Thursday, 17 December 2009

Get Your University Degree Online: University of St Mary university review and evaluation

Get Your University Degree Online: University of St Mary university review and evaluation

A brief look at the university – University of St Mary university review and university evaluation

University of St Mary is a private, liberal arts university based in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA. This Catholic co-educational tertiary institution is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, and was initially established as St Mary College, a school for women. The St Mary’s mission is, “to educate students of diverse backgrounds to realize their God-given potential and prepare them for value-centered lives and careers that contribute to the well-being of our global society.” On top of that, an education at St Mary also focuses on values such as community, respect, justice and excellence.

The University of St Mary offers 26 bachelor’s degree programs and six master’s degree programs, including Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Education, Adaptive Special Education, and Teaching. Traditional classroom lessons, evening classes as well as online classes are made available for students’ completion of degrees. Besides, the University of St Mary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The University of St Mary has also received specialized accreditation for its business and business-related programs through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Olathe, Kansas.

At present, the University of St Mary has over 800 students enrolled across four campuses, with about 31 full-time campus faculties. In two consecutive years, the University of St Mary has been consistently named a “Best Value College” by the Princeton Review. The University of St Mary is an educational institution that is highly sought after by students worldwide. On average, the university receives approximately 420 each year, and only over 200 students are accepted. Students at the university come from 33 different states, and it has international students from a variety of places such as Brazil, Tobago, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Columbia, Finland, and Canada. The University of St Mary is one institution that provides a global educational environment for its students.

Which university courses are offered here at University of St Mary?

There are many degree programs offered here at University of St Mary, and some of them can be attained through an online education! More information can also be retrieved and downloaded from the relevant websites and brochures for further reference.

The University of St Mary offers the Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees with the majors as follow:

Bachelor of Arts degrees
· Art
· Liberal Studies
· Theatre
· Criminology
· Mathematics
· Theology
· English
· Pastoral Ministry
· Global Studies
· Political Science
· History
· Psychology

Bachelor of Science degrees
· Accounting
· Clinical Laboratory Science
· Applied Psychology
· Elementary Education
· Biology
· Healthcare Informatics
· Biomedical Sciences
· Information Technology
· Business Administration
· Interdisciplinary Studies
· Chemistry
· Sports Management
· Child Development Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
· Nursing

Associate of Arts
· Liberal Studies

The Master's degrees offered at the University of St Mary are shown below:

Masters Degrees
· Master of Arts with a concentration in Education
· Master of Arts with a concentration in Special Education
· Master of Arts with a concentration in Psychology
· Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
· Master of Arts in Teaching with emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction
· Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Finance, Human Resources, Healthcare, and Management

ROTC

In addition, students from the University of St Mary may participate in both Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs at the University of Kansas through a "cross-town" agreement. Interested students may contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.

Of course, for greater details about the courses offered at University of St Mary and much more, do look up the university’s official website!


Finance and other important matters for university education funding 


Here at the University of St Mary, they seek to bring the university's educational opportunities within reach of all qualified students regardless of family financial circumstances. There are many opportunities available and they believe that no student should fail to apply because of financial considerations. Financial aid awards are based upon the university's analysis of a student's need as determined by the processing of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The financial aid that a student is entitled to receive may be a scholarship, grant, work opportunity, loan or a combination of the above mentioned.

The types of financial aid available for students are as follow:

Scholarships and Grants
· St Mary Scholarships
· Kansas Comprehensive Grants
· Kansas State Scholarships
· Federal Pell Grants
· Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
· Academic Competitiveness Grants
· National Smart Grants

Loans
· Federal Perkins Loans
· Federal Stafford Loans
· Federal Plus Loans

Student Employment
The University of St Mary offers part-time employment to help offset educational, living, and social expenses. There are available positions in areas such as the gym, offices, laboratories, library, cafeteria, reception desks, and switchboard. Assignment of part-time employment is based on the student's total financial package and earnings could range from $800 to $1,500 for the financial year.

Last but not least, help with financial planning is available for students. All you need to do is contact the financial aid office and the financial service officers will help to answer your queries and clarify your doubts. For other extra resources and detailed information for each financial assistance option available, you can also look up the relevant websites!

Why you should study at University of St Mary - my own personal recommendations

I am in favour that the University of St Mary provides a compassionate learning environment. It also provides a global learning environment, with interactions between both local and international students in the institution. The tuition fees are affordable, with many financial assistance options made available; and the quality of instruction adheres closely to accreditation requirements. Also, the University of St Mary is a well-established university with no known controversies.

“The University of St Mary is informed by a liberal arts tradition that reflects the longest and most distinguished tradition of American higher education and represents a philosophy that life-long education is general and broad, rather than narrow and specialized.” It is the university’s stand and belief that a critical intelligence, depth and breadth of learning, as well as liberating aspects of the humanities and sciences are more important than ever in the diverse, interdependent, globalised society of the 21st century. Thus, St Mary's concept of applied liberal arts embraces the rich history and meaning of the liberal arts while intentionally connecting learning to the real world in concrete and practical ways. In this way, they help to combine education in the humanities and sciences with active experiential learning and career preparation so that students may use their knowledge and talents. Thus, I recommend all of you who are interested in a tertiary education in the liberal arts to explore your learning opportunities with the University of St Mary.

Thanks for reading and I hope that you will find your dream course for an online education here at the University of St Mary! Thank you very much for staying here with me! Stay tuned and do check out the new updates on this website for more university reviews!

Get your university degree online - degree reviews and university reviews

Get Your University Degree Online: Cengage Education (Thomson Education Direct) university review and university evaluation

Get Your University Degree Online: Cengage Education (Thomson Education Direct) university review and university evaluation

A brief introductory look at the university – Cengage Education (Thomson Education Direct) university review and university evaluation

Thomson Education Direct is a distance education course provider based near a northern suburb of Sydney, Australia. Originally operating as the International Correspondence Schools in Australia, the institution was bought by The Thomson Corporation in the early 2000s and became a part of Thomson Learning. In 2007, Thomson Learning was bought by Apax Partners and OMERS Capital Partners. Thomson Education Direct has since been renamed Cengage Education. 

The educational institution has been providing distance education since 1921 and it has taught more than 700,000 students over the years. There are more than 100 online and correspondence courses, from government accredited degrees to a variety of hobby and lifestyle subjects. Cengage Education is a part of Cengage Learning, a leading global publisher of print and digital information services for the academic, professional and library markets.

Cengage Education is a Registered Training Organization registered with the NSW Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB). It is also a member of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET). Cengage Education offers numerous courses at the degree, diploma and certificate levels that are government accredited and well-recognized by employers and industries throughout Australia.

