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A study that seeks to provide African policy makers and their development partners a factual basis for developing a mutual understanding of the nature of the challenge and its implications for alternative options for expanding opportunities in post-primary education…. More >>

Developing Post-primary Education in Sub-saharan Africa: Assessing the Financial Sustainability of Alternative Pathways

Accelerated college degree online programs fall into four basic categories.

The first option you have is known as the no “residency” requirement. Most schools require you to attend a minimum amount of classes at the school itself, but there are a few who do not. These schools offer college courses online without the requirement that credits be earned on campus. You can transfer in previous college credits, and gain credits through challenging exams, life experience assessments, military service, job training and continuing education. You can also gain credits by demonstrating college level knowledge in different areas. Because of these unique methods, you can complete the requirements for a degree in as little as a few months! The only downfall is that some of these “schools” are scams, and you should investigate them fully before giving them your money, or credit card information.

Another way to get your degree would be to use the “pay your fee, get your degree” method. This method just involves giving you a degree based on life experience, and cost. You pay a certain fee and they give you your degree. For an additional fee, they will backdate your degree and provide you with a transcript of classes with grades and verify your “education” to your employer. This method is sometimes called unethical and also illegal in some states.

Many colleges and universities offer adult learners accelerated college degrees online. This could be considered the most legit way to earn your college degree outside of attending the college full time. You can usually earn your degree in about two years of college. This cuts the cost and time to get your degree in half.

The final way to get an accelerated college degree online is to work your buns off. You can enter an accelerated program, work really hard, and finish in less than two years. This is one of the better ways to get your degree because your life is disrupted for only a small amount of time.

The field of human services is so broad, it allows for almost limitless career opportunities in providing services to those in need. If you are planning to make a success career in human services field, your career future is almost guaranteed. There are many human services related degrees offered online and you can utilize the advantages of online education to earn a degree to enable you to kick start your human services career. Here are some tips to guide you in selecting the related human services online degree program that is inline with your career goal.

Before you start searching for any online degree program, the first question you need to ask yourself is what area of human services you are interested to start your career with. The field of human services is so broad; some areas need specialty of knowledge and skills such as psychology and counseling while other may just need a more general education qualification for you to start your human services career.

Common human services careers and their related online degree programs are:

1. Careers in Social Work

Social works involves helping people to regain and/or improve their ability to live happily and successfully. In addition, some social works may also include helping individuals, families and community groups to shape their society so that they can achieve their goals.

The famous online universities that offer social work online degree programs are:

• Walden University offers online Ph.D. in Human Services with Specialization in Clinical Social Work that prepares you with the required knowledge on public services.
• Bellevue University offers online Bachelor Degree in Human & Social Services Administration, a degree focus on internal and external operation of non-profit organization.
• Capella University offers both master and doctorate degree programs in human services. A bachelor degree in human services will enrich your professional knowledge on human services while a doctorate degree advanced your knowledge and leadership skills to prepare you for a managerial position.

2. Careers in Counseling

Counseling is a career designed to prevent, diagnose and treat mental, emotional, physical or behavioral disorders. As a professional counselor, among your jobs are helping people overcome a specific crisis and/or problem and help them to develop goals and objectives that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Most universities offered online master and doctorate degree in counseling as most counseling jobs required a minimum of master degree for qualification. If you are interested in pursuing a counseling degree online, these are accredited online universities that offered related online counseling degrees:

• Walden University offers bachelor degree for mental health counseling degree and doctorate in counseling psychology.
• University of Phoenix offers various master degrees in counseling with specialization in marriage, family and child therapy, community counseling, mental counseling and school counseling.

3. Careers in Psychology

For those who are interested to pursue a career in psychology, you have over 20 different specialties to choose from. However, majority of students tend to lean toward careers in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. In term of education requirement for career in psychology, most states require you to have a minimum of master degree in psychology but if you are holding a Ph.D degree, you will have advantages over the other competitors with more options in starting your career in this competitive field.

Popular online psychology degree programs offered by prestigious universities include:

• Walden University offers various online Ph.D in psychology with specialization in Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Health Psychology, Organizational Psychology and School Psychology.
• Capella University offers both master and doctorate degree in psychology. Besides covering those popular online psychology degree programs offered by many of online universities, Capella University does offer Sport Psychology program for those students who are interested to pursue their psychology career in sport related fields.

Summary

The field of human services offers the prestige of an established profession, a wide range of interesting duties, a good financial opportunities and career satisfaction. There are many different specialties of online degree program offered for human services careers for you to choose from, what you need to do is select one that is inline with your career goal.

With a degree in criminal justice you can work as a police officer, for the FBI, homeland security, the secret service or a private security company. You could be a US Marshall, work for the DEA, or be a private investigator. The choice of career with a degree in criminal justice is full of choices.

