According to Sloan Consortium, almost 3.5 million college students took one or more online courses in 2006-2007. And as distance-learning programs continue to garner credibility with industries and employers, that number should rise considerably over the coming decade. Here’s why.

In the Beginning: The Age of Degree Mills

Those brave enough to test the waters of the birth of online education found a mixed bag. Most of the big-name schools offered only a few sparse courses online or snubbed the concept entirely. For example, the Washington Post reports that you can take business courses from Harvard Extension if you have online access. No one, however, can earn a Harvard MBA online.’ And because the Internet inevitably promotes commercialism, cardboard-fronted colleges began offering degrees based on life experiences (read: no academic rigor required). Degree mills allowed anyone to pay a small fee to receive a diploma that wasn’t worth much more than the card stock it was printed on.

Accreditation Arrives: More Schools, More Options

The notion that working students could earn a valid university education without compromising their professional or personal obligations was too valuable to die. The demand was too great, and colleges knew a good thing when they saw one. So distance learning followed the path of accreditation. Validation groups such as The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and The Higher Learning Commission began the arduous task of examining online degree programs and ensuring their applicability to learning and professionalism.

The Future of Online Education

With an economy that is unsure at best, students, recognize the potential of the online education. And so do investors. According to BloggingStocks, a slowing economy and corporate layoffs are sending the population of unemployed and mid-career changers back to online school. And AOL reveals that total degree enrollment in Apollo Group Inc., a player in the distance education industry, rose 11 percent to 345,300 students versus one year ago. The bottom line? The point where online learning meets meaningful accreditation has given distance education a renewed credibility.

Sources:
America
AOL money & finance
BloggingStocks
Washington Post

Accreditation: The process by which students, families, government officials, and the press know that an institution provides a quality education. Colleges and universities in the US are accredited by one of 19 recognized institutional accrediting organizations.

Accreditation Means Value

The definition of “accreditation,” offered in the leader of this article by Community Foundation, is only half the story. Ensuring the quality of the degree program you choose has implications in your profession and in your wallet. Degrees without national or regional accreditation are typically ignored in the real world, a fact that most students don’t realize until after graduation. They’re then passed over for promotions and pay increases due to a diploma that carries little to zero weight. Colleges and universities recognize this, so they pour a great deal of human and financial resources into accreditation. Schools that do flourish in enrollment; those that don’t will fall by the wayside.

Why Colleges Seek Accreditation

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation has been tracking the last century of accreditation efforts by US colleges and universities. Currently, there are 7,000 higher education institutions and 17,000 specific degree programs accredited by one or more of the national bodies. Some of the top reasons why colleges seek accreditation include:

• * Earning federal and state government funding, as well as private sector financial support

• * Protecting students and consumers from fraud and abuse

• * Encouraging major innovation while maintaining quality

• * Facilitating states that carry out licensure of the professions

• * Responding to the current climate of accountability

Accreditation is in the best interest of all stakeholders, including students, federal and state governments, and the college and universities themselves. And as accrediting standards and procedures continue to fine tune, the distance learning concept will grow in popularity and application.

Sources:
CHEA
Community Foundation

A Google search for ‘accredited online schools’ serves up more than 2.74 million results. Confusing? Yes. And the process of choosing an accredited distance learning program can be, as well. But here are a few guidelines to keep in mind to ensure that your efforts, and your money, don’t go to waste.

Sifting Through the Acronyms

According to The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, accreditation is the primary means of assuring and improving the quality of higher education institutions and programs in the United States’. This goal is accomplished through an intense process of review by one or more of the 19 national and regional accrediting organizations. CHEA. SACS. HLC. As you look at the college or university that you plan to attend, it’s a good idea to find the acronyms that represent the accrediting bodies, usually listed on the school’s home page. These acronyms are a good indicator of the legitimacy of the program you intend to complete.

Take It a Step Further

Don’t be fooled by fancy seals. Online diploma mills can easily post an official-looking emblem on their site in an attempt to satisfy your accrediting curiosities. Do your homework and contact the office of enrollment. Ask them what national or regional accreditations they have earned and what they’re doing to maintain or improve their standards. Still not satisfied? Contact the accrediting agencies directly to verify the information you receive. Also, you can check with your industry to find out which agencies they recognize. Just a little legwork before you begin your program will save you tens of thousands of dollars, as well as a great deal of heartache.