In addition to their Higher Education and Vocational Education & Training courses, Cengage Education also offers lifestyle, hobby and short courses, in areas such as Arts & Design, Journalism, Lifestyle & Leisure and Languages.


Which university courses are offered here at Cengage Education (Thomson Education Direct)?


There is a great and diverse range of degree programs, diplomas and certificates offered here at Cengage Education. More information can be retrieved from the relevant websites at your own time. Apart from basic degrees, Cengage Education also provides higher education services as well as professional development courses.

The courses here at Cengage Education are divided into categories as follow:

Accounting and Finance
Animal Care
Australian College of Journalism
Beauty
Business and Marketing
Childcare
Community Services
Creative Arts and Leisure
Health and Well-being
Hospitality and Retail
House and Garden
IT and Design
Language
Occupational Health and Safety
Photography
Professional Development
Technical and Trade Skills
Travel and Tourism

For specific degree courses, other types of degree programs and greater details about the courses offered at Cengage Education, do look up the school’s official website!

Finance and other important matters for university degree funding

All these valuable information were gleaned from Wikipedia, the Cengage Education official website, and other helpful sources online and offline.

There is an assortment of easy pay options and flexible payment plans to help in attaining a degree. To help make paying for your studies easier, Cengage Education offers a range of flexible payment options – all you have to do is select the one that best suits you. The range of payment methods even includes fortnightly and monthly plans. Simply call a Course Advisor to discuss your available options and to answer your queries. What’s more, you can be rewarded with a 10% discount off your course fees when you pay upfront in full. Also, you can be assured that there are no hidden examination costs, facility fees or additional charges; with most courses offered here at Cengage Education, all your learning materials are included in the price of your course and are delivered straight to your doorstep.

Besides, if you are seeking financial assistance for your education, there are several opportunities available to you, here at Cengage Education.

Productivity Places Program
Cengage Education is approved to deliver training to eligible job seekers, under Productivity Places Program, an Australian Government initiative.

Parents Return to Work Program – Victorian residents.
The Returning to Earning program is an initiative of the Victorian Government, administered by AMES. The program provides a grant of up to $1,000, to assist parents planning to return to work after an absence caring for dependent children.

Traineeships
Traineeships combine employment with structured training, leading to a nationally recognized qualification.

Businesses benefits
Your staff can be trained to suit your business needs and you can choose from a wide range of training programs that offer flexible off-campus learning. Course-related study materials are provided and your business may be eligible for a range of attractive financial incentives.

Austudy and Abstudy
Many of the available courses at Cengage Education are approved for Austudy/Abstudy. Austudy and Abstudy are forms of financial assistance available for students who meet the eligibility requirements. You will need to apply directly to your Centrelink or JobNetwork Member office to receive these benefits.

Last but not least, help with financial planning is available for all students. All you need to do is book an appointment with the financial aid counselor. The financial service officers and course advisors here at Cengage Education, are always ready to offer you sound advice and help as you source for ways to cover your tuition and fees. For additional resources, you can also look up the relevant websites to locate the required details!

Why you should study at Cengage Education (Thomson Education Direct) my own personal recommendations

One important reason that makes Cengage Education stand out from other institutions is the ability for you to study anywhere. Once you are enrolled in the classes, you set your own timetable and conduct all your study at your own pace in a suitable, comfortable environment, with no demands made on you. It is a good choice and also the ideal solution for people looking to fit in their learning with work, parenthood, social life, or the demands of a busy family lifestyle. Little need be said about the huge numbers of students Cengage Education attracts.

In addition, many of their university courses can be completed in less than a year – you get to decide how fast you want to work your way through your degree course. On the other hand, if you prefer to go slow and beat the ever increasingly stressful life of a university education, Higher Education degree programs and courses have a maximum limit of seven years for completion. Ultimately, you get to decide your personal course and your very own personal educational schedule! As they say …

“Cengage Education is a world leader in distance education. Since 1921, we have helped more than 700,000 Australians realize their earning and creative potential. We’ve set them off down exciting new career paths, seen them start businesses of their own and enriched their lives with fulfilling new ways to spend their leisure time.”

This is the institution’s take on why you should study at Cengage Education – for 21st century learning. Besides, it has the ideal characteristics of a choice education – extremely flexible, simple and affordable, nationally recognized, equipped with experienced and qualified tutors, as well as a range of support networks. What more can I say? I personally recommend this institution, for the very fact that it is so well-established, well-recognized and well-recommended by students and parents alike. In addition, there are no known controversies at this institution.

Thanks for reading and I hope that an online education at Cengage Education (Thomson Education Direct) can help you achieve all that you set out to do. Thank you very much for staying here with me! Do stay tuned for more university reviews!

Get your university degree online - online degree reviews and university, college, institution reviews

Get Your University Degree Online: The Art Institute Online university review and university evaluation

Get Your University Degree Online: The Art Institute Online university review and university evaluation

A brief look at the university – The Art Institute Online university review and university evaluation

The Art Institute Online (commonly known by its abbreviation AiO) is the online branch of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Since October 2007, it has been renamed The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division. This online arts institution offers degree programs, associate programs, as well as non-degree diploma courses in a variety of fields, catering to the diverse and creative needs of students. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division is known to be the leader in Online Creative Arts Education and it is part of The Art Institutes system of schools with more than 40 locations throughout North America. Founded in 1921, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh's degree programs are delivered according to your terms and schedules though our online programs, allowing much flexibility in pursuing your choice education. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division not only enables busy people to attend art training and education, but also serves as an online class environment for in-campus Art Institute students.

Regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, as a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division offers sixteen online degree programs, all of which serve to launch your lifelong dream career or enhance your creative career. The online class environment focuses much on interaction, making classroom discussion and participation in the learning experience key aspects of the adapted learning model. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division, being an online school, is technology-driven and students must have required software and reasonably proficient computer skills to attend.

At The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division, you will find a true campus experience and online classes available at your fingertips, anytime and anywhere. "Our interactive online environment connects our students with one another with traditional student services like tutoring, academic advising and career services – and with our instructors who are experienced practitioners in their field. Our students experience more than just online classes – they get many of the benefits of a campus experience." They say that; you should try it out and see it for yourself.

Which university courses are offered here at The Art Institute Online?

Here are some of the programs and diplomas offered at The Art Institute Online. More information can be retrieved from the relevant websites at your own time.

Bachelor Programs

Advertising
Culinary Management
Fashion & Retail Management
Game Art & Design
Graphic Design
Hotel & Restaurant Management
Interior Design
Media Arts and Animation
Photography
Web Design & Interactive Media

Associate Programs

Graphic Design
Kitchen & Bath Design
Web Design & Interactive Media

Diplomas

Digital Design
Residential Planning
Web Design

Finance and other important matters

All these valuable information were gleaned from Wikipedia, the Art Institute Online official website, and also other sources.

