A Keokuk, Iowa USA firm announces the opening of a free online degree school search. The Free search is a milestone which owner Keith Londrie II wanted to accomplish in 2008. The search can be accessed at http://best-online-degree-schools.com and is available to any prospective online student.

The website has only been online approximately 2 weeks, and we are up to 201 searches per day and have increased capacity to handle hundreds of thousands of searches per day. Reaching the goal of 200 searches was completed in just 2 weeks. The secondary goal is to reach 100,000 searches by the end of 2008.

Keith Londrie says “With the amount of promotion we are doing for this free search service for online degrees, we should reach the goal of 100,000 searches by the end of 2008″.

The orange search box stands out vividly when you get to the site and look for where to do your search. The database of schools is the largest I have seen. You are virtually guaranteed to find a school that meets your expectations.

Keith Londrie said, “With the price of gasoline going up so much it is important to cut costs anywhere possible. The most logical place to start is with college transportation. Choose to learn online and save money while doing it”.

Source : webwire.com

All Education Schools, the leading online resource for education degrees and careers, announced the launch of an Early Childhood Education Career Guide for people interested in earning an early childhood education teaching certificate or degree. The guide can be found at http://SEATTLE, Washington - June 12, 2008 - All Education Schools , the leading online resource for education degrees and careers, announced the launch of an Early Childhood Education Career Guide for people interested in earning an early childhood education teaching certificate or degree.

With an estimated job growth of 12 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, teaching will see the addition of 479,000 jobs through 2016. As states increasingly institute programs to improve early childhood education, this will create many new jobs for preschool teachers, which are expected to grow much faster than average. To educate potential students about opportunities in early childhood education, All Education Schools researched the current state of the early childhood education field and synthesized its findings into a comprehensive career guide.

The All Education Schools Early Childhood Education Career Guide contains current information about early childhood education program requirements, tuition costs and teacher licensing. The guide offers up-to-date career information, including salary and benefit statistics, job descriptions and career path options. For those interested in expert advice about the field, the site contains insightful information in interviews with an early childhood education student and with the principal of a K-3 school with years of experience in the field.

The world of healthcare information is growing and changing rapidly. Across the nation, healthcare systems and medical facilities continue to improve information systems according to the industry’s newest high-tech standards and best practices.

Western Governors University now offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics. This online degree combines healthcare with information technology, giving a graduate the knowledge and skills needed to design, develop, and operate health information systems.

The online health informatics degree program’s core components provide a rigorous knowledge base in IT fundamentals, IT management and healthcare. Two industry-recognized IT certifications are included as part of this degree program at no extra cost. They are CompTIA A+ IT Technician and CIW v5 Database Design Specialist.

This online degree is designed for those who may already be in the healthcare profession seeking to develop health informatics and technology skills or for those who are already in information technology and who are seeking knowledge of the healthcare field. This program was created to bridge the gap between healthcare and information technology by building competencies in both areas.

Students who already have knowledge or associate’s degrees in either area may be able to accelerate their progress and can possibly complete their degree in two to three years. Expected time to completion for students with little or no college experience is four to five years.

Tuition is very affordable at $2,790 per 6-month term or just $5,580 per year. (Tuition will become $2,890 effective 9/1/2008.) This is less than half of what other reputable online universities typically charge. A scholarship of $2,500, applicable at $500 per term for up to five terms, is available to qualified applicants. Enrollments are open continuously and new cohorts begin each month.

More : marketwire.com

Degree.com, a website focusing on online degree programs and distance learning education, had 38 percent more visitors during April-May 2008 compared to February-March 2008, after adjusting for seasonal differences. In an informal survey of site visitors, the #1 reason for being interested in an online degree was “higher gas prices,” cited by 60 percent of those responding in May 2008. Other reasons given were convenience, parking, scheduling, babysitting and the cost of classes In a comparable 2007 survey of visitors to Degree.com, the number 1 reason for interest in an online degree was “convenience,” with gas prices not even mentioned when the top five reasons were compiled. The surveys used a fill-in-the-blanks format rather than multiple choice, to increase the reliability of respondents’ answers.

