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!

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