8 Online Discussion Response Techniques

Online discussion is the heart of a community of practice oriented e-learning course. However, it can be difficult to know how to respond.

It's a good idea to think in terms of value added responses. What can you add to advance the discussion?
I like to post the following list at the top of discussion forums in my online courses. It's a good reminder and a handy reference!

Here are some suggestions to help guide you as you respond to each other in discussion forums.

Suggested Techniques for Response :

1. Expand on the topic.
2. Provide a teaching story that illustrates the main idea.
3. Offer a different perspective.
4. Provide an online resource relevant to the topic (include a hyperlink).
5. Offer a method you use in your classroom.
6. Provide a summary of the ideas posted so far (good when you come late to the conversation).
7. Ask a specific question (but avoid prompting yes or no answers).
8. Ask an open ended (on topic) question.

The netiquette of online discussion:

1. Focus on the prompt. Be sure to follow the directions in the prompt closely.
2. Respond to those who respond to you! This is essential!
3. Don't depend on "Me too" or "I agree" posts. Make your posts substantial
4. Work to respond with something that adds value to the discussion.
5. Post early in the week. You'll get more response and become more engaged in conversation.
6. Avoid doing all of your posting at the end of the week. You miss out on interaction.
7. Use direct quotations from the text. Include the Name of the text and page number. (Remember not everyone has the same text.)

I hope this helps!
~ Dennis 

Regent University - University and Online Degree Reviews

Regent University - University and Online Degree Reviews

A Brief Look at the University - Regent University

In this university and university degree evaluation, I take a quick look and examine Regent University and their degree programmes and courses. Regent University is rather different from most other universities evaluated here on this universities review site. It is a private, co-ed, interdenominational Christian university based in Virginia in the USA. Regent University offers various forms of degrees, from associate degrees to doctoral degrees, in various fields of study. Regent University is also accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and also by the Association of Theological Schools.

It would be nice to say that there are no known controversies for Regent University, however, that is not true. Regent University is not known to be a very good university, as reported by various organisations - the US News and World Report ranked the school of law as Tier 4, the lowest ranking within law school rankings categories. That is not all. Regent University has also low rates of passing in law where students find it difficult to pass the Virginia State Bar exam. Regent University's records in the field of law are very bad.

In addition, Regent University has also many other controversies, which may or may not be true, or which may or may not be damaging to its reputation. Some identify Regent University as a conversative right wing place.

Wikipedia also reports that Regent University had a counselling programme controversy in 2007, as well as a freedom of expression controversy, also in 2007. The standard of Regent University was also called into question when it was found out that students, despite getting poor grades, got accepted into the Bush administration because of their Christian credentials and not because of academic merit or academic ability. This was the major controvery since the other controversies surrounding Regent University. Yet, quite naturally, all these controversies do not necessarily mean that Regent University should not be your choice. There might be other measures to consider, or reputation might not be a major concern for you, depending on your reasons for studying. My usual caveat applies - more research is necessary before making a choice or a judgement.

Regent University possesses both physical campuses and also an online division, where it specialises in online learning in the form of a distance learning programme with online degrees. The physical campuses offer associate, professional, masters, doctoral and other certifications and degrees. The online learning department also offers such degrees.

Which university courses are offered here at Regent University?

The physical campuses offer associate, professional, masters, doctoral and other certifications and degrees. The online learning department also offers such degrees. Here is a complete listing directly taken from their site (2009), however, some of the courses are part distance learning, and part on site, whereas some of their courses are entirely online.

(The available online programs are listed below each school's name. Please visit the individual school websites for more information about each program.)