All students may qualify for several forms of aid, including:

Federal Student Aid
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Academic Competitive Grant (ACG)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Work-Study
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Parent PLUS Loans
Private Student Aid
Private Loan Programs in conjunction with Sallie Mae
Scholarships and Grants

A number of states, including Pennsylvania, also offer educational grants. Some states permit their residents to use these grants at schools outside of the state. Also, students may search for scholarships that are not affiliated with the Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division on the Internet.

More importantly, help with financial planning is available for all students. All you need to do is book an appointment with the officer-in-charge or financial aid counselor. The Student Financial Services team here at the Art Institute Online, is always ready to offer you sound advice and help as you develop a suitable financial aid package to cover your tuition and fees. The trained officers can help to draw up an affordable and personalized payment schedule and guide you in identifying opportunities that may reduce your tuition fees.

For additional resources, you can look up the relevant websites to locate the required details!

Why you should study at The Art Institute Online and my own personal recommendations

I personally recommend The Art Institute Online or better known, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division as a choice university for students who want an arts education that provides recognition and flexibility. This educational institution leverages more than 85 years of creative arts excellence and prepares students for rewarding creative careers.

“Our online classes are designed for creative individuals like you who demand both the quality that The Art Institutes schools deliver and the flexibility of an online program. Our students are able to advance their education and transform their lives, all while maintaining their busy work and family schedules.”

This is the institute’s take on the matter. Accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has validated the quality of the educational programs and services offered by The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. With a quality creative arts education your future deserves and the flexibility and convenience your life needs, look no further! The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division, authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to award Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science degrees, could be the choice university of your dreams!

Thanks for reading and I hope that an online arts education at The Art Institute Online can help you achieve your personal goals, maximize your creativity and reach for the sky. Cheers and thank you very much for staying here with me!

Get your university degree online - degree reviews and university reviews

Monday, 14 December 2009

Get Your University Degree Online – Stetson University Virtual School - University and Degrees Review

Get Your University Degree Online – Stetson University Virtual School - University and Degrees Review

A brief look at the university – Stetson University Virtual School university review and university evaluation

Stetson University is a private
university located in DeLand, Florida, USA. It is highly recognized for its courses in liberal arts. Founded in 1883, it is the oldest private institution of higher education in the state of Florida, in the USA. It is a well-established educational institution that offers more than 60 different and diverse majors and minors leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Science, Music, Music Education or Business Administration degrees. Masters degrees are offered by the School of Business Administration in Accounting and Business Administration and the College of Arts & Sciences in Education, English and Counseling.

This university is unique as it has implemented various programs such as “the Continuing Education program” - a department of continuing education which specializes in services to organizations outside of the Stetson community; “the Elderhostel program” - held primarily at the end of the fall semester into the beginning of the spring semester, as well as during the summer to allow older individuals older than the "traditional" university age to attend classes on campus and in the region for a week, with specialized courses taught throughout the university's curriculum. These provide more educational and learning opportunities for potential students.

In addition, the Stetson University Center at Celebration now administers Florida’s Virtual High School program to out-of-state and international students. The eight months of coordination and the eventual signing of the agreement between Stetson University and Florida’s Virtual High School led to the birth of Stetson University Virtual School, a branch managed by Stetson University. This provides an opportunity for the Stetson University Center to generate a valuable outreach program for high school students worldwide.

Stetson University Virtual School currently offers around 75 courses, and Celebration staff members communicate actively with central Florida school districts to identify, interview and train certified high school instructors. The school’s goals are “to continue the success story and to gain further experience in online education.” For some readers who wish to know more about Florida’s Virtual High School (FLVS), Stetson’s University’s partner for the Stetson University Virtual School, FLVS is an American online middle and high school with a new full time elementary school program through Connections Academy.

According to its website, "FLVS is part of the Florida public education system and serves students in all 67 Florida districts. It also serves students, schools, and districts around the nation through tuition-based instruction, curriculum provision, and training."

Which university courses are offered here at Stetson University Virtual School?

Before we go into the courses offered here at Stetson University Virtual School, let us take a look at the grading system. Students are scored based on the same system as any public school in Florida under grading scale that is shown as follows:

A: 90-100%
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 0-59

Middle School
The following are academic courses offered for middle school students:

Orientation to Art 2-D
Keyboarding
Career Education
Language Arts 1
Language Arts 2
Language Arts 3
Reading 1
Spanish 1
Mathematics 1
Mathematics 2
Mathematics 3
Comprehensive Science 1
Comprehensive Science 2
Comprehensive Science 3
U.S History
World Cultures
World Geography

High School
The following academic courses are offered for high school students:

Computing for College and Careers
Web Design 1
Web Design 2
Computer Programming 1
Computer Programming-Basic 1
English 1
English 2
English 3
English 4
Chinese 1
Chinese 2
Chinese 3
Latin 1
Latin 2
Latin 3
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Spanish 3
Fitness Lifestyle Design
Life Management Skills
H.O.P.E. (Health Opportunities Through Physical Education)
Personal Fitness
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Geometry
Liberal Arts Mathematics
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Critical Thinking and Study Skills
SAT Preparation
Drivers Education/Traffic Safety
Biology 1
Chemistry 1
Earth-Space Science
Marine Science
Physics
American Government
American History
American History - Conspiracy Code
Economics
Global Studies
Psychology 1
World History

In addition to the lists provided above, Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered here at Stetson University Virtual School and they are shown as follow:

AP Art History
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Computer Science
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Macroeconomics
AP Microeconomics
AP Spanish Language
AP Statistics
AP US Government and Politics
AP US History


Finance and other important matters

All valuable information were gleaned from Wikipedia, the college website, and also other helpful sources.

The courses from FLVS, offered under Stetson University Virtual School are free to Florida residents who fund the program through state taxes; students outside of Florida may take the courses on a tuition basis. The fee is US$375 for a half-credit (one-semester) course and US$750 for a full-credit (two- semester) course. Do take note that there is an added US$25 fee per semester for AP courses.

For more information, you can look up the relevant websites to locate the required details!

Why you should study at Stetson University Virtual School and my own personal recommendations

The courses offered here at Stetson University Virtual School are wide and varied. Besides, the fees for international students are also affordable! Moreover, it provides students with high quality, accredited online courses for students for grades K-12. More important, students and parents have given this online program offered by this institution a good review.

There are also informational sessions that provide the opportunity for you prospective students to ask questions and learn why parents and students are choosing Stetson University Virtual School! The helpful online community at Stetson University Virtual School would be pleased and more than willing to help answer your queries. Also, AP exam reviews are also provided for students, free for Florida-residents and at a relatively affordable cost of US$100 for non-Floridians. The reviews contain tips and strategies for acing the examinations, as well as a number of released practice examination papers and essays.

