Are you looking for a way to increase your salary, boost your job performance, get a promotion – all without taking time off work to attend school? A degree is one of the best ways to achieve a better position at work, but it is hard to attend 20 or more hours of class each week while maintaining your job.

Ashford University

Ashford University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

If you’ve never been good at managing your time, let Ashford University manage it for your with its distance education program. Balance your job with online coursework as you earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Ashford University provides high-quality degree programs that will not cause a strain on your budget, will not take much of your work time and that are accessible via the internet.

Ashford University offers affordable, accelerated and convenient online business degrees:

• BA/Accounting
• BA/Business Administration
• BA/Business Economics
• BA/Business Information Systems
• BA/Business Leadership
• BA/Communication Studies
• BA/Consumer and Family Financial Services
• BA/eMarketing
• BA/Entrepreneurship
• BA/Finance
• BA/Supply Chain Management
• BA/Sustainable Enterprise Management

Ashford University does not currently accept student in Arkansas, Kentucky, Minnesota or Mississippi.

Read more or get a program guide from Ashford University.

On Line School Programs

With the increasing popularity of the internet over the past decade or so, traditional schools have transformed part or all of their operations into on line schools. This means that a degree can now be obtained via the internet, often with no in-class participation required!

About on line school programs

An on line school is a great choice for anyone who leads a busy life. Adults in the workforce, individuals with a young family, or people with any responsibilities in their lives often don’t have time to attend class. On line schools realize this, and thus have created degree programs for the busy professional. You no longer have to sacrifice your job or time spent at home to get your degree.

On Line Schools vs. Traditional Campus Schools

Most on line schools are branches of a traditional school. For example, Boston University, Cornell University, Utica College of Syracuse University… all of these “on line schools” are really traditional campus-based schools who just happen to offer the convenience and flexibility of online degree programs. So, on line school programs have been created to service people who can’t travel to campus, who want to keep working or who need to stay at home for another reason.

An on line school that is part of a traditional school will maintain the exact same level of quality offered on campus, and often the programs will be taught by the very same professors using the very same textbooks! The regional accreditation of the campus-based school carries over to the on line school, so you can be assured that your education will be respected and meet the national standard. In addition, in most cases, the degree you earn from an on line school will not specify in any way that the degree was earned via the on line school program at that university.

What are on line schools like?

On line schools usually do not require time on campus, so they must come up with other ways to get students to interact and participate. There are often message boards, interactive activities, videos, live chats, and more available in the programs at an on line school. These features make learning an enjoyable experience, and allow students to connect with one another and their instructors.

If you are too busy to attend class, an on line school may be a great choice for you. Just ensure that you are able to devote some time to studying and doing readings each week. Since on line schools require you to learn at your own pace, you must be self-motivated and diligent in your studies… just like on-campus students. Bottom line, an online degree earned from a reputable school is both accredited and respected just like any other degree conferred by that on line school… and it can give your career the boost it needs.

But there are some schools out there that are not offering degrees, but instead certificates of completion. While this is fine for those careers that actually require a certification instead of a degree, that is fine. It is a problem for students who want a real degree, however.

What is important to check out prior to enrolling in a college program is the accreditation it offers.

Capella University

Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Capella University offers accelerated classes: 10 week online classes.

Capella offers quality education for working adults who want to advance in their careers. Learn more about our online doctoral, master’s, MBA, undergraduate, and certificate programs:

• Bachelor’s in Accounting
• Bachelor’s in Business Administration
• Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor’s in Emergency Management
• Bachelor’s in Finance
• Bachelor’s in General Information Technology
• Bachelor’s in General Psychology
• Bachelor’s in Health Care Management
• Bachelor’s in Health Informatics
• Bachelor’s in Homeland Security
• Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
• Bachelor’s in Information Assurance and Security
• Bachelor’s in Information Technology Project Management
• Bachelor’s in Management and Leadership
• Bachelor’s in Network Technology
• Bachelor’s in Project Management
• Bachelor’s in Retail Management
• Bachelor’s in Software Architecture
• Bachelor’s in Business Intelligence
• Bachelor’s in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Bachelor’s in Strategy and Innovation
• DHA – General Health Administration
• DHA – Health Care Leadership
• DPA – General Public Administration
• DrPH – Health Advocacy and Leadership
• DSW – General Social Work
• EdD – Educational Leadership and Management
• EdD – Reading and Literacy Bridge
• EdS – Curriculum and Instruction
• EdS – Leadership in Educational Administration
• Graduate Certificate in College Teaching
• Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy
• Master’s in Early Childhood Education
• Master’s in Educational Psychology
• Master’s in English Language Learning and Teaching
• Master’s in Enterprise Software Architecture
• Master’s in Evaluation, Research, and Measurement
• Master’s in General Career Counseling
• Master’s in General Psychology
• Master’s in Gerontology
• Master’s in Health Information Management
• Master’s in Homeland Security
• Master’s in Human Resource Management
• Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Master’s in Information Assurance and Security
• Master’s in Instructional Design for Online Learning
• Master’s in K-12 Studies in Education
• Master’s in Leadership
• Master’s in Training and Performance Improvement
• MSN – Nurse Educator
• MSN – Nurse Educator Bridge
• PhD in Accounting
• PhD in Addiction Psychology
• PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
• PhD in Criminal Justice
• PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD in Educational Psychology
• PhD in Emergency Management
• PhD in General Advanced Studies in Human Behavior
• PhD in General Business
• PhD in General Information Technology
• PhD in General Organization and Management
• PhD in General Psychology
• PhD in Health Care Administration
• PhD in Human Resource Management
• PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PhD in Information Security
• PhD in Information Technology Mgmt

Read more or get a program guide from Capella University.

What Is Accreditation?

This is an official seal of sorts provided by agencies whose job it is to monitor schools to make sure students are protected and get what the signed on for. When a program is accredited, it has met the standards set by both those agencies, and the government. Anything you get from them will be official, and can be shown to a potential employer as proof that you finished your schooling.

Who Provides Accreditation?

First, it has to go through the U.S. Department of Education, which is the first step in the confirmation process. Then, it goes through smaller third-party agencies, which offer either regional or national accreditation. Regional is necessary to qualify for a degree anywhere, but national is a secondary option that might be added on and can be beneficial.

Some agencies are the Council for Higher Education Association (CHEA) and the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).  But these are by no means the only ones around.

Conclusion

Online education is a wonderful thing, but you have to make sure you are getting the right kind of degree. Accreditation is important, and if you don’t pick your school carefully you will do it all for nothing. Find out more about accredited online colleges today.

But this just isn’t true. So, to help with the confusion, we are going to look at the different online degree types.

Ashworth College

Ashworth College is an Accredited Member of the Distance Education and Training Council. The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a globally recognized accrediting agency, for online learning schools and distance education. Their rigorous evaluation process applies the same standards upheld by long-established “brick and mortar” institutions.

Ashworth College is a reputable, international leader in comprehensive, globally accredited online education. We have unified the three schools formerly known as Professional Career Development Institute, Ashworth College and James Madison High School under one name. The result? Expanded course offerings, far-reaching upgrades in support services and instructional enhancements.

• Associate in Accounting
• Associate in Business Management
• Associate in Construction Management
• Associate in Criminal Justice
• Associate in Early Childhood Education
• Associate in Finance
• Associate in Health Care Management
• Associate in Human Resource Management
• Associate in Marketing
• Associate in Paralegal Studies
• Associate in Psychology
• Associate in Retail Management
• Associate in Security Management
• Auto Mechanics Diploma
• Bachelor’s in Business Administration
• Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor’s in eBusiness
• Bachelor’s in International Bridge
• Bachelor’s in Management
• Bachelor’s in Marketing
• Basic Accounting Diploma
• Basic Electronics Diploma
• Bridal Consulting Diploma
• Business Management Certificate
• Business Management Certificate
• Child Care Career Skills Diploma
• Computer Accounting Diploma
• Computer Information Management Certificate
• Conservation Diploma
• Construction Management Certificate
• Criminal Justice Certificate
• Early Childhood Education Certificate
• Electrician Training Diploma
• Finance Offline Certificate
• Financial Planning Diploma
• Fitness and Exercise Diploma
• Floral Design Diploma
• Forensic Science Diploma
• Gourmet Cooking And Catering Diploma
• Graphic Design Diploma
• Gunsmithing Diploma
• Health Care Management Certificate
• Health Care Management Certificate
• Heating and Air Conditioning Diploma
• Human Resources Management Certificate
• Intro to Photography Diploma
• Intro to Psychology Diploma
• Intro to Sales Diploma

Read more or get a program guide from Ashworth College.