School of Undergraduate Studies
A.A. in Business
A.A. in Christian Studies
A.A. in General Studies
A.A. in Human Resource Management
A.A. in Marketing
A.A. in Psychology
B.S. in Business
B.A. in Communication
B.A. in English
B.A. in Government
B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Management
B.S. in Psychology
B.A. in Religious Studies

School of Communication & the Arts
M.A. in Communication
M.A. in Journalism
Ph.D. in Communication

School of Divinity
M.A. (English Bible)
M.A. in Practical Theology
M.Div. in Practical Theology

School of Education
Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Christian School Program
Cross-Categorical
Special Education
Education Leadership
Individualized Degree Plan
Student Affairs
TESOL
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)
Non-Degree Programs
TESOL Certificate CAGS in Education

School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship
M.A. in Organizational Leadership (18 concentrations)
M.A. in Strategic Foresight (MSF)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)
Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) in Leadership

Robertson School of Government
M.A. in Government
Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) in Government

School of Psychology & Counseling
M.A. in Human Services
Counseling Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision

Note: Some programmes require on-campus courses and/or residencies.

Finance and other important matters at Regent University

I let the website do the talking for me - here are some comments about finance and other important matters here at Regent University. Be sure to do more research if you are interested:

"Financial Aid is not applicable toward certificates or professional development courses."

"Tuition is the same for online and on campus students. Tuition is different for our early collage, certificate, and professional development students."

"Regent offers need based and merit based scholarships."

"Yes, you are eligible for financial aid if you are a part time student."

"Payments can be made in cash, by check, or with MasterCard, or Discover."

"The Central Financial Aid office endeavors to serve the Armed Forces as they serve our country."

Central Financial Aid:

Financial Resources
Grants and Scholarships
Endowed Scholarships
School-based Scholarships
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)
GRE Fee Waivers
State Education Agencies Pell Grant (Undergraduate Students Only)
Academic Competiveness Grant (Undergraduate Students Only)
TEACH Grant
Veteran's Benefits (Registrar's Office)
Privately Funded Scholarships
Private Scholarship
Engines Corporate Partnerships

Loans

There are so many versions of loans, and in fact, they are too many to mention. More research is probably required here.

Why you should study there and some personal comments and personal recommendations

Regent University provides a Christian environment, so if that is a major consideration for you, then Regent University might be a place that you can consider seriously. At the same time, Regent University provides the usual flexibility of learning at your own pace via online learning and has many available courses and degree programmes, from associates to doctoral degrees. However, the controversies might be something damaging to reputation and that might pose a slight problem. I think that it is more prudent to examine other universities that offer similar environments to Regent University first, then make a final comparison. In any case, I reserve my judgement on Regent University - I won't recommend it, but I honestly don't think that Regent University is that bad either.

There are many other universities for you to look at on the right hand sidebar, and you can make more comparisons between various universities and degree programmes. Do take a look and all the best for your search and your research! Thanks for reading. Thanks for reading and cheers!

Get your university degree online! - Welcome to my online site where I evaluate, review and examine online degrees, degree programmes and various universities so that you can make an informed choice or be pointed in various directions to explore universities further! Thanks for reading my various evaluations and cheers.

Rasmussen College - University Review and Online Degree Reviews

Rasmussen College - University Review and Online Degree Reviews

A Brief look at the university - Rasmussen College

Private Note: I have been busy with my university examinations and haven't been writing and blogging much, so I am really sorry! Anyways, having completed my examinations, and also having finished my research on global capital flows and the current financial crisis, I am back to write and review Rasmussen College here as a place to study and also as a place that offers online degrees. Thanks to all my loyal readers and also thanks to all my new readers who have supported my site and also my studies and reviews.

Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private for-profit college offering Bachelors and Associates degrees at multiple campuses in Minnesota,

including Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Lake Elmo, Mankato, Moorhead and St. Cloud;

three campuses in Illinois, including Rockford, Aurora and Romeoville;

two campuses in North Dakota, including Bismarck and Fargo;

three campuses in Florida, including Fort Myers, Ocala and Pasco County; one campus in Green Bay, Wisconsin;

and an Online Division, offering online degrees.

Rasmussen College was founded in 1900 by Walter Rasmussen. Rasmussen College offers on campus and online classes and awards Bachelor of Science (BS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Associate of Science (AS) degrees. Students may earn diplomas and certificates in a variety of career-focused areas as well. The school offers more than 60-programs and Masters level programs.

