Online education

The answer lies with accredited online degrees from quality colleges, even though you want to take just one class at a time. Here are three tips you can use to choose a quality online education course:

Take a class from an accredited institution of higher learning. Heed a word from the wise: Take courses only from accredited colleges so your coursework will count toward a college degree program. Even if you have no plans to pursue a degree at this time, you may later change your mind. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to repeat a class because you’ve invested your time and energy into an unaccredited college class. The fastest and easiest way to check a college’s accreditation status is to do your homework by visiting the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Read online degree review sites. Sites like USA Today and GetEducated.com rate and review online colleges and degree programs. You wouldn’t buy a car without checking out Consumer Reports or getting feedback from family and friends, so don’t haphazardly choose an online class. As you conduct your research, you’ll find that the tuition varies dramatically, depending on which online college you choose. GetEducated.com is your best source for finding good college buys for your dollar, so don’t make a decision before checking it out.

Talk to current and former students. The best insight is often gained from those who have taken courses from your college of choice. If you know current or former students, interview them about their experiences. Make a list of questions:

• Is the technology easy to learn?
• Are the instructors readily available?
• Are there a variety of delivery methods used? (e.g. videos, discussion boards, interactive activities, etc.)

If you don’t know current or former students, call the admissions office at the college and ask them for student references. Speak with several students to get the best insight about their experiences.

Be wary of branding strategies that colleges use to get you to shell out more cash. If you simply want to take an accounting class to help your boss balance his books, there’s no reason to shell out hundreds of extra dollars. Bargain shop so you won’t be leaving money on the table. If you’re really smart, you’ll take classes that qualify for tuition reimbursement from your place of employment, thereby making your class an even better bargain in the long run.

Taking an online class can be a very rewarding experience, especially when you don’t have the pressure of obtaining a college degree in the back of your mind. Just be sure that you are getting the most bang for your tuition buck.

If you are the proud recipient of an

Here are five careers you may want to consider if working in entertainment is your goal for the future:

1. Marketing Coordinator. A marketing coordinator may work for the creative services department of a television network or publishing company, for example. A marketing coordinator must be able to work under tight deadlines. Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must-have in this industry, as you will be communicating with a large number of people on a daily basis. You may also be responsible for media buy research, keeping inventory for logs, digitizing media, and overseeing media process management.

2.   Music/Talent Coordinator. If you’re very organized with a keen eye for research and a creative problem solver, the job of music/talent coordinator may be a good fit for you. You may be responsible for finding celebrity talent for events like advertising campaigns as well as matching songs to the same campaigns. Your supervisory details may include, but not be limited to, music supervision, celebrity talent, and intellectual property clearance.

3.   Events Producer. If you’re a Type A personality and like a high-energy career that keeps you hopping, a career as an events producer may be up your alley. Events producers are responsible for managing every aspect of planning an event, finding sponsors, branding products, and managing production schedules, including obtaining any and all necessary permits. Events producers must prepare documents for all events, including but not limited to run-of-show, production schedules. In essence, the events producer is responsible for planning, managing, and scheduling the logistics of a show from beginning to end. A college degree in business or marketing is a must-have in order to run the show effectively and create a branding strategy that will convert sales.

4.   Celebrity Agent. A degree in business or marketing is essential to becoming a celebrity agent. If you have a business administration degree, even better. Celebrity agents do more than find work for their talent; they must also negotiate lucrative deals, which means experience in accounting and negotiations will make you highly marketable in your field. Celebrity agents typically need a business license in order to open shop and start negotiating deals.

5.   Television Producer. If you can think quickly and are willing to take full responsibility for a television show from inception to air time, work as a television producer may be in your future. A television producer plans what to air during the segments of a show, regardless of the format. A producer is also responsible for scenes, props, scripts, and any other aspect of producing a high-quality show. Therefore, producers must work long hours and think on their feet, bearing the responsibility of all the decisions they make and handling any problems that arise.

Who says MBA degrees lead to a career in a stuffy office on the fifth floor of an office building? Why not parlay your love of business and marketing into a lucrative and exciting career in entertainment.? Whether you want to work in television, movies, or with celebrities one-on-one, your college degree in business has a wide range of options outside of packing pencil protectors in your pockets and calculators in your briefcase.

Let’s check out some of the most popular career options, according to the website AllCriminalJusticeSchools.com.

