Just How Many Online Students are There Anyway?
January 21st, 2012

Online schools have become one of the most popular and affordable ways for students to complete their degree or further their education. Since the 90’s online education has grown into a viable and reputable way to get a college education. Saint Leo University for example is the largest provider of college degrees for the US military. The University of Phoenix has degree programs tailored to the working adult, and there are many more online schools that offer degrees in less time and money than traditional programs.

There are many reasons you may consider taking online classes. Economics, time constraints, and convenience are some of the main reasons students enroll in online classes. A recent study found 96% of all universities in theUShave at least one online class. Over 73% of the universities in the study report a demand for online classes. An average of 53% of the universities cited the economic recession as one of the main reasons for a growing demand for more online classes and degree programs.

There are 5.6 million students enrolled in online classes, and the enrollment is growing by 21% each year as opposed to the decrease of 2% in enrollment of traditional campus based programs. Over one in four college and university students have taken at least one online class during their degree program, and according to the study the search term “online university” receives over 1 million hits in a year. That’s a lot of interest in online education!

Traditional campus programs are now blending online classes with the classroom experience. Students meet in chat rooms, text, use Facebook and Twitter to communicate, and take advantage of the availability of e-books to work on their studies. Almost all colleges and universities make their electronic libraries available to their students for free. This gives students availability to thousands of reference materials as well as other media. These types of blended programs work well for degrees which require students to have hands on experience. One example of a blended program is for nursing. Classroom work is done online and clinicals are then done in a healthcare facility.

Today’s online student is typically an adult learner who is finishing their degree, taking classes to advance their employability, or increase their chances for career advancement. Many of them have families to take care of and find online classes easy to fit into their busy schedule. As technology continues to grow and becomes more accessible, it will be interesting to watch how online education grows and becomes an even more important avenue to obtain higher education.

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Top 5 Online Degree Programs for 2011
January 9th, 2012

Accredited online degree programs have become a very popular way to get your college degree or earn your graduate degree. Accreditation is important so that you know you are getting the best education possible. Potential employers also look favorable upon accredited degrees. If you’re planning on enrolling into an online program, be sure to check if they are accredited and if so which accrediting agency or association has granted the accreditation. The U. S.Department of Education maintains a database you can use to search for specific schools to check out their accreditation. The Department of Education also has a very informative website you can use to learn more about accreditation.

The popularity of online education is growing among working adults. Convenience, cost, and quality of education are a few of the reasons for their continuing popularity. Some online courses combine online classes with on site internships. Nursing is one example of this type of degree. Students not only need book knowledge, but hands on experience. This is where hybrid programs answer growing need for online and on site education.

Many of the top online degree programs are related to helping people who need mental or physical care. Here are the top five online accredited degree programs for 2011 and a sampling of the schools that offer them.

Bachelor’s in Psychology

Master’s in Counseling

Master’s in Psychology

Bachelor’s in Business Administration

Master’s in Nursing

All of these programs have been accredited by major associations or agencies. The decision to enroll in an online degree program (undergraduate or graduate) is one that many working adults are making. Education is a way to start a new career, increase your earning potential, and learn new skills. If you want to go back to school, consider an accredited program and make an investment in your future.

 

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Online Accreditation Agencies Help Set High Standards for Online Education
December 14th, 2011

Accreditation is important for a school or program, and for you as a student. Completion of an accredited degree program will garner you more money and cache when it comes time to land a job. Many professional associations require you to have graduated from an accredited school or program for membership. Membership in a professional association is also an important feather in your cap as far as employment. Employers really do place a high value on a quality education from an accredited program or school. This will put you ahead of the pack and could land you an interview and eventually a high paying job.

 

Online education is popular among working adults.

The best online schools have been accredited by one of four agencies; the Board of Online University Accreditation (BOUA), the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA), the International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU), and the World Online Education Accrediting Commission (WOEAC). Schools and programs may also be accredited by additional regional agencies such as the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS).

So how can you tell if the accreditation your school has is worth the paper it is printed on? One way is to do some research about the accrediting agency. Do they have a reputable history? What are their requirements for accreditation? These should include the quality of the curriculum and faculty. These are the main areas accrediting agencies examine. Other factors include the school or program’s success rate and history, their mission and goals, resources available to students, retention rate, and student support services. Each one of these areas is examined by the school itself, a peer group and the agency. If any area is found lacking, the school may be given a set amount of time to make corrections to obtain accreditation.