Online High School/GED Program

This is a course that has been created to help you either get your diploma, or pass a GED. A high school program is accredited, and is available for either home school students or adult learners. They provide a real diploma at the end, and can take anywhere up to four years to complete, some of them closer to 18 – 24 months.

A GED course takes a few months and prepares you to take the GED test, which is an equivalency certificate.

Online Associate’s Degree

This is a two year degree from an accredited college. It is the first step, and in some cases (such as a paralegal) it is enough to begin your career. For others, it is just the first step some people choose to take on the way to their bachelor’s degree.

Online Bachelor’s Degree

This is a four year degree, and the lowest degree level that many careers will require to get involved within the field. For example, it is enough to begin a career as a police officer in a specific department, or as a computer programmer.

Online Master’s and Online PhD Programs

A master’s is a graduate degree that usually take 2 years to complete. It is the first level that you can be considered an expert, and many psychology, education and business careers require it.

However, a PhD or doctorate is the highest achievable degree in most disciplines. Depending on the program, it typically take 3-5 years to complete.

A common misnomer is that there is no difference between the words degree and diploma when considering universities. This is not true, however. If you are a potential student, the distinction between the two words is important when considering your actual qualifications upon graduation. So, degree vs. diploma…what is the difference?

Walden University – Online Degree Programs

Walden University offers accelerated classes: 8 week online classes.

Walden University offers over 50 online degree programs with more than 225 concentrations and specializations available, all designed to help you gain the knowledge you need to have a real impact in your life and the lives of others.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees

• Accounting – General
• Business Administration (7 concentrations)
• Child Development (4 concentrations)
• Communication (6 concentrations)
• Computer Information Systems (7 concentrations)
• Criminal Justice (5 concentrations)
• Educational Studies
• Forensic Psychology (4 concentrations)
• Health Studies (7 concentrations)
• Healthcare Management
• Information Technology (5 concentrations)
• Instructional Design & Technology
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Political Science (6 concentrations)
• Psychology (8 concentrations)
• Child Development
• Health Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Online Master’s Degrees

• MBA (10 concentrations)
• Accounting (7 concentrations)
• Information Technology (3 concentrations)
• Information Systems Management (5 concentrations)
• Public Administration (13 concentrations)
• Healthcare Administration
• Public Health
• Adult Learning
• Career Counseling
• Criminal Justice (9 concentrations)
• Early Childhood Studies
• Education (16 concentrations)
• Forensic Psychology (5 concentrations)
• Clinical Psychology
• Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (3 concentrations)
• Mental Health Counseling (2 concentrations)
• Health Informatics – General
• Higher Education (6 concentrations)
• Human Resource Management (3 concentrations)
• Instructional Design and Technology (3 concentrations)
• Leadership (8 concentrations)
• Management (10 concentrations)
• Nonprofit Management
• Project Management
• Psychology (12 concentrations)
• Master of Science in Nursing (8 programs)

Online Doctorate Degrees

• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Global Supply Chain Management
• Information Systems Management
• International Business
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Self-Designed
• Social Impact Management
• Technology Entrepreneurship
• Administrator Leadership for Teaching & Learning
• Higher Education & Adult Learning
• Higher Education Leadership
• Special Education
• Teacher Leadership
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
• Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
• Counselor Education and Supervision (6 concentrations)
• Education (12 concentrations)
• Health Services (9 concentrations)
• Human Services (17 concentrations)
• Management (14 concentrations)
• Psychology (7 concentrations)
• Public Health (3 concentrations)
• Public Policy and Administration (27 concentrations)

Walden University is regionally accredited, the highest level of accreditation possible in the United States.

Read more or get a program guide from Walden University.

Degree vs. Diploma

The focus of a degree and diploma program are quite different. A degree program focuses on academics. Degree programs follow a structured curriculum that introduces the student into a variety of subjects that relate to the student’s main concentration or major.