Which university courses are offered here at Rasmussen College?

Rasmussen College organizes programs into 8 departments with various degrees and certifications. These departments at Rasmussen College are:

The School of Allied Health
The School of Business
The School of Justice Studies
The School of Education
The School of Nursing
The School of Technology and Design

The various degrees offered are:

School of Allied Health
Bachelor's in Healthcare Management
Associate's in Exercise Science and Wellness
Associate's in Health Information Technician
Associate's in Massage Therapy
Associate's in Medical Lab Technician
Associate's in Medical Administration
Associate's in Medical Assisting
Associate's in Medical Transcriptionist
Associate's in Pharmacy Technician
Associate's in Surgical Technologist

Diploma in Massage Therapy
Diploma in Medical Assisting
Diploma in Medical Coding
Diploma in Medical Transcriptionist

School of Business
Bachelor's in Accounting
Bachelor's in Business Management
o Management
o Human Resources
o Information Technology
Bachelor's in Internet Marketing
Associate's in Accounting
o Banking
o Financial Accounting
o Financial Investigations
Associate's in Business Management
o Business Administration
o Call Center
o Child Development
o Human Resources
o Internet Marketing
o Marketing and Sales
Associates in Office Management
o Corporate Management
o Government
o Legal/Criminal Justice
o Medical
o Small Business Management
Diploma in Accounting
School of Justice Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
o Client Services/Corrections
o Criminal Offenders
o Homeland Security
o Investigation/Law Enforcement
Associate's in Criminal Justice
o Law Enforcement
o Corrections
o Homeland Security
o Crime Scene Investigation
Associate's in Paralegal
Paralegal Certificate
Professional Peace Officer Education Certificate
School of Education
Associate's in Early Childhood Education
Certificate in Child Care Specialist
School of Nursing
Associate's in Practical Nursing
Associate's in Registered Nursing
Diploma in Practical Nursing
School of Technology and Design
Bachelor's in Digital Design & Animation
Bachelor's in Game & Simulation Production
Associate's in Information Systems Management
o Computer Information Technology
o Database Administration
o IP Telephony
o Network Administration
o Network Security & Forensics
o Web Programming
Associate's in Multimedia Technologies
o Digital Design and Animation
o Web Design
IT Certifications (Offered through The Hub located in Eden Prairie, MN)
o Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)
o CompTIA A+
o CompTIA Network+
o CompTIA Security+
o Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
o Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator 2003 (MCSA)
o Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer 2003 (MSCE)

For online courses, correct as at 2009 and also according to the Rasmussen College website and other allied resources:

School of Allied Health online degrees
Bachelor's in Healthcare Management
Associate's in Health Information Technician
Associate's in Medical Administration
Associate's in Medical Office Management
Associate's in Medical Transcription

School of Business Management online degrees
Bachelor's in Accounting
Bachelor's in Business Administration
Management
Human Resources
Information Technology
Associate's in Accounting
Banking
Financial Accounting
Financial Investigations
Associate's in Business Management
Business Administration
Call Center
Child Development
Entrepreneurship
Human Resources
Internet Marketing
Marketing and Sales
Associate's in Office Management
Corporate Management
Medical

School of Education online degrees
Associate's in Child Development
Associate's in Early Childhood Education

School of Justice Studies online degrees
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Client Services/Corrections
Criminal Offenders
Homeland Security
Investigation/Law Enforcement
Associate's in Criminal Justice
Corrections
Crime Scene Evidence
Homeland Security
Law Enforcement
Associate's in Paralegal
Paralegal Certificate
Professional Peace Officer Education Certificate

School of Technology and Design online degrees
Associate's in Information Systems Management
Computer Information Technology
Database Administration
Web Programming
Associate's in Multimedia Technologies
Web Design

Some of the degrees are not offered on physical campuses but online, and some of the online degrees of Rasmussen College are not offered at the various physical campuses, so do look out and more research is required.

