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.

The role of a Public Relations (PR) representative is to use written and oral communications with skill and proper tract in relaying information and messages on behalf of a person, persons or organization.

As a successful PR Rep will be able to make their message heard and received by individuals and the media. An unsuccessful PR Rep can hurt and tarnish ones reputation. To ensure that you don’t become the latter, consider a Masters in Public Relations.

Public Relations Curriculum

A typical masters in public relations degree program consists of courses in communications, marketing, journalism, and writing skills, public communication, social media, marketing principles, technical and business writing, and consumer behavior.

While entry-level positions are a great start for Public Relations graduates, a masters in public relations can help you not only get your foot in the door at many PR firms, but the rest of your body too! Being able to articulate successfully in a number of fields, such as health care, engineering, sales, and science will make you a more versatile PR representative. Fortunately, a masters in public relations will help you reach that versatility.

Masters Degrees in Public Relations

The master degree in public relations program can be found as both a traditional “brick-and-mortar” on-campus program as well as in an online degree format. If you haven’t heard about online programs in the past, they are basically the most modern form of distance education available to college students.

Right now, there are only a couple of accredited universities offering a Master’s degree in Public Relations online.

Here’s a summary of each:

The George Washington University – Masters in Strategic Public Relations

The online Master’s in Strategic Public Relations at The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management will position you to excel in the Public Relations profession by integrating core public relations skills and the practical application of strategic thinking. The program delves deeply into the underpinnings of the field and applied communications, ethics, research, public policy, politics, and the emerging demands of new media. The curriculum is particularly relevant to public relations professionals who work in the public policy arena, the political arena, in PR firms, and corporate and non-profit PR departments.

Read more or get a program guide from George Washington State University.

Kent State University – Master’s in Journalism & Mass Communication – Public Relations

The Kent State University Master’s degree in Public Relations is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in communications, ranging from management-level careers at a public relations firm or in-house PR positions to opportunities in social media or specific PR specialty areas. The program offers advanced training in social media, management, crisis communications, branding, internal communications and strategic campaigns. Graduates are equipped with the skills and abilities companies need to win in the marketplace.

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

Online Public Relations Degree Programs

Online degree programs allow you to attend class from your own personal computer. All you need is an internet connection and your computer and you’re all set! Online degree programs may sound a bit unusual at first, however you will find that the content included in online degree programs (including the master degree in public relations program) is basically the same, just presented in a different way.

Online Study vs. Campus Study

As an online student you will receive a unique user ID and password that will allow you to log on and view lectures, read additional materials, “chat” with classmates through online chat rooms and message boards, and also communicate with your professor or instructor. Exams and homework is also submitted online.

Many people have found that they want to enroll in online classes for the freedom of where and when they want to learn. With a traditional college course you need to be at a certain place at a certain time. Online learning is totally different. While there are general deadlines you have to meet, you fit your classwork into your personal weekly schedule and find days and times that work best for you.

Summary

The master degree in public relations program, either online or on-campus, is a great way to brush up on your PR skills. Since you can find work representing one or a number of people, you can become an independent or freelancing PR agent, or work for a firm. Either was a master degree in public relations can help launch your career as an articulate and tactful public relations representative.

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!

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.

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.

When you earn a masters degree online, it does not mean that you will be getting a low-quality education. Many schools and universities today that offer masters programs are accredited by the proper educational agencies. This means that their curriculum is top-notch and they have teachers that are dedicated to helping you learn an impressive degree.

Deciding to earn a masters degree online will also not limit your choices when it comes to programs. If you know where to look, you will be surprised to know that online programs are offered in business, nursing, engineering, religion, teaching, management, law, counseling, English, finance, human resources, marketing, social work, public administration, and many others.

Your job outlook after you earn a masters degree online will be considerably brighter. If a bachelor’s degree can help you gain entry in the industry, a masters degree is your way to advance in the company or organization you work for. This is because masters programs offer advanced instructions in courses related to your field. You will be taught leadership aspects of the discipline, making you more than qualified to become a team or project manager. With promotions becoming easier to reach, an increase in salary is also possible once you earn a masters degree online.