The average salary for a police officer is greater than $45,000, for the Secret Service, US Marshall or DEA the salary varies from 25 to 50,000 dollars. If the FBI employs you you can earn 40,000 to 48,000 dollars a year. With an advanced degree and experience a person with a degree in criminal justice can earn a six-figure income.

An online criminal justice, or law enforcement college education program will educate you about things such as domestic terrorism, security measure, vulnerability assessment, tactical communication, theory of crime, dispute resolution, intelligence gathering and analysis and other law enforcement related subjects.

An online criminal justice program will allow you to have flexibility, you can study and complete assignments 24/7 online. You will have access to assignments, resources, and other classmates through the Internet. An online college degree program website can provide you with information about schools, curriculum, costs, financial aid, and other aspects of online education programs.

With technology consistently changing the shape of the landscape of nearly everything, the history of e-Learning has evolved and continues to evolve into great legitimacy in the world of education. While conventional classrooms still have their place, the virtual classroom is seeing more and more students each year. With the accreditation of online schools offering not only a number of degrees and qualifications, the opportunity for financial aid also makes online venues even more attractive. For some, there is just no beating the practical experience one receives in online degree programs. This is especially true when career advancement hangs in the balance.

Whether opting for a particular qualification or needing to get a general education online, prospective students will find just the right courses they need in almost every subject. For some, online education can offer a chance to either broaden horizons or narrow down career options. Selecting a variety of subjects can help define a career path when a student finds they gravitate more toward certain subjects more than others. Often, online credits are considered transferable and can help in achieving one’s degree.

It is doubtful that distance learning could have ever reached the level of effectiveness that it has without the help of the internet. Though this type of learning has been in place for a great number of years, it is the information superhighway that has changed the face of education from a distance forever. Where students waited weeks and months for correspondence from distant universities, one now merely needs to take a few seconds to log on to their virtual campus to get assignments. The virtual learning environment provides not only learning tools but collaborative software featuring such options as chat, discussion boards and even audio-conferencing. This can make long distance learning seem like anything but.

The advent of computer-based testing allows for students to gauge their skills and focus attention right where they need it. This leads to another bonus in the world of online education in the form of handy online tutoring. Students will find that supplemental learning options are readily available to those who may need the extra help from time to time. Many have come to realize that the only way to get around the frustration that sometimes comes with learning new skills is understanding the material better.

Most online programs generally consist of CBT (computer-based training), WBT (web-based training), interactive media, educational animation and a whole slew of other types of educational technology. Rapidly improving technology continues to develop these features at every turn, making online learning more and more efficient. Learning management software allows students to take control of their education and organize it right down to the specifics of career planning using ePortflios.

Of all the things the internet has proven itself to be useful for, online and distance learning continue to make their appearance at the very top of the list. The ability to cut across the distances in the blink of an eye and share common information also crosses the borders of the amazing. Every new technological enhancement ensures there will be no stopping the world of continuing education.

The need for criminal justice professional is increasing every year: there will be a need for 23-35% more corrections officers, police, private investigators and security guards in the next few years. A degree in criminal justice is the gateway to many different types of employment, such as corrections officer, police officer, secret service agent, crime scene investigator, private investigator, military police, FBI agent, DEA agent, security guard, CIA agent, and sheriff or US marshal.

You can start on your way to a new lucrative and highly respected career in criminal justice with just a little investigation. Check an Internet online college degree site for the multitude of choices you have to earn a degree, whether associates, bachelors or a masters degree in criminal justice. You can get instant information about programs, requirements, classes, financial aid and applications by filling in a few blanks on the site. You will also have access to school counselors who can help you with any further questions. I think it is worth investigating, don’t you?

Distance Learning – Not So Distant Anymore

Distance learning online is not too much different from traditional education, as there is continuous interaction with teachers via mail. Classmates use instant messenger and special online programs for this purpose. These programs allow exams and quizzes to take place without any type of cheating. World Wide Web has made distance learning easily approachable thus fulfilling many dreams. Distance learning courses provide associates, bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree along with many diplomas.

Educators are as important as students in case of distance learning online. The success of educator is merely preventing students from withdrawing courses along with education. Educators have a difficult task of motivating students who are far away. They also need to understand their problems and act accordingly. Thus, distance learning is creating a new kind of teachers who should have technical skill (operate computers etc) along with basic knowledge. Educators can also help student online become lifelong learners.

Distance learning online provides tuitions for those students who are facing difficulty. There are many online groups on specific courses that help you clarify your doubts. Opportunity for scholarship on excellent performance, grants if facing financial problems and many other programs are on offer to help you financially. Therefore, distance learning is having impact on large section of society and removing divide based on education. A literate society is foundation for aware and peaceful society.

Distance learning programs offer students the chance to complete coursework for an associate, bachelor, and masters level degrees. Students enroll in programs that offer credit hours commensurate with colleges and universities. Some distance learning programs can be completed in less time than the same degree earned at a traditional institution.