Sources:
CHEA
Community Foundation

In the United States, non-governmental organizations evaluate colleges and universities and grant accreditation to those that meet nationwide standards. The accreditation process is therefore not conducted directly by the government, although the accreditation agencies are themselves evaluated by the US Secretary of Education. The process is intended to assist students in deciding on where to continue their education, to promote the general elevation of educational standards around the country and to determine which institutions are worthy of private or public funds.

Accreditation begins with the establishment of educational standards, which is continuously performed by the accreditation agencies in cooperation with colleges. Colleges seeking accreditation conduct an intensive internal evaluation of their own practices and educational environment to determine whether it is up to par with those of other schools in addition to the agreed-upon standards. This evaluation includes close scrutiny of the curricula of specific courses at the college, judgment of the caliber of the professors leading the institution and the quality of the work of the students themselves.

Following this self-evaluation, the accreditation agency visits the school and conducts its own assessment of those same aspects with guidance from the school’s report. The agency then determines whether or not to grant accreditation, and in the case of a successful application, the college is listed in the agency’s publication of accredited schools.

After the initial process, the agency makes periodic reevaluations of the college to ensure compliance with its standards. The process is an important step in the establishment of a new educational institution, and most are not successful without winning accreditation.

Source:
US Department of Education – Overview of Post-Secondary Accreditation

Registered Nurses

The number of registered nurses in the United States is expected to increase by more than half a million over the next decade, making it the fastest-growing occupation in the country. Responsibilities include performing routine tests, educating patients about their ailments and providing them with treatment and medication.

Post-secondary education is a necessity for a position as a registered nurse. Most nursing programs are either two or four years and lead to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, respectively, although some hospitals offer diploma programs that usually take three years to complete. Entrance into nursing specialty fields often requires a master’s degree.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts

Network analyst positions are expected to grow by 37% in the coming years, which is the largest percent increase among of all types of jobs studied. Network analysts design, implement and test communications equipment for computers, from small office networks to the internet.

The degree requirements vary with each specific network analyst position. Most employers are looking for those with a bachelor’s in computer science or a related field, while some positions require only an associate’s and some require an MBA.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Positions as veterinary technicians are expected to increase at a much faster than average rate as well. Veterinary technicians work alongside veterinarians, performing diagnostic tests and providing treatment to all types of animals.

Most veterinary technologists have an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in the field, and both involve extensive laboratory training with live animals. The associate’s programs are nationally accredited and usually take two years to complete, while the bachelor’s programs are offered at only a handful of colleges.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Registered Nurses
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Computer Scientists
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Charts from the ‘Tomorrow’s Jobs’ Section

Getting Started

Applying to college can be nerve wracking! If you are still in high school, there is all of the pressure of the SATs and the competition amongst your classmates. If you are a non-traditional applicant, meaning you have waited some time to begin your college career, there are all of the doubts associated with trying something new and changing your life. Put your fears aside. You can do it.

Applying to Four Year Institutions

The College Board, who administers the SAT exam, recommends applying to at least 15 schools. This is a great tip if you would like to pursue a four-year degree. The key is to cast a wide net. Apply to schools with programs you admire, or that employ professors that you would like to work with. Get online and check out each school’s website.

Other Options

If you are a non-traditional student, you might not be able to just pick up and live wherever you get the best offer. You might have work and/or family to consider, in which case it is a good idea to begin to look at local options. Why not start at a community college? This is a great way to get your general education requirements completed, and often at a lower price than at a major university.

Online Options

A great option for all students, no matter how old you are or where you live, is online education. Courses in every subject are available through a number of schools. These courses can help you begin your education, and even complete it.

Better Late Than Never, Right?

There are few true things in life, but one of them is that it is never too late to get an education. In fact, if you are what is called a non-traditional student, or someone who has waited some time before entering college, it is important that you understand that going back to school is a positive and constructive next step, no matter your age.

Where Do I Begin?

You might be asking yourself this question. In order to get the answer, you should ask yourself a few more questions.

