How To Avoid Wasting Money on Online Degree Scams

By: David Dunlap

For every person hoping to achieve success and get an online education, there are many more companies and people trying to scam unsuspecting individuals. It goes without saying that these should be avoided at all cost. Of course, the best approach to avoiding online degree scams is to know your product before you buy.

Prospective online students should be on the lookout for things inside the degree offer that tout the benefits of distance learning, but provide little in the way of support for the student. A degree based on life experience alone may often not be worth the paper it is printed on. This can often be very hard for a "graduate" of diploma mills to understand, but most human resource managers would give you a blank stare if you mentioned this as a competitive qualification for employment.

A "money back guarantee" can mean nothing if the small legalese boilerplate says that only in extreme circumstances can you actually get your money back. If the work materials are out of date, poorly written, or the grading standards too harsh or unfair, to whom might you complain? The job market right now is extremely competitive. Gaining any kind of degree or credential that has questionable legitimacy can reduce your chances of being hired, promoted or recognized in your respective field.

Think about what you would do if your money was charged or your check for the "degree" cashed, and you received no diploma, certificate, or any documentation at all showing educational progress. Can you afford to sue a website or a company? Ask yourself before you enroll in any online program if there is not a more legitimate and trustworthy institution available. Why would you want to furnish identity information such as your name, address and telephone number (and IP address), credit, and social security data to strangers over the Internet anyway? Can you hire an attorney to travel to the place where the business is headquartered? Do you have a fine understanding of the legalities of suing a company that accepts money for 7-day high school equivalency courses? It’s likely they are ten steps ahead of you for any legal recourse.

Shop around and see why the "big" online schools near you don’t offer the same program, or call them and ask why. Often a look at the fine print will tell the story. Are there foreign or offshore company names, paragraph after paragraph of disclaimers, unlisted faculty, or minute clauses that state that the work being paid for is only coaching or instruction toward the goal of a degree and cannot be termed education? In order to prove you passed a course with a suspect, or possibly fraudulent, online company, could you produce screenshots of every question you answered correctly? Could you prove that these programs came from the company listed on your credit card? If you don’t receive a quality teaching experience, have you really achieved anything more than a piece of paper?

If you feel there is an online service you want to check, research the "school" or find discussion boards that tell about other student’s experiences. Do not trust testimonials from that site. Contact your state board of education or the county education offices where that school claims to be located. Ask the personnel there if they know of the school or have processed any inquiries or complaints. Keep in mind that a high school diploma obtained in another state may be legal there, but not where you live or work.

The worst thing about education scams is they injure the very people who are most deserving of help; the ones who are trying to better themselves and do what’s needed to get ahead. It is recommended that students act in their own defense first and contact local public school counseling offices or boards of education for advice first.

Looking to finally finish the degree that has been eluding you to this point? Wait no further - complete your online degree today! Get all the information needed to begin today at http://onlinedegreeservices.com

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How To Choose An Online Accredited Degree Program

By Steadman Issenburg

With the rapid proliferation of both online and off line schools that offer advanced degree programs, it is more important than ever that you choose a fully accredited school in order to get the best education possible. So let's discuss what accreditation is, how you benefit from it, and how you can use it to select the best online schools and degree programs.

First of all, there's a need to understand the accreditation process. For a school to be legitimately accredited means that it has been validated by a peer review process and found to be providing a high quality education according to accepted established educational standards. In other countries, schools are often accredited by some form of government agency. However in the US, these evaluations are made by private accrediting agencies instead, many of which are regional in nature.

So when you are comparing online degree programs, accreditation is perhaps the first and foremost issue that you want to address. For an online college or university to be accredited means that you will have all the tools at your disposal that are necessary to help you get a high quality education in the field that you are pursuing. And since the accreditation is awarded according to established educational standards, if you have to transfer from that school to another accredited school later on, all of the credits that you have earned up to that point should be able to transfer along with you without your having to repeat courses that you have already covered.

So why is accreditation so important? Simply put, there are a lot of generally worthless college degree scams commonly known as diploma mills set up to take students hard earned money and give them very little quality education in return. Even though you may get an online degree from one of these schools that are not accredited, it will most likely do you very little good when it comes time to try to get employment in that particular field as the quality of the education that you have received cannot be verified or validated.

