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Posts Tagged ‘online degree programs’

The New Trend of Online University Programs

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Accessibility and user friendliness is one of the main advantages of online University programs, even though majority of them use online tools and computer software programs to prepare and structure their course curriculum.

The latest trend to have taken over most Universities in the country is the hat most of the Online University programs which many across the board have tended to follow. The most popular of all the programs that are currently being offered is the MBA (Master of Business Administration). This has been occasioned by the high number of students who have expressed great interest in earning an MBA degree. The main motivation for this is so that they can enhance and fast track their career growth. This demand has given rise to the one year executive MBA programs. The biggest advantage this program offers to many hopefuls is its easy accessibility since candidates can easily register, complete their course work and even do their examinations through the net, and all this in the comfort of their home.

However, students need to be careful so as to not fall victim of fake online degree programs. Ideally, students should carry out an extensive research before they enroll into any university programs. This is so as to find a genuine and accredited online University program.

Among all correspondence MBA programs offered online the one year executive MBA is one of the most popular. Globally, this has led to an explosion in the number of Universities and institutions that offer online MBAs on a correspondence basis. Due to its accessibility, learner don’t have to travel long distances so as to attend the classes as he or she can easily complete their course work sitting at the comfort of their home. This in effect has encouraged many working professionals to join the bandwagon and enroll for the one year executive MBA. This is because it offers working professional the advantage of working and simultaneously studying for the MBA course. The support offered by most online University programs extends to online classes, usually referred to as virtual classes, and course materials. This makes it easy for learners to interact with their lectures when the need arises.

As outlined above, majority of the Online University programs are easily accessible and even technology friendly. Even though a variety of online tools and software programs are utilized to prepare the study materials, care is always given so as to ensure that user is able to access the course materials without any hassles. One only needs to be aware and conversant with the basics of computer operations. Usually what happens is that students are provided with a web page which only requires a student to log in with a user name and a password provided by the University that offers that particular MBA program correspondence.

The setting up numerous online MBA programs and enrolling a lot of students has taken its toll on the online program, to the extent that nowadays, students and working professionals alike now prefer to enroll in such correspondence programs. The fact that it is also cheaper and cost effective as compared to a traditional business schools has attracted many students to enroll in such online University programs. Therefore for those students who cannot afford to enroll into a traditional business school for lack of adequate financial resources, then an online MBA program is their best option thus giving them the opportunity to scale new and better heights in the pursuit of their careers.

Students can Trial Distance Learning Degree Programs before Buying

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Some online degree programs have increasingly been the target of criticism by education leaders who charge that they are enrolling students who aren’t ready for the challenges of distance learning.  Many students who enroll in online degree programs are unfamiliar with computer technology, email, and network security. As a result, they quickly drop out of college.

Students loans don’t disappear when the students leave college, however. Many students find themselves strapped with debts they cannot pay, and end up defaulting on these loans. In the past, since online universities got to keep the tuition fees, university authorities had little reason to keep students motivated or enrolled in their degree programs.

In response to this, as well as to allegations of fraud in federal loan applications, the U.S. Department of Education has announced new regulations that will deny federal aid to future students if the graduates or former students of those online universities default on loans or don’t earn enough money after they earn a college degree.

As a result, many online degree programs are beginning to offer students an academic trial period. Students can sign up for classes and participate in a three-week trial to decide whether or not they are ready for the rigors of a distance learning degree program before they pay tuition or take out student loans.While this will negatively impact enrollment numbers and the profit margin for some online universities, this should also help to decrease the number of students who start a degree program they can’t finish – and get stuck with repaying the tuition for years or decades to come.

Stepping up Network Security: Campus and Online Degree Programs

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

College students, especially those majoring in computer science and information technology, often enjoy demonstrating their computer skills. Unfortunately, one of the ways students in these degree programs enjoy showing their expertise is in hacking into university network systems and making their presence known. As a result, campus based and online universities are ramping up security.

