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Posts Tagged ‘online programs’

Facilitate Your Participation In Online School Programs With Financial Aid For A Higher Education

31 Aug

For students who need some sort of financial assistance to attend college, it’s a good thing grants are no longer limited to just the one that was offered by Lady Anne Mowlson in 1643. She is credited with offering the first ever college grant of 100 pounds to Harvard in that year. Now, a little exploration of grants will show federal SEOG Grants, Pell Grants, and Federal PLUS loans. Those are only the tip of the financial aid iceberg.

Education in pre-revolutionary days and even to a large part of the near past was impacted by the need for children to work family farms in the spring for planting and in the fall for harvesting. If someone wanted to learn a trade, they apprenticed themselves to someone who already knew that job. For those who could afford it, Harvard was pretty much the only choice for college and this experience was not one offered to the “under-privileged” classes.

As centers for higher education have grown geometrically, so have the sources for obtaining college grants. Yes, there’s always the Pell Grant. Yet along with the Pell, the Department of Education has a special data base service so you can apply for everything from National Direct Student Loans to private institutions that also provide other grants such as TEACH (a grant program for public teachers of the future).

A good place to start is with the Dept. of Education’s FASFA4Caster. This tool is designed to help figure out the odds of a student getting aid. From there, the Department will even help you set up an account, MyFASFA, to manage your next step, which is getting the grants.

A report by USA Today noted recently that there was an average annual cost of $15,000 per semester for higher education. Looking only to the Pell Grant – currently at $5,350 – is not going to cover a student’s semester expenses. As with most things, unless a student has hit the lottery, or has the good fortune to have the last name of Buffet, Jobs, or Gates (and the family money that goes with it), some type of assistance will be required for that student to get a college education.

Only schools like Harvard adjust tuition based on need and there’s still the matter of being one of the rare few who will get matriculated. At the same time, there isn’t a single educational institution worth its salt – land-based or online – that doesn’t come with financial aid officers. Yes, you should do some homework on your own. That’s a great reason to go to the Department of Education’s website.

What will a financial aid officer do for you? How about helping you go through the mountain of paperwork that is often required? Or finding specific assistance for single moms, single parents, military veterans or Native Americans? One in four students going or returning to college are over the age of 25 and many are already working or have children or both. A good aid officer will have the experience to get you pointed into the direction you need to apply for everything that fits your individual situation.

So, the general overview is times have changed considerably since Lady Mowlson. It costs a lot more than 100 pounds to go to Harvard. At the same time, there are a lot more Mowlsons out there in the world, and a number of fine institutions besides America’s first college. A little work looking into online universities information, some help with college grants options, and you will find them.

 

Online School – You Do Not Have To Settle For A GED!

22 Jul

Students drop out of high school for many reasons; perhaps they need to work to support themselves, or their family structure may not have been conducive to the educational process. Many students who for one reason or another do not complete high school do, however, complete their GED (General Education) certificate. This is a high school equivalency test that tests students in five subjects: language arts, mathematics, writing, science, and social studies. The majority of students who do go on to complete their GED report that they have done so in order to continue their post secondary education.

In the past, GED students were expected to join the work force once they completed their certificate, and that would have been the end of it. Most colleges did not seek or accept GED students as viable candidates for college. However, most colleges not only accept, but welcome GED students as applicants, because it is now widely recognized that non-traditional students are ready to continue on with their post secondary education.

There are other new advances which have opened the doors for GED students to get their degrees. The advent of online schools has created a wealth of opportunities for GED students to attain an online degree or certification in a particular job track. Online college now offers degree programs at several levels to students who want to improve their job prospects and their lives.

Usually, these students have to get their GEDs because they have to work. Full-time employment doesn’t leave a lot of room for other activities, like attending classes on the campus of a regular college. An online degree program can remove the scheduling hassles for people who work full-time. After their working hours, they can focus on their online degree program at their convenience.

A student who works full time may not be interested in pursuing an online degree that focuses on academic work. They might rather focus on a program that will train them for a particular job in a specific field. These types of degrees are called technical degrees, and online colleges have a large number of these types of degrees to choose from.

