Want to Earn an Online Degree? Some Cautions are Advised

The online degree programs are increasing in popularity and creditability, more and more prestigious colleges and universities offer complete online degree programs taught by the same faculty who teach in their classrooms. Many online programs offers by these prestigious colleges and universities are reputable. Hence, earning a degree online can be a good option for many students, but some “diploma mills” have hurt the integrity of such programs.

If you plan to pursue a degree online, precaution steps must be taken to avoid earning a “Fake” online degree. Some “diploma mills” have sophisticated Web sites and might seem like real universities but lack college-level work and accreditation. You should always check with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to see if their program is accredited.

Most of “diploma mills” are focus on fast production and distribution of fake degrees. They just offer credit for life experience and if you pay your fees you get your diploma. You don’t have to worry about practical experience. If you pay a little extra, you can even graduate with honors and you can even complete a degree including Doctorate degree in 5 to 7 days.

The problem arises when this life experience is not accepted by state and federal laws and you facethe problem of looking for a suitable job. Today, most employers are smart, they will check your degree against accreditation and they aware of those online colleges which “Famous” in “diploma mills”. So, make sure you are holding a legitimate degree when applying for a job position; the best way to avoid this from happening to you is to check the online degree program against it’s accreditation before your register for it.

In general, accredited colleges and universities will receive the .edu designation in their website domain name. For example, Stanford University’s web address is Stanford.edu which authenticates that they are genuine online universities. But the best way to confirm the accreditation of an online college or university is to check with the US Department of Education.

Currently, there are six higher education regional accrediting agencies which are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These U.S. regional accrediting agencies are:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

There are also many other national, professional and specialized accrediting bodies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. They provide accreditation, guidance and quality assurance roles for distance and online learning institutions, foreign learning institutions and training providers.

If you are planning to pursue your degree online, spend some time to check and confirm the accreditation of your selected online college or university. And make sure the organization that provides the accreditation to the college is recognized by US Department of Education. Take these precaution steps in advanced are better than regretting it later when you are holding a helpless “fake” degree.

Visit http://www.studykiosk.com/ for more information on the best listed Distance Learning Programs. Discover the ins and out of attending a “Virtual Classroom” to earn the online degree and how it can help you succeed in realizing our education goals.

Jullie Harvard
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/want-to-earn-an-online-degree-some-cautions-are-advised-85587.html

The Value Of A College Education

It costs a lot to go to college or university and the increasing
costs have many wondering if there is real value to a college
education. Is the cost of tuition, the time lost to full-time
employment, and the thousands of dollars of debt worth the
investment? Those are good questions and the answers may lie in
a review of the value of a college education and rates of return
on investment to both the individual and to society.

On the financial side of the equation there is significant data
to suggest that on average and over time a college graduate will
earn a great deal more than a high school graduate. The United
States Census bureau estimates that over a lifetime a college
graduate will earn on average about $2.1 million dollars
compared to an average lifetime income of $1.2 million dollars
for a high school graduate.

Compared with the cost of attending a four year public
university of college at an average of about $10,000 per year
and even adding the cost of lost working time, it is clearly of
financial value to attend university.

But college graduates also enjoy other benefits in addition to
the possibility of increased earning power. In 1998 the
Institute for Higher Education Policy published a report that
stated that people who completed a college or university program
experienced a number of ancillary benefits. They included higher
levels of saving, increased personal/professional mobility,
improved quality of life for their offspring, better consumer
decision making, and more hobbies and leisure activities.

Another report published by the Carnegie Foundation noted some
other benefits of higher education that included the tendency
for postsecondary students to become more open-minded, more
cultured, more rational, more consistent and less authoritarian
and that these benefits are also passed along to succeeding
generations.

A college education can even improve your health and a number of
research studies have shown positive correlation between
completion of higher education and good health, not only for
oneself, but also for one’s children.

There is also benefit and value to the public from higher
education. According to the Institute for Higher Education these
benefits include increased tax revenues, greater workplace
productivity, increased consumption, increased workforce
flexibility, and decreased reliance on government financial
support.

So it appears that even after rigorous scientific review and
analysis there is still much value in a college education. But I
think we knew that all along

Jeff Slokum
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/the-value-of-a-college-education-679.html

College Is Expensive!

Let’s face the reality. College education is expensive! A lot of parents do a double take when their children are preparing and looking forward to attending a community college or a state university.