But if you choose to up one of the 2 year degree programs, you can consider taking up an associate degree. An associate degree is much like a bachelor’s program in a way that they can help you gain entry in the field that you are interested in. The only difference is that bachelor’s degree programs offer more in-depth instructions compared to the associate 2 year degree programs. Still, if you are looking into earning a degree fast, an associate degree is one of your top options.

However, it is still possible for you to take up one of the bachelor’s 2 year degree programs that many colleges and universities offer today. These 2 year degree programs can be in any discipline. There are accelerated bachelor’s degrees in health care, education, business, computer science, art, and many others.

If you already have your associate or bachelor’s degree and you want to pursue graduate studies, you can do so with accelerated master’s programs. Accelerated master’s programs also take only 2 years to complete. Many colleges and universities offer them. They also have many disciplines for you to choose from. Some examples are MBA or a master’s in Education. Much like standard master’s programs, you will be able to choose an area of study or specialization when you enroll in an accelerated graduate program. This specialization will depend on your field or what is available.

An on line master’s degree in finance or an MBA in finance will give you all the required skills and knowledge to handle bigger responsibilities in a company’s finance department. With an on line master’s degree in finance, a student will gain in-depth knowledge in investment analysis, global finance, risk management, banking, and others. Since this is a graduate degree designed for future top managers, coursework will involve advanced training in accounting, statistics, economics, on top of the finance subjects. Research and analysis of various financial situations will also be given importance.

Aside from the many things you will learn from an on line master’s degree in finance, the earning potential it offers is another reason to enroll in this program. Typically, an MBA attached to your name will mean a pay increase. Many MBA graduates will tell you that their pay experienced a considerable increase after earning their master’s degree. With an on line master’s degree in finance, you can stand to earn up to $125,000 a year. And if you choose to take up a doctorate in business, you can earn a lot and have more career opportunities offered to you.

With a masters degree, you will have the professional skills and knowledge to have a competitive edge in your field. You can also expect to earn more over the course of your career than if you stopped your education at your bachelors degree. Even with all of the benefits, you may feel you don’t have the time to commit to a long masters degree. Rest assured, certain programs will allow you to get your masters degree in one year.

Types of Masters Degree Programs

As you are researching schools that offer a masters degree in one year, you will have to decide what type of degree you are wanting to pursue. The most common are the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, and the Master of Business Administration. There are many specializations you can choose from as well. For example, MBAs can be earned in information management, organizational leadership, and international business.

Types of Accelerated Programs

• Competency Based Degrees – You may be able to earn your masters degree in one year by choosing a competency based program. These programs allow you to take assessments in order to save you from taking classes where you already have knowledge in that subject area. These programs are typically self-study or online.
• Degree Completion Programs – If you are just a few credits short from completing your degree, you can earn your masters degree in one year by enrolling in a degree completion program. These are designed to help you finish your degree in the least time as possible.
• Flexible Degree Formats – Many universities are starting to offer flex programs. These programs allow students to take courses both online and on-campus. This accelerates the program allowing students to complete their degree in minimal time.

In order to best choose a program for your needs, it is important to research universities that offer accelerated programs. The courses will be fast paced and challenging and will require you to remain focused. With the right program and some hard work and determination, you may be able to earn your masters degree in one year.

There are two types of bachelor degree programs offered in the world today. These are Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. An accelerated degree on line can be a BA or BS program. Each of these types usually take 4 years to accomplish but you can have your BA or BS in only around a couple of years if you take up an accelerated degree on line.

As mentioned above, many industries require their entry-level employees to have a bachelor’s degree. It goes without saying that bachelor degrees are offered in many disciplines. Some of these are Advertising, Art & Design, Business Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, Health Sciences, Human Resources, Nursing, Public Administration, Theology & Divinity, and Web Design & Development. You can earn an accelerated degree on line in any of these disciplines. Bachelor degree-holders are needed in big corporations, in the government, in your local Church, in schools and universities, in hospitals, and many other workplaces. Without these bachelor degree-holders, many industries will not run they way they should.

A bachelor’s accelerated degree on line is more than perfect for starting a promising career in whatever field you’re interested in. The accelerated method of instruction is done by accepting life or course credits, offering dual degrees (with masters), rolling admissions, and having shorter breaks between semesters.