So obviously then, it's vital to make sure that any online degree program that you consider is a fully accredited school that offers a high quality education in the field of your pursuit. But how do you make sure that is an accredited school? Perhaps the easiest and quickest way to verify accreditation for any particular school is to go to the web site for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or CHEA. This agency is not affiliated with the government, but helps coordinate research on accreditation issues. So all you have to do is enter the name of the school that you wish to research and see if it comes up as having been accredited by a reliable accrediting agency. If a school or online degree program is found to not be accredited by a reliable agency, it's usually best to avoid it at all costs.

Hopefully the information in this article will help you understand how imported accreditation is in the education field, and how you can protect yourself by making sure that the online college or university that you choose is fully accredited and validated.

Steadman Issenburg writes on many consumer related topics including education. You can find online accredited degree programs and accredited distance learning programs and more by visiting our education website.

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Tips for Receiving Online Accredited Degrees

By: John Higginbotham

While a great many individuals dream of getting a degree, it is sometimes seemingly impossible to interrupt your career and or family life to go back to school. Many of us, of course, have jobs and find that the traditional schedules offered by community colleges and universities often make it impossible for us to juggle our schedules to attend. Or perhaps we have family members, kids more than likely, that we simply must dedicate our time to. These are the very things that are making online college courses ever so more attractive. And don't think for a second that the colleges and universities across the country aren't recognizing this and responding in kind.

A great alternative for the person who desires to attend college classes is to go the route of an online accredited degree. This is a degree from a college or university with accreditation, which means it meets the state's guidelines and is deemed to be every bit as credible as a brick-and-mortar earned degree.

The programs offered in the form of online degrees very greatly. It is advised that anyone pursuing this avenue of higher learning do their homework and learn as much as they possibly can before making their decision as to which classes to pursue. There is ample information to be had, so by all means request as much as you feel is necessary to obtain the information that you're after. We must remember that there are so many degrees offered through the online accreditation process that your choices are becoming ever more diversified. Degree levels include Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates.

The advantages to getting an online degree are virtually endless. You do not have to commute and there is no need to schedule classes and reshuffle your life around someone else's schedule. The only thing you really have to do is be on yourself to stay disciplined to get your work done.

I will again repeat what I said earlier because of its great importance. It is absolutely paramount that you make sure that the degree that you are pursuing and the classes that you are taking are indeed accredited. There's nothing worse than wasting your time and money taking classes that you will not get credit for, unless of course you are doing it for your own edification.

If you were ever considering getting a degree to improve your chances of landing a job, or getting paid more, or even to perhaps change careers completely, now is the time to do it. The future is promised to no one and now with the advantages of online accredited degrees, there really is no excuse for not pursuing these wonderful opportunities. Most of these online classes are delivered by way of computer. Don't be intimidated by this if you are not computer savvy. A simple computer and Internet connection will be more than enough to get you through. So now you know. No excuses, get out there and get it done.

John Higginbotham has been on the internet for over 6 years and has extensive knowledge on internet marketing as well as obtaining an online education. You may visit his website at http://www.degree-online.info/.

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Career Information for a Chef's Degree or Certification

If you can express your creativity through food, and if you have an exceptionally discerning palate, you might succeed in a Chef's Degree or Certification program. People who have completed this program may be qualified to enter the following career fields: cook, pastry chef, and caterer.

For some, cooking is a chore; for others, cooking is a chance to make art in the form of food. Standing on your feet for long hours in a hot kitchen is not for everyone. But, if you have the passion, you will find working as a chef a rewarding profession. In this program, you can expect to spend anywhere from fifteen to forty hours a week in the kitchen on top of other course work; in addition, you need to be prepared to work as a team that often reports to a kitchen at 6am. In this major, you will find you have to be thick-skinned to take criticism from teachers and other students. But as long as you have a passion for food and a desire to please others, you will Certification may be qualified to enter the following career fields: cook, pastry chef, and caterer.

Cook

Cooks season and prepare a wider variety of foods ranging from salads, soups, entrees, appetizers, and desserts. Working for restaurants, catering firms, schools, and offices, they specialize in providing large quantities of food to groups of people. According to a 2002 study by the U.S. Department of Labor, there were over 3 million jobs for cooks and other food workers-mostly in restaurants and other food establishments. According to that same study, jobs will be plentiful for the next 8 years, but interested applicants should be aware that competition is quite high at the more lucrative establishments. Earning a degree in culinary arts or culinary science is an effective way to increase one's job prospects. Exact earnings vary dramatically, depending on the area you work in.

