Online Masters Degree Programs - Intelicus » Articles

Details on Masters in Civil Engineering

rlee — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:44:16 +0000

When planning to become a civil engineer, you will have to make a decision on the direction to take. A number of specializations exist within the engineering field and to stand out in a more competitive position, it is advisable that you pursue a Masters in civil Engineering. When researching on what you have to do to secure a masters in the field, you must have the following in mind:

For starters, Masters in Engineering program include agriculture, Aerospace, bio engineering, chemical and computer engineering. Other options include construction management, engineering management, electrical engineering and engineering technology. A lot more options exist and some are yet to be introduced into the system.

To qualify for a Master of Civil Engineering, you must pass some courses in your postgraduate studies. You can opt for an online civil engineering degree. Apart from passing science related courses, you must also be good in mathematics and communication. Since civil engineering degree revolves a lot of physics, it is important that you put more emphasis on the subject.

The program takes two to three years based with the school one attends and the timetable set. Once you are enrolled, you will be required to undertake at least 36 courses and attain credits for each course undertaken. You will also have to carry come up with a research thesis based on the specific field you have majored in.

Having a civil engineering degree online gives you the ability to come up with both theoretical and practical applications. Since the program mostly teaches you how to apply theories in real life situations, once you qualify, you can easily develop structures that were previously considered as only word of mouth. Becoming a master of civil engineering also enables you know how to operate different kinds of machines in production firms.

People who have a Engineering Degree are always on high demand in the market. Many firms are in urgent need of professional workers to run their machines. In addition, many government projects need professional individuals to give control the whole task force and that has been assigned to carry out the projects.

What is Crime Mapping & How Can it Help Solve Cases

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:35:42 +0000

Law enforcement agencies utilize crime mapping to help map, visualize, and analyze crime incident patterns. Operating under the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), crime mapping can be used to help police departments in reducing crime through a better-informed awareness of their surrounding area. With this streamlined organization of information, law enforcement management are able to formulate strategies in crime prevention, target resources, and gain a better understanding as to why certain patterns occur.

While technology has certainly aided in the development and ability of crime mapping, it is a practice that predates any computer. New York City’s Police Department has traced the use of maps at least as far back as 1900, with law enforcement using an enlarged representation of a jurisdiction with pins stuck in it. While this approach served as a beneficial resource at the time, the static nature of this format (and the advance of technology) led way to desktop computer mapping in the mid-1980s. This process now allowed individuals to reap the benefits of crime mapping with greater precision and with much less hassle.

Crime mapping is both qualitative and quantitative in nature. While a map most evidently demonstrates the location of criminal activity, it can also provide key information that suggests a theme or underlying trend to a topic. Investigators are able to view, for example, homicide victims by unordered categories such as race, sex, and age.

Crime tends to be influenced by a variety of conditions. Crime mapping is also useful in helping to illustrate and differentiate these causes and geographical conditions. For instance, some areas in cities, suburbs, or rural areas have persistently high crime rates – with this in mind, certain neighborhoods may have a permanent expectation for criminal activity.

Patrol officers benefit greatly from crime mapping. As professionals who spend a great deal of their duty on the street, they are able to reap the benefits of having up-to-date and comprehensive data related to their patrol areas. Using the information culled from this system, patrol officers are able to spot trends in their area, gain a better understanding of activity that has occurred during previous shifts, and develop a more global, macro view of significant developments that occur in outstanding cases.

Examples of crime mapping’s effectiveness are easily cited. For instance, in a McLean County, Illinois, case that involved rural burglaries, a crime mapping system was used to plot incidents on a country map. The data revealed that all of the reported incidents occurred close to major highways. That information led law enforcement officials to suggest the involvement of traveling criminal groups that specialized in burglaries. The findings also showed that these crimes occurred near cemeteries, which were thought to be lookout places. As a result, more patrols were placed in these areas, which eventually led to the arrest of members of a group called the Irish Travelers. Following the arrest, officials saw a sharp decline of burglaries in the area.

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Behind the Minds of Criminals – What Causes Criminals to Commit Crimes

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:13:08 +0000

With over 2.5 million citizens currently in prison or jail, the United States criminal justice system is constantly grappling with one question: what causes criminal behavior? The search to determine what goes on inside the minds of criminals is an ongoing pursuit, but over the years many researchers have been able to come up with interesting and thought-provoking suggestions as to the origins of criminal behavior.

From Ted Bundy to Jeffrey Dahmer, there have been many public figures that have given criminal profilers much fodder for their research in discovering what makes the criminal mind tick. In most cases, these criminals feel as though they were justified in committing their crimes, and that their victims deserved it.

Social Circumstances

Many suggest that criminal behavior is formed out of social circumstances. The chasm between the poor and wealthy in society may have a great impact on someone who desires a certain kind of lifestyle that seems to be out of their reach, prompting them to engage in criminal behavior to get what they want. Studies have indicated that, with any race and culture, the segment of that population with the highest incidents of poverty also typically has more criminal behavior.

Psychological Issues

Social apathy has also been shown to be a common trait amongst criminals; if a person has reason to believe that they can get away with committing a crime without being punished, they are obviously more likely to engage in said criminal behavior. Stress and trauma are also factors that can influence deviant behavior. In many individuals, post-traumatic stress – be it from being a victim of a violent crime or witnessing said activity – can often lead to avoidant behavior, where the individuals exhibit personality traits such as social withdrawal, distrustfulness, and emotional distance. These warning signs often occur early on in life, and are not helped by an all-too-common response of ridicule or negligence from family, friends, and peers. If untreated, this avoidant behavior can lead to more violent behavior.

Physiological Trauma

Some theories exist that the criminal behavior is the end result of physical trauma to the brain. Researchers at the University of Iowa found evidence that suggested damage to the prefrontal cortex early in life could cause antisocial behavior such as delinquency, irresponsibility, and criminal activity. Their research showed that children who suffered damage to that region of their brains before the age of 16 months were not able to follow social and moral codes of conduct in their adult years.

While the investigation into what causes criminal behavior has no solid conclusion as of today, professionals in the field of criminal justice are making strides in discovering how the criminal mind works and it all starts with education. If your interested in getting behind the minds of criminals as a career you may consider one of the following criminal justice degrees:

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The Economics Behind Crime

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:40:39 +0000

When considering the criminal mind, many people make the mistake of not understanding how logical a life of crime can be. Most people choose a career by finding the meeting point between the work they can perform most readily and the work they can profit from most. That being said, the economics of crime deduces that a criminal simply chooses crime because it is the easiest job for the criminal that yields the most profit.

Making Crime Less Profitable

By studying the economics of crime, law enforcers can work to prevent crime not by making the criminal act impossible to perform, but instead by making it less profitable for the criminal seeking to perform it. In decreasing the profit of the crime, the motivation to pursue that line of crime becomes decreased as well.

This analysis can be applied to the most low-level crimes, such as mugging, to high-level crimes, such as organized crime. However, some common interpretations of the inner workings of organized crime could dismantle your understanding of the economics of organized crime. Rather than likening a criminal enterprise to a massive corporation, instead, think of it as a small business that frequently does business with other small businesses. In comparing a criminal enterprise to a network of businesses, the analyst gains a more profound insight into the economics of organized crime.

Crime & Economic Principles

Applying economic principles to crime can also help to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement policies. Consider the concepts of supply and demand when approaching a criminal enterprise such as illegal drug trade. Lawmakers believe that in limiting the supply of drugs, they can reduce the demand for it; however, the means in which law enforcers attempt to limit the supply is questionable when dealing with the economics of crime. The common solution that lawmakers attempt is in eliminating the production of illegal drugs, so that the cost is driven up, and consumers are deterred from purchasing at the higher cost. Economic analysts have discovered that the cost of production and transport of illegal drugs is so small a fraction of the street price that this solution has too minimal an impact on the price to be effective.

Overall, the money that changes hands because of a crime does not seem to affect the social structure of the economy, because the same amount of money exists regardless of the means of procuring it. However, the increase in criminals does impact the number of producing individuals, which in turn influences the ability of legitimate business to provide the products and services to both thieves and law-abiding citizens. This means that over time, every member of society has fewer resources.