Most Popular Local Law Enforcement Careers

Whether you prefer to work inside or outside, you can find a career that suits your preferences at the local level working in positions with the park police, county police, juvenile justice system, and Sheriff’s Department. These jobs can range from mounted park police that keep order in a city park to residential treatment workers that apply passive restraint to residents in crisis situations.

Most Popular State Law Enforcement Careers

The higher the degree you pursue, the more options that open for you. For instance, at the state level you may seek employment in state crime labs, narcotics bureaus, liquor control boards, or for the State Police, just to name a few. Many individuals choose to work in the court system as a paralegal or bailiff or may prefer to “get their hands dirty” in crime labs investigating crime scene evidence.

Most Popular Federal Law Enforcement Careers

Are you ready to solve crimes with the “big dogs?” Then you may prefer a career at the federal level. Here are some options you may consider, according to All Criminal Justice Schools:

• Department of Defense

• Department of Homeland Security

• Federal Bureau of Investigation

• Department of Transportation

• Federal Trade Commission

• Veterans Affairs

• Customs Agency

• Immigration and Naturalization Service

• Food and Drug Administration

• Office of the Inspector General

For many jobs at this level, you may be required to pass an extensive background check and security clearance. For individuals that earn advanced degrees, careers in supervision and management are lucrative options at the federal level. You might consider earning an advanced online criminal justice degree as you climb the career ladder to expand your opportunities as you gain experience.

Most Popular Private Sector Law Enforcement Careers

Jobs in the private sector can vary from work as a security officer to work in a private detective agency or even as a celebrity body guard. Insurance companies also employ criminal justice graduates to investigate cases of suspected fraud.

As you plan your career in criminal justice, consider the level of education you will need to pursue your goals. An Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice will give you a foot in the door while a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice will qualify you for more specialized jobs. Of course, if you’re serious about climbing the ladder of success, a graduate degree will lead you into a lucrative career that will open many doors for you from mid-career through retirement.

For a more comprehensive and personal description of criminal justice jobs, consider visiting an online degree forum or a forum dedicated specifically to careers in criminal justice, such as Criminal Justice Forum. Here, you can learn everything from criminal justice news to employment opportunities from people who work in the industry.

This infographic will show you just how bad America is doing in all aspects of higher learning, as well as comparisons with other countries. Each state has been given a report card so brace yourself and get ready for the teacher’s red pen!

[CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW]

Travel nursing

If you’ve earned your online nursing degree and are ready to chuck the computer and stretch your legs, consider applying for nursing jobs that will keep you on the move. The best part is that you can still pursue an online degree from any college you desire as you travel – with your job – from location to location.

If you’ve never considered a career in travel nursing, you most likely have a lot of questions about it. Here are some of the most common questions that prospective travel nurses ask.

What are the basic requirements to become a travel nurse?

First, you must graduate from an accredited nursing program in the United States. If you are an LPN, you may want to consider taking an online LPN to RN degree program while you’re jetting from place to place. Of course, you’ll have to provide proof of licensure and be legally able to work in the U.S. For some assignments, you may be required to get some experience in a traditional medical setting first, depending on the specialty area and requirements of the job.

How do I find nursing assignments?

There are a variety of companies available that can assign you to a traveling job. You can do an online search for “travel nurse companies” and easily find one in your region.

To get you started, here are ten of the most popular companies that provide travel assignments:

• Freedom Healthcare Staffing

• Nurses in Partnership, Inc.

• Premier Healthcare Professionals

• TaleMed

• Expedient Medstaff

• Healthcare Seeker

• IPI Travel

• PRCS

• Valley Healthcare Systems

• TG Healthcare

For a more comprehensive list, visit the Highway Hypodermics website.

Will I qualify for medical and dental benefits?

Absolutely! Travel nurses are in high demand, and companies provide the same benefits for travelers that other medical facilities provide. Be sure to check out all the benefits that each company offers before signing with a company.

Can I refuse an assignment?

The great thing about travel nursing is that you can pick and choose where you’re placed. You may turn down an assignment that is not compatible to your interests. If you wish, you can even do all of your traveling in your hometown. It’s your decision.

How much will I earn?

Industry standards dictate that you’ll earn approximately 15% more than nurses working in a traditional work environment. Of course, you’ll need to compare travel nurse companies to compare pay rates and benefits. Hint: California, Wisconsin, and Texas are considered the “hot spots” for travel nursing (states that pay the best salaries).

May I take my family with me?