• • Am I willing to move for school, or do I want to attend locally?

• • What kind of degree do I want?

• • What area of study will I pursue?

Choosing a Campus

This decision is based on your answers to the questions listed above. If you are willing to move for school, you can cast a wide net, especially if you would like to pursue a four year degree. If you want to stay in your local area, a good place to start your education might be at a community college. You can get all of your general requirements there, and graduate with an associate’s degree. With this, you can re-join the workforce with your new skills, or keep going at a four-year institution.

How Do I Pay For School?

If you ever served in the military, you probably qualify for education benefits. You might also ask if your current job has a tuition reimbursement program. Otherwise, apply for guaranteed student loans and grants in order to finance your education.

If you need financial aid to attend college, you should make sure to choose a school that participates in federal student aid programs. These programs offer a wide variety of grants, scholarships and low-interests loans.

The first step in finding financial aid to help fund your college education is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, http://www.fafsa.ed.gov). This application gathers information on the income of you and your parents, and based on those numbers, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated and provided to you in a Student Aid Report (SAR). The EFC is how much you and your family will be expected to contribute to your education for the coming year. You must then give the SAR to the colleges you are interested in attending, and their financial aid department will create a payment plan for you based on your EFC.

The financial aid packages from your schools will most likely be combinations of grants and loans. Grants may come directly from the school, or you may be awarded a federal grant based on academic achievement. Loans are frequently from the Stafford, PLUS or Perkins federal programs. Some schools will offer more grant money than others depending on your academic achievement, and these are often the better financial choice.

What happens if you and your family will not actually be able to meet the EFC, as is often the case? You will have to turn to other sources, like private scholarships or loans with higher interest rates. Some state governments have educational loan programs for residents. Consult your high school guidance counselor and web sites like: FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)

Sources:
FAFSA
Federal Student Aid

With the job market being what it is, you might have serious doubts about your career prospects. Failing banks, closing plants, and dwindling budgets have a lot of people worried. But you can potentially increase your chances of finding that perfect job by relying on a number of useful resources and tips:

Career Services Can Be a Goldmine for Grads

Most schools have an office of career services. The people in this department can help you with resume crafting, letter writing, and job research. Although not used nearly as much as it should be, the office of career services is a veritable goldmine of information.

Stay in Touch with Classmates, Professors, and other Grads

In addition to career services, you should also connect with alums, students, and professors. They can help you with recommendations, networking opportunities, career advice, and even job placement. Your program probably publishes a directory of graduates, and this directory is sometimes broken up by year, location, and industry. Business connections are all about knowing the right people. Even if you never took any classes with a particular alum, he or she might be able to point you in the right direction.

Broaden Your Search Globally

Don’t limit your search to your home city, state, or even country. There exists global demand for a wide range of disciplines and careers. What’s more, international experience can be pretty impressive on a resume. After 2-3 years in Brazil or China, you might find that many more doors open up to you when you return to the US.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Journal

With the current financial crisis, you might need to reassess where you send future resumes and cover letters. Analyst firms on Wall Street and manufacturing plants in Michigan might not be the best options. There might be other places (industries and locations) where your current training might enjoy higher demand.

Industries to Launch a New Career in 2008

When it comes to the hottest industries of today and tomorrow, most of them seem to be in high-tech or health-related fields. Computer science, alternative medicine, nursing, programming, dentistry, and Web design are just some examples. They’re all service-oriented, and most of them are expected to enjoy faster-than-average growth over the next 8 years. Almost all of these areas, however, require specific training. So you usually need to become certified before you can begin practicing professionally. The flipside is that rising demand can potentially offer you greater job security and earning potential in the long run.

Locations to Launch a New Career in 2008

Despite our recent financial troubles, the US is still one of the leading forces in job creation and innovation. However, there are other countries that are doing as well, if not better. China, India, and Brazil are popular destinations for many globally oriented employees. But there are many other nations that desperately need to fill various sectors. For example, Australia actively recruits people form abroad due to its labor shortage. By sending your resume and cover letter out of the country, you can potentially tap into a much larger pool of opportunities.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
International Herald Tribune
Career Journal