Fred McFeely Rogers was a reassuring voice to millions of children for over 45 years.  He helped children to cope through difficult situations and taught them to embrace a world of wonder.

“The more you learn, the better feeling you have about yourself and the world we live in.”

The Neighborhood

●    Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood ran from 1968 – 2001
○    Total of 1765 episodes
○    206 songs sung
○    162 characters
○    113 cast & crew members
○    55 episode topics
●    Mister Rogers voiced all the puppets, wrote all the scripts
●    1980’s: Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice and Batman) operated the neighborhood trolley
○    The trolley traveled about 5,000 miles per season
●    All the sweaters Mister Rogers wore were hand knitted by his mother
●    Mister Rogers always tried to state out loud when he was feeding his fish
○    a blind girl was worried about the fish and couldn’t otherwise tell they were getting fed
●    Buildings and structures that made up the land of make-believe
○    The Eiffel Tower
○    the Castle
○    the Factory
○    the Tree
○    the Museum-Go-Round
○    the Platypus House
○    the Clock Tower

The Man

●    Fred McFeely Rogers 1928 – 2003
●    Born in Latrobe, PA
●    1962: became an ordained Presbyterian Minister
●    1968: served a chairman of a White House forum for child development and mass media
●    1969: Fred Rogers spoke before the US Senate
○    Noted that his budget per episode was $6k (would pay for about two minutes of cartoons at the time)
○    Gave a mind-blowing talk about kindness
○    Afterward, Congress raised PBS funding from 9 million to 21 million
●    1984: the Smithsonian Institute put one of Mr. Rogers’ sweaters on exhibit
●    Earned four daytime Emmys
●    1997: Earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from National Academy of Television Arts  and Sciences
●    1999: Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame
●    2002: received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (highest civilian honor)
●    2002: Mister Rogers was diagnosed with stomach cancer
●    Thieves once stole Mister Rogers’ car
○    Once they realized it was his, they returned it with an apology note

From our favorite neighbor:

“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.”

●    Did You Know? (1979)
○    appeared in 12 episodes
○    Did you know that it’s all right to marvel? 
There are all kinds of marvelous things! 
You can ask a lot of questions about the world…
And your place in it

●    Everybody’s Shy Sometimes (1990)
○    appeared in 1 episode
○    Did you ever feel so shy you wondered why
You wondered why you didn’t cry, you just felt shy 
Everyone feels shy sometimes

“The world needs a sense of worth and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile.”

●    You’re Much More (1989)
○    Used in 3 episodes
○    You’re much more than your anger
, Much much more than your mind
, When they put you all together, 
You’re a beautiful, marvelous, spirited, lovely
, Wonderful one of a kind

○    Children Can (1969)
■    Used in 14 episodes
■    Who can play very much longer, 
Play much harder than grownups ever dare? 
You’re a child so you can do it. 
You can do it anywhere.

“I like you, just the way you are.”

●    Mister Rogers closed 1765 episodes telling children:
○    “You’ve made this day a special day, by just your being you.”

●    It’s You I Like (1971)
○    Used in 46 episodes
○    But it’s you I like
, The way you are right now, 
The way down deep inside you
, Not the things that hide you

●    You Are Special (1968)
○    Used in 66 episodes
○    You’re special to me
. There’s only one in this wonderful world
. You are special

●    Everybody’s Fancy (1967)
○    used in 44 episodes
○    Some are fancy on the outside. 
Some are fancy on the inside
. Everybody’s fancy. 
Everybody’s fine. 
Your body’s fancy and so is mine.

“There’s a part of all of us that longs to know that even what’s weakest about us can ultimately count for something good.”

●    Sometimes I Wonder if I’m a Mistake (1987)
○    Used in 1 episode
○    Often I wonder if I’m a mistake, 
I’m not supposed to be scared am I? 
Sometimes I cry and sometimes I shake
, Wondering isn’t it true that the strong never break?

●    The Clown in Me (1968)
○    Used in 10 episodes
○    So I pretend I’m someone else
 and show the world my other self.
I’m not quite sure of me you see, 
When I make a clown of me.

“Let’s make the most of this beautiful day…”

●    Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (1967)
○    Used in 1765 episodes)
○    Won’t you please
..Please won’t you be… 
Please won’t you be my neighbor

“Hello neighbor” 🙂

Sources:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev016.shtml
http://www.neighborhoodarchive.com/index.html
http://pbskids.org/rogers//all_ages/thoughts3.html
http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Mr-Rogers-The-Man-The-Myth-The-Sweater-201687.html
http://www.biography.com/people/fred-rogers-9462161?page=2

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Tablets on Campus: The Changing Face of Higher Education

2010: iPad is launched by Steve Jobs. Life will never be the same.
4 years later: a projected 103 million tablets (iPads and others) are projected to be sold

The Amazing growth in sales of tablets
• 2011: 19.5 million sold
• 2012: 54 million
• 2013: 103.4 million
• 2014: 103 million (projected)
• 2015: tablets will account for 23 percent of the global personal computer market.
Tablet ownership among college students and college-bound high school seniors has more than tripled from a year ago.