Here’s the good news; you may absolutely take your family along with you. Typically, traveling nurses are housed in two-bedroom, two-bath condos or apartments close to their work assignments. Some travel nurses prefer to take assignments together – with a friend – so that they’ll have a companion in each new location.

Travel nursing is an exciting career for individuals who like to travel. For more information about this alternative medical career, visit the TravelNursing.com website.

If you’re considering

With so many programs available, choosing just one can be overwhelming. Consider one of these top online programs from some of the nation’s best colleges for online study:

American Public University Associate of Science in Computer Applications

American Public University specializes in online study. It’s A.S. in Computer Science is a popular choice for students who want to fast-track into a career in computer science.

According to the website, “[t]he Associate of Science in Computer Applications Program fills the need in the Information Technology marketplace for entry-level application development professionals and for foundational education in application development. This program focuses on the acquisition of the theory, principles, practices, methodologies, competencies, tools, and technologies associated with application development. This program produces academically sound entry-level application development professionals with the necessary foundation to be productive in the IT industry.”

Students are required to take only 21 courses to graduate. This is a viable option for students who desire a shorter path from college to career. Furthermore, graduates who later decide to pursue their bachelor’s degree may transfer their credits toward the first two years of an undergraduate degree program.

Drexel University Online Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technology

Drexel University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technology. According to the Drexel University website, “The Bachelor’s in Computing and Security Technology (CST) program focuses on educating professionals in a variety of corporate, government and non-profit organizations for critical roles in computer system administration and computing security.”

Students may choose one of two program concentrations: computing technology or computing security. Drexel University will accept up to 113 transfer credits toward this 185 quarter credit (equivalent to 124 semester credits) program. Another attractive advantage to Drexel’s program is that you may earn college credit if you have IT certifications, such as A+, Windows 2000, CCNA, etc. The disadvantage is that students are permitted to enroll on a part-time basis only.

University of Colorado Online Master of Science in Information Systems

The University of Colorado now offers an MS in Information Systems. According to the website, “This exciting new curriculum is based on national standards that were developed by a joint committee of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). In addition to the AIS and ACM committee, the new curriculum has also been strongly influenced by the IS community and has received the endorsement of eight major IS professional groups.”

The University of Colorado accepts up to nine transfer credits from other graduate programs. Students are required to choose from 12 core courses and will take an additional 24 credit hours from the following fields of specialization:

• The Enterprise Technology Management

• Business Intelligence

• Health Information Technology

• Web & Mobile Computing

• Geographic Information Systems Option

Graduate students are also permitted to choose two free electives in their program.

Get Started Online Today

Many online programs have rolling start dates, so you may be able to begin your online study sooner than you think. Regardless of whether you’re interested in a basic degree in computers and information technology or want to pursue advanced graduate study, there are plenty of options available to you – beginning with the three listed above.

Below is a list of pros and cons of attending online university:

PROS

The Internet brings the college to you. One of the greatest rewards that come with attending online university is that you can attend – virtually – any college in the world that is offering online degree programs of study. You won’t have to disrupt your life to move across the state or cross country. You can simply log in and complete your coursework.

Flexible scheduling allows you to work or care for your family. Many working adults and busy parents opt for online college because they can schedule their homework and study time around their hectic lives. Online college faculty are aware that many of their students lead busy lives and, oftentimes, are compassionate when a problem arises that interferes with your coursework. (Don’t take that as a “given,” though. You’ll still be expected to meet deadlines unless there are extenuating circumstances.)

You’ll save money. Because you won’t have the added expense of gasoline, room and board, or parking to pay for, you’ll save literally thousands of dollars by taking classes online, as long as you choose a college or university that is publicly funded and not private.

CONS

If you’re not familiar with computers, it’s not a good idea. One of the biggest mistakes students make is to take an online class without being computer savvy. If you’re intimidated by a computer keyboard and don’t know a jump drive from a DVD, then you’ll want to become comfortable with a computer before attempting to use one to take a class. In college, you’re expected to hit the ground running, so you’ll need – at least – a basic working knowledge of computers and the Internet to get started.

You may never meet your professor face-to-face. Because there is no face-to-face interaction in most cases, your online college professors are merely Camtasia video personalities or words typed on a screen. If you live in town, visit the college campus and meet your professor; getting a clue into his or her personality will prevent misunderstandings in the future. If you don’t live near the campus, call your professor and introduce yourself. A little human interaction goes a long way.

You may, at times, feel isolated. If you’re doing your homework at 3:00 a.m. – because that’s the only time you have free – getting answers to your questions may have to wait. Taking online courses means that you have to be willing to give up the live human interaction and work independently at times, which also means waiting for answers to your most-pressing questions.

