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Establishing Your Criteria for Finding an Affordable Online University

WGU on December 8, 2009

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Finding an affordable online university that meets your expectations and offers the education you want and need is strongly dependent on the criteria you use to evaluate affordable online schools. Begin your list with general points that are important in a learning institution. You can then add the items that are important and specific to you.

Universally accepted criteria include:

• Affordable online degree programs that are accredited
• Relevant course content offered

It’s also important to evaluate your specific situation to identify criteria that are most important to you. Here are some of the concerns that many prospective students have:

• What are your future career plans and which affordable online university best coincides with your goals?
• What affordable online schools offer the specific courses and training that you need to reach your career objectives?
• Depending on your career situation (entry-level, experienced staff, or management), which affordable online bachelor’s degree programs will provide the most value?
• What is the true condition of your financial situation? How much personal money are you prepared to invest along with online college scholarships and/or other financial aid in your college education?

These are some of the most relevant criteria that many students use to evaluate and find the right school and degree program for them. You should establish your own personal criteria and objectively analyze your options.

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Posted in Selecting Your School | 00 Comments »

Western Governors University Joins Microsoft IT Academy to Enhance Learning and Employability of IT Professionals

WGU on November 30, 2009

“For career-minded information technology (IT) professionals, attaining well-established industry certifications can be almost as important as earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree. To address both of these needs and to better prepare graduates for the competitive job market, Western Governors University, www.wgu.edu today announced its membership in the Microsoft IT Academy program.

WGU has incorporated Microsoft training curriculum and courseware and certifications in its challenging, competency-based IT degree programs. All of WGU’s bachelor’s degree programs in IT include at least one Microsoft Certification. For example, students graduating with a B.S. in IT security will also earn nine IT certifications; including the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS).The cost of certification exams is included in WGU tuition, which is roughly equivalent to that of a state college or university.”

For more information and to see the full press release, click here.

Tags: it certifications, microsoft academy, online IT degree, online it program, online university
Posted in News | 00 Comments »

Why You Should Go Back to School

WGU on October 20, 2009

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Would you like to earn a college degree? Do you have reservations about going back to school? It’s natural for our nerves to get the best of us when we’re confronting a major life experience. But don’t fret. Many people have been in your shoes before. You probably know a friend, neighbor, or family member who went back to college after a number of years. If it makes you feel better, talk to them and ask about their experience. They can give you insight and calm your nerves.

So why should you go back to school? Well, by pursuing a college degree, you can:

Explore your career interest- Maybe you’re ready to take your career in a whole new direction. A college degree program can help you learn more about your field of interest. It can also help you develop the skills and knowledge that you need to succeed in your chosen field.

You can boost your earning potential- Last year; the median salary for those 25 and older with a high school diploma was around $30,732. For those with a Bachelor’s degree, that number was around $50,856. Those with a Master’s degree earned around $63,856.
The unemployment rate was also significantly lower for those with degrees. For high school graduates the rate was 5.7 percent. For those with Bachelor’s degrees, the rate was 2.8 percent*.

Set an example for your friends and family- By earning your college degree, you can feel proud in knowing that you accomplished a major goal. You can also make your friends and family proud and inspire them to fulfill their educational goals as well.

At Western Governors University, the student experience is designed to meet your needs—so you won’t have to choose between work, family, or school. But earning your degree will be challenging and WGU’s programs are ideal for strong independent leaners. Learn more about our online degrees and programs today!

*http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab7.htm

Tags: degree programs, online university degree program, university degree program, Western Governors University, WGU
Posted in Elements of Online Learning | 00 Comments »

Why an Online University Degree Program is Ideal for You

WGU on October 9, 2009

As we all know, there are only 24 hours in a day. If you’re lucky to get eight hours of sleep, your actual day is reduced to 16 hours. If you work a full-time job, you can subtract another eight to fourteen hours from that. So that gives you two to eight hours of free time. That’s not a lot of time especially if you are raising a family or working another job.
So where is all of this going? Basically, this shows that after we fulfill all of our obligations, we may not have that much time to spare. If you have aspirations of earning a college degree, the last thing that you want to do is spend all of your spare time in a classroom.

Actually, you don’t have to. An online degree program gives you the flexibility that traditional degree programs often lack. These programs allow you to earn a degree completely online without having to sacrifice your current obligations.

While attending an online university, you can study anytime and anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection. You can study during your lunch break, while your kids are sleeping, or whenever you have free time. In fact, most online degree programs are designed for people with busy lifestyles. That’s why they are more flexible than a degree program at a brick and mortar college.

An online university degree program is also more cost-effective than a traditional degree program. Why? For one, you’re saving gas money since you don’t have to drive anywhere. You’re also saving the money that you would spend on books and parking passes. If you have little ones, you know that finding a babysitter can be difficult at times. With online learning, you won’t have to worry about that since you can study at home. You also won’t have to worry about scraping up extra money to pay a babysitter.

Are you looking for an online university that’s dedicated to helping you accomplish your professional and educational goals? Then discover the difference of an award-winning university. Western Governors University will give you the support that you need every step of the way but you will need to be a strong independent learner to succeed. You’ll also get a great education that won’t create financial hardship for you and your family.

Take the first step towards a brighter future. Request more information about Western Governors University today!

Tags: online university degree program
Posted in Elements of Online Learning | 4 Comments »

Online University Learning Myths

WGU on October 7, 2009

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During the 2006-2007 school year, there were approximately 11,200 college-level programs that were designed to be completed totally through distance education. One of the reasons why many students turned to these online education programs was because they met their demands for flexible schedules*.

Would you like to earn a college degree but are afraid to do so online? Have you heard so many things about an online degree program that you’re not quite sure what to believe? Don’t let other people’s negativity stop you from reaching your educational goals. Do some research of your own and then make your decision.

Here are common myths about online education that you’ve probably heard before:

Online degree programs are of low quality-Shopping for an online degree program is like shopping for a car or any big ticket item. You’ll find that the quality and selection of program offerings can vary from school to school. Don’t let the school’s name alone influence your decision. Make sure that you try to find an online university that meets your needs.

You won’t have anyone to help you-Today’s virtual campuses offer a great deal of academic and technical support. Many degree programs offer learning resources like mentoring or web-based tutorials. You will also have the opportunity to interact with other students. If you experience any difficulty accessing your course materials, many online schools offer 24/7 technical support.

Learning online will be a breeze-True, you don’t have to attend classes on campus but that doesn’t mean that your online degree program will be a breeze. Online degree programs can be just as intense as the ones offered at a traditional college. In order to successfully complete your online degree program, you’ll need to stay focused and committed.

At reputable online universities such as Western Governors University, you’ll get the support that you need every step of the way. WGU’s online degree programs are ideal for strong independent learners. Request more information about Western Governors University today!

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/2009044.pdf

Tags: degree programs, online degree, online education, Western Governors University, WGU
Posted in Elements of Online Learning | 00 Comments »

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