On top of that, each course is taught by highly qualified, certified instructors—experts in their subject matters. There is regular teacher-student interaction through email, voice mail, telephone conversations, and instant messenger. Teachers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, as well as during weekend hours. Students are encouraged to contact the teacher when there is a need of any kind. Teachers speak via telephone with students and their parents at least once per month. With this teacher involvement, it helps to make learning much more fun, interactive and reliable! I personally feel that the great flexibility and teacher support that Stetson University Virtual School offers its students are indeed important reasons why this institution manages to attract many students. This is simply attributed to the fact that students can complete their choice course according to their own individual schedules!

Thanks for reading and I hope that you will be able find your dream education at Stetson University Virtual School. Cheers and stay tuned for more university evaluations and evaluative commentaries!

Get your university degree online - degree reviews and university reviews

Sunday, 29 November 2009

Instructor Tips for the First Week of an Online Class.

In this post I share my notes from the front lines. I try to capture some of the realities I experience when teaching online. I hope these ideas help you as an online teacher and learner.

Getting Started: First Week

The first week of an online class is always intense. Students are nervous and disoriented. Learning the course patterns, understanding expectations, and getting your peers helps lower stress..

The first discussion is crucial to starting on a positive note.

Social Icebreakers

A social icebreaker is essential for an online class.  As a student, I'd drop a course without an icebreaker, because I know I learn best in a community oriented setting.

As an instructor I know that all students need to feel recognized and included. I also know the sooner we build an interdependent community the sooner the understanding and deeper conversations will begin.

The icebreaker discussion gives everyone in the class a chance to talk about something light and interesting. It's a chance to make a first impression and connect with others. This first conversation if often like walking through a crowded room where everyone is talking and sharing. We must all learn how to listen to what's being said and interact when we see a conversational opportunity.

I always like to start a class with a big social exchange. It gives folks a chance to learn the software while they get to know each other without the pressure of an academic assignment.

Why break the ice?  icebreaker

Icebreaker discussions tend to have a lot of posts.  Some students feel compelled to read and respond to everyone.  Some feel overwhelmed with too many posts to read. This is a teachable moment where folks can learn how to work in with online discussions  and use skim, skip, or save tactics. Of course as an instructor, you are compelled to read and respond to all. This first contact is important to establishing trust and should be taken seriously.

Some students are anxious to get into the academic elements of the course. They wonder why we are wasting time with this big discussion? This reaction is more common in the first courses of the E-Learning Certificate.  With experience we understand the critical importance of creating a social connection early in a class. Without some initial bonding, online courses can become very lonesome places.

(Reminder to self: Send a mid-first week email reminding academic to participate in the academic discussion as well as the Icebreaker.)


Conversing with Technology

We depend on discussion forums for deep, time shifted conversation. However, It's difficult to teach the details of D2L's discussion forums during the first week of a class.  People are already on information overload, and likely to skip or miss the tutorials we provide in advance. Expect your students to dive into the discussions. However, it's a mistake to assume students know how to manipulate the discussion software.  Many e-learners only know one slim way to use the software.

Quick Tips for D2L Discussion Settings:  When responding, it can be distracting and time consuming for readers to skim through the quoted text of all respondents.  You can manually delete quoted text, or you can use D2L Settings to globally change your discussion experience.

1. Click settings:









Next be sure the box at the bottom of the screen is NOT checked.



















Changing Subject Lines

When you respond change the subject line of a message. This makes message threads easier to scan. Try to capture the essence of your post in the subject area in a way that will induce a reader to click on your response.  Some students quickly pick up on this professional tip.  Others don't.

Off to a Good start

After the start up it takes a few more weeks to really get the classes rolling. The intent is always to kindle conversation and ownership so the students power up the learning environment. My job is to coach each class as it becomes a community and to maximize the opportunity for everyone to learn from each other.

What do you think?

I invite your ideas and comments.  Let's share what we think!

~ Dennis O'Connor

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

St. Petersburg College - College and Degrees Review

A brief look at the university – St. Petersburg College university review and university evaluation

St. Petersburg College is a fully accredited post-secondary education institution located in St. Petersburg, Florida. On average, this college serves some 65,000 students annually. It was formerly known as St. Petersburg Junior College or SPJC; it is commonly referred to SPC nowadays. The College was founded in 1927 as a private community college and was Florida's first two-year institution of higher learning. Today, it is a public institution, which provides community college programs to students. In 2001, the college also expanded their curriculum to enable students to do their four-year bachelor degree program in selected subjects. As of 2009, there are no known controversies for this college.

One unique aspect of St. Petersburg College is that it is a purely commuter college and has no residents. This is largely due to the fact that no single campus is large enough to warrant a need for student housing. Despite the diverse range of courses available, many of SPC campuses tend to specialize in one or two specific fields. SPC is an established institution and has achieved many accolades in education. Four years in a row St. Petersburg College was designated Florida’s leader in distance learning among the state's 28 other community colleges.

Moreover, St. Petersburg College ranked first in the number of courses offered (2,309) and the number of students (16,656). What is noteworthy is that St. Petersburg College is consistently placed near the top of the Community College Week’s Top 100 Associate’s Degree Producer’s List. In the primary category consisting all Disciplines, SPC was ranked 10th. All information was gleaned from Wikipedia, the official university website and other relevant and related university websites.

Which university courses are offered here at St. Petersburg College?

There is a wide variety of university courses to choose from; one can choose from hundreds of accredited courses in dozens of online degree and certificate programs. Some of them are shown as follows:

Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.)

Banking
Business Administration
Dental Hygiene
Health Services Administration
International Business
Management and Organizational Leadership
Public Safety Administration
Sustainability Management
Technology Management
Veterinary Technology


Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Nursing


Associate in Arts (A.A.) - You can complete all your A.A. degree requirements right at your desktop with online courses from the e-Campus!


Associate in Science (A.S.)

Crime Scene Technology
Emergency Administration and Management
Fire Science
Funeral Services
Health Information Management
Healthcare Informatics
Medical Laboratory Technology
Veterinary Technology


Certificates

Advanced Technical Certificate in Critical Care
Computer Related Crime Investigations
Crime Scene Technology
Emergency Administration and Management
Emergency Care
Fire Inspector I
Fire Inspector II
Fire Investigator I
Fire Investigator II
Fire Officer I
Fire Officer II
Gangs Enforcement Management
Healthcare Informatics
Medical Coder
Sepsis Awareness and Education
Veterinary Hospital Management


Finance and other important matters

All this important information was gleaned from Wikipedia, the college website, and also other helpful sites, although more research on your own also should be done: Tuition varies based upon course selection (type of program), location (on-site or distance-learning) and the number of courses studied each semester.