Finance and other important matters here at Rasmussen College

All these valuable information were gleaned from Wikipedia, the college website, and also other sources:

Tuition varies based upon course selection, location and the number of courses studied each quarter. On average, tuition will run approximately $405 a credit for Minnesota programmes and approximately $1200 a course for Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin and North Dakota programmes. Online pricing is comparable.

Financial Aid award years run from July 1 to June 30 of each year.

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

If you have a Bachelor’s Degree, you are no longer eligible to receive Pell grant funding. Maximum full-time Pell Grant for 2008-2009 award year is $4,731. Each campus awards SEOG, depending on the amount of funding that has been allocated to the institution for the award year.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
These loans do not accrue interest while you are attending school at least half-time.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
These loans accrue interest at a low rate while you are attending school at least half-time.

Federal PLUS loans
These loans are borrowed by a parent for his or her dependent son or daughter.

Some states offer additional funding in the form of grants, scholarships, or loans.

Various lenders offer alternative loan sources to cover costs of attendance that cannot be covered through federal programs. Each Rasmussen College campus has information on loan options available for your convenience.

Rasmussen College’s Military Service-member Discount
Rasmussen College’s Military Service-member Discount offers a 10% tuition discount to all United States Military Servicemembers and extends the 10% discount to the spouse, and dependents under age 21, of any service member on active duty as outlined above. These individuals must provide an actual or faxed copy of their dependent military ID card, which includes an expiration date. This represents an expansion from our original military tuition discount to include a Servicemember's spouse and/or children. Servicemembers may also have the ability to accept military-specific tuition assistance, including the MGI Bill and Federal Financial Aid, to help them pay for the remainder.

Why you should study there and my own personal recommendations

I think that Rasmussen College's advertising says it best for me:

"Online Bachelor's and Associate's Degrees
Learn at your convenience
Personalized Admissions Assistance
Stress-Free Financial Aid Process
Effortless Application Procedure
Free Virtual Tutoring
In-demand Programs
24/7 Student Support
Lifetime Career Placement"

That is their advertisement. The question is whether the course you want is offered at Rasmussen College of course. Overall, I would recommend this online university as the online degrees offered are well received and relevant and there are no known controversies. Overall, this could be the university that you are looking for, with its wide range of good and affordable products! More comparisons are available using the right hand sidebar.

Thanks for reading and cheers.

Get your university degree online!

Pitt Community College (PCC) - University Review and Online Degrees/ Distance learning Reviews

Pitt Community College (PCC) - University Review and Online Degrees/ Distance learning Reviews

A Brief Look at the University - Pitt Community College (PCC)

A bit of history here: Pitt Community College, commonly known as PCC was chartered and designated by the North Carolina State Board of Education as an industrial education centre in March, 1961. The college began its operation as Pitt Industrial Education Centre during the same year. The programs developed and expanded, and in 1964, the school was designated a technical institute by the State Board of Education. The name was changed in July, 1964, to Pitt Technical Institute, and it opened in its new facility, the Vernon E. White Building, in September, 1964, with nine curricula and 96 students. PCC first received school accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1969. In 1979, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted a bill that changed Pitt Technical Institute to Pitt Community College. The change brought about the addition of the two-year University Transfer programs. This information came from the university prospectus and also from Wikipedia sources.

PCC is a two-year accredited institution of higher education and technical training school, and is located approximately five miles south of Greenville, North Carolina, the county seat of Pitt County. The school is part of the North Carolina Community College System. The school has an enrolment of over 6,500 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate's Degrees. The College offers 200 online degree classes via the Internet, telecourses and community-based classes. As of 2003, 5,848 curriculum students and 4,234 continuing education students were enrolled. All the information is correct as at 2009.

Which university courses are offered here at Pitt Community College?

Associate degrees are offered, as has been already mentioned. But that is not all: apart from associate degree programs, there are also certificate programs, 22 diploma programs, and 18 University Transfer programs leading to bachelors' degrees at four-year institutions.

