college may not be available to you.

But the beauty of an online college is the fact that they can work with your schedule. In fact, online colleges are becoming the go to solution for working adults. For many online colleges, they do not have specific times that you must be present for class on a daily basis. The coursework can be completed when time is available to the student.

Online Colleges – So many choices.

It is true that there are now hundreds of online colleges available to almost any kind of student. Here are a few of the top online colleges that offer a wide range of programs and are considered to be the most popular online colleges.

University of Phoenix
This online college is arguably one of the largest due to the large amount of programs that they offer. With a list of over 100 programs, there is a good chance they offer something that the average student is interested in.
Ashford University
Ashford has a great web presence. If you spend anytime researching an online college, you will find hundreds of references to Ashford University. With their wide range of programs, they also offer something that the average student would be interested in.
American InterContinental University – AIU
AIU is renowned for their business programs. With an extensive list of MBA’s, AIU has become the best online college for business programs.
ITT Technical Institute
As their name implies, ITT offers a plethora of technology programs for all types of students. With locations all over the nation and an extensive online college division, ITT remains the leading online college for technical programs.

If you’re still not sure if an online college is right for you, consider speaking with an college advisor. They can answer any questions you may have about what to expect with an online college.

You may already be interested in a online college but do not have the financial aid to pay for your tuition. Take a look at our scholarships tool that will help you find money for your education.

Your future is waiting for you. Take advantage of all the things an online college has to offer you.

Colorado Technical University

Aaron Blakely — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:20:49 +0000

About Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a premier technical university offering a broad range of degrees in fields such as computer science, business, information technology, health services, and management.

For convenience, Colorado Technical University offers campuses located throughout the Midwest in the United States and a popular online college that offers a plethora of online degrees for students who are interested in distance learning.

Accreditation

Colorado Technical University or CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This independent corporation was founded in 1895 and is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Is CTU Right For You?

Colorado Technical University structures its programs and degrees around the idea that their students will be going from graduation directly into the industry. They provide valuable mentoring to students graduating from their university to help them achieve success through networking and job placement.

A few facts about CTU:

Outcome-focused Degree Programs
The programs and degrees are a direct reflection of the need for career-motivated professionals
Education From Almost Anywhere
Campus locations and a robust online campus that offers access to mentors, chat with instructors, join clubs, apply for financial aid, and network with other class members.
Enhance Your Resume With Academic Certificates
Commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces
CTU is a DANTES-affiliated university and member of the Servicemembers Opportunity College.

Paying For Your Education

Finding ways to pay for your education can sometimes determine which college you attend. Colorado Technical University takes financial aid very seriously. They offer a financial advisor dedicated solely to helping their current and prospective students develop an education plan that fits into their budget.

By developing a financial plan from the start of your education to the finish, the financial projections will let you know exactly what you can expect to pay for your education. It will also solve the problem of how you are going to pay for your education by exploring options such as scholarships, federal student loans, private student loans, government assistence, grants, federal grants, and many other opportunities for students to get money for their education.

Most importantly, their financial advisor will help you secure monies for your education.

Distance Education – Learning in a Different Level

theProfessor — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:18:25 +0000

Before you enroll to take classes through an online school, check to make sure distance learning is really right for you. Earning a degree online can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. But, distance education is not for everyone. While some people thrive on the independence and freedom offered through such classes, others find themselves regretting their decision and wishing they had enrolled at a traditional school instead. Successful and happy distance learners have a few characteristics in common. Successful distance learners do just as well, without people looking over their shoulders; they never procrastinate; they have good reading comprehension skills; they can resist constant distractions; and finally, they feel alright about missing the social elements of traditional schools.

Through Distance Learning Centers (DLCs), it is possible to bring together development practitioners and experts at an unprecedented level—to share their experiences and learn from each other as they design and implement ambitious reform and change programs in developing countries. By eliminating the need for experts and practitioners to travel, training or other forms of knowledge exchange do not need to be delivered in a concentrated period of time. This gives more time and flexibility for participants to read more background material; prepare real, rather than simulated assignments related to their actual work; and to learn with their own (local) colleagues as a team. That is why it is deemed very important to get yourself an evaluation first and check whether distance education is the right kind of schooling for you.

School Without A Classroom

theProfessor — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:51:18 +0000

Earning a degree if you’re working (or simply busy) isn’t as hard as it used to be. A lot of people are becoming poorer nowadays. The current upheaval in the global financial system causes people to become more careful about spending their money.

With many people facing a clear and present danger of losing their jobs, the smartest move would be to stretch one’s money as much as possible. Because you’ll never know if tomorrow you will still have a job. They tend to purchase the cheaper brands of basic necessities such as food and clothing. With this kind of financial crisis, students are also becoming wary of the amount of money they will be spending when going to college. Nowadays, not only prices of basic needs and commodities are going higher, but the price of matriculation for college education keeps on increasing as well. That is why new means of acquiring education came into being. This new way is getting an online degree. Online degrees allow you to get the kind of education you need without ever stepping into a classroom.

