The best thing about online school is definitely going to class when and where it’s convenient for you. You can complete your assignments and take exams from the comfort of your home in your pajamas if you like! This allows each student to learn at their own pace and in their own way. Gone are the days of sitting in a classroom, watching the instructor and listening to the girl in the back row pop her gum. Even better, you don’t have to park your car all the way across the parking lot and trudge through the rain to get to class!
2. Pay less tuition
Online schools don’t have campuses or football stadiums to maintain, which means tuition is often 50% less. And going to school online means you don’t have to pay for all the extras like transportation, textbooks, child care and lodging, which can really add up. Students can use their limited budget for what is most important and avoid going into debt!
3. More program choices
Choices in life are always important. With an online school, a student can choose from hundreds of different programs in popular career fields. Gone are the days of “we don’t offer that here”. If you want to become a teacher, you can do it online. If you want to learn business management, wedding planning or medical transcription you can do it online. A student isn’t stuck with whatever academic programs the local schools have to offer.
4. Graduate faster
The speed of education has always been limited by semester schedules, fixed class times and program availability. With online school, students can study at their own pace. If you’re smart, you can go faster, or if you need extra time you can study at a slower pace without worrying about being left behind or keeping up with your classmates.
5. Respected by employers
Online degrees are now accepted as readily as traditional diplomas and in some cases, they are even more highly valued. Graduates of an online school demonstrate that they are tech savvy, motivated and capable of working independently. High quality education is no longer restricted to those who can pay high tuition. Colleges and universities have realized the advantages they gain by providing affordable online education to students.
More and more students are discovering the advantages of online college. After all, who can beat a commute that’s as quick as the time it takes to turn on your computer? (And you don’t have to fill it up with $4 a gallon gas!) So how do you go about choosing the online school that’s right for you? Find one that offers exactly what you need and fits into your lifestyle. An online school will let you:
Study anywhere, anytime – on your schedule
Maintain your job and salary while pursuing your degree
Keep the flexibility you need to spend more time with your family
So, which online college is right for you?
According to the Student Advisors at Ashworth College, you should do your homework by researching schools and asking the following questions in these 3 important areas:
Affordability
Tuition and Fees – How do costs compare with other schools? (Either cost per program or cost per credit hour.) Are there extra student fees such as enrollment, application, registration, processing, withdrawal/transfer or lab fees
Textbooks and Course Material Costs – Are books included in your tuition? If not, find out the added cost.
Credit Transfer – How generous is the transfer credit policy? Do the school offer credit for work/life experience? Transferring credits means that you could be closer to completing your degree than you think, saving you plenty of time and money!
Financing – Do they offer special financing and/or low monthly payment plans? How much student debt will you have at graduation?
Programs
Accreditation – Are they nationally accredited? Watch out for “diploma mills!”
Career-focused – Do they offer online degree programs in the career field you want to pursue?
Credits – How many are required for a degree?
Transferability – Can your course credits be transferred to another school?
Graduate Success – Do you see success stories or satisfaction surveys indicating how alumni do after graduation?
Convenience
Flexible Scheduling – Can you study at your own pace or must you adhere to semesters with start and end dates? Is there 24/7 online access?
Study Help – Do they offer one-on-one guidance, tutoring and instructor assistance from enrollment to graduation?
Virtual Campus – Do they have their own social network? How do students connect with support staff, other students, instructors, tutors, career professionals and alumni?
Bottom line? Look for an online school that offers the best return on your investment. And not just afinancial investment. Remember, you’re also investing in your time, your lifestyle, your career, and your family’s future. So choose wisely.
I have been employed in the field of forensic science for over twenty-five years. When introduced to the field and opinion testimony, it was stressed to me during my training and subsequent contacts within the field that all scientists must not be biased while performing analyses or on the witness stand. As a forensic scientist, one is not working for the prosecution or the defense. His only obligation is to disclose the knowledge gained through his examinations.
During one of the last few episodes of one of the CSI programs this past season, the statement was made by one analyst to another “we will get him”. Even more appalling than this to me, I watched as a well known pathologist exited the courtroom after giving his testimony. He seemed to take more pleasure in front of the camera for the media than giving his opinion as to the findings in the case.