Academic programs are divided into five categories:

Arts and Sciences, Business, Construction and Industrial Technology, Health Sciences, and Legal Science and Public Services.

The specific degree programmes offered here at PCC are:

Arts & Sciences Division
Associate in General Education (AGE)
Biotechnology
Developmental Studies
English & Humanities
Math & Physics
Science
Social Sciences
University Transfer & Foreign Languages

Business Division
Administrative and Medical Office Technology
Business Administration
Information Systems Technology

Construction and Industrial Technology Division
Advertising & Graphic Design
Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology
Architectural Technology
Automotive Systems Technology
Building Construction Technology
Electrical/Electronics Technology
Electronics Engineering Technology
Industrial Management Technology
Industrial Systems Technology
Machining Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Masonry - Diploma
Welding Technology

Health Sciences Division
Associate Degree Nursing
Computerized Tomography & Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology
Echocardiography Diploma
Health Information Technology
Health Unit Coordinator
Medical Assisting
Medical Dosimetry
Medical Sonography
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Polysomnography
Positron Emission Tomography Diploma
Radiation Therapy Diploma
Radiography
Respiratory Therapy
Therapeutic Massage

Legal Science and Public Service Division
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Cosmetology
Criminal Justice
Early Childhood
Greenhouse
Human Services Technology
Paralegal


Mainly PCC deals with distance learning, and more information can be obtained from their main website. The concept here is online learning via the Internet, which is also considered as Online Degrees, so there is no fundamental difference between PCC and other universities offering online degrees. There are many things to study here and this may be a major advantage for your own consideration and personal choice.

Finance and other important matters here at Pitt Community College

For once, I let the university do the talking for me: here's the form that I found online:

SAMPLE INFORMATION (just for reference, information obtained from university), amended by me

NOTE: Prior to applying for financial aid, make sure you have applied for admissions to PCC.

Apply for a PIN. The PIN will serve as your electronic signature when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A signature page can be printed and mailed in lieu of the PIN, but the FAFSA will process quicker with a PIN.

Gather all paperwork needed to complete the FAFSA:
Driver’s license
Income tax returns & W2’s (parents also if dependent)
Benefit statement from previous year if receiving SSI, disability, child support, workman’s compensation, etc.
Investment records

Complete the FAFSA. List PCC (School Code = 004062) as the school you’d like to receive your results in Section 5 of the FAFSA.

Receive an email/letter from the U.S. Department of Education confirming that your FAFSA has been processed.

Receive a letter from the PCC Financial Aid Office requesting additional paperwork approximately one to two weeks after submitting your FAFSA. Paperwork requested varies by individual. It’s important to make sure we have your correct mailing address on file. Check with the Registrar’s Office if you’re unsure.

Submit all paperwork/copies requested of you to the PCC Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. You must also make sure you submit all official high school transcripts and official transcripts from any colleges/universities you’ve attended to the Registrar’s Office. Your award cannot be processed until ALL requested documentation including all transcripts has been received.

Allow approximately two weeks for your FA counselor to process your award once you’ve submitted all requested documentation.

Check the Status of your Aid – An award letter will be mailed to you, but you can also check the status of your aid by one of the following options:
Option 1 – Campus Cruiser Account -> PCC Services Tab -> FA Status by Term
Option 2 – Meet with your FA counselor during on-call hours

Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office at (252) 493-7339 or by visiting their office located in the Vernon White Building, Room 11.


I mean, as a researcher, I like it when they make my writing job on online degree offerings and financial aid offerings so simple. This is good information and I must also state that their site is very informative - and they know their stuff well.

Why you should study there and my own personal recommendations
The range of courses and offerings is one major draw and that might be very useful, and there are many possibilities. Another is that this university is quite famous and well known and hence will be very recognised in its areas. The resources are fairly OK and may be good for learning; there are no known controversies as at 2009. PCC is efficient, friendly and the people generally know their stuff well. Thus it can be seen that there are many factors in its favour that may make you consider this over some other university. Also, the usual arguments in favour of online degrees also hold here. I think that it is worth a consideration and may be very important for your future degree.