All that you need is a computer with internet connection and you’re all set. It may require some technological know-how, current computer equipment, and a lot of self-discipline, but it is definitely easier and more effective than it used to be. The time, distance and financial constraints of higher education have all but disappeared with the arrival of online degrees.

If you’re already in the workforce but would like to earn a degree, then the opportunity is there.

College Tip – Choosing the right course

theProfessor — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:26:53 +0000

There was a period when students are geared towards taking up Education. It was that time when all there was to do especially for female students was to become a teacher. Towards the end of the last century, people were drawn towards taking up information technology studies as it became of great demand both in large and small scale companies. These days, medical-related and health care courses seem to rake in bigger numbers of enrolees. True, students are more bent on taking courses they feel they have better chances of landing a high-paying job immediately but job security cannot be the only driving force in deciding on what to take in college. There are a number of things to consider and your own interest is certainly one, if not the most important one. Sure, there are some students whose only aim is to earn a degree and earn money but for the more passionate ones, they take in consideration if they will enjoy learning more about something they’ve always been interested in right from the start.

There is a wide variety of choices of college degrees online. If you are leaning towards sales and especially if you like dealing with all sorts of people, you may be well on your way to getting a business degree. If you are more into creative crafts, you may be interested to pursue Art Studies, which will also offer you different perspectives and learn about Art History. If the latest on gadgets is your thing, information technology may be most appropriate for you. Online schools offer great choices so feel free to explore what’s in store for you.
Problems faced in college

As if it’s not difficult enough to get in to a good college, students still face a number of problems once they’re in and are actually living the whole college scene.

For one, money is a great issue. Even students whose parents are paying for their tuition still feel the need to get a part-time job. There are bills and other miscellaneous items in school that need to be paid and unless the student’s parents are very rich and willing to support his schooling altogether, he would need to find means to be able to finance those.

Time is gold; we hear people always say and this can’t be any less true for students. With the load of school work, extracurricular activities, personal affairs and family life to balance, finding enough time to spare for everything is a major obstacle students have to deal with.

Now unless a student lives under a rock or simply refuses to socialize, relationships can also be a big pain. Whether it’s with a co-student or a professor, relationship issues arise from time to time.

Signing up for classes and taking the required courses can also be very difficult. There are too many students wanting to take a class at strategic hours. Or sometimes, enrolling in classes taught by notable professors can be competitive. If the student goes out of luck, he or she can end up deferring that course, which might be offered the following year or over the summer.

These are but few of the problems college students have to go head to head with for about 4 years. Without the stamina, college can take the best of an unprepared student so it’s always good to be equipped with the proper mindset and determination.

Surviving College

theProfessor — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:25:15 +0000

For a typical young adult, college is probably one if not the hardest things to overcome. After all, not much else is expected of the student. Especially for those whose parents are using up very hard-earned money to send them to school, all that is asked of them is to get good grades and eventually earn that degree. However, students, young as they are, are still humans; growing up individuals so to speak. So many other factors surrounding these young adults have to be dealt with and it doesn’t make it easier that raging hormones could sometimes get in the way of reason. While many get an opportunity to go to college, not exactly the same number get to graduate and survive the whole college scene altogether. In fact for some, school is the easiest they have to handle. Sometimes, the other “stuff” are much more burdensome. Good thing, we have numerous generations before us who are living testimonies that college can indeed be survived.

Some may think that there are short-cuts or automatic ways of actually getting through the difficulties of college life. Truth be told, there are just a lot of advice to be given but it’s all a matter of how the student himself carries them out. No matter how many chances and considerations are handed to you; unless you can discipline your self to follow them, they will be useless. It’s all up to you, s they say.

Know what’s important. What is your purpose for being in college after all? Parents would tell you it’s only a matter of three to five years. Make the most out of it while you’re there. Nobody said it’s not for you to enjoy. But don’t lose track of its purpose. College is, after all, about learning and growing and keeping a balance is the best way to actually enjoy and fulfill that purpose.

Two types of Accredited online degrees

theProfessor — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:09:34 +0000

One type of accredited online degree is an Online Accounting Degree, which prepares you for a career in the detail-oriented accounting and financial management fields. Earn an online bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited university to prepare for the CPA exam and work as an accountant, auditor, controller or financial investment consultant. Complete an online associate’s degree program, accounting certificate or a Fundamentals of Bookkeeping certificate to work as a bookkeeper, accounts payable clerk, tax examiner or tax preparer. Coursework is based upon standards set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Accountants and Auditors (CPAs) Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), help to ensure that the nation’s firms are run more efficiently, its public records kept more accurately, and its taxes paid properly and on time. What more can one ask for when having to learn this type of degree online or what we call an accredited online degree. They perform these vital accounting functions by offering a wide array of business and accounting services to their clients. These services include public accounting, managerial accounting, governmental accounting and internal auditing. However, accountants are broadening their services to include budget analysis, financial and investment planning, information technology consulting, and limited legal services. Marketing and Advertising Degrees: Our recommended Marketing degrees and Advertising programs allows you to earn your choice of associate, bachelor or masters degree in Marketing from accredited universities. These courses include advertising, applied marketing, business marketing planning, marketing management, and corporate advertising, internet marketing, graphic design jingle writing radio and television commercials. What are the objectives of having an accredited online degree in marketing and advertising? The objective of any firm is to market and sell its products or services profitably.