“Gas is costing people upwards of $1000 a month,” says Sheila Danzig, who runs the Degree.com site. “And students are the last group who can afford that. Taking classes at home and other distance learning options allow students to avoid spending limited funds on gas and to have more time for a part-time job that helps pay the tuition bill. For the adult learner, online degree programs provide a perfect answer to a scarcity of time and resources, particularly for those who also work and have a family.”

More : pr-usa.net

East Georgia College now offers the convenience and flexibility of a new online associate degree, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The online degree is in the programs of general studies, psychology, and sociology. Earn an East Georgia College degree from the comfort of your home, online.

“Online learning is a wonderful option for many students,” says Dr. Dee McKinney, who is EGC’s coordinator of online teaching and learning. “It allows a great deal of flexibility, reduces commuting time, and provides a medium for creative teaching. I use student-led online discussions, for example, and one of my favorite activities is having students produce a ‘historic’ news articles in which they are eyewitnesses to past events, such as the Crusades or the Renaissance. They ‘present’ these materials in an online format, and the whole class can comment and provide feedback.” McKinney has been developing and teaching online history courses for nearly six years.

More : thebladeplus.com

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has given approval to American Public University System (APUS) to enhance its associate degree programs. One Associate of Arts degree in General Studies, with multiple concentrations, has now been changed to several stand alone associate degrees in those fields. With HLC’s approval of these changes, APUS may now award Federal Student Aid (FSA) funding under Title IV to students enrolled in the stand alone associate degree programs.

“These changes give more choices to APUS students,” said Dr. Frank McCluskey, provost and executive vice president for APUS. “In addition, we are pleased that the new stand alone associate programs are eligible for Federal Student Aid, which will help more students gain access to higher education.”

Regionally accredited, APUS serves more than 33,000 part-time students who live and work in all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. With the addition of the new associate degrees, APUS now offers 73 degree programs in fields ranging from homeland security, military studies, intelligence, and criminal justice to technology, business administration, public health, and liberal arts. Current and prospective students may begin to register for the new stand alone associate degree programs later this summer.

“Improving associate degree programs will help further the APUS mission of providing relevant, affordable and student-focused online degree programs to those who serve,” said Wallace E. Boston, Jr., president and chief executive officer of APUS.

More : earthtimes.org

United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) announces the national committee members of its 2008 National Distance Learning Week, which will be held on November 10 -14, 2008.

The 14 member USDLA national committee is made up of representatives from various constituencies, including university and K-12 educators, corporations, military and government representatives, home schooling administrators, telehealth and media professionals. These members were chosen for their dedicated work in their professions and the field of distance learning. The committee members will work to promote the awareness of distance learning within their organizations and communities.

Dr. Kenneth E. Hartman was recently appointed by the USDLA as the 2008 NDLW national committee chairman for the second year. Dr. Hartman is the Academic Director for Drexel University Online. “I am honored to take this initiative to another level. Our goal is to educate the public on the exciting and ground breaking events occurring each day in distance learning,” says Dr. Hartman. “We want to continue moving forward after the success of the inaugural National Distance Learning Week,” says Hartman.

“USDLA could not have found a better person to lead this initiative. Dr. Hartman’s experience in education and the media will ultimately result in a very successful event,” says Dr. John G. Flores, Chief Executive Officer the USDLA.

E-learning is one of the fastest growing segments in education. Over 3.5 million people are taking online classes or are enrolled in an online degree program. That number is expected to rise as online learning continues to gain momentum and becomes even more popular. The convenience of online learning has led students of all ages to pursue their studies online. Students in high school through senior citizens can access their virtual classrooms and continue their education from anywhere in the world.

For more information regarding NDLW contact Dr. Kenneth Hartman, national committee chair, at 215.895.0501 or visit www.ndlw.org

About Distance Learning:
Distance Learning is the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction, encompassing all technologies and other forms of learning at a distance. National Distance Learning Week is an initiative that was developed to generate greater awareness and appreciation for distance learning within the areas of K-12, Higher Education, and Business Corporations. This initiative also recognizes leaders and best practices in the field, and is designed to engage professionals in the day-to-day practice of distance learning. Schools, colleges, corporations, military branches, individuals, and organizations are recognized for providing exceptional products and services to the distance learning community.