However, my usual disclaimer: more research is needed, and perhaps you might need to cross compare the subjects and the qualifications needed. All the best and thanks for reading.

Special thanks to other writers, Wikipedia and other university guides

Get your university degree online!

The Medical College of Georgia - University Review

The Medical College of Georgia - University Review

A Brief Look at the University - The Medical College of Georgia

First and foremost, I must apologise for this post - there is not much information available about the Medical College of Georgia online. Apart from their main website, which was unaccessible to me on many occasions (which suggests that they may need improvements in that area), Medical College of Georgia materials available freely online are few. As such, I will quickly give a brief overview of the university and cover a few of the standard main points about it, and then go on to the next university evaluation, which is normally much better and more worthy of consideration. I apologise for this post, and all information is from either peer reviewed sources or from Wikipedia, compiled from the main site from the Medical College of Georgia. Well, at least, unlike most other writers, I am honest and tell you when I think that the information is insufficient here! :) Besides, you can always read my more complete analyses of better universities which offer more information for me to work with, here on this site, using my useful right sidebar.

Without further ado:

The Medical College of Georgia is also known as MCG and is a public medical university located in Georgia, in the USA. MCG is the state's only health sciences and health industry university, and therefore is the local monopoly there, offering both online courses as well as physical campus courses, of course. The main bulk of the Medical College of Georgia's offerings are physical campus degrees and there seems to be only a few online courses available, so that might be a major consideration for students who intend to only get their degrees online. This means that the Medical College of Georgia is a good university but not good for online degrees.

The university is one of the best in terms of America's best hospitals and one of the better hospital/ healthcare/ occupational and physical therapy and research places. There are definitely many accolades for the physical campus degrees offered at the Medical College of Georgia, and there are no known issues and no known controversies surrounding the Medical College of Georgia. In 2004 and 2005, the Medical College of Georgia won many other awards, such as resuming education awards for human resource management and National Research Corp's 2005 Consumer Choice Awards - in other words, this is a great university.

Which University Courses are offered at the Medical College of Georgia

Every aspect of healthcare and medicine and medical studies is covered here at the Medical College of Georgia - every aspect is covered here indeed, from dentistry to nursing to medicine. In other words, the Medical College of Georgia is basically a comprehensive and complete medical school for both applied medicine, research and all other allied medical fields and allied related fields as well.

One might also note that the Medical College of Georgia is very good for research and branching out into several fields.

Finance and other important matters at the Medical College of Georgia

As I apologised for earlier, this information is not freely found online (correct as at early 2009), as I have checked the sites and all other related sites and found most sites useless or ineffectual in giving this information. I would say that the standard loans and standard US grants and such and such still apply, but unlike other analyses I cannot say that with certainty. More research has to be done in this field, and perhaps when I have completed with the other universities, I will write on this topic again. Sorry!

Why you should study there and my other personal opinions and recommendations

Clearly the Medical College of Georgia is an excellent medical school. Clearly the students there at the physical campus are clever and motivated students. Clearly one who lives near there and wishes to gain a first class education and a top degree should study there. Their academic track record suggests that.

However, for an online degree, the Medical College of Georgia does very badly - insufficient information for the researcher is provided (me, namely), and most of the information is not freely available. In addition, as I understand it, not all the degrees are offered. Some are offered only for physical campuses, and some are limited to online degrees, and some have to be applied to online.

More university reviews to come in future posts, and thanks for reading!

Get Your University Degree Online!

Welcome to the new year, 2009 - Welcome to Get Your University Degree Online!

Welcome to the new year, 2009 - Welcome to Get Your University Degree Online!

Welcome!

Welcome to my universities review site, where I write about universities, online degrees, degree programmes, and basically have a look at all sorts of educational institutions and educational degree programmes from all over the world, from physical campuses offering online degrees and physical normal degrees to online degrees from pure online colleges.