There are various forms of financial aid and other services available, some of which are shown as follow:
Scholarships
Awards
Federal Student Aid
Government student loans
Bursaries

For more information on the different forms of financial aid available at St. Petersburg College, you can look at the college’s official website or contact the friendly and helpful finance officers at the Finance Office for an appointment today. There is a lot of information available on other sites.

Why you should study at St. Petersburg College and my own personal recommendations

I personally found the St. Petersburg College e-Campus awesome as it enables one great flexibility, to study and do work anywhere in the state or out of the country. It is a well-established and well-recognised college with a good track record that boosts many top awards, and has no known controversies. In addition, some of their university programs, such as those under the Associate of Arts, can be completed right from the comfort of your room, or anywhere you are in the world. This is indeed the essence to a global online education! With such an excellent award-winning e-Campus program that offers hundreds of accredited online college courses in dozens of majors, as well as online student support services at your fingertips, St. Petersburg College could be the one that you are searching for!

Thanks for reading and I hope that you will be able to find your dream course, here at St. Petersburg College, with its wonderful e-Campus. Cheers!

Get your university degree online - degree reviews and university reviews

Wednesday, 4 November 2009

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - university and degrees review

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - university and degrees review

A brief look at the university – Simon Fraser University review and evaluation

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public Canadian university in British Columbia with three campuses, each located in different parts. The main campus is located on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and the other two satellite campuses are found in Vancouver’s Downtown at Harbour Centre and Surrey. In recent years, the downtown campus has expanded to include several other buildings, including the Segal Graduate School of Business, now known officially as SFU Vancouver. Ranked by respected national surveys, such as the 2009 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, as one of Canada’s top three comprehensive universities for many years, Simon Fraser University is named after Simon Fraser, a famous explorer and North West Company fur trader, who was known for his pioneering spirit.

Simon Fraser University was established in 1965 and presently has more than 32,000 students and 900 faculty members. Simon Fraser University has eight faculties in total and offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs, as well as 45 graduate programs. Students are mentored by faculty acclaimed for their research and teaching abilities and coached by dedicated advisors and employers in the integrated learning program. In addition, Simon Fraser University graduates enjoy a diverse range of internship opportunities and limitless career choices.

Which university courses are offered here at Simon Fraser University?

Simon Fraser University helps new, returning, graduate, distance education and mature students to fulfill their academic goals and potential by combining vast academic choices and co-op options and in turn, these help them to shape their future and add value to the world.

An example of this would be that students are able to obtain two degrees from different institutions at home and abroad through the dual and double degree programs. Exchange programs and field schools also encourage international and domestic students to share and experience others’ perspectives and worlds. Night and weekend programs enable full-time workers with families to achieve higher education.

Simon Fraser University is organized neatly into eight different faculties:

Faculty of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business Administration
Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Environment
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Science Radiology

Here at Simon Fraser University, they believe in equipping students with the relevant skills to tackle and solve real-life pressing problems. As such, SFU also offers innovative interdisciplinary degree programs such as the Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics and Master of Science in Population and Public, which are rare in other universities.

You will be pleased to note that distance education is made possible, here at Simon Fraser University. The Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE) at SFU caters to students’ schedule and flexibility can be enjoyed while achieving your academic goals. As such, study could not have been made more accessible. University credits can be earned while meeting your other needs and obligations, be it full-time work, family or sports. SFU has one of Canada's largest distance education centres, with approximately 100 courses offered in a number of academic areas for each term. Courses emphasize twenty-first century technologies and skills, and most importantly, they are credited towards the internationally recognized and respected Simon Fraser University degrees, certificates, and post-baccalaureate diplomas. Of course, more research can be done if you are interested in an education with Simon Fraser University and more details on the array of available courses, both on-campus and online, can be found on the university webpage.

Finance and other important matters

All these valuable information were gleaned from Wikipedia, the college website, and also other helpful sources:Tuition varies based upon course selection, location and the number of courses studied each quarter.

There are various forms of financial aid and other services available, some of which are:
Scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students
Awards for graduate and undergraduate students
Government student loans and grants
Bursaries
Emergency loans

For more information on the different forms of financial aid available at Simon Fraser University, you can look at the university’s official website or contact the officers at the Finance Office.

Why you should study at Simon Fraser University and my own personal recommendations

Here at Simon Fraser University, they believe in helping students to chart their own unique course and destiny through numerous interdisciplinary academic programs and other interesting and enriching student activities. In addition, the wide and diverse range of undergraduate degrees and graduate programs in the university appeals to me. Simon Fraser University takes the welfare of students into consideration, providing flexibility in learning with an established distance learning education put in place. The university advocates academic excellence, promotes learning for all and respects diversity. Of course, the question is whether the course you want is offered at Simon Fraser University, be it in the real or virtual campus. Overall, I would recommend this university as you will be able to learn at your own pace and you will be spoilt for choice regarding the academic programs and student activities. Overall, this could be the university that you are looking for; with its diverse range, it could be the university education you want to help you leap towards academic excellence.

Thanks for reading and I hope that you will be able to find your dream university education at Simon Fraser University, be it on-campus or distance learning. Cheers!

Get your university degree online - degree reviews and university reviews

Friday, 23 October 2009

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate (UW-Stout!)




University of Wisconsin-Stout
School of Education
Online Professional Development 


E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html
  • Are you looking for an E-learning and Online Teaching Certificate program?
  • Is your institution rapidly developing online courses and programs?
  • Are you looking for a new career or a way to supplement your current salary?
  • Our courses benefit educators interested in effectively teaching online or blended courses. 
Spring registration is open. Sign up soon.

Courses are completely online; no travel to campus required.
8-Week Online Courses Recommended Course Sequence  
  • EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators two start date options:  February 8, 2010 or March 22, 2010
     
  • EDUC 762 Assessment in E-Learning Begins January 11, 2010
     
  • EDUC 763 Instructional Design for E-Learning  Begins February 1, 2010
     
  • EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning Begins January 25, 2010
     
  • EDUC 764 E-Learning Practicum  (Prerequisite: Completion of EDUC 760, 761, 762, 763 and Consent of Instructor)
     
For more information, visit http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html You may enroll in any single course for professional development or complete all four courses and the practicum to receive the Certificate in E-Learning and Online Teaching.