The focus of a diploma is on one particular subject. Students are trained and qualified in that one subject only. The curriculum is not focused on the subjects that relate to their interest or much of the theoretical knowledge that relates to the subject. Rather, the focus is to prepare students for a particular type of business or trade.

Another main difference is the time it takes to complete the programs. Diploma programs are typically shorter since they do not delve into the theory of a subject or require that the student perform certain liberal arts requirements. Many diploma programs can be completed in 6-18 months. Degree programs, however, can take anywhere between 2 and 4 years.

While both a degree and diploma are awarded to you upon successful completion of a college course or series of courses, they have very different connotations. It is important to determine your ultimate career goals prior to enrolling in a program.

Now more than ever, Homeland Security has become a necessity since our country has become more vulnerable to terrorist attacks from overseas and on the home-front. A Masters in Homeland security degree program is also more popular than ever, as many students choose to find a career in preserving and protecting this great nation. There are a number of job opportunities within the Department of Homeland Security, in local, state, and federal levels, and with the right education, you may be able to find a career that can prove to be fulfilling and worthwhile.

Homeland security degree programs can be found at almost all levels including associates, bachelors, masters, and certificate programs. There may also be PhD programs offered online or on-campus with a focus on homeland security.

Masters in Homeland security degree programs tend to include training on the following. Many of these topics are also covered in a more general level in the undergraduate degree programs:

• Criminal Justice
• Bio-Terrorism
• Handling of Hazardous Materials
• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)
• Domestic Terrorism
• International Terrorism
• Constitutional Law
• Cyber-Terrorism
• Emergency Planning and Disaster Preparedness

The higher level of the homeland security degrees that you choose to study, the more further in depth you will go in the fields of psychology, sociology, political science, and criminal justice. Specializing in any of these fields can help place you in a specific line of work within the Department of Homeland Security.

Careers for graduates of the masters in homeland security programs can expect to  find work in local, state, and federal agencies as well as independent security and surveillance companies, and public transportation companies. The higher the degree, the more opportunities for higher ranking positions within the organization.

Our country has been primarily focused on protecting ourselves from all sorts of threats, small and large, for almost 10 years. By having the right education and training under your belt, you should have very little trouble finding successful employment in the field of homeland security and counter-terrorism. Since the masters in homeland security degree is in fact able to be completed online, it would be very easy for someone who currently works as a third-shift or second-shift security officer to find the time necessary to complete the degree program. So consider a masters in homeland security degree today

1. Take part in free courses – There are many colleges and universities that offer free courses for continuing education or for general knowledge. Many ivy league universities also offer online courses that are free of charge too! While these courses may not necessarily be part of a degree program, they are a great way to expand your knowledge of English, history, the arts, finance, and more! Most of these free courses are in the form of an online lecture series. Many charitable organizations, like the SPCA, also offer online classes for free that can help expand your knowledge in working with non-profits. Free on line schooling doesn’t necessarily have to be a degree program. On line schooling can be at almost any level of education. If you don’t want to earn a degree, no worries! There are many free on line schooling programs.

2. Funding – There are a number of ways to earn funding to help pay for your college education. There are occasional opportunities for students to earn a “full ride” scholarship. This means that you are able to get free on line learning, as the expense of the college or university that accepts you. As a high school student, this feat can be achieved by excellent grades, volunteer work, and contributions to the community or an outstanding talent in a particular course of study (such as music, sports, art, science, etc..). While this is certainly not a guaranteed way of receiving free on line schooling, it can be a possibility if you focus on your goals.

3. Government opportunities – There are several ways to obtain funding to supplement your college education fees. The government offers a variety of grants, scholarships and loans to help fund the education. Of course, there are certain types of funding that do require repayment (loans). However grants and scholarships are free from repayment. If you earn enough in scholarships and grants, your education can be mostly, if not fully, covered.

One of the ways that you can cut down on college costs to enable free on line schooling is to consider choosing a local college. Community and state colleges offer discounted rates to students who live in state or county limits. By earning scholarships and grants, you may be able to cover your expenses easier than enrolling in an expensive private university in another state or country.