This year, in 2009, I intend to cover and review the following universities and online colleges and schools here on my universities review site:

Medical College of Georgia
Pitt Community College
Rasmussen College
Regent University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
San Joaquim Valley College
Simmons College
Simon Fraser University
St Petersburg College
Stetson University Virtual School
The Art Institute Online
Thomson Education Direct
Touro University International
University of Saint Mary
University of Southern Indiana
University of St Augustine
US Sports Academy
Utica College
Vincennes University
Westwood College

I will be using the same standards and the same formatting, as per last year, 2008. I will write a brief history of the school and its historical achievements and educational qualifications and accreditation. These are of course valuable information for potential students. Then I will write about the various degree programmes and the various subjects available. The subjects are usually very stable (as one doesn't really expect a medical college to suddenly start offering arts degrees and suddenly stopping their most famous medicine and pharmacy programmes). Then I will write about finances, which may be very important to some people who need a cost effective education, and not so important information for some other people who have more money. Finally come my personal opinions and personal recommendations, in my own way, and from what I have read and what I have gleaned in the process of my research. I have done a lot of research into several schools already and have painstakingly documented all my writing in various posts here on my site, on various universities. You can access various subjects and programmes by using the right hand sidebar here on my site, and you can always select via labels as well.

Do have a look around and you must always remember, you're welcome to Get Your University Degree Online! :)

Thanks and cheers; thanks for reading. More to come in future posts! Stay tuned.

Get Your University Degree Online welcome message for 2009

LeTourneau University - universities review and online degrees review

LeTourneau University - universities review and online degrees review

A Brief Look at the University - LeTourneau University

Welcome to my online degrees and online universities review site. Today I will be exploring LeTourneau University, which has physical campuses and also an online degree department and online degree website.

First and foremost, LeTourneau University is a private nondenominational Christian university located in Longview, Texas in the USA. According to Wikipedia and other sources, LeTourneau University has many university programmes and courses in the fields of engineering, aeronautical science, business and education. In addition to the normal undergraduate courses, there are also business and education programmes for working adults in educational centers in Texas, that is, distance learning programmes. LeTourneau University is apparently famous for its granting of masters and is ranked one of the best universities in the USA, and ranked one of the best in terms of the masters granting organisations.

LeTourneau University is accredited and there are no known controversies surrounding this university, and in addition, LeTourneau University has an online portal offering online degrees: MBAs, masters and bachelors degrees. LeTourneau University Online is the name of the portal where LeTourneau University offers degrees online to adult learners and online degree seekers.

(However, even though there are no known major controversies, some Christians may know that Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, was expelled from LeTourneau University in 1972 (Wikipedia, Dec 2008). More research may be done into this area if one is Christian and is interested in LeTourneau University because of the Christian environment or the Christian aspect.)

Overall, LeTourneau University comes across as a great place to study and is well received. Let us examine the online degrees offered at LeTourneau University Online in addition to the physical degrees offered at the physical campuses.

Which university courses are offered at LeTourneau University

Correct as at 2009, LeTourneau University offers the following online degree programmes and options:

Bachelors in business, bachelor in psychology, MBA in finance, MBA in HR Management, MBA in international business, MBA in marketing, Masters of Educational Leadership as well as PACT and TEACH.

What are PACT and TEACH?

PACT and TEACH are teacher certifications or educational certifications that allow teachers to teach in Texas. This education education will be really useful for those who are considering the field of education or teaching as their future career.

As for physical campus degrees, LeTourneau University offers these departments and their associated degree programmes at both bachelors and masters levels: engineering, aeronautical science, business and education.

LeTourneau University Online offers rather good online degrees and a specialised and very focused range of offerings in business, MBAs and education, so these might be key and important fields that you may be interested in while considering LeTourneau University.

Finance and other important matters at LeTourneau University

There are the usual loans and scholarships available at LeTourneau University and these might be good for you. More research should be done into this area, but here are the available information that LeTourneau University Online provides, and this information may prove valuable to you if you are considering studying there seriously or getting an online degree:

"Getting accepted to college is exciting!