These are only a few examples of how approaching crime from an economic standpoint could become a vital method to generate solutions for lawmakers. A basic understanding of the economics of crime could assist more law enforcers in reducing crime by decreasing the profit for criminals and thus, making a life of crime less attractive.

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The Role of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Post 9/11

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:34:01 +0000

Without a doubt, the events of 9/11 and its ramifications have had a deep impact on the collective consciousness of the United States and its criminal justice system, with areas like homeland security going through the most apparent changes since the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Homeland Security

Homeland security took on an increasingly more prevalent role for both the U.S. government and the country’s general awareness. $10.6 billion from the Fiscal Year 2002 Emergency Budget Supplemental was poured into the effort to create a more stable and safe America. In what was the largest criminal investigation in history, more than 4,000 FBI special agents and 3,000 support staff members were deployed to the international investigation of the terrorist attacks. Examples of counterterrorism could be found through departments such as Aviation Security, Cybersecurity, Chemical Security, and an overall increase of Law Enforcement.

Criminal Justice

The increased safety measures in America’s post-9/11 criminal justice system have been most evident through the increase in surveillance and preventative measures in its homeland security proceedings. More companies began implementing better hiring practices and more extensive background checks, along with bomb and/or terrorism procedures. Many security companies now send their employees to bomb train class by the FBI and Homeland Security, where they are also trained with armed assault practice to deal with a terrorist in a controlled building. Further increased security methods can be found in the prevalence of bomb sniffing dogs and high tech bomb detecting devices.

Guantanamo Bay

The U.S. Government began its detention of several hundred individuals – Arabic and Muslim noncitizens, specifically – who fit the profile of the suspected terrorist hijackers. A majority of these detainees were imprisoned without charges and without following any previously defined standard.

The Guantanamo Bay detainment facility in Cuba was formed in 2002 and acted as one of the primary locations that these detainees were held. Shortly after its inception, the camp’s prisoner numbers surged when the U.S. Government’s Justice Department advised that the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp fall outside of the U.S. legal jurisdiction; prisoners captured in Afghanistan began to be moved there that same year.

Over the next seven years, several rounds of legislation would further diminish the rights of the detainees. President Barack Obama signed an order in January of 2009 to suspend the proceedings of the Guantanamo military commission for 120 days and that the facility would be shut down within the year. By January 2010, only 193 prisoners remained, and are to be transferred to the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Illinois.

Our Department of Homeland Security is an intricate system comprised of several criminal justice professionals who play a pivotal part in securing our country and preserving our freedoms in a post-9/11 environment.

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Criminal Justice Resources

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:30:13 +0000

Some of the top criminal justice resources available provide comprehensive catalogues of subjects including everything from adjudication to youth gangs. When seeking out these resources, it is important to consider what organization is presenting the information in order to prevent a biased or outdated understanding of a given subject within the criminal justice world.

National Criminal Justice Reference Service

One of the top criminal justice resources is the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. This resource is federally funded to provide information to support research, policy and program development for those involved in criminal justice around the world. On the Web site, interested parties can find expansive articles on all subjects related to criminal justice, while also uncovering pertinent information about grants and funding as well as a calendar of justice events. The calendar can be organized by region, subject or organization of interest. Some of the categories of topics listed at this resource include Corrections, Crime Prevention, Justice System, Juvenile Justice and more.

Criminal Justice Career Resources

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

Additionally, more information is provided by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, which is an older organization that promotes education and analysis for those who are researching and practicing criminal justice. The Academy publishes two journals, Justice Quarterly and Journal of Criminal Justice Education, which are both available online with a subscription. Even more, the Web site provides information on upcoming workshops and conferences pertaining to criminal justice.

Criminal Justice Degree Resources

US Department of Justice

For more information regarding government agencies, visit the United States’ Department of Justice page, where a complete list of criminal justice agencies is available. This list details everyone from the Attorney General’s office down to lower level agencies, including the Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Web site also provides a list of top criminal justice resources with specific highlighted resources and frequently requested forms pulled out for easy access.

Criminal Justice Resource Articles

Criminal Justice Journals

Studying criminal justice incorporates a broad range of fields including criminology, sociology and psychology, and thus the number of journals available that pertain to the field of criminal justice are many. In order to find the top criminal justice resources, consider first what area of the subject is of the highest interest and then seek out the professional journal that best suits the specific area of interest. Some of the best journals include

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History of Law Enforcement in America

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:17:04 +0000

As one of the three major components of the American criminal justice system, American law enforcement’s main purpose is to maintain order and investigate suspected criminal activity in this country. American law enforcement also is held responsible for deterring criminal activity and halting crimes in progress through the use of warrants, writs, and other orders of the court.

Begins with New York City

The story of American law enforcement begins in 1626, when the New York City Sheriff’s Office was founded. Shortly thereafter, Boston formed its own “Night Watch” in 1635. This organization later transformed into the Boston Police Department in 1838, which served as the United States’ first local modern police department. Similarly, the New York City Police Department evolved out of the New York City Sheriff’s Office in 1845.

With the invention of law enforcement assets such as the two-way radio, telephone, and police car in the early 20th century, American law enforcement experienced a significant surge and advancement in its ability to respond to crime and serve the public. These changes also led to a change in strategy, as police adopted a more reactive strategy centered around responding to calls for service.

August Gus Vollmer

August “Gus” Vollmer was a leading figure in the development of the United States’ criminal justice system in the early 20th century. As the first police chief of Berkeley, California, Vollmer adapted many principals that he culled from both his own military experience and criminal justice material from Europe. He was able to establish a bicycle patrol and a motorized force, allowing police officers to cover more ground with greater efficiency. He also created the first centralized police records system that led to greater organization for criminal investigations.

Another one of Vollmer’s innovations to the field of American law enforcement was his use of the lie detector in police work. He also encouraged the training and employment of both female and African American police officers.

Focus on Community

American law enforcement saw additional shifts in the 1960s, when more focus was placed on community relations in the wake of urban conflict and racial tension. One of the elements of this reactive reform was an increased diversity in the hiring of law enforcement officials. 30 years later, community-policing strategies became another key element in an ever-adapting law enforcement system, based on the belief that communal interaction and support (such as community members helping to identify suspects, detain vandals, and call attention to local problems) could help reduce fear and crime. City-approved neighborhood watch programs are one of the more well known examples of this community-based approach to American law enforcement.

By studying the progression of the American law enforcement system, criminal justice professionals are able to gain a better understanding of the changes that need to be made in order to maintain a sense of security and safety within their communities.

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Criminal Rehabilitation and Correction

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:41:17 +0000

Even the briefest glimpse into the realm of our country’s criminal justice organization reveals that efforts for criminal correction and rehabilitation constitute a significant portion of this country’s government and legal system. And while several different theories and approaches exist when it comes to considering how to provide a solution to the dilemma of repeated criminal activity, there is little doubt that criminal correction and rehabilitation is an essential component in maintaining a positive and crime-free society.

The most basic and integral concepts that drive the system of criminal correction and rehabilitation can be divided into three main categories: community safety, community restoration, and prevention of re-offense. When someone has committed a crime that has damaged a community and threatened its residents, the greatest priority is to re-establish a sense of security to an environment and send a message –to both citizens and would-be offenders – that no crime will go unpunished.

Things get a bit more complex when dealing with the principal of correcting and rehabilitating criminals. The greatest dilemma in trying to decide what is the most effective way to deal with criminals once they’ve been caught is the relative mystery in the world of criminal justice as to why certain individuals demonstrate criminal behavior in the first place. For every school of thought that stands strongly behind a method in correcting and rehabilitating criminal behavior (whether through psychological investigation, imprisonment, or more experimental techniques), there exists a vocal detractor of said approaches.