There are a lot of things which comprises the cost of college education and the tuition fee is just a part of the big picture of getting into college. Other everyday expenditure includes food, transportation, housing, pocket money, and other miscellaneous fees which when added up can create a significant portion in financing a college education.

A lot of families in this day and age, even if they belong to the upper-class society, think about applying for financial aid. College grants and scholarships are the most excellent kind of financial assistance.

Grant and scholarship programs do not entail students or the family to pay back. These could be of two kinds: (1) base on need, which is given due to the financial inability of the student and the family as a whole, and (2) base on merit, the talent of the student like in sports, is the main consideration. The students academic ability also falls under the merit-base college grant and scholarship.

Oftentimes, college grants and scholarships combine the merit and need criteria to ease out the whole financial aid process. Numerous students and their families are in the look-out for this type of financial aid. However, college grants and scholarships are limited compared with the growing number of students year after year.

Qualifying students can avail of federal and a number of state scholarship programs. Some of which are the following:

Federal or National Pell Grants this is a program funded nationwide intended to endow assistance to any qualified undergraduate learner pursuing postsecondary schooling. Grants and scholarships of this kind are given to those who have not finished a baccalaureate degree.

The worth of the grant can vary year after year and will depend largely on the financial need of the students, the expenses that will be incurred while attending the chosen university or college, and the availability of funds from the national government.

This type of grant will open opportunity for the students to avail succeeding financial aid from the national government.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) this is a program for ongoing undergraduate students with outstanding monetary need. However, not all students can avail this type of grant. This will depend on the eligibility of the students and availability of finances of the concerned school.

Another form of financial aid that students and families can turn to is through loans. This type of financial assistance should be paid back. The financial need of the family should be considered thoroughly to avoid paying high interest rates.

It is also a must to understand all the terms of lending agencies such as the schedule of repayment and interest rates, before signing in or making a commitment.

Work study is a form of financial assistance which calls for students to do labor to sustain their college education. Work study is commonly done on campus and is the most typical form of financial aid in all universities and colleges. Usually, the students will render service to schools for ten to fifteen hours per week.

Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid to acquire college education is really multifaceted, confusing at times, and even exasperating. The good thing is college education is a non-refundable and non-biodegradable type of investment. It is for the future!

Daniel Millions
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/college-is-expensive-99695.html

Getting Education in Non-traditional Ways to Further your Career as you Save Money for College

Education is our most precious gift to ourselves, that we need to nurture throughout our lives in order to grow. The most logical way to get formal education is college, but not everyone has the money to go that route. My opinion is, “Never say ‘never’ “. You will get the education you need, in your own time frame, it may just not happen in the traditional period of four years in a university.

So, what is a person with limited means to do? First of all, decide on a career you want to pursue, if you haven’t already. In this first example, I will use the goal of wanting to own a restaurant. How can someone just out of high school and with no money get the needed education to own his or her own restaurant? It will take time, much hard work and a lot of patience. Here are some ideas to get the budding entrepreneur heading in the right direction.

First, and most obvious, work in a restaurant. Find employment in the kind of style of cooking that interests you. You aren’t going to hire in as a chef, but as a prep cook or salad person, for example. If the company is a chain, and has a paid training program, all the better. Whenever the employer pays for further training for you, NEVER turn it down. This is free, current education handed to you on a silver platter. Don’t only attend, but give the training all the focus and drive you have. Not only will you learn, but you are setting yourself up for a routine of excellence in behavior, habits and workmanship. Learn the equipment, techniques in food preparation and whatever else you can. Watch and learn everything you can absorb. This will drive you further up the ladder of success by going beyond what is required of you and giving a little extra.

Stay with your employer as long as you are getting the education you want. Don’t get stuck forever in one place, though, if you want to grow. Giving yourself different examples of business practises and routines furthers your education and helps you to gain alternative perspectives than just staying in one place and sticking with it. If you are devoted to your work and are happy there, then stay, but successful people I have known, who truly did make it to become successful entrepreneurs were never satisfied. Their goal was for their own business and they stopped at nothing until they got it. You will have time for loyalty when you have your own place. For now, care about what you do, but think of it as a stepping stone for knowledge and experience only.