The decision to take online courses in lieu of traditional classes is not one to be taken lightly. Do your homework before you register as an online student to see if taking courses via an online university is right for you.

Courses are offered online and through teleconference. Interactive videos are also used to supplement course content. A breakdown of each program is as follows:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

According to the MSU website, “The focus of the family nurse practitioner option is to prepare advanced practice nurses who will manage the primary health care of families across the lifespan. Elements of the practitioner role blend with the unique features of rurality, rural nursing, and rural health care systems. Socialization to the advanced practice role emphasizes the development of a strong nursing identity and prepares the student for interdisciplinary collaboration.”

Students who pursue this option may choose from a 2-year program of study or a 4-year program of study.

Clinical Nurse Leader

The Clinical Nurse Practitioner program is offered for 1½ and 2½-year program of study options. Graduates will provide a generalist role in clinical leadership but will not qualify to practice as a family nurse practitioner. Graduates of the program are eligible for the CNL certification.

Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This program of study, offered as a 2-year program of study as well as a 3-year program of study, “uses distance learning methodologies and linkages with mental health providers across the state of Montana to: (1) make advanced psychiatric and mental health nursing education accessible to nurses throughout rural Montana; (2) contribute to improved healthcare outcomes for underserved populations by active recruitment of graduate students from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds; and, (3) help Montanans and others in sparsely populated areas of the region gain access to high-quality, psychiatric and mental health care.” This program is ideal for individuals who are interested in advancing their careers in psychiatric nursing.

Non-Degree Certificate Programs

You can also attend online university at MSU to pursue a Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate and a Certificate in Nursing Education. The Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate consists of 36 semester hours of study while the Certificate in Nursing Education requires four theory courses in preparation for a career in nursing education.

How to Apply

There’s no better time than the present to take advantage of the online opportunities available at Montana State University. With the current nursing shortage – and the anticipated need for even more healthcare providers in the future – earning an advanced degree or certificate in nursing can put you head and shoulders above the rest when applying for jobs.

Interested individuals may apply by visiting the MSU online website. Nurses who want to advance their level of education but don’t have the time or resources to attend classes at a state university may find that pursuing coursework online at Montana State University is a viable option.

Diploma mills, also known as degree mills, offer individuals the opportunity to “earn” a degree by validating their work experience. Unfortunately, many individuals are led to believe that they can get a bachelors degree in criminal justice based solely on their life experiences, such as working in a career in law enforcement. Not true.

To Earn an Online Criminal Justice Degree, You’ll Have to Work for It.

Degree mills earn their money by preying on the desperation of individuals. For example, DiplomaXpress is upfront about the fact that they sell fake degrees. (After all, they can’t control what you do with it after the sale, now can they?) They are currently holding a “graduation sale” with markdowns of 20%-28% off their products.

Want a fake diploma? They’ll sell you a discounted one for only $119. How about a fake transcript package for any level of degree you want, up to and including a Ph.D.? You can get three copies for only $149. For a fake diploma and transcript package, you’ll pay a cool $227. You can even order multiple degree packages if you’re an overachiever (or, at least, want to look like one). They’ll even verify your degree for another $99.99. Quite a bargain, right? Wrong.

Just this year, Mark Isom, a police chief from Fruitland Park, Florida admitted that his Youngsfield University degrees – both bachelor’s and master’s degrees – could be fake. Could be? Youngsfield University is not accredited; in fact, it is a known degree mill. The outrage resulted from the fact that he was paid $70,000 a year, a salary made possible due to his advanced “college education.”

Isom, a 20-year veteran of the police force, has agreed to pay back the extra money he earned. Isom’s case is not an isolated one. The temptation to earn a fake criminal justice degree has tempted others to buy credentials, many of which have been caught and suspended – or fired – from their jobs.

Earn a Criminal Justice Degree Online From an Accredited College.

If you want to get an online degree in criminal justice, there are legitimate ways to do so. First, check out your local community college or university to see if they offer criminal justice degrees online. Online degree programs are an integral part of country’s college system these days, bringing in hundreds of thousands of extra dollars to institutions of higher learning.

If you’re ready to pursue a career in criminal justice – one that promises to serve, to protect, and to uphold the law – make sure that you walk your talk by avoiding degree mills – and scandal – and earning a college degree in criminal justice from an accredited institution of higher learning.