In addition to technical degrees, online schools also offer degrees at several levels. Online schools offer a two year degree program, called an associate degree. An associate degree can be technical, academic, or professional. Once a student attains an associate degree, they can move forward and work toward completing a bachelor degree in a number of fields. Online colleges not only offer bachelor degrees, but masters and PhDs in many fields.

Many distance colleges offer four year degrees in nearly every career field available. From business to criminal justice, law or education, an online degree can be the pathway for students to attain higher earning potential and greater job satisfaction. Also, there may be many instances in which a working student who is attending online college can apply what they are learning to their present job. This may lead to recognition by employers and the possibility of promotion or pay raises.

In years past, a GED student may have been relegated to working in a job that didn’t have much chance for advancement. Today, however, online college officials are eager to help these and other students move on in their post secondary education. A degree in a technical, academic, or professional field from the many accredited online universities may be the best way for a working student to advance. Learn more about online classes and you’ll see how easy it is to advance your career success!

 

Online Programs-Attain An Online Education Easily!

15 Nov

Parents! You don’t have to put your house and retirement savings on the block in order to finance your kids hire education. Likewise, kids! You don’t have to wind up defaulting on your college loan, if take a loan at all.

Yet there’s the matter of paying for it all. The news is loaded with stories about escalating tuition and the cost of living increases while going to school. Don’t let the media fool you, where there’s a will, there’s a way to finance your personal advancement. Some diligent spade work can unearth an incredible wealth of financial assistance. Here are five tips to help you achieve a better education.

Pell Grants – Formerly known as the Basic Equal Opportunity Grant, this is money provided by the Federal government. What’s important about this grant is the recipient doesn’t have to pay it back. You must fill out a Free Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA Grant) to determine one’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If qualified, the applicant can get nearly $5,000. Not enough probably pay all the costs, but a good start.

Second comes University Grants. A lot of schools have very generous trust funds. They are set up specifically to provide financial aid. Harvard is so cash rich it bases its tuition as much on need as merit. The best thing to do in this situation is to consult your university and just plain ask. You’d be surprised how quickly they’ll point you to the money. After all, they don’t get paid from the student tuition, not the grant that enabled the tuition.

Corporate Grants – There are a number of companies out there who have also set up their own trust funds. It’s a good way to assemble a higher quality employee. A good place to find these grants is Scholarship America, best known for two particular programs, Dollars for Scholars and the Scholarship Management Services.

Then there are always the Armed Forces. How effective is this program? The U.S Department of Defense reports 56% of all soldiers/officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force graduate from their respective Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC). After graduation, applicants are obligated to military service, but that also looks quite good on a resume.

Finally, don’t be afraid to explore the Private Sector. Simply go to Google and type in “scholarship programs.” The engine will spit out nearly 2.5 million different entries. One will no doubt have to do some sort of advance searching to refine that 2.5 million to your specific needs. Still, with a clear objective in mind and little time, one can no doubt come up with more than a few private organizations that will be glad to help.

So, the picture most definitely isn’t as bleak as some might lead you to believe. Again, a little time, a clear objective, and help for online universities can be yours. Those obtaining even a two-year degree via online programs have better shots of earning more than those who just barely got out of high school, especially with the help of all the options available to you for college grants.

 

Join The Winning Field Of Civil Engineering Beginning With Online College Classes!

11 Nov

Of all the engineering disciplines, civil is the largest. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there are over 278,000 of them in the U.S. It will stay that way for some time to come, thanks to several stimulus packages put forth by President Obama this year, some with quite a bit of emphasis on online education.

Civil engineers can be best described as the people who bridge between the architect and the construction team. They implement designs and supervise the construction of anything from a sewer system to an airport to a private home. They pay attention to everything – brick and mortar, ventilation, plumbing, even the parking lot. They must also weigh what they’re doing against the expected lifetime of the project, keeping in mind federal to local bylaws and possible destruction from natural disasters.  These days the effects of disaster encompass terrorism.

Civil engineering, considered one of the oldest engineering disciplines, encompasses many specialties. The major ones are structural, water resources, construction, transportation, and geotechnical engineering. Many civil engineers hold supervisory or administrative positions, from supervisor of a construction site to city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching.

