Posts Tagged ‘distance learning’

Become a Parole Officer and Make a Difference

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

A career in the criminal justice system can be many thing. Lawyers, police officers, judges, FBI agents, and correctional officers all work together to maintain the law and make sure the guilty are brought to justice and to protect the public. Once an offender has done their time it is still necessary to make sure they stay on the right track and stay out of trouble. This is where parole officers come into play. Not only do parole officers help to give released criminals a chance to rebuild their lives, but they also ensure offenders who are sentenced to parole follow through with their duties and fulfill their court appointed sentence. Parole officers also testify in court, attend parole hearings, and fill out reports for judges before sentencing. It is an interesting and often challenging job.

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Parole officers help to keep people from returning to prison.

Parole officers also help their clients find housing and a job. They help them find the necessary social services they need to be successful. This includes finding educational programs and job training to help their clients have a second chance. They also help their clients stay out of trouble by helping them find help for drug addiction and alcoholism if they need it. A parole officer may work with juveniles or adults. You may work in dangerous areas of the city and with dangerous people, but most parole officers have concealed weapon permits and carry pepper spray for protection.

Training and School

If this career sounds interesting to you, you’ll want to know how to become a parole officer. First you will need a four year degree in a related field such as criminal justice, psychology, social work, or correctional counseling. In order to become a parole officer in the federal justice system, you will also need two years of field work. You can choose to attend a campus based program, or get your degree online. There are several schools which offer accredited online programs. These include the following schools:

After you earn your degree, your state may require you to become certified. In order to do this you must be at least 20 years old, not a convicted felon, pass a drug test, and pass the many tests to become certified.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for parole officers is about average. As the number of offenders increases parole officers find their workload increasing. More parole officers will be needed to keep up with the demand. Most parole officers work in state systems and can expect to earn between $36,000 to $62,000 depending on the area in which you live and your years of experience. If you want a career in the criminal justice system, you may want to consider becoming a parole officer.

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Posted in Top Accredited Programs |

Accredited Christian Education at Liberty University Online

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Liberty University Online has been a leader in education for many years. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), one of the most highly regarded accrediting association in the country, and several other leading higher education accreditation associations. Liberty University was founded by Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. in 1971 and has grown to be the largest private non-profit university in the United States. It is also the largest Christian university in the world. Today you have your choice of 230 programs of study at the 6,500 acres campus in Virginia, or online.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3196/3141687893_f7bb1c0527_m.jpgOne of the programs I find particularly interesting is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This is a 120 credit hour program which is offered online. An intriguing aspect of this program is the discounted tuition Liberty offers to current first responders. Law enforcement officers receive a discount (tuition is $304 per credit hour) and qualify for life experience credits if they can document the completion of police academy training through this program of study. This program is offered in through Liberty’s Jessie Helms School of Government. The online program breakdown is as follows:

  • 15 hours of Foundational Studies
  • 27 hours of Investigative Studies
  • 45 hours of Core Classes in Criminal Justice
  • 33 hours of Electives

With a degree in criminal justice you can work for state and federal governments as a law enforcement officer or investigator. You can also work as a parole officer, teacher, custom’s official, fish and game warden, and homeland security. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, this area of employment is expected to grow by 10% in the next decade. Salaries vary according to the job you hold. For example in 2009 the average salary for a police officer was just over $51,000. Detectives made an average of $60,900 and their supervisors made an average of $75,000.

An online degree is a good way for adults who want to find a new career or further their career to get an education. Online classes offer you a chance to fit your classes into your schedule without having to travel to a campus. If you’ve always wanted a career in Criminal Justice at a school that includes Christian values, consider Liberty University Online.

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Posted in Top Accredited Programs |

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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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 |

Get an Accredited Online Degree and Get a New Career

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Very recently I decided I needed a new career. Don’t get me wrong, I love to write and it will always be a passion of mine, but since my husband passed away about a year ago I need to find a steady job to pay the bills. I went online and was looking at different careers and courses to give me the training. I found a school which offered medical coding training and one of the first things I asked the admission counselor was if the school was accredited. Fortunately the answer was yes, so I took the plunge and enrolled.

When you’re planning for the future and you need education it is important to attend a school or take a program that is accredited. Without accreditation you never know how the quality of the program will be or if your degree or diploma will be worth the paper its printed on. I had a lot of my friends and relatives ask me if the program I was interested in was accredited. My cousin is in the field and gave me some great advice. Without accreditation I couldn’t sit for the certification exam.

Certification gives you the ability to  garner higher wages, work in most parts of the country, and have the “stamp of approval” of important associations related to your field. For example the following careers require certification to work anywhere in the country.

The type of certification I’m taking about isn’t earning a certificate, I’m talking about taking a test to make sure you have the knowledge to represent a career field and do the job properly. Most associations provide study materials, as well as most schools prepare you to take the exams before you graduate. So if you’re looking for a new career, take the extra step and get certified after graduation. Certification makes you more desirable to potential employers and gives you the freedom to pick where you want to work and live.

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Posted in Accreditation |

Just How Many Online Students are There Anyway?

Saturday, 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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Posted in Popularity of Online Education |

Top 5 Online Degree Programs for 2011

Monday, 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

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 |

Who Does All This Accrediting Anyway?

Monday, 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?

Sunday, 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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