Another good employment move, no matter what profession you plan to go into, is working in a store (wholesale or retail) or working with money. Be a clerk, merchandiser, inventory assistant, whatever you can do, to see how the business is actually run. A great way to do this without being stuck in one position for one company, is to work for temporary employment agencies. Whatever the job, just do it, even if it seems like something you have no interest in. I did this while in college, taking jobs from packing ball bearings in a factory, to taking inventory at high end clothing stores, doing file clerk work and audit jobs. A little later on, I even tried accounting for a race track as a temp (and I am anything but an accountant when it comes to my skills, numbers aren’t my thing). I was a lousy accountant in the race track job, as an emergency replacement for someone with an MBA. What were they thinking to hire me for the position? Who knows, but I welcomed the challenge, came in early and stayed late. In the end, I was generating payroll checks, paying large expenses for the company and organizing books I’d never dealt with ever in life previously. Why? To get the experience of working with money more than casually. To know how to institute payroll, do accounts payable and recievable, and in general, get skills that could help me later in running a business of my own. I probably drove the poor comptroller crazy with all my questions, but they needed me and I appreciated the wealth of financial information I got in a matter of two months, and they paid me good money to do all of this.

Another neccessity for being in business nowadays is to be computer literate (having basic computer skills). Computer knowledge and equipment is always evolving, so it’s a good idea to jump into the world of computers, and stick with it. Buy yourself a basic computer or go to the library (usually regional libraries will have a good amount of computers for public use) and use one there. Have the librarian show you the basics for going online. If they offer a free or low-cost course on beginning computer use, take it. Let yourself get frustrated, annoyed and overwhelmed, then cool off and keep learning. Build on the knowledge. Do it at your own pace. Don’t be afraid. It’s all about trial and error. No big deal, the payoff is lifelong, usable knowledge that will help you and your business.

One of the best places to get free computer education is temp agencies. One agency I used would train their temporary employees on many different computer programs, if you cared to come in and learn on your own time. Do it, do it, do it. I did, and I know many programs such as Excel, Word, and others that I use to this day, thanks to them. Start with one program, and build on your knowledge slowly, at your own pace. Each program you know how to use in a competent manner, is another positive addition to your resume, too. It pays to thoroughly learn computer programs of different kinds, then keep up with your knowledge of them so you go with the flow when there are updates or new additions to the programs.

As for college, it is something that is very useful and when you are ready, start with a course or two at night. Money spent on college is never wasted. Being a full time student is time consuming so if you are working full-time elsewhere, it is to your advantage to start out slowly and work up to a rigorous schedule. Too much, too soon is overwhelming so begin with courses that will interest you. All colleges and universities have counselors to help you meet your needs, financially and professionally. Use them, they are valueable resources. If you live far from campus, and have a computer, take online courses. I’ve done this to supplement my previous (art) college education through the years, and have really enjoyed online education. I use it to further my computer and business knowledge. No driving to classes, I didn’t have to buy books (the place I go includes the learning materials online, within the course fees). Very good for those who have little time and don’t want to go out after work, like me. Make sure to enroll in an accredited, reputable institution. This way you know your credits will transfer correctly if you decide to go to a different college later.

Armed with life experience, a computer and courses (both in or out of college) to help build your career, you will grow and build your career. Take seminars, and non-credit courses whenever possible, too. Whenever there is a subject is offered that can be of use to you, go for it. Hard work and discipline will pay off in the end if you are persistent. I know a brilliant man who never graduated high school, who loved fish. He got fired or quit from a hundred jobs for not conforming to their ways, but he learned from every job he had and read every book he could find on subjects to better his business. He kept all his aquariums in his basement and never gave up in his quest to become a wholesaler. In time, he bought a warehouse, then added onto it. Then, took his business international, gave seminars himself and made it big. He became a very successful, multi-millionaire in the pet industry until he retired. This man made it by never giving up, being his own person (not what others wanted him to be), by keeping a positive attitude and doing things his way. He was my mentor, and one of my biggest inspirations for growing my business, which is now thriving. Don’t settle. Keep evolving and growing, then you can also have the business you want. Never give up and make it happen.

Carolyn McFann
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/getting-education-in-nontraditional-ways-to-further-your-career-as-you-save-money-for-college-126062.html

Do you Have to Attend College?

If youâ??re wondering whether or not you have to go to college, the answer is no. College is not mandatory, itâ??s an individual choice. College is not for everyone, but it should be. While college is an experience that is expensive, lengthy and full of bureaucratic paperwork, itâ??s also one of the most useful experiences that you can have in life. College isnâ??t obligatory, but in this day and age, a college education should be viewed as essential.