It is not without reason that the topic of criminal correction and rehabilitation is such a highly debated topic. Recent studies have revealed that one in every 31 adults (roughly 7.3 million Americans) is in prison, on parole, or on probation. The cost of criminal correction spending was at $47 billion in 2008, and greatly outpaced budget growth in other areas such as education, transportation, and public assistance. These studies also indicated that the increased number of individuals in some form of correctional control also correlated with crime rates that had declined by roughly 25 percent during the past two decades.

Education has played a significant role in helping to drive these numbers. Through the implementation of education, society as a whole has learned the importance of keeping the laws as well as promoting less discriminatory behavior towards ex-criminals. Education within prisons has also ensured that prisoners are able to stay sharp and develop skills that are applicable to the outside world while they serve their sentences. This is maintained through rehabilitation that promotes literacy, psychological counseling, and assessment.

While criminal correction and rehabilitation remains a controversial topic within the criminal justice system, it remains an essential facet in keeping our society safe and free of crime.

Additional Articles on Criminal Justice

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Nurse Practitioner Resources

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:31:34 +0000

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with additional education and training to diagnose and handle general medical conditions. They provide similar care as physicians and see patients as a regular health care provider. Some nurse practitioners specialize in different areas such as OB/GYN, Adult Care, or Family. They are employed in places such as hospitals, doctors offices, school clinics, and hospice centers. In 1965, at the University of Colorado, the first nurse practitioners were educated.

History of the Nurse Practitioner- Information on how nurse practitioner’s began.

Education

Nurse Practioner Schooling - Information on what nurse practitioner schooling consist of.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Information on nurse practitioner’s educational programs at UCSF.
Family Nurse Practitioner - The educational requirements and descriptions of a nurse practitioner program through Fay W. Whitney.
Master of Science in Nursing – Study for a nurse practitioner specialty courses.
Martha Driessnack is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a background in art therapy. Her research focuses on the development of more child-centered approaches to data collection. - An article discussing the techniques of a nurse practitioner.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - Information on the study of techniques of a neonatal nurse practitioner.
Mental Health and Telemedicine Organizations and Their Events - Information on the American College of Nurse Practitioner’s.
Solutions to Practice Questions for Exam 2 - Practice exam questions for a nurse practitioner exam.
Nurse Practitioner FAQ’s – Frequently asked nurse practitioner questions.
Adult Nurse Practitioner— Information on adult nurse practitioners.

Career

52 Career Starting Salaries - Information on the starting salary of a nurse practitioner.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner FAQ- Information on how to become a nurse practitioner including schooling, salaries, and job conditions.
Nurse Practitioner Career Overview- Information on the career of a nurse practitioner.
Nurse Practitioners- Information on how a nurse practitioner’s care is compared to a physician’s.
The Role of the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant in the Care of Hospitalized Children – Information on how to become a nurse practitioner and the roles and responsibilities it holds.
Health Career: Nurse Practitioner- Information on what a day of a nurse practitioner is like.
What Does a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Do?- Information on what a psychiatric nurse practitioner does in the medical field.
Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant – What’s the Difference? - Information on a nurse practitioner’s salary and specialties.
NPCanada.ca- Information on what a nurse practitioner can do in Canada.
Nurse Practioner- Registered Nurse Employment- Information on how a nurse practitioner differs from a registered nurse.
Nurse Practitoners- A career overview of a nurse practitioner including job outlook, earnings, employment and salary.
Nurse Practioner - Career information on a nurse practitioner including salary, employers, and web resources.
Jobs and Salaries - Information on jobs and salaries as a nurse practitioner.
Professional Nurse Practitioner Organizations, APRN Listserv, AANP Standards / Scope of Practice – Information on professional nurse organizations.
Nurse Practitioners:The Growing Solution in Health Care Delivery - Information on 14 National Organizations of Nurse Practitioners.
Demand for Nurse Practitioners – Information on the shortage of nurse practitioners.
Resources for Nursing Careers - Information and advice on the career of a nurse practitioner.
Careers in Nursing - Information job description, advice, salary range, favorite aspects of the work, and challenging aspects of a nurse practitioner.
Is Nursing for Me? FAQ’s- Information on the career of a nurse practitioner and questions a person may have about the career.
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties – Information for nurse practitioners preparing them for the work force.
Nursing Career Information- Organization information for nurse practitioners.
Nursing Resource Ce nter- Informational web links for nurse practitioners.
Journal Articles- Informational articles about nurse practitioners.
The Nurse Practitioner - Information on nurse practitioner journals.
An emerging role for nurse practitioners preoperative assessment- Nurse Practitioner journal articles.
Nurse Practitioners Women’s Health- Information on the National Association of Nurse Practitioners.
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners – CE Program- Information on The Journal for Nurse Practitioners.

Degrees

Nurse Practitioner Programs Online- Listing of online nurse practitioner programs and resources for selecting the right one.
Nursing Administration Degree- Prepares you as a leader in nursing.
Masters in Nursing Degree (MSN)- Information in relation to Masters in Nursing Degree Programs.
Family Nurse Practitioner Program- Family Nurse Practitioner Programs position nurses to provide health care to persons who are well or have common health problems.
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Program- Focuses on the care of individuals who are experiencing mental illness.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Program- For nurses who wish to work in consulting or in an educational capacity.
Adult Nursing Program- Provides added proficiency in treatments and diagnoses of patients who are over the age of 12.
Womens Health Program- Provides advanced education in pathophysiology, pharmacology and health assessment.
Midwifery Programs- Prepares nurses for clinical practice as a nurse-midwife

Popular Online Degrees

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Paying for Your Nursing Degree

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:53:21 +0000

No matter how much money you’ve put away towards your nursing school tuition, chances are you will be eligible for financial aid to assist you as you pursue your degree. As you begin to look into financing your education, you’ll find that there are many grants, loans, scholarships, work-study and loan forgiveness programs that can help you deal with the expenses associated with nursing school.

Getting onboard for financial aid isn’t difficult. All you need to do is complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is usually a prerequisite for financial aid eligibility. What follows is a list of the many financial aid resources that are out there today.

Nursing Scholarships

Nursing scholarships recognize academic achievement, athletic ability, or artistic accomplishments, and while they may be very competitive, you won’t have to pay them back and they are also a great way to help pay for some of the costs of your education.

Depending on your specialized area of study, you may be able to get a scholarship from one of several different kinds of professional associations, such as religious organizations, private and public schools, small businesses, large corporations, community groups, and philanthropic foundations.

For more information, visit these nursing scholarship resources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) financial aid resources:
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/financialaid.htm#aacnresources

Scholarship searching resource:
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/signup.jsp?sourceid=254868

Nursing Grants

The major benefit to using nursing grants as a form of financial aid is that you won’t have to pay back any of the money put towards your nursing education. There are over a thousand federal grant programs in the U.S., worth more than $400 billion total. While it does take some work to become eligible and apply for this aid, doing so can help you to save hundreds to thousands in nursing school expenses.

For more information, visit these financial aid resources:

FAFSA application and information
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Federal student aid grant information
http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/cicf/grants.html

Federal student aid on the web
http://studentaid.ed.gov

Loans for Nursing

College loans are a good investment to make in your future. They carry a lower interest because the federal government regulates the maximum interest that lenders can charge on federally guaranteed student loans, making the loans easier to pay back. Loan repayment doesn’t begin until six months after graduation.

Stafford Loan

The Stafford Loan is the most common federal student loan available. The Stafford Loan includes the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)Program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. As a student receiving a Stafford Loan, your funds will be directly dispersed to you. The amounts of this loan are distributed based on need.

Private Loan

Private loans offer higher limits and no payments until graduation, but your interest starts to accrue immediately after the loan is distributed. Private student loans can be made out to either students or parents.

PLUS Loan

PLUS Loans are distributed through FFEL and Direct Loan programs, but are geared toward parents. If you want to apply for a PLUS Loan, you need to be a dependent student enrolled at least half time in your undergraduate education, and your parent has to apply for the loan.

