If you are looking to earn your degree and enter the workforce quickly, you have likely been looking at various accelerated degree programs online. These programs allow you to finish your coursework in a fraction of the time as a traditional program. There are many different types of programs available.

Accelerated Degree Programs Online

Accelerated degree programs are available in all different levels of degrees, from certificates to doctoral level degrees. The requirements for entry into these programs will vary by university and the level of the degree.

Walden University – Accelerated 8-week Online Classes

Walden University is regionally accredited, the highest level of accreditation possible.

Accelerated degree programs: Walden University offers 8-week online classes. Since traditional semesters are usually 16 weeks long, you can see the benefit of enrolling in an 8-week class: you earn your college credits MUCH faster.

Walden University offers accredited online Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees online.

Over 50 online degrees in over 200 areas of concentration are available in fields such as:

• Business / Accounting / Finance (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)
• Management / Leadership (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)
• Political Science (Bachelor’s)
• Health Studies / Health Care Management (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)
• Psychology / Forensic Psychology / Clinical Psychology (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)
• Communications (Bachelor’s)
• Child Development / Child Studies (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)
• Computer Information Systems / Information Technology (Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Criminal Justice / Homeland Security / Public Policy (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)
• Education / Teaching (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)

Read more or get a program guide from Walden University.

Kaplan University – Accelerated 10-Week Online Classes

Kaplan University is regionally accredited, the highest level of accreditation possible.

Accelerated degree programs: Kaplan University offers accredited 10-week online classes.

Kaplan University offers nearly 190 online programs. Obviously, we can’t include all of these programs here, but we will give you a general idea:Online Degree Programs (this list is not exhaustive, see complete list here: Kaplan University)

• Accounting / Forensic Accounting (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Business Administration / Finance / All Related Concentrations (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Criminal Justice – numerous concentrations available (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Fire Science (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Information Technology (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Medical Assisting (Associate’s) / Medical Office Mgmt. (Associate’s) / Medical Transcription (Associate’s)
• Paralegal Studies (Associate’s, Bachelor’s) / Legal Studies (Bachelor’s) / PreLaw (Bachelor’s)
• Psychology / Forensic Psychology (Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Public Administration (Bachelor’s, Master’s)
• Health Club Operations / Travel Counseling / Event Planning (Associate’s)
• Environmental Policy and Management (Bachelor’s)
• Health and Wellness (Bachelor’s) / Health Science (Bachelor’s) / Healthcare Administration (Bachelor’s)
• Nutrition Science (Bachelor’s)
• Political Science (Bachelor’s)
• Public Health (Bachelor’s)
• Education / Teaching
• MBA (7 concentrations)
• MPA (multiple concentrations)
• RN to BS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing

Certificate Programs (this list is not exhaustive, see complete list here: Kaplan University)

• Medical Coding Certificate
• Dental Office Management
• Microsoft Certifications (multiple concentrations)
• MCITP Windows Server 2008 Administrator
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional
• Cisco Certifications (multiple concentrations)
• CompTIA (multiple concentrations)
• Environmental Sustainability Certificate
• Forensic Nursing / Forensic Nursing – Accelerated
• Geriatric Care Management
• Graduate Certificate in Education (multiple available)
• Legal Nurse Consulting / Legal Secretary Certificate

Read more or get a program guide from Kaplan University.

One commonality between all universities is that the classes are accelerated due to the length of a semester. Typically online schools do not follow a traditional academic calendar. Rather than the regular 16 week semesters, online courses are usually just 6-8 weeks long. This allows for students to take more courses each year and thus, finish their degree faster. Many of these programs take just half the time of their traditional counterpart!

What are some of the benefits of an accelerated degree program? The most obvious of all the benefits is the time savings involved. Earning your degree at an accelerated pace will put you in the workforce ahead of your peers in many cases. There are also cost savings because you will not be paying tuition fees for a full four years.

If you want to earn your degree in the least amount of time possible, you may want to consider enrolling in an accelerated program. Regardless of your degree level, you can earn it in a fraction of the time it would normally take.

Searching for online degrees from accredited colleges?

Attending a school that is regionally or nationally accredited is vital to ensuring that the education you receive is worth your money as well as your time.

Unfortunately, online education has become a breeding ground for diploma mills, fake schools, and fraudulent degrees. Diploma mills will go out of their way to create fake accrediting institutions to back-up their claims so they can offer you so-called “diplomas” at a fraction of the price that it costs to attend a real school (and without ever attending class).