What Is The Academic Approach Of The Art Institute?

Jason Stollham — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:43:26 +0000

After becoming a student of The Art Institute, you will get the scope to learn many new things. Life is completely different here, as the faculty is trained and qualified. The difference in the approach of students is more highlighted when you are in the practical classes. However, with sophisticated infrastructure and well trained staff the academy makes attempt to create qualified professionals. No set time for class and ample resources eagle students to create a bright future for themselves without wasting time in commuting.

The faculty of the institute is trained from Socrates Distance Learning Technologies Group® which is one of the well known institutes in its field.

This training imparted to the faculty enables them to take up adult learning sessions easily. They are highly skilled and have the knowledge teaching people of various age groups.

The faculty is also trained on imparting online education. Since online education is another growing branch of the institute, this is also taken into consideration.

The academic approach of the Institute also involves a wide number of factors. They are enlisted below:

a) The Institute should have a very learned faculty members. The learned faculty members should be able to impart education in such way that people can understand and be encouraged.

b) The second function of the faculty is to inspire the students. The students should be given an impression that what they are studying is easy and interesting and they can excel in the same field. This would give them confidence and also make them distinct from the rest.

c) The institute must have a vast library with a wide collection. Ranging from gothic romance to fruitful science and from parody scribbling to modern art, the library should be versatile. The student should be motivated by the library and its wide collection must be helpful for their studies.

Online Business Schools

Jason Stollham — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:43:27 +0000

For entering into the vast domain of the business world, you may need the help of the professional business degree courses. Online Business Schools offers various online core and niche business courses. There are numerous online schools across the world. Getting a degree from an online school can help one obtain the necessary skills for the business world on a flexible schedule.

Online Business Schools offer a large number of degrees where students can pursue Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Marketing and others. There are many online schools across the United States. Below is a list of a few:

Regis University is a Colorado based college which was established in 1877. In recent years they have begun offering online education catering to the requirements of the students who do not have the ability to attend regular classes. Regis’s is well known for their Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting.

University of Phoenix has a wide number of campuses and is one of the largest online universities in the United States. Amongst its many degree offerings the University of Phoenix offers a Master of Science in Accounting and Associate of Arts in Accounting. It also offers Bachelor of Science in Business / Accounting.

Bellevue University is renowned for its MBA with concentration in Accounting program. A 36 credit hour program, the Master of Business Administration is a high demand online degree course. It is comprised of 12 campuses and serves students from Nebraska and the Midwest.

Stevens-Henager College is one of the oldest colleges that offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a history of graduates moving onto challenging positions with private, government, and nonprofit organizations.

After obtaining a degree from an online school, you can look foreword towards a bright future. Numerous job opportunities would open up and you can achieve your dream career.

Tips To Learning Online

Jason Stollham — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:43:08 +0000

The impact of online education varies from one learner to another. The intensity of a learner’s learning process largely depends on the nature of instructions provided coupled with the attention level of the learner. Students, not so familiar with computers, often find it difficult to grasp online education. E-learning materials are, however, prepared from the perceptive of such students. Still a few loop holes can divert their attention resulting in the failure of understand.

Learning online has various advantages and based on it online education and degree programs have been developed. Self motivation and basic understanding of computers is essential if one has to make the maximum utilization of online education. Candidates, habituated in brick and mortar education, find online education uncomfortable. Hence some qualities are required to be developed to understand the situation better.

Tips To Being A Good Online Learner

Access to computer and modem : For online education, you require a computer and internet connection at some. Since you might feel like studying or using the course material any point of time, cyber café is not a good idea. Make sure your computer has ample memory and processing power to run the up to date software.

Communicate through writing : The best part to express is to write. Though keyboards have replaced conventional pen and paper writing still it is expected that you will express in words. In any virtual classroom, all communication takes place in writing. Learners always feel comfortable if they write, whether it is a blog, e-mail or notes.

Spend the appropriate amount of time on the course : Spend at least 5 to 10 hours per week in the course. This would enable you to understand better with time. Simply do not neglect the course just because the timings are flexible.

Realize the importance of attitude and effort : Just because you are not there in a classroom ambiance, do not ignore the seriousness of the education. Make attempts to invest your 100% in the course. Such an act will fetch you maximum return after the course is over.

Participate actively – Try to apply what you learn online and also participate in the learning process. Contribute your idea, thoughts and plans to make the online learning more interesting and beneficial. Be open with your problems and let not act them as barriers.