4. Invest in the future of others! If you’re looking at providing your child free on line schooling, consider investing in a 529 plan. This can provide you with a great way to invest for your child’s education and can offer a variety of tax incentives and benefits.

Believe it or not, free on line schooling is possible. Using any of the tactics above can help you earn that free college degree or free education that you desire!

What is on line schooling? On line schooling is otherwise known as distance education, distance learning, or e-learning. It is the most technologically savvy method of distance education or correspondence education. As a student of on line schooling, students take courses through an online portal on the school’s website. These schools can offer individual courses online or an entire degree program.

On line schooling offers students the ability to access their coursework, listen to lectures, participate in live chat classroom discussions, communicate via message boards, read course materials and even take exams.

All of these tasks can be done through the students’ home computers with a working internet connection. There are certain minimal technical requirements that your computer must have in order to successfully access the coursework, but most, if not all recent computers and laptops will be able to meet those requirements with ease.

On Line schooling can be offered in a variety of fields and a number of degree programs. If you have yet to earn your high school diploma, there are actually online high school diploma programs that are worth the same as a traditional diploma from a regular high school. On line schooling can also be found at the associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorate levels.

There are a number of majors that an on line schooling student can choose:

• accounting
• finance
• business administration
• education
• engineering
• nursing
• health sciences
• psychology
• sociology
• criminal justice

When beginning your search for an online school, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Be sure to decide your academic goals first. Were you looking to earn an associates degree in accounting, a bachelors degree in psychology, or perhaps a masters in business administration? After deciding what type of degree you’d like, you can begin finding the schools that offer that degree.

It’s important to look at the school’s accreditation before starting the application process. There are regionally and nationally accredited schools that are legitimate, with their accreditation being successfully recognized by the United States Government. This is important, as there are many “diploma mill” online schools that will guarantee you a diploma for the right price. However the qualify of the education that stands behind it may not actually provide you with the right education you need.

Once you have found the right college or university for your on line schooling, you can begin the application process. In most cases you can actually apply online and then take on the most difficult part of the college process….the waiting. Once accepted, you will be given a class schedule and can start your way to your degree as soon as possible!

An online political science course shows students the history of politics and their rulers. They explore the various types of governments, both previous and current. Career paths for online political science courses can be both academic (as a professor or teacher of political science), or be put to use in political fields. These careers include political advisor, political analyst or correspondent, or even politician. Many political “think tanks” also rely on online political science course graduates.

Online political science courses can be found in almost all degree levels: associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorate. Because of the fact that online political science courses are in fact online, students can earn their degree at most any time on any day. Plus online degrees are worth just as much as on-campus degrees, so there’s no fear in trying to qualify for a job just because you earned your degree at home instead of in a brick-and-mortar classroom.

An online political science course or degree can get you on your way to a career in political science sooner than you think!

Forensic science degrees are found at all levels from associates, to doctorates, and also in the form of a forensic science certificate. The average salary of a forensic science technician was approximately $47,680.00 in 2007.  The masters degree in forensic science also include a variety of concentrations such as digital forensics, toxicology, archaeology, entomology, and pathology.

When choosing a forensic science degree, be sure to find a concentration that interests you, that way you can become an expert in that one particular field. And who knows? Maybe they will base a TV drama off of you!

If you’re a fan of any of the prime-time crime shows like CSI, Law & Order, or NCIS, you would have noted that the field of forensics plays a major role in solving a lot of cases. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this exciting and important line of work, consider earning a masters degree in forensic science.

By one graduating from a masters in human resource management, the degree holder can look into a variety of managerial positions within companies, as human resource management degree holders don’t necessarily have to work in human resources. This particular program is different from other masters degrees in that the tools that are gained by studying in this masters in human resource management program can be utilized in a variety of fields. Topics of study include:

• organizational structure
• public administration
• compensation
• recruitment
• training and development
• management principles
• psychology

HR Managers who hold a masters in human resource management can look to earn between $65,000/year and $85,000/year depending on experience and the company offering the position. Companies rely on a human resource manager’s expertise, and in many cases, are willing to pay for that expertise.

For a career in management within an organization that involves working with employees of all levels, consider a masters in human resource management to get you on the right track.