Pastry chefs

Under the food preparation category, pastry chefs are professional bakers who provide desserts and breads for restaurants, supermarkets, food establishments and general pastry shops. They tend to work normal hours (except during holiday seasons), and enjoy flexibility and creativity. According to the Career Education Advisor, overall employment will increase, because of the growing number of bakeries, specialty stores, and consumer interest. According to this same study, pastry chefs' incomes are quite varied depending on region, specialty, clientele and experience. In 2000, the median salary was about $20,000. Most chefs earned between $15,000 and $25,000, with the richest earning over $30,000. Earning a degree in culinary arts or culinary science will probably place applicants in the upper income bracket.

Caterer

Catering is a fun job for those with skills in hospitality and customer service. The job allows you to often work on your own hours, and out of your own home. There are catering services you can work for, but many prefer to freelance. The sky is the limit in this job, and you may find yourself preparing for huge banquets, wedding services, and even personal dinners for two. You must be willing to deal with time crunches, picky customers, and be able to come up with back up plans in case things go wrong at the last minute.

For more Career Information for a Chef's Degree or Certification, or for related programs, visit the US Bureau of Labor, www.bls.gov, or College Board, www.collegeboard.com.

Online Graduate Schools: What You Should Look For in an Online Grad School

Would you like to pursue a postgraduate degree, but you do not have the time to attend classes at a college or university? Many graduate degrees can be obtained online these days, but you need to ask some questions before you pick a program.

So you'd like to earn a master's degree? In the past you'd often have to quit your job in order to do this, and in some circumstances even relocate to the site of the college or university where you planned to study. These days, however, there is a cheaper, simpler option - you can pursue a graduate degree online! Before you enroll in the first degree program you find, though, there are a few factors you need to consider.

Is the program accredited?

Always look for accreditation - regional accreditation is fine in some cases, but certain professional degree programs require additional certification - if you plan to sit for the bar, you'll have to make sure your law degree is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) . Likewise, a degree in library science will be much more likely to land you a job if your program has been accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).

Does the program require any resident time?

Some online programs nevertheless require a certain amount of time spent on site at the college or university - this time can range from a few days per year to a number of weeks or even months (usually during the summer). Be sure you can commit to the time and travel involved before choosing such a program.

What is the cost of the program compared to similar online programs?

Online degrees are not necessarily inexpensive, and can cost as much as the tuition were you to attend classes on site. The savings to you comes in the fact that many classes are scheduled during night and weekend hours, permitting you to keep your day job, and of course there are no commuting costs, nor do you have to relocate. This being said, the fact that you are not limited by geography as a factor may allow you to choose between a wider range of programs, some of which may be less costly than others. If you find a program which is much, much cheaper than all other similar programs, though, beware - and check carefully into the cause of the lower price. Do they save on faculty salaries by having less-qualified instructors do online teaching? Or is the program in some way subsidized by a grant, in which case the lower price might be entirely legitimate? Just do your homework - before as well as after you enroll in a graduate degree program!

The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative

BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative

May 2006

"Highly skilled teachers are the key to closing the achievement gap and leaving no child behind. The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is helping teachers strengthen their skills by increasing their opportunities to engage in frequent professional development."

— U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings

The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative helps teachers to improve student achievement by supporting their professional development.

• Research confirms that teachers are the single most important factor in raising student achievement. Highly qualified teachers can maximize every child's potential to meet high academic standards. Good teachers are essential to closing the achievement gap and ensuring that no child is left behind.
• The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative was created by teachers for teachers. It provides support for teachers, including convenient access to free professional development activities. It keeps teachers informed in areas of vital importance and honors teachers for their hard work and dedication.
• The Initiative reaches out to States and school districts so that teachers will have the opportunity to receive credit toward professional development requirements.
• The Initiative offers help anytime, anywhere through free online digital workshops, an e-Learning website and popular Teacher-to-Teacher workshops held in cities from coast to coast.
• The Initiative honors teachers for their hard work and dedication through the American Stars of Teaching award program.

The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is working and being expanded so more teachers can take advantage.

• The Initiative had helped more than 300,000 teachers learn effective strategies for raising student achievement—and is expected to reach the teachers of more than one million students this year.
• Today, all 50 states and the District of Columbia grant professional development credit for Teacher-to-Teacher participation.
• The Initiative is offering 14 free summer workshops for teachers in all content areas in cities across the country during summer 2006.
• The Initiative offers 32 online professional development courses through e-Learning.
• Teacher-to-Teacher is partnering with TechNet, a group of technology companies, to create urban teacher workshops focusing on math, science and technology.