Thanks to a number of stimulus packages proposed by President Obama last January, the Bureau projects exceptional job growth over the next ten years. The number one profession most affected by this will be civil engineers, with projects such as upgrading or building new roads, power plants and other public structures. The Bureau states the country will need an additional 70,000 civil engineers to overhaul the national infrastructure the way the president wants it done.

Anyone interested in becoming a civil engineer should have a strong inclination towards mathematics, as well as a strong background in the natural sciences. Knowledge of drafting and CAD is basically mandatory. Students should also consider internships or other such work-study programs at private architectural and construction firms, as well as for the government. Another good place for civil engineers to get needed experience is in the military, particularly the U.S. Corp of Engineers.

Education is not done once one graduates with a Bachelor’s of Science. There is still professional certification from the American Society of Civil Engineers. It’s highly advised getting one to two years of work experience before going for the certification exam. Enrolling in an online college program is a good way to get this done because virtual education most resembles the CAD-based world civil engineers work in and have the easiest time staying up to date with the most current innovations. Most civil engineers these days usually work with Master’s degrees and even some doctoral work.

As civil engineers are a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) profession, aspiring students have access to a lot more financial aid than just the standard state scholarships and federal Pell grants. They can also contact the National Science Foundation for S-STEM aid for starters. The military and private corporations also have their share of financial aid. For a more complete picture of this, one should consult with a financial aid advisor.

No matter how you look at it, civil engineering is a career one can build on and accredited online universities can get you there.  Since computers play such a large part in everything technical these days, getting your online graduate programs might just be a smart decision toward a great career. If this is a career that may be of interest to you and more information about online programs would be helpful, please check the internet  

 

Online School-Receive Your Degree Online While Serving In The Military

29 Oct

Soldiers have the commitment and self-discipline that’s needed to experience success with online college courses. For members of the military, online college programs offer flexibility that can provide stability: Studies can be conducted anywhere and without transfers and deployments interrupting them. In the military, online college classes, like their more conventional counterparts, are taken while solders are off-duty. Continuing education in the military is voluntary, often free, and experts cite several positives associated with it.

Lori Popp, an Education Technician with the Lifelong Learning section of Marine and Family Services aboard Camp Lejeune, in July 2009 told the Jacksonville Daily News that voluntary education programs help improve mission performance, prepare for greater responsibility and enhance personal and professional potential.

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, also known as the GI Bill, was signed in to law in 1944 in part as a means of offering college scholarships to anyone who served in uniform. By 1947, veterans accounted for nearly half of all college students in the United States, according to a Time Magazine article. A Post 9/11 GI Bill has since made as much as 100 percent tuition available to service members on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001. The Post 9/11 Bill covers graduate and undergraduate degrees as well as vocational or technical training provided by approved institutions and provides stipends for books and housing.

Now, as part of a Post 9/11 GI Bill, service members on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001 can obtain as much as 100 percent of their tuition money for graduate and undergraduate degrees and vocational or technical training. The bill also allows money for books and housing. Members of the military can get academic credit for military training and experience, and the U.S. Army reportedly has more than 1,900 community college and university partners that accept these credits from soldiers during or after service.

Many soldiers benefit from online college offerings as well. Technological advances in distance learning opportunities make it easier for deployed service members to continue their education, Popp told the Jacksonville Daily News. Students enrolled in online classes access most or all of their course content online, according to the Sloan Consortium.

With online classes, students access between 80 and 100 percent of their course content online, according to the Sloan Consortium that is comprised of organizations and institutions committed to quality online education. Students who otherwise might not be able to attend classes at a traditional campus are often drawn to online classes and online degree programs—and enrollment numbers continue to increase. The results of a recently released “Learning on Demand: Online Education in the United States” study showed that the fall 2008 semester saw a 17 percent increase in online students compared to fall 2007, bringing the total number of online class enrollees to 4.6 million.

According to Popp, more than 1,000 deployed marines and sailors these days put tuition assistance to use. Among the military, online courses are a “boon” for those who “want to participate in college despite geographic displacement,” an October article in The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. The article, centered around a professor and National Guardsman who continued teaching online classes after being deployed to Iraq, noted that soldiers work, read, exercise, play video games and watch movies when the situation isn’t hectic. Deployed soldiers also enroll in online college classes, according to The Chronicle.