Courses can be used to fulfill requirements in the Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Career and Technical Education and Ed.S. in Career and Technical Education degree programs.
Benefits
  • Expert facilitation by veteran online educators
  • Small highly interactive classes
  • Professional quality projects for an e-portfolio to aid in job searches
  • Career mentoring and job placement assistance
  • Credits may also apply as electives in three different UW-Stout graduate degree programs
  • Highly competitive tuition (tuition is the same for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students)
The courses model best practices in e-learning with interactive discussions and hands-on experiences
  • creating and using blogs, wikis, and other social tools
  • integrating video and podcasts
  • adopting best practices for engaging class discussions and assignments
  • designing authentic assessment activities, quizzes and grading options 
  • building strong communication activities in your online class
  • motivating online students who are falling behind      
  • managing your online teaching workload
If you have any questions, please contact Dennis O'Connor, the program adviser, at (530) 318-1145 or email oconnord@uwstout.edu

REGISTER SOON  

Register online today to reserve a spot at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml

Mark university billing (do not include credit card info) and no tuition payment is due until mid January.

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Online Instructional Design Graduate Certificate from UW-Stout!







New! Instructional Design Certificate

Sign up now and begin January 19, 2010

The Instructional Design Professional Certificate is designed for professionals interested in switching careers, enhancing their career or developing focused competency in instructional design.

You might work as a member of an instructional design team or as a professional development coordinator, instructional designer for textbook or e-learning company, web developer, software consultant or designer, or in curriculum development in education, healthcare, museum, nonprofit organization or military settings.
  • Eight week intensive graduate-level online courses
  • Expert facilitation by veteran online educators
  • Small highly interactive classes
  • Professional quality projects for a job search e-portfolio
  • Career mentoring
  • Highly competitive tuition (same tuition for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students)
Need more information?  Click Here! 

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Notes from the front lines: The first week of class.




Getting Started: Week 1

The first week of an online class is so intense. Here are notes from the front lines that capture some of the realities of teaching online.

Teaching two intense online classes, E-Learning for Educators and Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits means I'm reading a lot of posts. (I've got the classes grouped so the volume of posts isn't burying the students.)

Social Icebreakers

It's the critical first week and the icebreakers have worked well. This is a discussion where every one in the class is talking together. With about 150+ posts in the icebreaker discussions of each class folks are staggering a bit trying to cope with the multiple threads of ideas and introductions. It's like walking through a crowded room where everyone is talking and sharing. I always like to start a class with a big social exchange. It give folks a chance to learn the software while they get to know each other without the pressure of an academic assignment. This is great!

An International Group

I think everyone gets a kick out of learning online with people from around the world. In addition to a large group from Wisconsin, we've got folks from New York, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, California, and Vermont. From overseas there are teachers connecting from Korea, Okinawa, Taiwan, Dubai, Germany, and England. I get a kick out of the geographical diversity of each class. (If I had the time I'd create a Google Earth tour of everyone's home...hmm with time enough...)

Ways to read a discussion thread in D2L



Over time I've learned to read these threads using some of the D2L message reading options. I like to check every box in a thread and then view it in printing format. This puts the entire thread up, one on top of the other, in message format. It's easy to read the entire exchange and scroll past the re quoted text. (Sometimes I wish folks would delete the quoted text, but I always leave it up to them to follow my model. I don't want it to be too complicated.)

Changing Subject Lines

When I respond I usually change the subject line. I'm trying to model this method early on so folks learn to capture the essence of the post in the subject area. Some do, some don't.

Mark as read

When I finish reading the posts in message view I scroll to the bottom of the group and click "Mark as read". I then close the window and return to the main discussion. A quirk of D2l is that you have to hit the refresh button on the navigation bar of the message system to get the posts to go from bold to plain (for read).

This helps me see my progress as I work through the posts.

Notes Become Grade Book Comments

I'll often write my responses into the grade comments area as I read the posts. I can put the notes in a field visible to participants, or in a private comment box. This way I capture my thinking about each post as I read and work a bit on my comments for the week. I can then paste them into the public discussion or save them for the private feedback for each learner.

Obsessed with feedback

I want to offer evaluation comments to all students at least once a week. Sometimes this becomes overwhelming and I have to lighten up. A really efficient voice conversion system would help. My right hand has carpal tunnel and a degraded thumb joint making typing a bit painful... but not enough to keep me from it. Still folks deserve timely and regular feedback, from their instructor and from their colleagues.

Good start

Both classes are rolling and packed with articulate interesting people. My job is to help them become a community so they can learn from each other. This is going to be fun!

Dennis/ SanMarcos

Friday, 11 September 2009

Last Call for the Fall!: Assessment in E-learning

Have you realized how powerful assessment is in the online learning environment? Assessment has the capability to drive interactions and engagement, as well as minimize plagiarism in the electronic classroom, strengthen higher-level learning and build e-portfolios. Learn what is needed to become an excellent online course designer while developing your electronic record keeping systems and methods for evaluating student learning, discussion postings and group projects. Become familiar with assessment tools that could make or break your online course.

EDUC 762 900C 3 graduate credits 
September 21 – November 14, 2009

Course Info     Registration

What the students are saying:

"My toolbox runneth over thanks to everyone here. I now have a whole arsenal of tools, a clearer vision of how to use them, and a brain full of ideas."
~ Susan Inak, 30 years in education; Middle School Science Teacher and Media Specialist.

"I feel more comfortable trying new things - actually pressing those buttons to see what else I can do with a tool. I enjoyed our discussions and felt support from everyone in the class. I truly felt like I learned a lot.  Everyone brought more to the material for me with their comments."
~ Melissa Anibas, Nursing Instructor

"My appreciation goes to Dr. Khalsa for the great course that she has created. This course has taught me some great assessment tools that can be used in my future online courses.  I have learned advantages and disadvantages of many of these tools."
~ Dora Szemborski, College Accounting Instructor  

Last Call for the Fall!: a Unique Online Graduate Course with Ann Bell

LAST CALL FOR THE FALL Enroll Now!

  •  EDUC 744-966F September 22 – December 4, 2009
  • 3 graduate credits
  • Online Course - No travel to campus required
Web 2.0 provides critical tools to meet the demand for easier and more efficient ways of teaching and learning. Investigate core concepts of how Web 2.0 is impacting learning environments. Explore how to improve instruction using new technologies such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, photo sharing, virtual offices, simulation and digital game-based learning and other emerging technologies. Create personalized and group online learning environments.
EDUC 744 966F 3 graduate credits September 22 – December 4, 2009
EDUC 744 966M 3 graduate credits January 25 – April 9, 2010
Course Info     Registration

“I have truly enjoyed this class, the discussions, readings and the new applications we have learned have stirred a real passion for teaching. I hope we will all bump into each other using these wonderful tools we have learned about. We can continue to collaborate on Web 2.0  I feel like I have a great new tool box. I have already started to use much of it…”
~ Bonnie Spies, Art and English/Reading Teacher, Connecticut

Accomplished writer and online educator, Ann Bell has written three books: Creating Digital Video in Your School; Handheld Computers in Schools and Media Centers, and Exploring Web 2.0:: Second Generation Interactive Tools - Blogs, Podcasts, Wikis, Networking, Virtual Words, And More. 

