The following five careers usually require short-term vocational study, but will teach you skills and on-the-job training to start a new career off on the right foot!

Legal Assistant

• As a legal assistant, you will research, analyze cases, and prepare reports to help lawyers and attorneys determine how to handle their cases. Many legal assistants earn their Certified Legal Assistant accreditation from the National Association of Legal Assistants. Employment of legal assistants is projected to grow 28 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of legal assistants were $46,120 in 2008, where the top 10 percent earned more than $73,450.

Dental Assistant/Dental Hygienist

• As a dental assistant, you will acquire skills needed to remove sutures, make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, take dental X-rays, and make temporary crowns. You will also teach your patients about proper dental hygiene. Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 36 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of dental assistants were $32,380 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,150.

Medical Assistant

• As a medical assistant you will collect lab specimens, administer medications, and record vital signs, among other things. Most medical assistants earn their Certified Medical Assistant credential through the American Association of Medical Assistants, or the Registered Medical Assistant credential through American Medical Technologists. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 34 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of medical assistants were $28,300 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $39,570.

Physical Therapist Assistant

• As a physical therapist, you will prevent and treat conditions that are associated with patients’ loss of mobility. You will teach your patients exercises for strength, coordination, and mobility, and also learn basic massaging techniques. Employment of physical therapy assistants is projected to grow 33 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants were $46,140 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,830.

Occupational Therapist Assistant

• As an occupational therapy assistant you will learn skills to help people achieve physical independence in all parts of life. You will work with patients to improve their reasoning abilities, basic motor functions, and compensate for any permanent loss of function. Employment of occupational therapist assistants is projected to grow 30 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of occupational therapist assistants were $48,230 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,160.

Find an online degree program to fit your interests today!

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition

In my first two weeks taking an online class at Kaplan University, I’ve already learned so much – not just about the subject matter, but about what it’s like to be an online student. I talk to folks about online degree programs on a daily basis, so I’ve heard many of the best practices and challenges to expect, but now that I’m actually in it, I wanted to share my thoughts on one particular part of being an online student: the online class discussion board.

This online class discussion board is no joke! The graded requirements for my class overall involve participation in a weekly hour-long seminar and chat session, a weekly project, and ongoing participation in our discussion forum.

The discussion board is not to be underestimated – I had a hard time understanding the requirements at first:

• I must log into the class discussion board at least 3 separate days throughout the week and post something each time. I’m getting into the routine of posting on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays.
• On one of those days, I must post my answer to the professor’s question about the material we’re learning. This involves much thought and analysis, and it often takes some time to compile a clear, meaningful response that might help other members of the class. You can’t just recite what the textbook says; for a full grade, you must apply it to your experiences to really show that you’re grasping the topic.
• I must respond to 2 of my classmates throughout the week for a complete grade. At first, my classmates would respond with a quick sentence congratulating each other on a well-thought out post, but in just 2 weeks, polite debates have already begun over some of the material, and questions are asked of each other, similar to a normal discussion that would be held in any brick-and-mortar classroom. The advantage to the discussion board is that you get to write and rewrite your answers before posting them.

Remembering to participate on 3 separate dates was challenging at first; I had to keep track of when I had logged in and posted something, and I can imagine it would be easy to forget this part and then scramble the last 3 days of the Unit week to fulfill the requirements.

For just this one class, I am spending at least 3-4 hours a week on the project and participation. I cannot imagine working full time and going back to school full time - my hat is off to those of you that can prioritize and make it work! The online class discussion board is quickly becoming my favorite part of the class. It certainly debunks the myth that online classes lack the social interaction found in traditional college environments.