Grad PLUS Loan

If you are either a graduate or professional degree student, you may be eligible for a Grad PLUS Loan. This loan operates under the same terms and conditions as a regular PLUS Loan.
For more information, visit these financial aid resources:
•   FAFSA application and information:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
•   Student loan information and opportunities:
http://www.govloans.gov
•   Stafford Loan information:
http://wwwstaffordloans.com

Nursing School Loan Forgiveness Programs

Loan forgiveness programs also exist, and they’re a great way for you to pay back your nursing college loans while you work. These programs are a great form of financial aid, as they allow you valuable nursing experience in a hospital setting while you get paid for your work and get reimbursed for your nursing school education.

For more information, visit these loan forgiveness resources:
•   Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) loan repayment program:
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm
•   Financial aid student guide to loan forgiveness:
http://www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml
•   Federal student loan forgiveness:
http://www.staffordloan.com/repayment/federal-student-loan-forgiveness.php

Learn more about nursing school financial aid and get resources nursing scholarships and grants so your focus can be on learning, and not on paying for your education.

Get Started with your Online Nursing Degree

Today it’s easier than ever for you to further your education and increase your salary with an online nursing degree. If you want to start taking steps towards becoming a nurse, find the online school and degree program that’s right for you today!

Nursing Resources

There are a lot of things to consider as you move forward with your education and begin plotting the course of your career, but you don’t have to do it alone. Get the information you need by exploring our Career Resources below.

Nurse Careers
Learn how going to nursing school can lead you to a wide variety of career opportunities in the world of nursing.

Nursing Schools
Learn more about the various nursing school options that exist for students looking to further their education and becoming professional nurses.

NCLEX Examination
Read about the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and learn the part that this test plays in launching your nursing career.

Nursing Shortage
Read about the health care industry’s high demand for nurses and learn why now is a better time than ever to enter this career field.

Nursing Salaries
Take a look at the salary trends affecting the nurses in the health care industry today, and learn how getting your education can lead to a higher pay.

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NCLEX Exam FAQ’s

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:39:22 +0000

Once you’ve earned a RN to BSN from a nursing school , you’ll need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in order to get your nursing license, if you have your masters or have graduated from a nurse practitioner program you most likely will not need to.. Each state board of nursing evaluates this standardized test in order to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice.

Nursing Exam Eligibility

You’ll need to apply for nursing license from your state board of nursing in order to take the NCLEX exam. Once the board determines that you have met its criteria to take the test, you will then need to register to take the exam.

Nursing Exam Content

The NCLEX examination covers the following categories:

Safe, Effective Care Environment: management of care, safety and infection control
Health Promotion and Maintenance: growth and development through patient life span, prevention and early detection of disease
Psychosocial Integrity: coping and adaptation, psychosocial adaptation
Physiological Integrity: basic care and comfort, pharmacological and parental therapies, reduction of risk potential, physiological adaptation

Exam Registration

You’ll receive an NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin in the mail after you’ve applied for a license with your state board of nursing. At that point, you’ll be able to register to take the exam with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s testing service. You can register by phone, or by filling out a mail-in registration form.

You’ll receive an Authorization to Take the Test (ATT) once your state board of nursing verifies your eligibility to take the NCLEX. You’ll also receive a list of testing centers and instructions for how to schedule your appointment.

NCLEX Test Details

The NCLEX is a multiple-choice exam that utilizes an interactive system called Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). RN candidates must answer at least 75 questions. You’ll have 5 hours to complete the exam; this time window includes time set aside for the introductory computer tutorial as well as two 10-minute breaks.

Your score will be generated at first by the computer on which you are taking it, and then later by the National Council’s testing service. If you are clearly above the passing standard, you’ll pass. If you’re below the standard, you’ll fail. If your results are too close for the system to determine, you’ll be given additional questions until the system can offer its final analysis. RN candidates can take a maximum of 265 questions.

What if I Fail the NCLEX?

If you don’t pass the NCLEX, don’t worry; you’ll have another opportunity to take the exam again. First, you’ll receive a diagnostic profile that outlines both where your areas of knowledge were satisfactory and where they were not. You can retake the exam as many times as you need to, but you will need to wait at least 91 days before retaking the test. Some individual states may impose a stricter limit.

Get Started with your Nursing Degree Resources

Today it’s easier than ever for you to further your education and increase your salary with an online RN degree. If you want to start taking steps towards becoming a registered nurse, find the online school and degree program that’s right for you today!

RN Resources & Related Reading

Registered Nurse Careers
Find out about the variety of career opportunities in today’s health care industry for registered nurses.

Registered Nurse Schools
Learn more about the available nursing schools that can best suit your needs and career goals as you work to become a registered nurse.

Registered Nurse Programs
Discover the many registered nursing degree programs that can help move you towards your career goals today.

The Demand for Registered Nurses
There’s a greater demand than ever for professional registered nurses in today’s health care industry – find out more.

Registered Nurse Salaries
Track the latest salary trends for registered nurses in today’s health care industry, and find out how you can increase your earnings.

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Getting Your Nursing License – NCLEX

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:56:45 +0000

For students who are first entering into the world of working as a professional registered nurse (RN), obtaining a nursing license is a crucial step in launching a career in this branch of the health care field. Learn more about how you can earn your license and start your career as a registered nurse.

Getting your nursing license is an essential step in launching your career as a registered nurse (RN) once you’ve chosen the nursing school and the rn to bsn degree program that best suits your needs and goals.

Nursing License Requirements

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing states that the minimum requirements for both registered nurse (RN) and many nurse practitioner programs:

You must graduate, or provide verification of completion and eligibility for graduation, from a state-approved nursing program. Most Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs typically take four years to complete, with the last two years generally focused on the science and principals of nursing practice. These programs are not only available through colleges and universities across the country, but also through online BSN degree programs for registered nurses (RN) who want to enhance their credentials with a BSN degree. In these cases, students will complete the bulk of their course work online, while fulfilling clinical requirements in local facilities.

You must pass the NCLEX examination. This standardized exam is used to help each state board of nursing to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. The exam covers a list of categories that relate to client needs:

Safe, Effective Care Environment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity.

You must self-report any and all criminal convictions, chemical dependencies, and functional ability deficits.

State Boards of Nursing

State Boards of Nursing are responsible for evaluating nursing license applications, giving the licensure exams, and making sure that nurses who have received their licenses operate under the ethical and legal guidelines that the State Board has agreed upon with the federal government.

If you’re taking the time to investigate what you need to do in order to get your nursing license, you have taken the right step in building your career opportunities in this exciting branch of the health care field. To learn more about getting your nursing license and to obtain a state by state listing visit here Complete List of State Boards of Nursing .

Get Started with your Online Registered Nurse Degree

Career Resources for RNs

Registered Nurse Careers
Learn more about the different career options that exist for professional registered nurses.

Registered Nurse Schools
As you research registered nurse schools, find out what you need to consider before making your final decision.

Registered Nursing Programs
Find the registered nurse program that is able to move you towards your career goals.

The Demand for Registered Nurses
Find out why registered nurses are in such high demand within the health care industry.

Registered Nurse Salaries
Learn more about salary trends for registered nurses and find out how you can increase your earnings.

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Famous Female Serial Killers

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:38:31 +0000

Female serial killers are something of a rarity in the criminal justice system, but there have been a number of cases that have had a significant impact on our criminal justice system.

Marie Noe (1928-Present)

Marie Noe is an American woman and female serial killer who was convicted in 1999 for the murder of eight of her children. Between the years of 1949 and 1968, eight of the ten Noe children died of mysterious causes; at the time, they had been attributed to sudden infant death syndrome. All of the children had been born healthy and had normal development, but died between the ages of two weeks and 14 months. After giving birth to her last child Arthur Joseph in 1968, Noe had an emergency hysterectomy. 30 years later, a reporter from Philadelphia magazine brought her story back to the public, urging to investigate the case. Noe admitted to smothering four of her children, but said she wasn’t sure what happened to the other four. Two had died of actual natural causes. A plea agreement was reached, charging her with eight counts of second-degree murder. She was sentenced to 20 years probation with the first five years under house arrest. A September 2001 study was filed with the court, stating that Noe suffered from mixed-personality disorder.