Many computer experts also recommend a layered approach to network security. By using firewalls, routers, and VPNS, or virtual private networks, colleges and universities hope to minimize the dangers posed by unwanted attacks. Protection, of course, is made even more challenging because of the many devices used by students and professors to enter the university network system. Smart phones, laptops, PCs, and iPads are all potential sources of electronic attack.

Both students and professors, as well as university adminstrators, should scan their computer systems regularly and monitor for potential threats. The majority of students trying to earn a degree online search regularly on the Internet for resources and information for their university degree programs. Unfortunately, in the process of doing this, they may leave their computer systems open to attack by visiting unsecured or potentially malicious websites.

If you are a student trying to earn a college degree at a campus-based university or through an online degree program, schedule your computer for a daily virus check. Don’t open emails from unfamiliar senders, even if they look official. Report any suspicious emails that purport to originate from your university or professor immediately. If possible, use an email program that scans attachments before you open them. And always, always, keep your virus protection software up-to-date.

Do Tuition Guarantees Really Save Students Money?

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

In past years, many traditional college degree programs featured guaranteed tuition rates to freshmen entering four-year degree programs. Of course, costs often continued to rise in other ways, such as higher dormitory charges, meal plan rate increases, more expensive book costs, etc. As a result, many universities began dropping these guaranteed rates, leaving students at the mercy of the economy and the universities’ financial situations.

Unlike these colleges and universities, however, online degree programs charge students only for the classes they take. Students enrolled in distance learning degree programs pay only for the number of credit hours in which they are actually enrolled, plus any applicable fees.

At first glance, you might think that this doesn’t really benefit the student as much as guaranteed tuition programs do. After all, students enrolled in degree programs that offer this guarantee pay only a set rate for each credit hour, and this rate won’t increase over the next four years.

The rate at which tuition increases, however, is much higher for incoming freshmen from year to year among degree programs that with those that do offer guaranteed tuition rates. Add this to increased meal plan charges, room costs, and other not-so-obvious fees, and students at these college often end up paying more for their college degrees than students who enroll in distance learning degree programs.

Many online universities today are offering college degree programs that can be require less money for completion than traditional degree programs. In fact, the average cost of a Bachelor Degree program at a distance learning degree program in 2010 is around $50,000. This may seem expensive, until you start comparing the cost of a college education at private colleges, which can average between $20-$40,000 a year.

College Degree Programs: A Cost-Benefit Ratio Analysis

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

According to the latest Jobs Forecast news, published at http://www.youthtoday.org/publication/article.cfm?article_id=4091 , nearly two-thirds of American job positions will require some college education or post-secondary training. Furthermore, these jobs will typically pay significantly more than jobs that don’t require post-secondary education.  Fewer jobs will also be available to high school graduates and high school dropouts, according to author Jamaal Abdul-Alim.

Today, many students still see themselves entering four-year college degree programs and graduating within four to six years. In reality, however, less than two-thirds of the students who begin a four-year degree program will graduate within six years. Many students leave college saddled with high student loan debts and living expenses, and without the degree or skills necessary to land a good job.

The number of students enrolling in associate degree programs and distance learning programs is on the rise, however. Last year, nearly ten percent of high school graduates opted for two-year degrees, and more than four million students were enrolled in distance learning programs. Many graduates with limited financial resources, and especially those who have families to support, find these degree programs especially attractive.

Distance learning programs, for example, allow students to attend classes online during evenings and weekends. Students with families can meet course requirements on a more flexible schedule, and even maintain full-time jobs while going to college. While online degree programs are often slightly more expensive than traditional college degree programs, the flexibility and ability to earn a wage while furthering an education is often enormously beneficial to students with families to support.

Today, the US ranks 10th in the list of industrialized nations whose citizens hold college degrees. Technical degrees and two-year degree programs, which are widely accepted in many other countries, including those in Europe, represent an optimal way for the US to reverse this decline and regain its prominence with regard to education. These degree programs also offer students an excellent way to start earning a living while minimizing college debt.