Online degrees are becoming more popular, and losing their bad reputation. Celebrities have even signed online to earn degrees, showing that anyone, anywhere, can do so! And with their busy schedules, online degree programs offer the flexibility that celebrities need when trying to earn an education. Let’s take a look at some celebrities who earned their degrees from accredited online colleges:

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is a basketball legend. O’Neal started his education at Louisiana State University, but dropped out to play basketball professionally for the NBA. He returned to LSU later, and earned his bachelor’s degree in General Studies in 2000. In 2005, O’Neal returned to school - this time online – and earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff became famous for starring in the Disney Channel’s “Lizzie Maguire” at an early age. Since then she has recorded pop albums and started her own clothing line. In 2010, Duff was taking online classes in liberal arts, computer science, and management from Harvard University Extension School.

Didiayer Snyder

Didiayer Snyder is a designer on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Synder earned diplomas in interior decorating and carpentry from Ashworth College’s distance education program.

Lisa Leslie

Lisa Leslie is one of the greatest female basketball players. Leslie graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Later, she earned her MBA online from the University of Phoenix.

Sasha Cohen

Champion figure skater Sasha Cohen was studying nutrition through Penn State’s World Campus distance learning program in 2010.

Mary Peters

Former Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters earned a bachelor’s degree in management online from the University of Phoenix in the 1980s.

The Online Education Database and National Center for Education Statistics reported the top accredited online colleges of 2009. The schools were ranked on eight different metrics such as acceptance rate, graduation rate, financial aid, peer Web citations, retention rate, years accredited, scholarly citations, and student-faculty ratio.

Top Online Colleges of 2009

1. Nova Southeastern University
2. Regent University
3. Champlain College
4. Upper Iowa University
5. LeTourneau University
6. Liberty University
7. Grand Canyon University
8. Dickinson State University
9. Western Governors University
10. Salem International University
11. Keiser University
12. Fisher College
13. National University
14. Walden University
15. Tiffin University
16. Westwood College
17. Post University
18. ITT Technical Institute
19. Colorado Technical University
20. Everglades University
21. Everest University
22. Kaplan University
23. Capella University
24. Rasmussen College
25. Devry University
26. Berkeley College
27. Granite State College
28. University of Phoenix
29. Peirce College
30. Herzing College
31. South University
32. City University
33. Florida National College
34. York Technical College
35. Western International University
36. Darton College
37. Franklin University
38. Northcentral University
39. Ashford University
40. Baker College
41. Bellevue University
42. National American University
43. Jones International University
44. American InterContinental University

OnlineDegreeReviews.org also provides a list of what they consider to be the top 10 online colleges. Their list, however, is based on student generated reviews. Current and former students were asked to rate schools based on their opinion of the quality of materials, institution, value, teachers, support and technology. Schools with the highest ratings made the top of the list. While this is a much more subjective way of ranking the top online colleges, their list does allow for an interesting comparison between the two lists of schools.

Top Online Colleges as Ranked by Current and Former Students (2009)

1. Andrew Jackson University
2. Boise State University
3. Seton Hall University
4. Norwich University
5. Columbia Southern University
6. Henley-Putnam University
7. TUI University
8. University of Massachusetts (UMass Online)
9. Grand Canyon University
10. American Military University

Can’t find the school you are looking for? Fill out some basic information and let us help you find an online accredited school!

I came across CNN’s economy tracker, a chart that tracks the unemployment rate and budding employment opportunities in a variety of industries through the recession. It is no news to anyone that certain industries have been hit harder than others, but these fields aren’t dying necessarily. In fact, it’s industries in the red that need educated leaders to spur innovation. The question is, who will take on the challenge?

Check out CNN’s poignant illustration of the lack of growth in manufacturing:

Most states have seen more than 10% decline in the manufacturing industry. Is it worthwhile to pursue a degree in this field when job opportunities are lacking?

On the other hand, opportunities in education and health services are booming:

If you’re in the process of pursuing your degree, did the unemployment rate factor into the subject you decided to study? If you’re going back to school after being laid off, did you consider the growth of certain other industries so that you don’t fall into the same situation in the future? What if you’re not passionate about an industry that’s booming - do you still go for it? Let me know in the comments!

Online learning has its perks – the following six reasons explain why earning an online degree is favorable these days.