Corporal Dakota Berg was reportedly doing just this when the Jacksonville Daily News told his story in July. Berg graduated high school in 2006 and joined the U.S. Marines for the online degrees benefits. The military’s tuition assistance program alleviated a lot of financial and mental stress, Berg told the Daily News. He’s using them to pursue his online programs and online degree program in accounting—an endeavor that his deployment from Parris Island, S.C., to Iraq hasn’t interrupted.

 

A Better Future Awaits With Your University Degrees!

28 Oct

If you want to be a more sellable commodity in a flooded job market or to earn more money in the future, you might consider higher education. And Internet-based classes and online degree programs these days offer the flexibility to accomplish this goal on your own time, in your own space and when you don’t have to tend to your career or your family.

There are a variety of Internet-only schools as well as “bricks and mortar” colleges with virtual classes and online degree programs from which to choose. But although students enrolled in online classes achieve grades similar to or higher than those who physically attend college, studies show that virtual learners have a greater tendency to drop out.

Students enrolled in online classes and online degree programs have to be “very self-motivated and very self-disciplined,” Ladies’ Home Journal Editor-in-Chief Sally Lee last year told Today Show co-host Ann Curry. Nurses, particularly, have turned to distance learning to pursue Bachelor of Science degrees in their field. And many businessmen and women are said to opt for online colleges for obtaining masters degrees in business administration, Lee said. She advised against passive learning and noted that many “virtual” schools now offer online communities that allow for meeting diverse groups of people. Some virtual classes and online degree programs also offer two-way interactive video and audio—and the Institute for Higher Education Policy has recommended that the development of interactive programs like these continue.

Women, married adults and those with strong literary skills tend to succeed in online college, according to an Institute for Higher Education Policy study known as “What’s the Difference?” Among the successful too were students who considered themselves unrelenting when it came to taking on new projects; those who deemed themselves to have organized management skills; and those who work well on their own.

In any higher education situation, students should decide on a school that’s a good match for their requirements and objectives and take into account financial aid and the amount of tuition they’re required to pay. Following are additional points to consider, particularly when opting for online classes and online degree programs:

•    Whether or not the school is accredited. Six regional boards and a Distance Education and Training Council provide accreditation based on academic standards, and employers as well as institutions accepting transfer credits look for this. Accreditation is also necessary for pursuits such as sitting for the bar exam. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation lists accredited institutions on its Web site and provides information about “degree mills” that require only a few days of study or provide degrees based only on life experience.

•    The level of interaction and support that’s offered. Some students need more than others.

•    Set aside the time needed to take online classes, and take studies seriously. Successful online students surveyed for “What’s the Difference?” said they had the time to do what they intended to do and considered the consequences of failure to be serious.

•    Believe in themselves. “What’s the Difference?” students experiencing success with online universitiesrated their chances of succeeding higher than those who didn’t complete their online university degree . If you are interested in improving your career and would like more information about distance learning programs, check the internet.

 

Online Degree Program – Help Yourself To An Education Now

12 Oct

As unemployment rates are making it increasingly difficult for workers to find jobs, many individuals are using the current economic downturn as an opportunity to embark on new campus-based and online educational pursuits or career paths, such as those offered by the military.

The military has been aggressively pursuing new recruits in recent years and with economic struggles pushing more youths toward the armed forces the amount of growth online colleges have seen has been huge. Military distance learning programs have been bolstered by those soldiers currently serving overseas.

Many online degree programs offer programs specially designed to accommodate the unique schedules and needs of those soldiers currently serving overseas. These programs work conveniently around the schedule and ever-changing lifestyle of those serving in the military and try to make the education process as simple and flexible as possible for those in the armed forces.

Many online colleges provide soldiers with a sense of home by giving them more civilian hobbies to focus on while they’re serving overseas. These online degree programs are a way of keeping soldiers grounded and focused when they’re away from their friends and family and may feel somewhat lost or isolated.

Emerging online colleges are taking great strides to accommodate their student soldiers by reaching out to them not only in their studies but in their programs and connectivity. Through extra-curricular programs like the Holiday Card program, these schools are making a strong effort to bring a more wholesome and encouraging element to distance learning and help get students excited and engaged while they are still serving in the military. The hope is that these kinds of programs will foster a thirst for learning that will continue into the future even after these soldiers have returned to a civilian lifestyle and begun pursuing their careers and working toward a more dynamic and promising future. Through outreach programs and flexible scheduling these online colleges aim to make themselves an integral part in a soldier’s life as they work toward shaping and forming what will eventually become their lives in the civilian world and help them transition out of the armed forces.