The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is engaging the nation's best teachers and principals to share strategies for raising student achievement.

• Teacher Training Corps: The Corps is made up of classroom teachers and practitioners from across the country experienced in scientifically based instruction. Corps members host regional workshops and provide onsite on-site technical assistance, e-mail mentoring, webcasts and personal follow-up visits to other educators sharing the strategies that have worked in their own classrooms and schools.
• Teacher Workshops: After an overwhelmingly positive response the past two summers, Teacher-to-Teacher has expanded the number of summer workshops offered in 2006 to 14 total workshops. Sessions will feature prominent teachers and principals sharing research-based practices they have successfully applied in the classroom. Topics included research-based professional development, effective use of data, and teaching strategies to reach all students. Reading, mathematics, science, history, foreign language and the arts will be among the subjects covered.
• e-Learning: Designed for both teachers and principals, e-Learning models successful classroom teaching strategies and supports mastery of academic content, combined with classroom application, follow-up activities and an online assessment. It's simple: Access the website (www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative), enroll, complete the course, take an assessment, complete the follow-up activities, and incorporate what you learn in the classroom. Principals may use an implementation rubric developed for each session. Sessions are from the recent highly successful Teacher-to-Teacher summer and fall workshops.
• Teacher Updates: Teachers may receive electronic updates from the U.S. Department of Education by signing up at www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative. These short "e-bytes" address topics including federal policy and opportunities for teachers and provide links to classroom teaching and learning aides.
• Teacher Roundtables: The Department has hosted teacher roundtables on various topics so Department officials could listen to and interact with teachers.
• American Stars of Teaching: American Stars of Teaching honors teachers who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies to reach students and making a difference in their lives. Candidates may be nominated by anyone—parents, principals, school officials or former students. Nearly 4,000 nominations were received this year and names of the 2006 awardees will be posted in the fall. To learn more about American Stars or to nominate a teacher, go to http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/american-stars.html.
• "Teachers Ask the Secretary": This easy-to-use interactive feature (http://www.ed.gov/teachersask) allows teachers to ask questions of the Secretary of Education and learn answers on a wide range of issues: teacher quality, professional development, state academic standards and more. The page will be regularly updated to include as many topics as possible.

Call 1(888) 814-6252 or visit www.nclb.gov for more information on No Child Left Behind.

Benefits of Online Degrees From Accredited Online Colleges & Universities

By Nancy Lambert

Little or No Commuting

Accredited online college degrees require little or no commuting, saving you time and money! Less time in your car means less gas burned and less care maintenance.

Complete Course Work at Your Convenience

Accredited online college degrees allow you to complete your course work when it is convenient for you. Just think - you can do your course work where and when you want to - whether it's during the day or in the middle of the night!

Save in Childcare Costs

Accredited online college degrees allow you to work from home, providing a tremendous savings in childcare costs!

Learning at Your Own Pace and Style

Accredited online college degrees are "learner centered". This means that you set the pace, sequencing, and style of learning according to what works best for you!

Easy Access to Learning Resources

Accredited online college degrees offer easy access to a full range of learning resources. Your Teachers, other students, and the library are only a click away!

Advanced Degrees Lead to Increased Salaries

Accredited online college degrees allow you to obtain advanced degrees that can lead to increased career salaries!

No Physical Accessibility Issues

Accredited online college degrees remove the issues surrounding building accessibility and the comfort (or should we say discomfort) of classroom chairs and heating or cooling!

Provides for Total Equality

Accredited online college degrees are great equalizers. You will work with fellow class members without regard for appearance, race, sex, ethnicity, or other common prejudices!

Broadens Your Overall Perspective

Accredited online college degrees allow you to broaden your perspective by interacting with people from other parts of the world!

Teaches Project Management Skills

Accredited online college degrees naturally help to teach you project management and distance collaboration skills. These skills will help you in your professional life by teaching you how to work on virtual teams within your own company!

Nancy Lambert is an executive for Accredited-Online-Colleges.com provides information on hundreds of degrees offered online through accredited colleges and universities. From online certificates to Associates, Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees, Accredited-Online-Colleges.com helps students and adults discover the advantages of earning their degree online.

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