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Occupational Outlook

To be sure, getting career training in the form of a degree can be a very smart choice. However, not only should your degree be in a field in which you have a keen interest, but also it should be a high growth industry that has many opportunities for you to get your dream job. Well, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has done all the hard work for you. They have conducted studies that answer these questions about every conceivable field:

  • the training and education needed
  • earnings
  • expected job prospects
  • what workers do on the job working conditions

Follow this link to get free industry reports on your career of choice, whether it be as a policeman, a nurse, a lawyer, or an entrepreneur.

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Distance Learningnewsletter

Distance learning has been accessible to adult learners for decades, and has grown in popularity and acceptance.  However, not all online schools and online degrees are created equal.  Consistent with the tenets for our website, our mission is to provide you the unbiased information you need to decide whether learning via an online education is the right path for you.

Our team of distance education experts has done all the research for you.  In this section of our website, you can find answers to every pertinent question you have about pursuing your education as an adult learner.  We've created articles on everything from the importance of accreditation, how to avoid diploma mills, what to look for in an online school, college, university, degree, program, or course, and whether you have the personality type to succeed in online learning, among others.

Online MBA Degree

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Why online MBA Programs are worthwhilebusinessman

A Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most popular graduate degrees, but what is exactly is an MBA? Why is it useful? The following are some reasons to attain an online MBA.

Develop and Sharpen Skills
An MBA teaches students how to analyze and look at problem/situation by using the skills and tools taught at the school such as cost analysis. Some typical classes cover the fields of economics, finance, management, accounting, and marketing. Other skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication are developed. All of these skills are applicable to almost all jobs. It comes as no surprise that people apply their MBAs to many fields from medicine to nonprofits to investment banking.

Network with other professionals
Undoubtedly, networking is integral when it comes to landing a better job or even achieving your dream. For example, a person who wants to open a nonprofit needs someone to fund the project. A MBA gives you access to the university’s alumni, connections, community, etc. Schools even attract recruiters who speak specifically to MBA students.

Change your career path.
One of the most popular reasons people get a MBA is to change the direction in their careers. Because MBAs teach valuable skills and provide students with invaluable connections, it is a perfect degree for switching careers. MBAs gain access to internships in an array of disciplines.

Increase your salary
According to GMAC's Global Management Education Graduate Survey for 2009, salaries of MBA program graduates increased by an average of 66%.

 

How to Avoid Diploma Mills

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According to Webster’s dictionary, a diploma mill is defined as an, “institution of higher education operating without supervision of a state or professional agency and granting diplomas which are either fraudulent or because of the lack of proper standards worthless”. This 10 step article will help you when choosing an online school.

The following are a few tips on avoiding diploma mills:

  1. Be wary of schools that advertise earning an online degree in less time than at accredited institutions. For example, a school advertising that students can earn a bachelors degree in mere months is suspect.
  2. Diploma mills offer credit for life experiences; note that offering credit for intern or a co-op is valid.
  3. The school has no accreditation or has bogus accreditation. Check an online university’s accreditation in the directory. You can also look up accreditation agencies on the U.S. Department of Education’s or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s websites. Only the agencies listed on these sites are considered valid.
  4. Tuition is paid based on degree. For instance, a flat price is offered for a B.S. Legitimate universities will charge per credit hour, semester, or class.
  5. The address of the school is P.O. box number or a suite.
  6. The name of the school sounds similar to existing institutions.
  7. Little or no work is required to earn a degree. Look at the requirements for graduation; if earning a degree seems too easy, the school is most likely a diploma mill.
  8. There is almost no or very little interaction with professors.
  9. Does the school not provide a list of its faculty?
  10. Look for extremes in price. Is the price for the school significantly higher than normal? Are the fees noticeably lower than other schools?
 

Accreditation - Governing Bodies

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Online Education-The importance of Accreditation

Accreditation is important as it legitimizes a degree, especially an online degree. Many diploma mills claim to be accredited by fake accreditation agencies or accreditation mills. Much like diploma mills, accreditation mills make it very easy for a university to earn accreditation as the school simply has to pay a fee. The rigor of the curriculum and the professors are not evaluated. Thus, the accreditation granted from an accreditation mill is completely useless.

The only legitimate regional accreditation agencies are:

  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Northwestern Association of Accredited Schools
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

The only legitimate national accreditation agencies are:

  • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
  • Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
  • Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
  • Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
  • Distance Education and Training Council
  • The Association for Biblical Higher Education
  • Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools
  • Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
  • Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

In addition, there are accreditation agencies based on field such as business. A school should still have national or regional accreditation in addition to professional accreditation.

 
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