The programs offered in these online colleges are specially designed to focus on job-market skills that soldiers will need after they leave the service and begin seeking jobs. These programs put a direct focus on building the core skills that soldiers will need when it comes time for them to enter the workforce and begin life as civilians. The amount of additional credential that these programs can lend to a resume is invaluable for any soldier looking to begin a civilian career.

In cooperation with Veteran’s Affairs, many colleges are now offering tuition discounts for soldiers currently serving or those who have recently left the service. These programs assist soldiers in getting their degree while still accommodating their budgets and income.

By applying the credits they earn in the military and those they earn via online degree programs toward their degree, soldiers are able to complete their degree in as little as six months in some cases. In the case of long tours some soldiers can leave the service equipped with a bachelors degree or more!

Adding your online degree program to your resume is the perfect way to get ahead of the competition when transitioning from military service to civilian life. With online programs and the availability of college, there’s no reason not to get the most of your time in the service by working on obtaining an advanced degree. The military is interested in educated soldiers and they’re willing to assist soldiers in their choice to pursue a higher degree. To find out more about college degrees, check local online resources.

 

College Courses Online-Colleges Providing College Loans For Students

03 Oct

The government has concerns that the American educational system is not giving students every opportunity to take advantage of careers in the fields of information and technology. These jobs are increasing in numbers with each passing year, as technology becomes a more important part of the daily life of people on a personal and professional level.

The demand for direct superiors in information technology careers is far exceeding the amount of people applying for these positions, thereby leaving a gap that educational programs are strategizing ways to fulfill. With today’s economic status being so shaky for some many people in so many parts of the country, it is more important than ever before to make sure that students are getting the best possible education that is available.

Students in the United States are marking below average scores in the areas of science and math in standardized tests. With this lag behind other countries, it is making it increasingly difficult to employ qualified people looking to launch careers in these highly demanding jobs. In order to make up for this lack of qualified individuals, educational institutions nationwide are taking a look at their curriculums and acting accordingly to ensure that changes are set in motion.

Sally Ride, who was contacted by the Obama Administration to lend her support to this cause, told the newspaper “there is a lot of corporate interest and foundation interest in this issue.” Such a declaration is not surprising, as many technology-based companies will come to rely on employees who have been educated on the latest trends and discoveries in the scientific world.

Even private organizations and companies that may have a stake in the future of these students and their education are working to build up interest in science and finance related careers. Drawing students to have an interest in these in demand fields is a challenge.

Many individuals in the business and celebrity world are behind this pet project, as the stakes are high for the future of information technology and engineering.Potential employees with a specialized education in the latest scientific trends and research will be the first pick for a career in an industry that depends on adaptability. As technology is being streamlined into so many every day responsibilities and activities, educational institutions are enduring that the bar is set high for programs that are comprehensive and cohesive.

According to recent reports, funds are being allocated from private organizations to improve education at technology focused colleges around the nation. Improved resources, including online degree programs, are being fine tuned to appeal to students seeking degrees in these and other related fields. Hilary Pennington, the foundation’s director of education, postsecondary success and special initiatives, told the media outlet the grants aim to promote technology and its ability to “connect people, foster collaboration, empower learners and teachers, and challenge the status quo.”

As efforts to improve technology education expand, students and working adults may consider enrolling in an college courses online and grants for college that can help them launch careers in fast-growing industries. Beginning a career in a competitive job market can be made much easier when a student has had an education through online programs, transitioning them to the job market with ease.

 

Get Help For Online College with Grants Online!

01 Oct

With the economy in its current doldrums, many a single parent is going gray trying to pay the rent, feed and clothe the kids and put them in a better situation. As it happens, the President has made a number of changes in financial aid packages, figuring online college are a good way for single moms and dads to do just that. With the help of online grants, these parents can get two-to-four year degrees just in time for the (hopeful) economic recovery.With the economy in its current doldrums, many a single parent is going gray trying to pay the rent, feed and clothe the kids and put them in a better situation. As it happens, the President has made a number of changes in financial aid packages, figuring online college are a good way for single moms and dads to do just that. With the help of online grants, these parents can get two-to-four year degrees just in time for the (hopeful) economic recovery.