Figuring out how to pay for it is not. That’s why our Financial Aid staff is dedicated to helping you afford a LeTourneau University education. More than 95% of our students receive some form of financial aid, and we try to provide financial assistance to students who otherwise would be unable to attend.
Forms of financial aid range from gift aid (scholarship and grants that don’t have to be repaid), student loans and work study programs to a combination of these. Don’t let the price tag keep you from a LeTourneau education — the only way to find out if you qualify for student aid is to apply.

Don’t forget to check out scholarship programs available through community organizations, corporations, and your church and school. You can check on the availability of such aid through your guidance counselor, church and parents’ employers.

Resources: Federal Government Resources

Funding Education Beyond High School - a guide for new students to federal financial assistance programs and how to apply for aid.

FAFSA Resources

LeTourneau University’s FAFSA code is 003584

Completing the FAFSA FAFSA on the Web - Apply for federal financial aid over the Internet. (To renew or update your information, you will also need to register for a personal identification number (PIN).) Title IV School Codes (LeTourneau is 003584)

- State agencies for higher education funding

- Looking for Student Aid - a guide to finding other financial aid sources.

Other Resources: On-line Loan Counseling 101 - Entrance counseling service for Stafford Loan recipients and helpful information on student loans."

As you can see there are many avenues and many possibilities!

Why you should study there and my other personal opinions and recommendations

LeTourneau University Online opens up with the grand: "So what does LeTourneau’s online degree program offer you?"

The site goes on to offer reasons to study at this university: "LeTourneau is an accredited university with both online and on-campus offerings. Accreditation at LeTourneau means your degree is deemed as valuable as a traditional degree is by most employers. Studies show that hiring managers, recruiters and corporations are realizing the worth of using an online program to fulfill your degree.

Our curricula for online distance learning are comparable to our onground courses. The main differences are delivery and pace. Online courses are available whenever and wherever you choose, to offer you flexibility to fit your schedule. The distance learning pace is faster than traditional coursework, which means you will achieve more in less time.

Finally, LeTourneau has a 60-year history of providing exceptional higher education, including our online education. In fact, we were recognized as second in the nation in online education by the Online Education Database (OEDb). When you’re ready to continue your education and advance your career, an online degree from LeTourneau is a great investment!"

However, I think that the most important advice, and I definitely recommend this advice, is:

"The Value of Online Education"

"It’s well-known that earning a college education can increase your lifetime earnings by as much as one million dollars. But for many people, the cost of a college degree is beyond their reach.

Online education can remove this obstacle. While online tuition can cost the same as traditional tuition, it doesn’t have the expense of room and board – which can add an additional $20,000 a year. The affordability of an online degree means that many more people can enjoy the benefits of a college education.

The reduced cost is attractive, of course, but you’re probably wondering, “What do employers think of an online degree? Do they consider it valuable?”

Yes they do. A recent study shows that nearly 80 percent of corporate managers rated an online/distance degree to be “as good as” a traditional degree. In fact, other research has suggested that in the areas of cognitive learning, an online education can even provide a superior learning experience.

An online degree is valued by employers, but how do you know you’re choosing a reputable university? Your first step is to choose a school that is accredited by organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Your next step is to confirm your university is not a diploma mill. Here are a few tips to spot a diploma mill:

Call or write the Better Business Bureau and the attorney general's office to verify the school is operating legally in a state and to see if anyone has filed a complaint.

Ask about the faculty: Who teaches the courses? What degrees do they have? What is their area of expertise? Does the school also have a brick-and-mortar campus? Degrees from schools with a physical campus typically receive the highest level of acceptance.

These are good guidelines to help you find the online university for you and make one of your wisest investments: your college education."

I have let LeTourneau University do all the talking for me - I strongly recommend LeTourneau University and I agree with what they have said! All the best for your online education, and do take good advice, cheers!

Get your university degree online! - online degrees and universities review site