Students can complete the coursework at a more relaxed pace. This type of degree program is a step in the right direction for the non-traditional student. Working parents, older students, and single parents are all the types of individuals that benefit from distance learning. The programs can work around their hectic schedules without rigid classroom times.

Completing a degree online is a worthy pursuit that requires some legwork. The first program that catches your eye is not necessarily the best. There are several factors to consider.

Does the school have your program of study? All schools don’t offer the same courses of study, just like all traditional institutions vary in their curricula. Check out the courses to be sure that the one you want is available. If not, keep looking.

Picking five or six online schools that provide your chosen program of study gives you choices. Compare the course book. Each school should have their list of courses for each program available online for review. If the courses are pretty much the same from the description, at least you will know that these are common courses. You can even compare the online courses to the courses offered at a traditional school to see how they compare.

While online degree programs may offer the same courses, credits seldom transfer between online institutions or between online institutions and traditional four year institutions. Before you choose a school, be aware of this. Making a commitment to that school means that you will see it through until the degree is earned so that you won’t lose your money or waste your time on courses that may not transfer somewhere else.

‘What type of support does the online school make available to me?’ An online student does not have the opportunity to study with others in their classes face to face. For the online student, support from instructors is important. Some programs offer classes that are taught via video so you actually see your instructor. Tele-classes allow you to talk with other classmates via the telephone. This is helpful for immediate questions that can be addressed by another student or the instructor. Online chat rooms and message boards connect you with others in the online community at your school.

If online support is crucial to you, then look for a school that offers the maximum amount. Distance learning can be a challenge and extra support from the school can keep the task from becoming overwhelming. There are many types of distance learning tools to choose from. Make sure that you decide on the one that suits your needs best. Each one of these important points will narrow down your list of schools until you reach the final few.

What about fees? Since there is no room or board to consider, tuition for online degree programs can total less than a traditional degree. Courses may require books and that needs to be considered when computing the cost. The course descriptions should list if outside resources such as books need to be purchased.

Ask about a payment plan. Non-traditional students that have to work and attend school don’t want to get hit with a big bill all at once. Some can’t afford that. Payment plans that extend throughout the semester give distance learners the option of budgeting each month for their education. This makes the financial end of school manageable.

If you are someone who has always wanted to earn an advanced degree but never had the time to attend a traditional college or university, distance learning may be an option. You are able to work and attend classes at the same time. With a home computer and Internet access, you are ready to begin a new chapter in your life.

A flexible online education program may be the only way the already working adult worker can either get into an entry level position in one these careers, or for someone employed in one of these careers to make an advancement. And join the ranks of those within the top 25% of earnings.

Graduates from bachelors degree accounting programs are starting out at $43,000 and those with a master’s degree can start at $46,000. Job opportunities for accountants are expected to grow between 18 and 26% through 2014. Certified public accountants (CPA) are at the top of the demand and pay scales, making well over $46,000 with experience.

Health care is the fastest growing industry in the US. Growth is projected to be 22% through 2016. Nurses make up the largest portion of this. With the current nursing shortage, the new nursing graduate will have no trouble finding a good paying position. Entry-level positions require an associate’s degree as a registered nurse (RN). Start out pay is $47,000.

Those with a bachelors in nursing degree can expect to earn more, and advanced practice nurses, midwifes, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners can make an average of 70,000. A nurse anesthetist can make “6 figures”. NLN accredited college programs are available online.

The second fastest growing industry in the US is education. Thirteen million people are employed in education, and this profession is expected to grow by 17% into 2014. Salaries have started to increase for those in the teaching profession. The average earnings for elementary and secondary school teachers are $46,000 and for postsecondary teachers the average is $51,000.

A degree in computer engineering, website design, or information systems can qualify someone for a position in another of the fastest growing career segments. The need for computer related workers and information system managers are expected to continue to grow. Computer system analysts can make $66,000. Employees in development can earn a six-figure salary.

There is almost no salary ceiling for a professional with an MBA in the corporate world. With an advanced business degree and hard work, a very well paid position is possible. Growth in the business segment is expected to increase by 17% through 2014. A master’s degree in business (MBA) will put someone in one of the highest competitive and well-paid professions in the US or even beyond.

An online college degree program website can provide all the information that is needed to decide upon a career and program that is right for the student. An online degree can provide the flexibility needed for someone who is already working and whose goal is a new career or to advance his or her current position.

Classes and coursework are available 23/7. Assignments can be completed around current obligation such as work, family, or even social events. Access to instructors and classmates is available by e-mail, streaming threads, or even VOIP. Technological support, financial resources, and information support are available.

Accredited programs are available in all of the above career fields. Completing a degree in nursing, accounting, business, information systems, or education is the first step towards a career in some of the fastest growing and well-paid careers. An online program can make it happen.