Attention Information Age Educators: Primary Sources A Great Online Class!

Teaching Information Literacy with Primary Sources 

Learn how to locate authentic digital primary sources in multiple formats to enhance your curriculum. Develop age appropriate learning activities that promote higher level questioning and critical thinking skills while adding excitement to student learning through engaging activities. The course is especially helpful for teachers of AP classes, teachers addressing state and national standards requiring the use of primary sources, and teachers working with National History Day activities. Materials from TPS Direct, the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources professional development program, will be incorporated in the class.
EDUC 744 951F  3 graduate credits September 21 – November 25, 2009

Course Info     Registration

Last Call!

This course is taught by noted Library Media Specialist:


Mary Alice Anderson

School of Education
Mary Alice Anderson, Instructor University of Wisconsin-Stout
140E Voc Rehab Bldg
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: (507) 452 1180 after 4:00 p.m. CST
E-Mail: andersonmary@uwstout.edu
Primary Sources, Where have you been? Why have I never used primary sources? I didn’t use them because I didn’t know where to find the resources.I never considered all of the possibilities.

Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Simmons College - universities review and online degrees review

Simmons College - university and degrees review

A brief look at the university – Simmons College

Simmons College is a highly respected university in America, a small place located in Boston. It has a cherished history for two core values - visionary thinking and social responsibility. Simmons College was founded in 1899 with a bequest by John Simmons to educate women for various professions so they could enjoy independent livelihoods with the education that they received.

Simmons College is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, which also includes Emmanuel College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Wheelock College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Simmons absorbed Garland Junior College in 1976.

The undergraduate program is single-sex, with 2,060 female students enrolled 2008-2009. The graduate schools (Library and Information Science, Social Work, Health Sciences, Management, and an Arts and Sciences program, which provide degrees in Education, Communications Management, Gender and Cultural Studies and Liberal Arts) are mostly co-educational. The exception to the co-educational graduate programs is the School of Management, which provides the world's first MBA designed for women. There are currently no known controversies, so this university might be a good place to consider.

Which university courses are offered here at Simmons College?

With regards to academic structure, the principal academic units of Simmons College are:

The Undergraduate College
College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
School of Health Sciences
School of Management
School of Social Work

An interesting point to note is that the college also has a library with more than 250,000 volumes.

For the undergraduate programs, Simmons's innovative undergraduate college for women offers more than 40 majors and programs. In addition to the established majors offered, the OPEN Program (Option for Personalize Educational Needs) allows students to custom design majors. With this program in place, students may choose from more than a dozen integrated undergraduate/graduate programs and accelerated degrees. Thus, with the convenience and variety of choices provided, it is no surprise that nearly 30% of Simmons students major in two subjects.

The list below shows the various majors and programs offered at Simmons College. It is by no means fully comprehensive, so do check with the university for more details!

African Studies
Art
Art & Music
Arts Administration
Biology
Biochemistry
Boston Semester
Chemistry
Chemistry-Management
Children's Literature
Cinema and Media Studies
Communications
Computer Science
East Asian Studies
Economics
Education
English as a Second Language
English
Environmental Science
Exercise Science
Finance
Financial Mathematics
French
Gender/Cultural Studies
Graphic Design
Health Informatics
History
Honors Program
Information Services
Information Technology
International Relations
Leadership & Women
Management
Marketing
Marketing Communications/Public Relations
Mathematics & Statistics
Modern Languages & Literatures
Music
Nursing
Nutrition
Pharmacy
Philosophy
Physical Therapy
Physics
Physics of Materials
Political Science
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Law
Psychobiology
Psychology
Public Health
Public Policy
Public Relations
Retail Management
Scientific Computation
Social Studies / Education
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics
Special Education
Women's and Gender Studies

In addition, you might be pleased to know that Simmons also offers a number of integrated undergraduate and graduate programs, and special academic programs:

Integrated B. A. English or other/M. A. Children’s Literature
Integrated five-year master’s degree programs are available
Integrated B. A./M. A. Gender and Cultural Studies
Integrated B. S. Nursing/M. S. N. Nursing
Integrated B. S. Nutrition/M. S. Nutrition
Integrated B. S. Chemistry/Doctorate Pharmacy
Integrated B. S. Physical Therapy/Doctorate P. T.
Integrated B. S. Chem, Math, or Comp. Sci./M. S. Library and Information Science

As for graduate matters, Simmons College has four graduate schools, as well as graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. Each school has its own admission office.

College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies

Archives Management
Children's Literature
Communications Management
Education
English
Gender/Cultural Studies
Spanish
Teaching (MAT) and Liberal Arts

School of Health Sciences

Health Care Administration
Nursing
Nutrition
Physical Therapy

Graduate School of Library & Information Science

Archives Management
Preservation Management
School Library Media Specialist
Competitive Intelligence
Doctor of Arts, Library and Information Science
Dual Degree Programs
GSLIS at Mount Holyoke College

School of Management

Business Administration (MBA)
Executive Education

School of Social Work
Social Work

Some of the degrees or certificates are not offered on physical campuses but online, and some of the online degrees of Simmons College are offered at the various physical campuses through e-learning, so do look out and more research is required.

Finance and other important matters here at Simmons College

All this information was gleaned from Wikipedia, college website, and other sources, so you can make an informed choice on education and possibilities:

Tuition fee varies based upon course selection, location and the number of courses studied each quarter. More than 90% of Simmons first-year students receive some form of financial aid.

Last but not least, there are graduate scholarships and assistantships; there are many academic merit awards available, from US$5,000 to full tuition awards, renewable for four years. Besides, students can apply for scholarships, loans, grants, and Federal Work-Study, which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student awarded to students by their respective departments and course programs.

Here are some notes regarding a few of the financial aid services available.

Federal Student Loans
Federal student loans are available to U.S. citizen or permanent residents, who are in good academic standing and enrolled at least half time. Federal loans are given through the university and serviced by a private loan service-provider.

To be eligible for Federal aid, all applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). More information on Federal Student Aid eligibility can be found on the university’s online website. Federal Aid includes Subsidized Stafford, Unsubsidized Stafford, Grad PLUS, Federal Perkins Loans, Health Professions Student Loan and the Federal Loan Consolidation. The federal loan aggregate limit for professional and graduate students has been recently increased to US$224,000.

Grants
Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded based on the level of enrolment (the number of credits being taken per term) and financial need as determined by federal formulae.