Single parents should apply for what’s being called Obama’s ‘Moms Return to School’ Government Grant Scholarship program. Online study is preferred path with this program as it allows for single parents to be at home with their children while studying.

This “education stimulus grant,” is part of the Pell Grant program. It can garner around $5,000 annual tuition, with the final amount based on previous education, the curriculum desired as well as financial need. Another program, the American Opportunity Tax Credit program, can set it up so the first $4,000 of higher education is free.

Like all federal education grants, one must fill out a FASFA form to find out what they can get. If done correctly, they can even cover non-educational matters such as daycare, housing and other basic needs. A good way to start sourcing out these grants is to first decide what area you want to get an advance education in.

A good way to start sourcing out these grants is to first decide what area you want to get an advance education in. Then target the online schools that offer the right curriculum. Apply to those schools, and immediately introduce yourself to the institution’s financial officers. It’s this personnel’s job to help you obtain the single parent, and any other, grants they can get their hands on.

It’s critical to realize the federal government isn’t the only source for this kind of money. Your state and local governments have many programs, such as your local Lotto, raising funds for furthering education. The best way to find these grants is to visit your local county’s family service or economic office. The unemployment office may also have state grants available to help single parents.

Another place to find out more about this is the website Grants.gov, which finds specific grants for many categories. Use “search grant opportunities” tool at the top of the page to see what grants are available. On the other hand, be very, very careful about those sites using the president’s name. What many will try to do is steer a needy student into spurious loans or similar situations.

No matter what, even in these tough economic times, there are now ways for single parents to pick themselves up by their bootstraps and put themselves in a better situation with colleges online. . Done correctly, one can have the majority of one’s bills paid for, from getting groceries to fees such as text files and software, paid for by college grants. Considering the times, it’s an exceptional way to go. The is more information about scholarships.

 

Colleges Online-Online Degrees Help Nurses To Complete Their Degree On Their Own Time

27 Sep

Economic downturn has left many individuals out of work or seeking ways to enhance their career development. As job opportunities across the country are scarce and those that do exist have become highly competitive, students and professionals alike are turning to the opportunities offered by on-campus and online degree programs to boost their qualifications.

As many professionals are quickly discovering, simply having a degree is not always enough to remain viable and competitive within an industry. Hiring managers and employers are now more interested in those who continue to pursue higher levels of education and advanced qualification certificates even while working within their field. Those who are dedicated to their jobs and express their desire to further their related skills via education are getting the jobs and promotions.

To compete for open positions, both experienced professionals and entry-level candidates may consider pursuing higher levels of education, as “advancement opportunities usually are broader” for individuals with higher degrees, according to the BLS website.

The nursing field in particular has seen growth in the recent years and to accommodate that growth many schools are now promoting nursing programs. These programs extend out to online colleges who have begun pushing accredited online degrees as a means of training for a job in the nursing field. These programs promote a quick and effective learning method that can be achieved from the convenience of a home computer.

Many colleges are even opening advanced nursing courses to help nurses return to school and advance their skills in higher training programs. These courses focus on providing nurses with a way to further their careers and their qualifications while they continue to practice in the field.

Obtaining a higher degree such as a PhD or Masters in fields related to nursing may seem excessive but it actually opens up a world of possibilities. Those nurses so devoted to their studies that they obtain a PhD will be in position to become nurse practitioners. These highly educated and expertly trained nurses are in short supply and highly desired by hiring managers in the nursing industry.

Many online colleges are now offering masters and PhD programs that can be completed online from the convenience and comfort of a home computer. These DNP programs allow nurses currently working to continue pursuing advanced degrees and further their careers without taking time away from their jobs.

With online universities now blossoming more than ever before there has never been a better time to take advantage of online universities. There has never been a more ideal time to take advantage of the world of opportunities that nursing degrees has brought. For nurses interested in taking their careers to the next level and seeking out opportunities and promotions within their field, online college represents the most convenient and affordable method to reach their goals. From the convenience of your home you too could be harnessing the resume polishing power of an advanced degree.