Time to find a job!

Take the time to find out if the online school or online program you’re interested in is accredited. Ask the admissions counselor about it, and do research on the school itself. If possible ask some of the people employed in the area you’re interested in what schools they attended and for advice about the school you’re interested in. This will help to ensure you get a quality online education and earn a marketable degree.

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Who Does All This Accrediting Anyway?
December 5th, 2011

You hear a lot about accreditation when you’re looking for a school. This is an important feather for a school to have in its cap for many reasons. The best online universities and colleges have been accredited by the major regional agencies. The main reason is that it shows the school has passed the stringent guidelines of an accrediting agency or association. But just who does this accrediting and is there a central agency in charge of accreditation?

Is There a Central Agency?

According to the United States Department of Education, there is no central agency overseeing the accreditation of postsecondary schools. Each state or region is responsible for governing the accreditation process and quality standards. At this time there is also no one central database to find all of the accredited programs and schools in the US. But the Department of Education has listed over 6900 programs and schools on their website. You can use this list to see if the online school is among the ones listed. If not, check with the school itself since this list is not yet complete.

University of Tampa is accredited by SACS.

Regional Accreditation Associations 

Regional accreditation is the one most colleges and universities seek. There are several regional and national accreditation associations. Here is a short list of some of them:

  • Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission offers accreditation to distance and online education programs.
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits colleges and universities inAlabama,Florida,Georgia,Kentucky,Louisiana,Mississippi,North Carolina,South Carolina,Tennessee,Texas, andVirginiaand the distance learning and online programs offered by these schools.
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Improvement accredits colleges and universities in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming along with their online and distance learning programs.
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits colleges and universities inCalifornia,Hawaii, theUnited Statesterritories of Guam andAmerican Samoa, theRepublicofPalau, theFederated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of theMarshall Islandsand their distance and online education programs.

American Bar Association in Washington, DC

Specialized Accreditation 

Specialized programs and schools can apply for accreditation with specific agencies and associations. For example the Teacher Education Accreditation Council specializes in education, the National Association of Schools of Dance specializes in the arts, and the American Bar Association accredits law and paralegal programs. There are many more specialized agencies and associations. You can find an extensive list at the Department of Education website.

When you are considering a college, university or degree program ask about their accreditation. Ask what agency or association they received their accreditation from. This will help you know if the school or program you are considering has a quality education.

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Why is Accreditation So Important?
November 27th, 2011

You’ve probably heard of accreditation and how it is important for a school or program of study. But what exactly is it and why is it so important? Accreditation is important because it shows a school or program has met strict guidelines set forth by an accrediting institution or association. Degrees from accredited schools and programs carry more cache and can garner you more money when it comes time to find a job.

Flagler College

Many fields such as accounting require you to have attended an accredited program in order to become certified. Another example is paralegal certification. To become a certified paralegal you must graduate from an accredited program. Certification gives you creditability for potential employers and clients. It means you’ve gone through your required studies, graduated from a program that has met accreditation, and passed the necessary tests to be awarded certification. In other words, you know your stuff.

What is Accreditation? 

Accreditation is a voluntary process that a school or program chooses to go through. According to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), accreditation includes the following:

  • Self evaluations by the school
  • Peer reviews
  • Committee reviews
  • Development of strategic plans
  • A review of the school’s or program’s mission
  • Review of the faculty’s qualifications
  • Review of the curriculum of the program

Generally a school will prepare for at least one year before seeking accreditation. All work must be documented and reviewed by the individuals and committees involved. The period of accreditation varies with the association. For example the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) grants accreditation for 10 years. If a school or program does not pass accreditation the association may grant a pending accreditation and return in one year to examine the school again. This gives them time to make the corrections and follow the recommendations to achieve accreditation.

Types of Accreditation 

2011 Online Graduates from the University of Illinois

A school or program can be accredited on a regional, national or international level. There are two different types of accreditation; institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation looks at the entire school as a whole. Specialized accreditation looks at specific programs of study within a school. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) maintains a database of international schools you can search for accredited schools. This is a very useful tool to see what association a school or program you’re interested in has received accreditation from. Not all accreditation carries the same weight, so be sure you know the accrediting body your school or program has before you make the final decision to attend. 

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