Delphine LaLaurie (1775?-1842?- exact dates unknown)

Female serial killer Delphine LaLaurie was alleged to have helped torture, mutilate, and kill nearly 100 black slaves in the early 1800s. The wife of a wealthy New Orleans physician, she threw extravagant parties in their mansion in the French Quarter, but was also known to physically abuse her slaves, an incident where she brutally beat one in her garden after the slave allegedly pulled her hair while brushing it. Another slave jumped to her death from a second floor window to escape LaLaurie’s attacks. After responding to a fire in the LaLaurie mansion in 1834, firemen discovered several dead slaves chained to the walls in the attic. LaLaurie and her husband fled New Orleans shortly thereafter. It is rumored that they escaped to Paris, where it is believed that she died.

Aileen Wuornos (1956-2002)

Aileen Wuornos began working as a prostitute while she was attending high school in Michigan. She later moved to Florida and began a relationship with a 24-year-old motel maid named Tyria Moore. Wuornos supported herself and Moore by hooking. In 1989, Wuornos shot electronics storeowner Richard Malloy three times with a .22 caliber after he allegedly tried to rape her. Over the course of the next year, she killed seven more men – she would later claim that these killings were done in self-defense. The State of Florida sentenced her to six death sentences, and she was executed by lethal injection on October 9, 2002. The story of this female serial killer was later revived in 2003’s Academy Award winning film Monster, starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci.

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History of Criminal Justice, Punishment and Corrections

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:13:03 +0000

History of Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice, Punishment and Corrections in America are a crucial part of the United States’ criminal justice system. The United States has the largest inmate population in the world, with more than 2.5 million in prisons or jails. The roots of corrections in America can be traced back to the European system that was used in England, France, and Holland at the time when early colonists first arrived in this country.

The basic concept of common law included a set of rules designed to help solve problems in society, drawing upon decisions that had been made by judges in the past. As time passed, the colonists eventually developed their own system of criminal justice, and these practices helped to develop the system of corrections in America.

Corrections History

Imprisonment was less common in the early colonial years, but the jail system soon found its way into being a staple of corrections in America. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that prisons in America shifted their focus – rather than just existing to punish criminals, prisons would now set goals to rehabilitate offenders through both education and skilled labor. Corrections in America would also make it a point to dedicate efforts towards mentally and emotionally re-training criminals so that they will be able to re-enter society when their sentence is complete.

Evolution of Criminal Justice & Corrections

As the system of corrections in America has evolved, there have been several different subdivisions in this segment of the criminal justice system. Youth detention centers hold minors under the age of 17 or 18 (depending on the jurisdiction) who have been remanded into custody or are serving a sentence. Several psychiatric facilities share many traits with prisons, particularly when dealing with patients who have committed dangerous crimes. Similarly, may prisons house psychiatric units designed to house offenders diagnosed with a wide variety of mental disorders. It was this evolution and growth in crime that drove the academic community to create education and degree programs to help train and prepare society for crime. Read our resource guides to learn more about criminal justice degrees

Punishment History

There were several punishment options that existed at this time, most of which relied heavily on public shaming. The intent for this approach was to teach a lesson to the offender, with the hopes that this education would be more likely to prevent recurring criminal activity. Some of the more common punishment practices included whipping, branding, cutting off ears, and placing people in the pillory, a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing heads and hands. For more severe crimes such as murder and rape, criminals were punished by execution, most typically through public hanging.

Criminal Justice Career & Salary Resources

Interested in starting a career in criminal justice? Already in the field and looking to advance your salary? Read our How To Guides Below.

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Connecting Social Work with Other Disciplines Through Dual Degree Programs

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:56:26 +0000

Social work is considered a noble profession because it involves helping people who need assistance in many situations. Most people who obtain a degree in social work go on to become social workers with the state and government. Some of the job opportunities available for social work degree holders include alcohol counselor, drug abuse counselor, child abuse counselor, child advocate, youth worker, case worker, intake interviewer, social service liaison, family support worker, mental health technician, neighborhood worker, adult day care worker, and therapeutic assistant.

Social Work Competitive Landscape and the Need for a Advanced Degree

In today’s competitive world, getting a basic degree in social work is not enough. This is because social work is a vast field that encompasses many disciplines. If you are interested in becoming a child abuse counselor, it would be best for you to get a dual degree in social work and psychology. Dual degree holders have many other advantages. In a job interview, a dual degree in social work and another discipline gives you a better standing than an applicant with just a social work degree because you have an entirely separate skill set which can serve organization better without it having to hire someone else. A dual degree holder usually receives a higher base salary with better opportunities for advancement.

Recommended Dual Degrees for Social Work

Those who have a degree in social work and law often have a deeper understanding of how the legal system works so they can pursue careers in child welfare, corrections, family law, family violence, and social justice. Dual degree holders in social work and public health will be able to take up leadership positions in health-related agencies. Social workers who go through a dual degree program with a degree in divinity are far more prepared for positions in churches and community centers. If you have a dual degree in social work and public administration, you can work as a social worker as a government official or a nonprofit executive. People who have a dual degree in social work and business administration can look forward to careers in addiction counseling, career advising, health promotion, child care referral programs, relocation assistance, and more.

Pursuing a dual degree is not easy. First, the student must be accepted by both programs that are offering the dual degree, which can be difficult. While it takes less time to pursue two separate degrees, it is almost twice the schoolwork because you’ll be taking classes that can often be completely unrelated. Sometimes, students are also required to alternate their course work between the dual disciplines. It is also more expensive, since students would be paying for more classes, and they will definitely be doing a lot of school-related work so they will have to be more disciplined.

Graduates with a dual degree in social work and another discipline will be well equipped in assuming positions of leadership in their career. With the added skills, dual degree holders have a better chance to secure a good job, leading to a fulfilling career.

For more information, check the following sites:

Careers: Some of the possible careers for someone with a human services degree.
Dual Degree Programs: Explains why people choose to undertake dual degree programs.
Dual Degree Social Work Programs: Discusses how these types of programs commonly work in schools.
Health and Social Care: Provides information on these dual degrees.
Social Workers: Shows the requirements to become a social worker, covering training, qualifications, and so on.
History of Social Work: Social Workers play a crucial role in the advancement of man kind.
Dual Degree Programs: A listing of dual degree programs offered by selected schools, including social work dual programs.
Law and Health Dual Degrees: A short discussion about why it’s beneficial to get a law and health dual degree.
Resources for Sociology: For sociology students and educators.
Directory of Accredited Programs: A listing of social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Public Health and Social Work: Explores the training process of dual professionals in working world.
Health and Social Work Jobs: A look at the job possibilities for such dual degree holders.
Public Health: Provides information on public health and why it’s worthwhile to pursue a dual degree.
Master of Social Work: develops practitioners ready to challenge injustice, domination, exploitation, and violence
MSW Programs: Dual track social work programs.

Popular Online Degrees

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10 Effective Study Habits

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:55:56 +0000

Most adults are aware that careful time management will help them accomplish all that they want and need to do at home and on the job. Many of them also developed this skill during their student years, and if you can do the same, you will find it is a valuable asset that you will use throughout your life.

1. Choose a definite time and a place for studying

Decide what to study and where you will study it during the open periods on your daily schedule, keeping in mind that you will want to avoid studying late at night in order for your efforts to have their desired effect. Make sure that you have adequate desk space, good lighting, and a comfortable temperature as you study.

2. Prioritize your work.

With priorities in mind, begin your study period with the tasks that you feel are the most difficult or require a significant amount of concentration.

3. Be honest with yourself

You alone know whether you will do your best studying early in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon between classes. You may need a light snack or some background music to create the right atmosphere, and if you feel “trapped” in your dorm room, get some fresh air and take a walk over to the college library to do your work.

4. Get the most out of your assigned reading.

Read the course material before class so that you will be able to follow your instructor’s lead and have your questions answered as well. Taking notes on what you read will help you to understand it, and they will also be an excellent way to review what you are studying before a test.

5. Don’t sit passively through class.

Lectures are also a time when you can take notes or use a tape recorder, so that you can go over the lesson later on your own and determine what your instructor is emphasizing.