Personalized learning. Students are able to control their online learning in a way that they are not able to in a classroom setting. Students are in control of when and where they do their coursework, and they are able to set the pace of how they read, write, and process information.

Improved retention. With online learning, the combination of multimedia technology and instructional study provides a very rich learning experience for students. Since this information is available online, students are able to reference it at other times if needed.

Real-time access. E-learning allows students to access coursework whenever they want. This is something that is not possible with classroom learning, since you have to physically be present in order to hear what professors are discussing.

Encouraged sharing. With online learning, students have to share information in forums with peers. This adds value to everyone’s overall learning experience since students are actively engaging and participating, and numerous ideas and opinions are being thrown around.

Students have the freedom to fail. Many students are less confident and less likely to participate in a classroom atmosphere that is full of other people. With e-learning, students have the freedom to fail, as e-learning encourages students to explore and test their ideas. Students are able to participate in classroom discussions and ask questions freely in an online learning environment, and at the same time have the sense of being anonymous.

E-learning is better for the environment. Online learning uses more technology and less paper from actual books, handouts, and papers being printed. If you are online taking courses, then you are not commuting back and forth to school in a vehicle – therefore not using gas, and producing fewer emissions.

Check out the available online degree programs, and start your own e-learning curriculum today!

Peer 2 Peer University announced a second round of free and open online courses last week. They offer 14 online classes ranging from physics to transformational art. P2PU is run by the P2P2U council, a group of community members who volunteer to design and run specific courses. The community is made up of writers, teachers, designers, grad students, copywriters, and scientists, among others, who all want to learn from each other.

P2PU’s mission is to “leverage the power of the Internet and social software to enable communities of people to support learning for each other.” And since P2PU is NOT an accredited school, any feedback on coursework is given by other fellow students. After completing a course, an online certificate is given to the students. Students cannot receive formal credit for studying at P2PU.

This is an opportunity solely for people who want to learn for the sake of learning. P2PU is a good community for people to discuss and share knowledge on subjects with their peers. P2PU cannot however, provide students who have “graduated” a degree to display the training, skills, and material they have studied and worked towards. We imagine that most employers would not consider an online completion certificate from P2PU seriously, since the community is established by volunteers – some knowledgeable, and some not.

And while P2PU seems to be a great resource to take classes in a variety of different subjects, where is the accreditation and value of this learning? We are not saying that P2PU seems like a waste of time, but at the end of the day, credit is what matters for schools and employers. You need a degree that will actually put some leverage on your resume. If you are looking to expand your current job skills, need more training, or want to go back to school to learn a different trade, why not consider an accredited online degree program which can help you jumpstart your career?

Answer a few basic questions and let OnlineDegreeFinder help match you to an online degree program today!

A common assumption is that the higher degree you have, the better job and salary you can get. A case study done by Dēmos, a public policy research organization, shows that this is not necessarily the case when looking at certificate, associates and bachelor’s degrees.

Certificate programs and associates degrees are a large and growing segment of all post-secondary education, and in 2007 nearly 40 recent of undergraduate credentials awarded were this type. In 2008, nearly half of all undergraduates (47 percent) were enrolled in certificates or associate degree programs.

Completion of a one or two-year certificate program is often preferred over the failure to complete a four-year degree. Also, completion of a one year vocational certificate is often preferred to the non-completion of an associate’s degree.

Two barriers that usually get in the way of completing a degree are:

• Education costs, which force students to finance their education or work part-time or full-time while taking classes
• Lack of academic preparation in math and science coursework

The Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) at Georgetown University found that certain certificates deliver greater salaries than associates degrees, and that one and two-year degrees deliver greater salaries than four-year degrees. The CEW found that 31 percent of people with an associate’s degree earn more than someone with a bachelor’s degree. They also found that 43 percent of certificate holders are earning a median salary that is higher than that of an associate’s degree holder, and that 27 percent of certificate holders are earning a median annual salary that is higher than a bachelor’s degree holder.