More : prweb.com

Saint Louis University School for Professional Studies is now offering the University’s first online undergraduate degree program. The 120-credit hour Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BSG) is a multidisciplinary, flexible degree program that offers students an opportunity to study aspects of society and culture, sharpen comprehension, speaking and writing skills, and think critically.

Students will emerge from the program with a broad knowledge base from which they may continue to advance in their academic pursuits.

Jennifer Giancola, associate dean of the School for Professional Studies, says students will develop competencies such as principled decision-making, appreciation for diverse perspectives and analytical and communication skills.

“Ultimately, the program provides students with a liberal arts foundation and transferable skills that can be applied in multiple industries and positions,” Giancola said.

A recent National Occupational Employment and Wage study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics points to continued demand to fill jobs requiring a general studies degree.

In the next seven years, full and part-time positions that require general studies degrees are projected to grow by over 11,987.

In 2005, there were over 1,482,090 positions that required a general studies degree. The total number of new jobs and replacement jobs needed by 2014 is estimated at 1,601,955, up from 1,505,063 in 2006.

The study also indicated the median salary earned in fields that require a general studies degree is $53,221 with a range of $34,854 to $71,585.

The flexible degree program is available in both online and on-ground formats and meets the growing need for online courses/programs as well as generalist degrees for students looking to balance the demands of work, family and education.

Jo Gardner, a 2007 graduate of the School for Professional Studies, says the flexibility of online classes allowed her to do course work around her schedule rather than having to schedule her life around in-class time.

“I think online classes are advantageous for working professionals.They are convenient and don’t add unnecessary stress to life while trying to combine school with family and work,” Gardner said.

More : slu.edu

Responding to an increasingly competitive job market in the United States and abroad, working men and women are flocking in droves to online universities to sharpen their professional skills and augment their resumes. Almeda University, a leading online educational institute for over 10 years, is serving a lion’s share of these busy individuals thanks to a new online degree guide that makes earning a college degree online a straightforward and accessible process for people from all walks of life.

Armed with an acute understanding of the challenges that face working students, the staff at Almeda University works to simplify the process of achieving university degrees online. The university’s clear-cut guide to online education assists time-strapped students by offering guidance on choosing a degree, earning that degree online, and utilizing it to its highest potential. The success of their initial online degree guide has prompted the university to tailor it to working students and their unique challenges.

Our students come to us with a wide range of situational challenges, says Richard Franklin, Almeda University spokesman, but one thing that many have in common is a feeling that they lack the time they think is required to improve their professional position with an online university degree. Franklin states that these students are relieved to discover a staff that is highly responsive and a process that is well defined. Our online degree guide has really made it possible for a large number of students to improve their job security and earning potential as it takes the guesswork out of earning university degrees online.

With a growing uncertainty looming over the economy, many forward-thinking individuals are increasing their security by earning a university degree online. Rather than compounding the challenges faced by stressed workers, Almeda University offers solutions with a precise online degree guide that takes the stress out of achieving a higher education online.

Source : prweb.com

Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL) (“Apollo Group,” “Apollo” or “the Company”) today announced that it plans to establish a new Canadian institution, named Meritus University (“Meritus” or “the University”). Following review of program proposals by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, Meritus University has received approval to offer its first three programs from the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, thereby establishing degree-granting status. Meritus University will be based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, offering complete degree programs online to working professionals throughout Canada and abroad.

“We understand there is a value to Canadian education that transcends Canadian borders,” said Greg Cappelli, executive vice president of global strategy for Apollo Group. “Meritus University’s mission is to meet Canada’s growing demand for advanced education, while making Canadian education, which is highly regarded internationally, accessible worldwide.”

Brian Mueller, president of Apollo Group, added, “With nearly a decade of presence in Canada through Apollo’s University of Phoenix, Meritus University is delivering what Canadian students have been telling us they want – academic programs that are competitively priced and market relevant, taught by Canadian faculty who hold substantial positions across a wide spectrum of Canadian industries. Meritus University will reflect what Apollo’s institutions are known for and what Canadian students say their education should be — mobile, global and very effective.”

New Brunswick is an attractive location because of its positive regulatory and business environment. Building upon Apollo Group’s advanced student support systems and New Brunswick’s highly skilled labor pool, Meritus University is expected to be operational later this year.

More : businesswire.com