6. Read effectively

With a typical textbook, try reading the summary at the end of a chapter first, along with the questions listed. Then, as you carefully read the main text, you will be able to focus on the major points and determine what the author is trying to say.

7. Find a study group that works for you

Meet with one or more fellow students to discuss your class, and learn to work with those who are really interested in their courses. This type of proactive socializing is not only valuable for your classes, but is a healthy part of college life.

8. Remember to get help when you need it

If you feel stressed or suffer “burn out,” or if you need some guidance in order to complete a particular course successfully, meet with a counselor or professor so that you can work on the problem together.

9. Don’t let work obligations hinder your progress

Many students who have part-time or full-time jobs do well in their courses because they have become skilled in managing their time, while others are overwhelmed and end up dropping out. If you feel that you are drifting into the second category, take some corrective steps while there is still time.

10. Don’t cram before that exam

Occasionally, you may have to stay up late to complete a project or written assignment, but consistency in studying and long-range planning are two of your best tools in preparing for those “finals,” rather than making a feeble, last-minute attempt to catch up with the others in your class.

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Traditional Universities Online

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:36:15 +0000

In today’s fast paced, technology driven world, many people are using the internet to accomplish things that were previously done in other venues. This is true of the pursuit of higher education as well. According to a report by the Sloan Consortium, in 2006 the number of students studying for degrees online exceeded 3 million. Choosing to study online does not mean that the student must sacrifice quality for convenience. Students who prefer to achieve their degree online are no longer limited to internet only universities and schools. To meet the increasing demand for online education, many established, traditional institutions of higher learning are adding online study to their curriculum. By supplementing the conventional university model of learning with the virtual classroom, these universities are allowing a greater number and variety of students to earn accredited degrees from academic institutions with long standing reputations.

The type of online education offered at traditional universities is varied. While smaller schools such as Pace University offer a limited selection of disciplines for online degrees, larger schools often present the student with a wide variety of fields of study. The University of Massachusetts, for example, offers 83 degree and certificate programs and over 1500 courses online. Some of the traditional universities reserve online study for Graduate level coursework, but many others allow a student to obtain degrees from the Associate level all the way up through a Doctorate in certain fields. At some universities, there is the option of blended study, which is a mixture of online courses and courses taken onsite at the university. For individuals who started but never completed their Bachelor’s Degree, many of the traditional universities have designed programs that allow students to return to the classroom via online study and finish their degree. These programsusually offer a broad based curriculum that the student completes over a set period of time.

One of the advantages to studying online at a traditional university is that the student has access to the same level of resources as students who are on campus. Online students often receive the same education from the same professors as the students who physically attend the university. Often, academic advisors are available to the student. Many traditional universities allow access to their libraries online for students to obtain information via e-books, e-reports and journals. Many have librarians available to help online students with questions 24 hours a day. Frequently, online students are allowed the same access to financial aid as on campus students.

Tuition varies depending on the university. Some online programs are much less expensive than the on campus equivalent. Other universities, however, charge the same tuition fees regardless of a student’s residency status.

The demand for online higher education will no doubt continue to increase in the coming years. With more traditional universities entering the online market and each of them taking a different approach to the online education model, students should continue to see a wider variety of educational options open to them in the future.

Tips for Succeeding in an Online Course

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:57:22 +0000

Many students are looking to cyberspace to earn their degrees—or to seek training to bolster their resumes. Online classes offer many advantages to students who work full-time or for other reasons are unable to travel to a campus or follow a rigid class schedule. While the virtual classroom can be an effective and flexible learning environment, it is not without pitfalls for the unprepared student. Whether you’re 18 and just getting started or 80 and continuing to grow your knowledge and skills, you can adhere to some basic guidelines to ensure that you’re giving yourself the best shot at success in your online class.

Before you even sign up for an online class, it’s best that you dump any assumptions that have the potential to sabotage your path to success.

Don’t assume, for example, that a course is self paced. Many accredited courses offered by universities are simply online versions of their regular classes. That likely means they will follow the same calendar with specific mid-term and end-term dates. This will require students to submit work according to a set schedule in order to meet the calendar deadlines.

You also should not assume that an online course is easier than a classroom course. Many students opt for online classes based on the mistaken notion that it’s an easy way to get a grade—and a degree. Again, accredited online courses must still fulfill the school’s mission goals and must meet the standards specified to maintain accreditation. That means the work is going to be just as challenging as that on campus.

Avoid making assumptions about how course interactions are handled. In general, most online courses are asynchronous, meaning that there are few, if any, live online exchanges between teacher and students. The instructor will announce or post an assignment and then students will upload responses. The instructor grades the assignments and sends them back to the student. Questions may be posed one day via discussion board or email and then answered the next day via the same method. In some cases, however, instructors may want to hold online lectures to better explain a difficult concept. The instructor may request that students log on at a particular time for online demos. Students should be prepared for these situations and take full advantage of them as learning opportunities.

In addition to staying away from presumptions about the nature of online classes, adhere to some commonsense rules to make your online class a valuable learning experience free of issues.

Read the syllabus.

Okay, that probably sounds like a silly suggestion. Everybody reads the syllabus, right? Probably not. Most likely give it a cursory glance. It’s all the same stuff you’ve seen for other courses, nothing really important. The syllabus is a critical component because it represents the contract between you and the instructor. The syllabus outlines the course policies on late work, extra credit and plagiarism and defines the grading scale and grading system used. You might breeze through a course with a 90% average thinking you’re getting an A. When report cards are released and you have a B+, it’s bound to make you angry. But right there in the syllabus it says that the range for an A is 94-100. Missed it by that much. Another mistake you might make without reading the syllabus is to calculate your overall average minus whatever weighting system is applied. You might have a 100% average on course quizzes and think you deserve an A, but the quizzes may only account for 20% of the final grade whereas the essays, on which you’ve maintained an average of 80%, account for 75% of the final grade. It’s all in the syllabus.

Submit your work on time

This is kind of a corollary to the myth about self pacing. If the instructor specifies a deadline, then meet it. Instructors have deadlines too. They have to submit mid-term grades and final grades to the registrar on time, so they likely will not wait around for you to finish your work. Late policies will naturally vary by instructor, but it behooves you to get your work in on schedule. Some instructors will penalize for lateness; others may not really care. In many cases, missing a deadline can mean failure.

Check the course page regularly for updates

Instructors post important information on the home page, information that could affect your grade. Communication is a critical component of online courses, and if you don’t access the course page regularly, you’ll be missing out on some important interaction. The natural inclination is to only check in when assignments are due, to upload or post the responses and then log out. But what if there’s a problem with your upload and the instructor sends an email via the course page letting you know your file wasn’t received? If you only log in once a week, it could be a week before you know the problem even existed. What if the instructor has corrected a mistake on the grade calculation in the syllabus? You could easily miss the new information if you’re not regularly accessing the course page. Keeping up to date on what’s going on in the course is one of the best ways to avoid problems and ensure you complete the course successfully.

Pay attention to instructor feedback

Another important step to take is paying attention to instructor feedback. That may sound like a given, but too often students are far more interested in that grade affixed to the work than they are in the reason behind the grade. For many—and probably more so for the online student—that grade could be the ticket to a better-paying job and a lucrative career. It’s only natural to be focused on achieving high scores. The catch is that if you don’t understand what you’ve done wrong, you’ll never be able to correct it and get better. We often take instructor feedback personally, and the reaction is to deny the truth in it. One important step toward becoming a better student is to accept the feedback, learn from it and grow from it. In the long run, adopting this kind of attitude will help you succeed in your courses and, ultimately, achieve your career and life goals.

Don’t cheat!

You’d be surprised how many students fail courses because they’re caught cheating. For over 20 years I’ve warned by students that I fail at least one every semester for plagiarism. But that never seems to stop anyone from doing it. In the online arena, it’s all too easy to grab something off the internet without proper attribution, and just Google the word “essay” and see how many hits you get for online paper mills. When the grade itself is the final reward, the temptation is strong to take shortcuts. But here’s a little forewarning: Cheating detection tools are growing more and more sophisticated, and most online course delivery systems have built-in options for comparing student work to multiple databases and hundreds of web sites. If you’ve copied text from a web site, it can be revealed in seconds with the click of a button. If you’re committed to succeeding in online education, then do your own work and learn from it.