While that may sound like the most cost-effective way of earning your degree, you will find that your degree will be worthless in the eyes of potential employers.

Accredited Universities offering accelerated classes

• Walden University – 8 week online classes
• Liberty University – 8 week online classes
• Ashford University – 8 week online classes

Accredited Colleges vs. Diploma Mills

Unlike diploma mills which promise the world and offer you nothing, online degrees from accredited colleges can help you qualify for a promotion, get a raise, and even attend graduate school at an accredited university.

Just because you can’t see your classmates in person, doesn’t mean that you are not receiving a proper education and that you are being “ripped off”. On the contrary, online degrees from accredited colleges do exist, and there are a number of them available to students all over the world from prestigious public and private schools!

How to Determine if an Online Degree is Accredited

There are a few ways to determine proper accreditation. In the United States, proper accrediting institutions are determined by the United States Government and the Department of Education.

The easiest way to discover properly accredited schools is by consulting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

They have an online database of all legitimately accredited institutions and a list of those who do not meet accrediting status.

This database also includes online degrees from accredited universities. The CHEA is a non-governmental organization committed to the quality assurance of higher education institutions.

There are two ways a school can be accredited: Regionally and Nationally. Regional accreditation is given to schools by region, regardless of the degree programs they offer.

There are six Regional Accrediting Institutions:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

There are also 52 recognized national accreditors that provide accreditation to schools regardless of location, but based on degree programs offered. The most recognized national accreditors include:

• Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
• Council on Occupational Education (COE)

Ready to find an online degree from an accredited university?

Compare top schools offering accredited degree programs and classes now.

Searching for Online History Degree Programs?

Did you know that there are a number of online history programs available to prospective college students?

As a student of history, you are able to study a number of different topics and you can specialize in a certain type of history. Online history programs are available in all degree levels, and can help you go from just a history enthusiast to a history expert!

Online History Degree Programs

Students of all degree levels have found a great success in e-learning, or distance learning via the internet. These online history programs are earned through your home computer (with a working internet connection). Because of this, your online history degree will be earned at a time and location that works for you.

So, if Wednesday nights at 8:00 and Saturday mornings at 9:00 seem to be the best times for you to complete your coursework, rest assured that your coursework will be waiting for you each time you log into the school’s online portal.

While the online history programs seem to hold a lot of freedom in where and when you can access the coursework, keep in mind that each degree program and each course does have its own deadlines and you will have to complete assignments and take exams within a certain time period.

Colleges offering Online History Programs

There are only a couple of universities currently offering online degrees in history.

Here is a summary of each university:

Ashford University – Bachelor of Arts in History

Your degree will demonstrate your comprehension of the evolving forces that continually shape modern life. Your history courses will explore multiple regions and cultures, and conclude with a research-focused capstone course. As a future lawyer, educator, public servant, or other professional, you will find that history makes a great undergraduate subject to prepare for an advanced degree.

You may also choose to delve into other areas of history when you add a specialization to your degree program. Ashford University does not currently accept student in Arkansas, Kentucky, Minnesota or Mississippi.

Read more or get a program guide from Ashford University.

Arizona State University – Bachelor of Arts in History

Fully online, the Bachelor of Arts in History program is a vibrant, interdisciplinary degree program designed to give you a deep understanding of the development of human society and the political, social, economic, and cultural dynamics that influence today’s complex world. The BA in History program is also a transfer-friendly program that is ideal for students looking to complete their degree, or for those with family and career responsibilities.

Read more or get a program guide from Arizona State University.

Norwich University – Master of Arts in Military History

The Norwich University Master of Arts in Military History program is designed to provide you with a base of historical knowledge within the field of military history, build an awareness of differing historical interpretations, and develop the ability to synthesize diverse types of historical knowledge.

Read more or get a program guide from Arizona State University.

How to compare history degrees

When shopping around for a college that offers an online history programs, be sure to look at a number of important things including degree length, how coursework is presented, course length (are the programs accelerated or not), and if any travel is required to finish the degree. Some colleges require an on-campus study period in order to complete the online history programs.

Accreditation

The most important thing to seek when looking for a school that has the online history program is accreditation.

Having a properly accredited learning institution is important, so that you receive the best education possible.

Upon graduation, you will also have a degree that will hold up when applying for a new job, or even in establishing your own reputation amongst experienced historians and scholars.