If you feel like you canâ??t deal with college, then by all means donâ??t go. College is an investment that shouldnâ??t be made lightly, especially if you doubt your desire to succeed. You can find plenty of jobs out there that donâ??t require you to learn about science, history or philosophy. If you want to take the fast track to becoming a skilled professional, college might not be the quickest path to get there, but it is the most complete.

Employers in the 21st century want well-rounded individuals who bring more than just a single specialty to the table. In todayâ??s working world, you have to be a sharp multi-tasker easily capable of switching gears. You have to have some sort of general understanding about how the world operates. You need computer and communication skills, and you need to prove that you can dedicate yourself to your job.

More and more it seems like an undergraduate degree is now the equivalent of what a high school diploma was fifty years ago. Itâ??s the starting point for professional development. Itâ??s the new prerequisite for entering the job world. If you think you can have a rewarding career without a college degree, you can. Itâ??s becoming increasingly more difficult for that to happen though.

Not all college paths are the same. If you are not ready to hurl yourself into a four-year university, then start smaller. Attend your local community college, and rack up credits at a fraction of the cost. After filling out all the necessary grants and fee waivers, you can pretty much attend community college for free. If you want to test the academic waters before you jump in the college pool, then a community college is perfect for you.

What if you are a working professional who doesnâ??t have time to attend classes during the day? There are numerous online degree programs, and many colleges are now offering remote education options where you never have to attend a single classroom session. Take classes at night through your internet connection. Work on your homework during the weekend. No matter who you are, or what your time (and financial) restraints are, you can find a degree program thatâ??ll suit your specific educational needs.

If youâ??re debating whether or not to attend college, you have to make a personal choice based on your own educational and career goals. Nobody is more qualified to make the decision than you are. College is an intensely individual experience, so in order to make the most of it, you need to choose a college and major thatâ??s right for you (regardless of whatâ??s wanted by your friends and family).

Not everyone requires a typical four-year university experience. If youâ??re unsure whether or not college is right for you, experiment a little bit first before you commit multiple years of your life. Once youâ??ve made a decision, stick to it and follow through. Getting the most from your college experience is entirely up to you.

Chris Stout
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/do-you-have-to-attend-college-84698.html

How Attending a Christian College Can Change your Life

Spring is the time of year when many high school seniors are either rushing to complete college applications or waiting to hear from their college or colleges of choice, living in hope that the financial aid award will be sufficient, and moving into the final phase of the serious deliberation that leads to choosing a college.

Every part of the college search process is important, and all the information gathered is useful to gain the fullest understanding about which college fits best with a prospective studentâ??s interests and plans. Understandably, those students and their parents want to know about the rigor of academic programs, the quality and engagement of faculty, all curricular and extra-curricular options, and the campus community atmosphere. In addition, one area admissions counselors are increasingly asked about is â??outcomes.â? How does a Christian college prepare a student for life after college? What are the benefits of attending and graduating from a Christian College versus the financial cost?

A recent Christianity Today article by Steve Henderson, President of Christian Consulting for Colleges and Ministries, Inc., addresses an outcome that should be of particular interest to Christian students and parents. In the article, titled â??A Question of Price versus Cost,â? Henderson makes the following points: Because â??the college years are one of the most significant times in a studentâ??s search for identityâ?¦the literature and the researchâ?¦suggest a strong link between a young personâ??s choice of a college and their short-term and long-term commitment to Christian faithâ?¦The results of nearly 25 years of research consistently reveal that those who do not attend a Christ-centered college will experience a decline in religious values, attitudes, and behaviors during collegeâ?¦More than 52 percent of incoming freshmen who identify themselves as born-again upon entering a public university will either no longer identify themselves as born-again four years later or, even if they do still claim that identification, will not have attended any religious service in over a year.â? And one final quote from that article, â??The bottom line is this: if the past is a fair indication of the future, at least half and possibly over two-thirds of our kids will step away from their faith while attending non-Christian colleges and universities.â?

Based not only on research but also on Hendersonâ??s personal experience with a daughter who attended a non-Christian college and lost her way spiritually for about a decade, Henderson asks parents to consider whether they can afford not to send their child to a Christ-centered college. A college education is a big-ticket item, no matter what type of school is chosen. Henderson encourages families to look closely at and give due weight to the potentially life-long effect of whichever college community is chosen â?? Christian or secular. College years are a time of serious examination of personal faith. Students at colleges that arenâ??t supportive of Christian faith can become confused, at best, or more likely, skeptical of the Christian teaching of their youth.