Online courses present students from all walks of life with an excellent opportunity to grow and improve. Get the most out of your online courses by actively participating in the work and interaction, following the rules laid out by the instructor and using any feedback you receive in a constructive way that makes you a true learner working to attain ambitious education and career goals.

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Assess Your Learning Style

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:45:12 +0000

If someone asked you what your learning style is, would you know? If not, you’re certainly not alone. Many people are unaware that there is such a thing as a ‘learning style’, but the concept has been used in public school classrooms for many years now. Simply put, your learning style is the way you prefer to learn. Some people learn better in a lecture environment, some by reviewing pictures and diagrams, others by working with their hands. You might be surprised when you find out what your learning style really is, because it isn’t always obvious.

In 1992, New Zealand educator Neil D. Fleming created a set of learning style categories that is in common use today. He, among many others, discovered that people learn best when they’re taught in their preferred way. Fleming’s VARK test separates learners into four main categories; Visual, Aural (hearing), Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. Some people learn in a variety of ways, and these learning styles are called Multimodal. After filling out a VARK ‘How Do I Learn Best’ questionnaire, you’ll discover your personal ‘learning style’. Learning style discoveries have been helpful for students who’ve had difficulty in traditional environments, and can help other kinds of students get better grades and even improve communication skills.

Fleming’s Four Learning Styles

Visual
If you prefer to learn by visual methods, you will gather methods in ordinary ways, but you will also learn a lot from observing the instructor’s facial expression and gestures. You tend to think in images, and prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid distracting sights. You read textbooks with a highlighter in hand, and every few seconds, you hit the page with a neon yellow or pink line. This not only leaves an impression on your mind, but it also provides a visual cue within the material for later reference and exams. You might also prefer to learn by film and video demonstrations, flow charts and PowerPoint presentations. As you process the information visually, you gain deeper learning because of the visual cues you’ve created.

Aural
Listening to information is the way you learn best if you’re an aural learner. You do well when you attend lectures, take notes as you go along (although you’d prefer not to), join discussion groups to review the material, or explain the topic to others and yourself aloud as you learn. Hearing yourself read the material aloud, or tape recording a lecture works very well for you, as you are likely to recall the information best this way.

Read/Write
This method is a twofold process: reading, then writing down what was read, either in the form of brief summary or word for word. The Read/Write learner makes lists to categorize and simplify the material, makes use of handouts, textbook material, writing down the salient material as he/she goes along.

Kinesthetic
If you find that you remember material best when you’ve applied a physical demonstration, you’re probably a kinesthetic learner.

Multimodal
A multimodal learner prefers a combination of styles, sometimes leaning more towards visual and kinesthetic, or in other cases aural and read/write.

Other commonly used learning style categories and questionnaires are the Barsch Learning Styles Inventory, David Kolb’s ELT (Experiential Learning Theory), the Index of Learning Styles, the Multiple Intelligences Inventory, and the Memletics Learning Styles Inventory. Most of these offer a brief test that you can take online free of charge.

Critics say that while it’s good practice to acknowledge different learning styles, teachers should be careful. Younger students are frequently not the best judges of what will lead to the best outcome: actually knowing the material. Teachers should guard against being too accommodating, and students should know that even under the best conditions, learning can be difficult.

If you find that the VARK test or other types of learning-style quizzes aren’t helpful, simply ask yourself where you prefer to study, and which processes work best for you in the classroom and when you’re preparing for an exam. You’ve chosen these methods because they work well for you, so if you’re succeeding with them, stick with it.

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Is Online Learning Right for You?

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:01:39 +0000

Today’s technology provides an alternative to traditional classroom time. Online learning allows students to take classes at their own pace and in their chosen environment. As long as you have a computer and an internet connection, you can participate in an online course.

However, before committing to a distance learning course, you should ask yourself: Is online learning the right choice for me?

Here are a few characteristics of those who benefit most from online learning:

Comfortable with technology
Have a reliable computer and internet connection
Are self-motivated and are capable of working independently
Use time management skills to plan ahead
Don’t need face-to-face contact with teachers or fellow students

It’s important to realize the differences between a virtual learning environment and a typical classroom. A classroom offers immediate access to teachers in case of questions or clarification, as well as a specific structure since students must attend at a set time and place. The classroom environment can also connect students more easily to their colleagues, since they will see each other on a regular basis. This provides a good jumpoff point for networking or forming study groups.

Online classes are far more independent endeavors. Since these classes are often faster-paced than those on campus, you must be able to keep up with a demanding course of study. Those suited to solo work do well in online classes, since most of your interaction with teachers and classmates will be over the internet.

Your learning style will also dictate your success in a virtual classroom – if you learn through discussion and trading ideas, you may do better in an on-campus class. On the other hand, if you learn best through working on your own, distance education may be a good choice for you. Those who have good writing skills are likely to do well in an online environment, since the great majority of communication will be in written form. Finally, if you find it easier to express yourself through the written word than in speech, you may find that a virtual classroom will free you up to express your opinions and ideas.

Lifestyle factors also dictate whether online learning is your best option. For example, if you’re juggling work and family, you may appreciate the freedom and flexibility of a virtual class. You can study before work, at lunchtime, or after you put your children to bed. Those who live a mobile lifestyle will also enjoy being able to work from anywhere – a cafe, a library, or even an airport lounge.

Once you’ve decided online learning is for you, you’ll need to be able to carve out specific blocks of time to devote to your courses. It’s important to read all pertinent course material provided by your instructor, and to get comfortable with any online programs that will be used. Once the class begins, you’ll want to establish good communication with the instructor in case of any questions, and to ask for help if any problems arise. With good time management and prioritization, online learning will prove a positive experience.

How to Skip a Year of College

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:37:33 +0000

Below are the top 5 tricks on how to skip a year of college. This is how I was able to graduate a year early and spend it traveling the world instead of sitting in a dimly lit lecture hall…

1. Don’t Trust Anyone but Yourself

In an ideal world, your guidance counselor will know everything about your major and graduation requirements, and will do anything they can to help you achieve them. In the real world, school counselors are only human and generally bogged down with back to back appointments and recommendation requests. Not all schools are like this, but most large Universities hold this to be true.

You need to take matters into your own hands. Do your homework and map out your major or pre major with the official class schedule. You should be able to generate a list of every class you need to complete in order to graduate. This is where it gets tricky… You need to make sure you schedule those hard to get into classes as soon as possible. If you get those out of the way, you won’t run into problems with full or not offered classes in your graduating semester.
Finally, if you still have questions after researching on your own, then take your plan to the guidance counselor. Let them know your accelerated schedule and engage them in your enthusiasm. Once they see how active you are in your schooling, they may even help you find shortcuts or ways around certain requirements.

2. CLEP out of everything you can!

CLEP tests are not only for scholarships or pre-requisites anymore. Most schools (over 2,900) grant regular class credit for tests that are passed. Albeit some have limits as to how many credits you may use towards graduation, CLEP tests can be pure gold if you ever paid attention in high school. The subjects range anywhere from languages to literature and tests are available under the following topics:

Composition and Literature
Foreign Languages
History and Social Sciences
Science and Mathematics
Business

You will still need to study for these tests and there is a fee to take them, but this is usually nominal compared to credit hour costs. Many of these credits can be used to fill in those elective courses and to meet the 120 hour graduation requirements. Don’t forget to look up your school’s CLEP policies in their general catalog before studying or paying to sit for the tests.

3. Earn Credits with your Experience

This tip isn’t really for students coming right out of high school, and not all Universities offer this option, but some programs will actually give you credit based on your previous experiences. This can apply to a broad range of skills from business to art, and even training learned in the military or certification classes. Some colleges will take your resume, CV, or portfolio and use it to judge how much life experience credit you can earn. This way of earning credits is also becoming more popular in e-learning environments and online degrees. The best way to find out if your school offers this is to ask a counselor or advisor about your specific program. It might take some hard work to prove what you’ve done, but this method can be extremely rewarding and very cost effective!