Analysts would like to be treated professionally by all parties. If one seeks the respect of individuals within his profession and those he testifies before, it goes a long way to treat them with the same respect you desire. This can be obtained by sharing your knowledge to both sides without any bias.
We constantly hear people say they want “job security and career advancement opportunities.” The good news is that you have taken the first step toward this lofty goal as you enrolled in the Ashworth College Small Business Management program designed for entrepreneurs. Starting and operating your own business is one way to take control of your future. Is it possible to become indispensable in today’s workplace? As you recognize your strengths, you will also build confidence, realizing that you have what it takes to market yourself and your new business; yes, you can become indispensable!
The term, indispensable means that which is necessary or essential. In other words, if you are to become indispensable, then you must become necessary or essential to the marketplace. As we consider what this means for you and your new business, let’s consider your strengths. Hopefully, your strengths include what I like to call, “The 9 E’s to BEcoming Indispensable:”
1. Enthusiasm
2. Effective communication skills
3. Ethical work habits
4. Effective employees
5. Effective problem solving and decision making skills
6. Endearing customer relationships
7. Energetic work habits
8. Education
9. Experience!
Let’s take a quick look at each of these important aspects which may catapult you to becoming indispensable. There is a reason why the word, “Enthusiasm” is first on the list. Enthusiasm is contagious! If you are enthusiastic about your abilities, your company, and your product, others will “catch” the excitement, too. Don’t you just love to be around someone who is excited about their work? It isn’t necessarily the words they use; instead, it is their non-verbal language which conveys the energy and enthusiasm they have.
Effective communication skills are vital to the success of an entrepreneur. Not only must you have a good command of the English language, you must effectively practice communication skills through writing and speech. I’ve written two helpful books which have been published by Pearson Publishers of Boston. “Going from Stress to Success,” published in 2007, is a public speaking textbook. “Basic Writing for Business: A Technical Approach,” published in 2008, is a textbook which details the basic skills of business writing. A combination of the two texts should help you to become proficient in writing and in speech. Other books are available on the market. If you feel you are deficient in your writing and speaking skills, take a course or purchase a book which will help you to develop your communication skills.
Job security is out there for people who exhibit ethical work habits. Think before you say or do anything. Make sure that your actions are consistent with business principles of moral conduct. Just remember that your work should be of the caliber that you would be proud to sign your name to it at the end of the day. Read the rest of this entry »
Ashworth College was honored to be joined by motivational speaker, U.S. Olympic team sports psychologist, and Ashworth College Sport Psychology for Peak Performance instructor, Dr. Nicole Detling Miller on our latest Habitat for Humanity Home Build.
In this video, Dr. Miller discusses her motivation for being part of such a great cause and why she’s so excited to be the Keynote Speaker at the 2010 Ashworth College Graduation Ceremony.
If you saw my online education chat a couple months ago, you remember a theme that kept coming up—the need to differentiate yourself in an increasingly competitive job market. You all are ahead of the game by taking the initiative to complete this Ashworth College pharmacy technician program, but what else can you do?
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, brought the topic of emergency preparedness to the forefront of everyone’s mind. The anthrax incidents that followed forced re-thinking of how the Strategic National Stockpile, then known as the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, should be deployed. These events plus Hurricanes’ Katrina and Rita served to spark sweeping changes in the way our nation prepares for disasters.
Perhaps you are wondering what you can do to increase your value during a time of emergency. If so, read on…
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was founded after President Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country.
MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources.
MRC volunteers can choose to support communities in need nationwide. When the southeast was battered by hurricanes in 2004, MRC volunteers in the affected areas and beyond helped communities by filling in at local hospitals, assisting their neighbors at local shelters, and providing first aid to those injured by the storms. During this 2-month period, more than 30 MRC units worked as part of the relief efforts, including those whose volunteers were called in from across the country to assist the American Red Cross (ARC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Find opportunities in your community by visiting the MRC web site.
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