History Degree Specializations and Concentrations

As a student of history, there are a number of different specializations and career paths available to graduates of online history programs:

• Ancient historians focus on the earliest phases of written history.
• Military historians examine conflicts and how they have shaped our world today.
• Intellectual historians study intellectual ideas.
• Historians of science explore the origins of scientific knowledge in various cultures.
• Public historians present historical knowledge to a general audience outside the world of academia.
• Art historians study works of art in their historical, stylistic, and cultural contexts.
• World historians take a global approach, looking at different cultures and looking for universal patterns.
• Cultural historians use anthropological techniques to examine the traditions, rituals, and identities of human societies.
• Political historians research and analyze political events, movements, and leaders.

Earning an online history degree can provide you with a rewarding career with unlimited possibilities! With the freedom that allows you to learn where and when you want, combined with the proper accreditation, there is no stopping you!

I found out that despite my crazy schedule that I could actually still go back to school, attend class, complete coursework and take exams without actually setting foot in a classroom with an accelerated degree online program.

Basically, I get to attend college from the comfort of my home computer. I can stay in my PJs and my slippers, read my coursework through an online portal, and participate in classroom discussions through a bulletin board, forum, or  live chat. It still gives me a chance to build rapport with my instructors and make great connections with my classmates. My class sizes are small, and I can attend my accelerated degree online classes when it suits my schedule.

The other great thing about accelerated degree online programs is the money I actually save going to college in this way instead of going to school on-campus. I don’t have to spend money on gas or transit fare to get to school, no room and board fees, and while there are other fees that take the place of that (such as technology fees, lab fees), I still find the classes to be much more affordable! Plus, since it’s an accelerated program, I finish my degree faster than a traditional degree program.

If you are like me and can’t fit traditional college classes into your daily life, consider earning an accelerated degree online!

Learn more about Accelerated Degree Programs.

What is Forensic Science?

CSI degrees will prepare you to become a crime scene investigator, sometimes referred to as a forensic scientist. CSIs use science to help locate criminals and examine the proof against them. Forensic evidence can be the most important piece during a criminal trial, and CSIs are sometimes asked to serve as expert witnesses. Most crime scene investigators will specialize in a single area. Specializations include DNA analysis and firearm examination, just to name a few.

What to Expect

When searching the countless number of CSI degrees, it is important to take a careful look at accreditation. There are many online programs accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Science. The type of coursework will vary by program and institution, but programs will generally concentrate on math and science. Courses include calculus, chemistry, biology, and physics. In addition, programs require students to focus on courses specific to forensics, such as forensic microscopy, criminal evidence, and courtroom testimony.

Career Potential

The crime scene investigator career was largely unheard of before the show CSI. The popularity has tightened the job market some, but there is still an increasing need for highly specialized professionals in this field. There is a number of different facets to the forensic science field. Therefore, most graduates will choose to specialize in one area, such as car accidents, corpses, and general crime scene investigation. CSI degrees will prepare you to work in many different environments, such as coroner offices, hospitals, universities, police departments, and independent labs.

Salary Potential

With the number of different specialties in the career field, it is difficult to determine the actual salary graduates with CSI degrees can expect. As with all industries, the more experience a person has, the higher the salary will be. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that on average an experienced CSI may earn between $40,000 and $85,000 a year. With a PhD, graduates can become lab directors and earn more than $100,000 a year.

If you are looking for an exciting career using science to help identify criminals and solve unanswered questions in crime, a degree in crime scene investigation may be able to help you with your goals. There are many online programs available that will allow you to earn your degree with minimal disruption to your life and work commitments.

What are CSI degrees? These are crime scene investigation degrees. They are also called forensics degrees. There are many levels of education offered for those interested in a CSI degree. There are certificate programs, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. There are even CSI degrees that cater to those who want to earn a graduate degree in this field and become an expert in forensic investigation.

When you study one of these CSI degrees, you will learn proper collection and analysis of physical evidence from crime scenes. You will also be trained on how to store such evidence properly. With a crime scene or forensics degree, you will also learn how to make reports, cooperate with detectives, lawyers, and police officers, and how to testify in court regarding your findings.

Some of the courses that will be taught in these CSI degrees are biology, criminology, computer forensics, toxicology, and many others. With a successful training, you can be part of an investigating team that can help crack cases as heinous as murders. Of course, you can also help in the investigation of theft, kidnapping, and many others crimes.

