Posts Tagged ‘accreditation agencies’

Become a CPA With an Accredited Online Degree

Sunday, February 26th, 2012

If you like working with numbers and want a career that offers many opportunities for advancement and is needed in just about every industry, consider becoming a CPA. Certified Public Accountants work in business, finance, health care, government, and many other fields. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects the field of accounting to grow by 18% through 2018. As a CPA you can expect to make over $65,000 a year. Before you get your first job, you have to have an education. Once you earn your bachelor degree you can then get a job as an accountant or earn your certification.

Certification

Becoming certified opens up more doors and increases your earning potential. It is important to look for an accredited program so that you can take the CPA exam. The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) administers the Uniform Certification Exam you must pass to be called a CPA.

The CPA exam consists of four sections:

  • Auditing and Attestation
  • Business Environment and Concepts
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting
  • Regulation

In order to pass the exam you must score at least 75 out of 99. You must take 40 continuing education hours per year to maintain your certification. The AICPA has a website for college students planning on becoming a CPA. On it you can find tips for getting through college, finding scholarships, tools to prepare for graduation, advice on career advancement, and much more.

Accredited Online Programs

There are many accredited online accounting programs to start your journey to becoming a CPA. Each state has its own semester hour requirements, but the average is 150. How many hours are committed to accounting also depends on the state. Some of the schools which offer accredited accounting programs include:

  • Bryant & Stratton College
  • Strayer University
  • Liberty University
  • Capella University
  • Keiser University eCampus

Finding an accredited online program is your first step to becoming a CPA. You will then have the opportunity to have an exciting and lucrative career in one of the fastest growing fields today.

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Posted in Top Accredited Programs |

4 Popular Accredited Online Degrees for 2012

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

Online education has become one of the most popular ways to earn a college degree, receive vocational training, and earn your graduate degree. Many working adults take online classes to learn a new occupation, or increase their chances of advancement in their current job. If you are frustrated at work and want to rise above entry level administrative assistant jobs, accredited online degree programs may be your answer. With the economy like it is today, education is one of the most powerful tools you can have to survive.

Last month we covered the most popular online degrees for 2011. Popularity of degrees fluctuates as the economy and people’s interests change. Since the first of the year some of those degrees have remained very popular, but as the year goes on new ones are making headway. As of February the four popular accredited online degree programs are as follows:

  • Business
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Engineering

Business and healthcare remain the top two accredited online degrees with education and engineering following close behind. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in healthcare are expected to increase by 30% in the next decade. Business includes finance, retail, insurance, management and commerce including global commerce. So you can see how a degree in business is a valuable commodity. Talented and qualified teachers are needed not only in this country, but in other countries to teach English. You can go overseas and make a good living teaching children and adults how to read and write English. Engineering touches almost every aspect of our lives. Engineers plan and design the infrastructure of our communities, the roads and highways, and figure out ways for our world to work better.

If you want to make a change in your career or looking for a new career to start out, consider enrolling in an accredited online degree program. The importance of an accredited program can’t be stressed enough. Accreditation ensures you are getting a quality education and your degree will be marketable. Schools without accreditation have not passed the stringent guidelines set forth by the appropriate associations. Employers prefer candidates who hold accredited degrees over other candidates. The Council of Higher Education maintains a searchable database of approved accrediting associations. You can use it to find out which association is responsible for setting the guidelines in the field you are interested in. If you want to have a profitable career, be sure to check the accreditation of any online or on campus degree program you find interesting.

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Posted in Accreditation, Popularity of Online Education, Top Accredited Programs |

Online Accreditation Agencies Help Set High Standards for Online Education

Wednesday, 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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Posted in Accrediting Associations and Agencies |