The CEW also found that someone with an Engineering Vocational Certificate earns on average $46,596 annually. This is more that the average yearly earnings of someone with a bachelor’s degree in education, or an associate’s degree in business, computers, liberal arts, social science, or education.

Certificates are not an easy substitute for an associates or bachelor’s degree. In fact, they allow people access to job opportunities in incremental steps, as most certificate programs require on-the-job training. Certificate programs train individuals for specific occupations.

These days, the economy continues to struggle and people are having a hard time finding jobs regardless if they have earned a degree from a four-year school. More people are finding that earning a certificate or two-year degree requires less invested time and money, but can produce job and salary opportunities similar to associate and bachelor’s degree holders.

Check out available online degree programs and jumpstart your career today!

Source: Dēmos, “Gradated Success: Sustainable Economic Opportunity through One and Two Year Credentials” by Jennifer Wheary & Viany Orozco, http://www.demos.org/pubs/graduated_success_Final.pdf

The team at WalletPop recently went to work conducting some unofficial but wildly insightful research into just how widespread online diploma mill credentials are currently being used in the professional world.

By cross referencing the names of seven well-known unaccredited online diploma mills with individuals’ profiles on LinkedIn, they found:

• 23 people cite Almeda University on their credentials, including the managing director of a leading hotel
• Amstead University claims 12 graduates
• Belford University appears on 500 LinkedIn profiles
• 475 people claim degrees from Rochville University
• St. Regis University is named on 27 LinkedIn profiles
• Williamstown University was named on 27 profiles

According to the research, some of the people sporting these degrees hold highly-paid executive jobs in industries such as the military, government, pharmaceuticals and education. Education! How hypocritical is that!?

This has nothing to do with “getting caught” buying credentials from a diploma mill. Think about it - would you want your child, parent, or friend to be cared for by a doctor whose degree is not legitimate? Would you want to fly in an airplane that was inspected by an engineering who did not go through the proper schooling and training to ensure your safety?

Do yourself a favor and do your research. Did you know that many unaccredited institutions may claim accreditation by an agency that they completely made up? Visit the Department of Education’s database of accredited institutions. Each of the postsecondary educational institutions and programs contained within the database is, or was, accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a “reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education.”

Or, research the accreditation agency in question. Look through the list provided by the Department of Education to determine if your chosen college is recognized by the right kind of agencies.

For more information on diploma mills and accreditation, visit these related posts:

• A National Fight Against Diploma Mills
• Fake Degrees Online: Don’t Get Fooled
• Legitimate Accreditation is the Key to a Legitimate Online Degree
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Everywhere you look, companies and products are “going green”. The amount of green jobs is on the rise. More colleges are offering certificate programs, and two-year degrees for green jobs. Part of this increase is due to the recession, as many students can’t afford to attend four-year colleges. They want to earn their degree from a two-year school, which is faster and more affordable. These two-year schools are preparing individuals for practical professions, which are useful in our rapidly changing job market.

An article from Fortune Magazine from November 2009 projected that the amount of renewable-energy jobs could double during our lifetime, if there continues to be an expansion of environmental policies. In 2007, there were 9 million renewable energy jobs, and the 2030 projection is for 19.5 million jobs!

What is a Sustainability Major?

There are several areas of focus for a Sustainability, or Green Degree, including:

• Green MBA – concentrates on sustainability, the environment, and renewable energy
• Sustainable Entrepreneurship – concentrates on producing successful green businesses in our society
• Sustainable Living – concentrates on the principles of organic agriculture, renewable energy, and other fields within sustainable living
• Sustainability Management – focuses on people and organization skills needed for management green projects and operations

Since “going green” and taking care of the environment is starting to encompass all aspects of our society, earning a degree in engineering or environmental science will also help prepare you for a green or sustainability job. Scientists and engineers are focusing on many different issues concerning our environment including sustaining natural resources, improving air and water quality, and increasing energy efficiency.

If you care about the environment and want a job which allows you to further preserve it, check out our sustainability degree programs!