Upon graduating with this degree and finding work as an forensic technician, you can stand to earn a media salary of $47,680 a year. Of course, you can also earn as much as more than $75,000 if you work for the federal government.

What Does a Historian do?

Simply stated, historians study and analyze the past. They review written records such as newspaper articles, photographs, and diaries to put together a timeline of the past. Many historians will specialize in one field like politics or a group of persons.

What to Expect

The required time to obtain a bachelors degree in history will vary by university, credits transferred, and the acceleration of the course. Programs typically include a set of core courses, such as mathematics, literature, science, and fine arts. Degree specific classes will include courses like the history of civilization, non-western history, and American History.

If you have an avid interest but are not interested in earning a bachelors degree in history, there are numerous free online history resources allowing you to learn at your own pace. Some examples include the CIA World Factbook, Handbook of Biblical Numismatics, American Slave Narratives, and Spy Letters of the American Revolution.

Career Options

With a bachelors degree in history, the typical career path is that of a historian or professor. However, many additional career opportunities exist. It is important for students to consider their ultimate career goals prior to enrolling in a program. Some non-traditional careers include Foreign Service agent, foundation manager, judicial clerk, legislative analyst, and novelist.

Enrolling in a bachelors degree in history program could put you just years away from starting a new and exciting career. With the number of job opportunities available, your only problem may be choosing what to do.

Behavioral science courses can pave the way for you to choose a specialization. The specialization that you choose will depend on whether you are interested in the individual or in society as a whole. For those who are interested in the former, some specializations to choose from for your behavioral science courses are cognitive theory, social psychology, and ethology. For those who are interested in the societal or group aspects of behavioral sciences, some specializations to choose from are anthropology, organizational behavior, memetics, and others.

By taking up behavioral science courses, you open up yourself to many career opportunities. With a behavioral science degree, you can work for the government or in any private company. You can even go into consultation or do freelance work. Behavioral science degrees also give you a chance to pursue research or become an educator.

Some positions available for those with this degree are criminal profiler, anthropologist, criminologist, corporate coach, social worker, economic analyst, market researcher, and many others. And because there is a wide range of jobs offered to those who take up these courses, pay also varies greatly. For those who end up in the academe, earning a 6-figure income is very much possible. For those in social work, average pay is $48,000 a year.

A bachelor degree in human resource is what you need in order to hold good positions in a human resource department of any company. It is true that a certificate or an associate degree can help you set your foot in the door but a bachelor degree still has a bigger hold in terms of finding great jobs.

When you earn a bachelor degree in human resource, you will be taught how to hire and train people. You will know proper interviewing methods. Aside from that, you will also gain knowledge on pay schedules, labor issues, and overall office safety. Conflict resolution and disciplining employees are also two important things that you will learn when you earn a bachelor degree in human resource.

As mentioned, this degree can help you find work in any company. No matter the type of company or the industry that the company is part of, your expertise in human resources will be very valuable to them. Since there are many positions available in a human resources department, your bachelor degree in human resource can help you work as a training specialist, payroll clerk, employee disciplinary officer, and many others.

People who work in human resource are well-compensated. If you have just gotten a job in this field, you stand to earn between $36,000 to $48,000 a year. In time, your pay will increase to up to $60,000 a year. If you become a human resource manager in big companies, you can earn up to $300,000 annually.

What is Behavioral Science?

With a behavioral sciences degree, you will investigate and examine how human actions affect relationships and decision making. The field studies the motivations that compel people to take certain actions. There are two distinct focuses, communication strategies and decision processes and social science.

What to Expect

A typical behavioral sciences degree program will blend many traditional humanities courses with coursework in your chosen specialty. Specialties include social psychology, management science, anthropology, and organizational behavior. Regardless of the specialty a student pursues, all students will develop the same skills, such as professional ethics, data analysis, project management skills, and interpersonal communication skills.

Career Opportunities

The typical career path with a behavioral sciences degree is social work and counseling. However, there is a high demand for graduates’ skills in the business world to help companies unearth new ways to rise above their competitors. As a clinical psychologist, graduates go on to help mentally and socially disturbed people in many different fields such as law enforcement agencies, services, and factories. Other popular jobs for graduates include social worker, economic analyst, criminologist, and occupational therapist.

With the number of specializations you can choose, your career options are limitless. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for behavioral science professionals are expected to grow faster than average in the next ten years. With a behavioral sciences degree, you can tap into this fast growing and rewarding career.