4. Go to School Year Round

In primary education, having the summer off to hang out with friends and goof around was welcomed, but in college, paying expensive room and board just to sit around to wait for the fall semester is almost absurd. Even though it seems like a bummer, there are many upsides to taking classes during the summertime:

Alternating semesters or sessions still allow for relaxation and vacation times in-between classes
You can take more difficult subjects because of the lower demanding schedule
Class sizes are smaller and more relaxed
Professors are more accessible and have less work to occupy them
It’s the best time to knock out those pesky required courses
You could graduate a year or more early!

All in all, taking classes during the summer is the most important tip towards finishing school early.

5. Take Online Classes

Online classes can eliminate a lot of headaches when it comes to making your schedule work for you. One of the toughest parts of graduating early is being able to finish all requirements or pre requisites on time. You may have already realized that some classes are not always offered every semester or that they are scheduled on the same time or day that your other classes are. Taking certain courses online eliminates any specific time periods for going to class. Also, certain courses allow you to set your own pace. This way you can finish early, or set a slower pace for yourself depending on work load and schedule restraints.

Let’s face it, online classrooms not only provide great flexibility but you can also go to class in your pajamas! Need I say more?
All things considered, these techniques are not for the lazy or undetermined. Cramming four full years at a University into three is definitely challenging and requires a passionate student that wants to succeed. If used correctly, all of these tricks can be used to reduce time spent in college and increase time available for life adventures. Hey, if I can do it… I know you can!

Fulbright Scholarship Programs

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:18:53 +0000

The Fulbright Scholarship is a government program that allows students, scholars, teachers and professionals to spend a year overseas in order to advance international relations. The program was the brainchild of Senator J. William Fulbright, the longest serving chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Realizing the need for human relationships across borders, Fulbright created the program that bears his name in 1946, in part to try and foster international relations that would increase cooperation around the world and prevent another World-War II. Over the years the Fulbright Scholarship has become one of the most prestigious international exchange programs in the world. It is still funded by an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress as well as contributions from participating international institutions.

The Fulbright is not just one program, but several, with the common component being that it allows students to travel overseas to gain international experience and advance their understanding of another culture. Both American and international students are eligible to participate in the Fulbright Program, and in fact, through the years more international students have used the Fulbright to learn in America than American students have used the program to learn in foreign countries. All in all, approximately 250,000 students have traveled abroad and fostered foreign relations in some capacity with the aid of a Fulbright Scholarship.

Under the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals, and artists are eligible to spend one academic year abroad to undertake scholarship or research. “Fulbrighters,” as they are called, use their Fulbright Grants to study in all disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities to the arts and beyond. Many use the year to do research projects that fulfill the Fulbright Program’s goal of encouraging international understanding and cooperation. Some students choose to apply for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) Program and help teach English in a school or university overseas in addition to pursuing their own course of study. No matter if they choose to teach or not, language study is generally always a crucial part of any Fulbright Scholar’s stay overseas.

Only students most likely to advance international understanding are selected from the Fulbright Scholarship, and in keeping with that goal, the selection process is strict. The various Fulbright programs have different selection criteria, but in general students are selected based on academic record, language preparation, feasibility of the project or course of study, personal qualifications and any other preference factors established by the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board. U.S embassies abroad and the various Fulbright Commissions also have a say in the selection process. Further, a Fulbright student is also charged with finding his or her own affiliated institution overseas, whether it be a university, library, museum, government agency or nonprofit.

Students wishing to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship should research the program thoroughly first. Not only will that determine whether their proposed project is right for the program, it might allow them to find special Fulbright projects for which they qualify. Past and present special projects have included Journalism Grants in Germany, Deafness Studies in Italy, and MBA Business programs in Spain.

For students who are serious about their program of study and advancing international relations, the Fulbright Scholarship is a valuable educational resource.

Online Fulbright Resources

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs
http://fulbright.state.gov/fulbright/

The Institute of International Education
http://www.iie.org/

Council for International Exchange of Scholars
http://www.cies.org/us_scholars/

Guide to Criminal Justice Degrees

admin — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:51:24 +0000

A Criminal Justice Degree is a degree offered to professionals in the field of criminal justice and law enforcement. The courses comprising a criminal justice degree provide specialized training for those pursuing positions of leadership in the criminal justice system. While many courses focus on the practical matters of improving policing techniques and reducing crime rates, other courses may focus on theoretical aspects of law enforcement policy, sociology and criminal behavior. The Master in Criminal Justice is a bridge to administrative and specialized roles in the field of criminal justice. Program lengths typically range from 30-36 credit hours, but vary by institution.

Benefits

For professionals in criminal justice, this degree clears pathways to new opportunities and higher positions in the field. The advantages of obtaining criminal justice degree include the following:

Gives professionals the qualifications necessary to move into administrative and executive positions
Offers a track to higher pay and prestige
Provides advanced study for those pursuing counseling and rehabilitation careers
Opens the door to advancement in specialized fields such as fraud, juvenile crime and private security
Helps law students develop a better understanding of the criminal justice system
Opens opportunities in public and private sectors

Areas of Study

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice encompasses a wide range of specialized areas of study in both the public and private sectors. Professionals seeking advanced study in a particular field should consult the curriculum guides of the institutions for detailed information on the programs offered. The following represents a sampling of the courses a student may find offered in criminal justice degree programs:

Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Theoretical Criminology
Computers in Criminal Justice Administration
Juvenile Justice Administration
Constitutional Law in Criminal Justice
Training and Development in Criminal Justice
Police Effectiveness
Women and Crime
Minorities and the Criminal Justice System
Statistical Methods for Criminal Justice Research
Global Terrorism
Data Analysis
Transnational Crime
Evidentiary Issues in Criminal Law
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
Employment and Policy Law

Career Opportunities

The following represents some of the many careers available in criminal justice. Because of the ever-changing landscape of the criminal justice system, this is by no means a comprehensive list, as many more specialized subsets may exist within each general category.

Correctional Officer
Counselor
FBI Agent
DEA agent
U.S. Marshal and Deputy Marshal
INS agent
Fraud Examiner
Security Specialist
Drug Rehabilitation Counselor
Probation Officer
Border Patrol Agent
IT Specialist

What You Need to Know

Many institutions require that students complete a field study, research or thesis project related to their specialty. The project is usually supervised by a faculty member and counts three or more credits towards the degree requirements, depending on how the project is structured.

Some programs offer non-thesis options, substituting additional coursework to satisfy the degree requirements. In addition to the thesis project, some institutions require a minimum grade of B for satisfactory completion of course. Those receiving a grade of C or below must retake course or complete extra work to improve the grade to the minimum.

Requirements

The primary prerequisite for admission to a MCJ program is successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited, four-year institution. In some cases, a GPA of 3.0 or better in the undergraduate program may be required. This requirement may be waived for students who currently hold positions in a criminal justice agency.

Accreditation

Many well-known colleges and universities offer degree programs in criminal justice. For specialized and online schools you’re unsure of, you can consult a number of regional accrediting organizations to ensure the institution’s accreditation is valid:

CHEA: Council for Higher Education Accreditation
www.chea.org

NCA: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
www.ncacasi.org

NEASC: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
www.neasc.org

SACSCOC: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
www.sacscoc.org

WASC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
www.wascweb.org

NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
www.nwccu.org

Professional Organizations

Many organizations have been established to support professionals in the field of criminal justice. They provide a means for those in the field to share their skills and knowledge and to network and find career opportunities in a variety of specialty fields. The following are among the organizations in criminal justice:

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
www.theiacp.org

American Association of Probation and Parole Officers (NAPPO)
www.appa-net.org

Federal Criminal Investigators Association
www.fedcia.org

International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts
www.ialeia.org

International Police Association—U.S.
www.ipa-usa.org