Henderson also emphasizes early in his article, â??I neither mean to imply that Christian colleges are perfect places with perfect people, nor that Christian students can never emerge from secular schools with strong Christian faith still intact. Neither statement is true. What I do know, however, is that immersion in a Christ-centered residential, educational community is an incredible opportunity for Christian young men and women who want to learn and grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, etc.â?

Christian high school students, as well as those who know and counsel them, should give serious consideration to the benefits of living and learning in this kind of college environment. At its best, education at the collegiate level should begin an honest evaluation and infusion of both faith and scholarship. The dual influence of academic discipline that creates the ability to think critically balanced with moral and spiritual integrity help prepare Christians to positively impact a global society.

Christian college graduates attend some of the most prestigious graduate schools in the country and around the world. They go on to work in inspiring careers after graduation. At least one is in Baghdad assisting the Constitutional Drafting Committee in Iraq. Others are members of Harvardâ??s medical school faculty or are practicing medicine. They work for the top companies or have started successful businesses of their own. Others have chosen to work to develop sustainable agriculture in developing countries, aid in humanitarian relief and poverty reduction or serve in the top levels of our countryâ??s government.

The academic rigor of the top Christian colleges is leavened by the incorporation of faith and spiritual discipline that will produce the next generation of Christ-lead and inspired servant leaders that our culture cries for.

With those potential outcomes in mind, Christian high school students should learn as much as possible about the numerous fine Christian colleges and universities throughout this country. Preliminary information is available on the web at college search sites such as CCCU.org and Christiancollege.com. Also, sign up for college mailing lists. College mailing lists are a great resource, as you only need to sign up once to start receiving helpful information throughout the year. Also, remember to schedule time to visit each campus that seems like a good fit â?? including an overnight stay in a resident hall. Visiting a college campus in person and sleeping over helps students solidify if a school is a good fit by finding out what itâ??s like to live, as well as study, there.

The college years are a unique time in life for the formation of habits of the heart and mind and relationships that will shape life for years to come. Students (and their parents) should consider a college that offers serious academic and personal preparation for life â?? along with a framework of people and programs that nurtures and strengthens Christian understanding and commitment.

Nancy Mering
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/how-attending-a-christian-college-can-change-your-life-99557.html

Are there any good websites to look for college scholarships?

I am going to go back to college after a long hiatus. Are there any good places on the web to look for college scholarships, besides Fast Web? I am preferably looking for an answer from someone who has had success vs. someone who does a Google search and regurgitates information I already know.

What university are you going to? I got many of my scholarships from the university I went to. So if you go to a large school, be looking out for exclusive scholarships and grants for that school only.

What college courses do i need to become a homicide detective or investigator?

i am sixteen years old and i am about to graduate high school. i want to know what courses in college i should take to become a homicide detective or investigator and any other information you can give me!

Normally those are higher-level jobs in the police department, and you have to get promoted into them. Therefore, you need a major that will get the police department interested in you. The obvious one would be criminal justice, but there are those who focus on things like psychology,which might be helpful.

I would like to work in college admissions or advising?

What is a good major that will allow me to work in college admissions or advising? I love the college atmosphere and just can't leave it. I also like working with people and helping them solve problems. Especially financial or college problems. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

It depends on what you want to advise. If it's a general advisor in an undergraduate college, you just need a bachelor's in anything then work your way up. At the graduate level you will need a graduate degree, preferably in the same area as the field you are advising (they want you to advise something that you actually know about!). At more prestigious grad programs you may need two masters or a doctoral degree.

How do I determine which college tuition tax deduction/credit I am entitled to?

My son (age 19) started college in fall 2007. I made monthly payments towards his college tuition/room board. I received a 1098 recently. I do not understand this form, plus it is in my son's name even though I am making the payments.

Thanks for any help!!

You can claim it as he is your dependent. You need to look up the information for the Hope credit. You don't have to understand the 1098 in order to use it. Just insert the amounts in the boxes! You must file the 1040 in order to use it. I believe their is at least a worksheet or form you will need, too. It should all be in the FAQ section I found for you.

http://search.irs.gov/web/query.html?col=allirs&charset=utf-8&qp=&qs=-Wct%3A%22Internal+Revenue+Manual%22&qc=&qm=&rf=&oq=&qt=hope+credit