Private Loans
When other funding sources are exhausted, students often utilize private loans to meet the costs of their university education. Private loans are credit based, and cannot be certified for more than the financial aid budget.

Why you should study there and my own personal recommendations
“Here are some of the advantages Simmons College has to offer:

A small, accessible community that encourages collaboration and challenges students to do their best.

Faculties that focus on your educational objectives and career needs, while undertaking research and publishing books, but never at the expense of their primary obligation to teach.

An outstanding location in the heart of Boston, a world-class college town with unlimited educational, career, and social opportunities.

A vibrant alumni community that's 50,000 strong.”

The above is the university’s take on why you should join them!

Personally, I think that Simmons College’s established name in the field arts, sciences and health sciences, as well as the wide variety of choice for various undergraduate and graduate programs in the university appeals to me. If you are a female undergraduate looking for a single-sex admission program, look no further! Simmons College, with its array of choice courses to choose from, could be the dream university you are looking for! Simmons College is likely to help you make the most of the time, money, and energy you invest in your education and in your future.

Simmons College has top-rated faculty, prestigious alumni and an ideal Boston location. It offers its students a learning experience that is highly collaborative and much more personal, as compared to that in the larger universities. The university is also known to provide an engaging, supportive academic environment. Of course, the question is whether the course you want is offered at Simons College.

Overall, I would recommend this university as it is accredited, student-centred and vibrant. Hence this could be the university that you are looking for, with its range for an affordable and enjoyable tertiary education!
Discover yourself as you immerse in the vibrance within this small but well received university. Thanks for reading and cheers.

Get your university degree online -

online degrees, universities, degrees, programmes and courses review for your convenience and comparison

Friday, 28 August 2009

San Joaquin Valley College - universities review and online degrees review

San Joaquin Valley College - universities review and online degrees review

First and foremost, San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) is a private junior college with eight campuses located in southern, central and northern California. In addition, San Joaquin Valley College has one online campus.

A brief look at the university - San Joaquin Valley College

San Joaquin Valley College was founded in 1977 by Robert and Shirley Perry. SJVC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for community and junior colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, as well as the U.S. Department of Education. Since 1977, the College has prepared more than 20,000 graduates for professional success in their respective chosen careers.

SJVC has main campuses in Visalia, Bakersfield, Modesto, Rancho Cordova and Rancho Cucamonga, as well as an extension of the Visalia campus in Hanford. It also has an aviation campus in Fresno at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, and an SJVC online campus.

In addition to the wide variety of career training programs and the numerous locations throughout California, SJVC provides accelerated career-focused curriculum and instruction to its students. This enables you to complete your certificate or degree program in as short as 14 months! SJVC might be the college you’re looking for if you are interested to get a good and recognized degree fast! There are also currently no known problems and no known controversies surrounding this college.

As mentioned, San Joaquin Valley College has an online campus, where students have six different online programs to choose from. SJVC Online is providing the same quality instruction in a flexible online model. Like many of today’s prospective college students, you require curriculum built to meet your lifestyle needs, not those of the institution. And you would be pleased to know that San Joaquin Valley College is happy to provide a quality education that suits your needs.

SJVC’s online learning model is an innovative system offering an asynchronous or synchronous study system that allows you to study at your convenience—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—and participate in live classes, online. It is specially tailored to cater to students’ learning needs, and lifestyle and career requirements.

This may interest students who are keen on doing online or long-distance learning. For students who wish to find out more details, SJVC has also provided a comprehensive website full of information and materials.

Which courses are offered at San Joaquin Valley College

The main course offerings are in the fields of business, health science and technical skills. The college offers certificates, Associate of Science degrees, and education opportunities in the areas of Health, Business and Technology.

First let us examine their offerings in terms of distance courses and distance learning. This information was taken and compiled from several informational sites:

SJVC Online Campus Programs

Business
• A.S. Degree Completion
• Administrative Health Care Management
• Business Administration
• Construction Management
• Human Resource Administration

Medical
• Clinical Medical Assisting

In terms of course offerings, the physical college at San Joaquin offers, among other certificate and degree majors and/or concentrations:

SJVC Physical Campus Programs

Business
• A.S. Degree Completion
• Administrative Health Care Management
• Business Administration
• Construction Management
• Criminal Justice: Corrections
• Emergency Services and Safety Management
• Health Care Administration
• Health Care Insurance Specialist
• Human Resource Administration

Medical
• Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting
• Clinical Medical Assisting
• Dental Assisting
• Dental Hygiene
• Licensed Vocational Nursing
• LVN to RN A.S. Degree Program
• Pharmacy Technology
• Physician Assistant
• Registered Nursing
• Respiratory Therapy
• Surgical Technology
• Therapeutic Massage
• Veterinary Technology

Technical
• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Computer Support Technology
• Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• Industrial Technology

Basically I conclude that the physical college offers many more courses than those offered to distance learning. However, the choice is yours to make as to which campus you prefer.

Finance and other important matters at San Joaquin Valley College

Here at San Joaquin Valley College, they believe that education is a great investment in your future. Hence, there are a variety of financial programs to help offset and manage your costs of education at San Joaquin Valley College.

Some of the available financial aids and grants are:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal SEOG Grants
• State Cal Grants
• Scholarships
• Federal Work-Study Program
• Veteran Educational Benefits
• Direct Student Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Direct Parent Loans
• Institutional Payment Plans
• Private Lender Alternative Loans
• Federal Student Aid

More research can be done into this simply by visiting San Joaquin Valley College’s website or by meeting the experienced financial aid consultants for a free financial aid consultation.

Why you should study at San Joaquin Valley College and my own personal recommendations and personal opinions

”SJVC students benefit from:
• Convenient morning, afternoon and evening schedules
• Small classes and personal attention
• Short-term, career-focused programs
• Graduate job placement assistance
• Supportive, family-like atmosphere”

This is the college's take on the matter - why you should study with them. I cannot say that I disagree, because these are all true. San Joaquin Valley College is enthusiastic in helping their students achieve their dreams, and also equipping them with the skills necessary for rewarding careers. Hence, I believe that the students will benefit much from the training program and education, here at San Joaquin Valley College!

If you are looking for an online degree, there are many out there on offer and you can review many other universities and colleges using the right hand sidebar on my website. Surfing around should provide you with all the excellent materials here that you need. I compile and list various universities and online colleges and you can visit them here on my site for more important information, and I do hope that the information I provide can help you decide what online degree you are interested in and want to get.

If you wish to study at San Joaquin Valley College, I wish you all the best and furthermore, regardless of the type of program that you will be embarking on – business, medical or technical – do have a great time studying and working towards your dream career! Cheers and thanks for reading my review. Thank you very much for staying here with me!


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