Ownership of college students
• 82% own Computers (Desktop/Laptop)
• 80% own Smartphone
• 52% own MP3 Player
• 47% own Digital Camera
• 18% own Tablets
• 14% own E-Reader

90: percentage of all tablet owning college students that say tablets are valuable for educational purposes

35: percentage of college students owning both a tablet and an e-book reader.

46: percentage of tablet owners who say that they intend to buy another tablet within the next 6 months

6 in 10: college students say tablets help them study more efficiently — and better in class.

63%: Of College students believe tablets will replace textbooks within the next 5 years.

83: percentage of students think tablets encourage them to buy digital textbooks instead of print textbooks.

8 in 10: college students say tablets make learning more fun.

7 in 10: Have read digital textbooks. One year ago, it was 6 in 10.

Tablets vs. Smartphones

75 percent of reading sessions occur on tablets
23 percent occur on smartphones.
2 percent occur on E-readers and game consoles
3X Users read three times as many pages on tablets as they read on smartphones

Best Tablets, 2013

1. iPad Air
2. iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display
3. Google Nexus 7
4. Sony Xperia Tablet Z
5. LG G Pad 83

Did You Know?:

The Brazilian government bought 500,000 tablets for local teachers.
94: percentage of the educational market for tablets held by Apple…says Apple

What’s so cool about an iPad

• Driving Games and Super Monkey Ball are awesome on it!
• It’s the world’s best digital frame
• it’s nice to touch
• it’s nice to play with.
• The iPad Air is lighter and faster than the iPad 2, with a better screen to boot.

Why students Use tablets.

Accessing educational apps
77.1%
Web browsing/checking e-mail
77.1%
Accessing online courses
75.9%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
73.5%
Reading ebooks
67.5%
Taking notes, tracking data, events or observations
67.5%
Productivity tools (reminder, calculator)
57.8%
Recording audio/video
49.4%

Sources:
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2012/06/5-reasons-tablets-will-change-higher-education-next-5-years
http://pearsonfoundation.org/downloads/PF_Tablet_Survey_Summary_2012.pdf
http://emergingtech.tbr.edu/10-apps-every-college-student-should-have-android-tablets
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2013/08/how-smartphones-and-tablets-are-changing-higher-education
http://tabtimes.com/education
http://emergingtech.tbr.edu/10-apps-every-college-student-should-have-android-tablets
http://www.imore.com/best-iphone-and-ipad-apps-college-students-evernote-notability-itunes-u-and-more
http://android.appstorm.net/roundups/20-awesome-android-apps-for-students/
http://www.itcnetwork.org/resources/itc-newsletter/769-tracking-the-use-of-tablets-in-community-colleges.html
http://android.appstorm.net/roundups/awesome-android-tablet-apps-you-wont-find-on-the-ipad/
http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-q/2010/01/ask-the-monger-is-the-ipad-as-cool-as-it-looks.html
http://www.policymic.com/articles/71339/ipad-air-review-some-cool-new-features-but-it-s-not-worth-the-cash

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Understanding Accreditation

Perhaps the worst present day educational scam is an unaccredited institution that leaves students in tons of debt. Here’s how to understand accreditation, and know what you’re getting with your education.

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a quality assurance procedure that makes sure institutions meet acceptable levels of quality.

Criteria:

Criterion One. Mission
The institution’s mission guides operations. The mission is clear and publicly articulated.
Criterion Two. Integrity
The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
Criterion Three. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
No matter where or how education is offered, this institution provides quality education.
Criterion Four. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
This institution evaluates the effectiveness of its learning processes, and supports continuous improvement.
Criterion Five. Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness
This institution plans for the future, and has the resources and processes to fulfill its mission and improve.

Who Accredits?

Regional, National, and Program Accreditors:

Regional: Regional accreditations accredit entire institutions.
National: National accreditations accredit entire institutions, particularly institutions that operate in more than 1 state.
Programmatic: Programmatic accreditation accredits select programs from institutions.

Most traditional colleges are accredited under regional accrediting bodies.

Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools — Delaware, Pennsylvania, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
–527 institutions

New England Association of Schools and Colleges — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
–237 Institutions

Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities — Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
–163 institutions

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools — Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
–1336 Institutions

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
–822 Institutions

Western Association of Schools and Colleges — California, Hawaii, Samoa, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Marianas Islands, Palau
–164 institutions

National accrediting is known for for-profit, vocational, career or technical programs.

For-profit Woes:[5]
88% of for-profit students take out student loans..[6]
with an average debt of $39,950
And few students finish

University of Phoenix: Full time enrollment 238,326/ six-year graduation rate: 9%
ITT Tech: Full time enrollment 338,509, graduation rate: 66%
Devry University: 73,543 full time enrollment, undergraduate graduation rate: %32[4][7]

Yet nationally accredited schools do provide many students with the skills they need.

Such as:
Nursing
IT
Education
Accounting
Graphic Design

Just Beware of Diploma Mills!

What’s a diploma mill? [8]

1.) Sets up fake accrediting body
2.) Offers large amount of credit to students based on life experiences
3.) May require homework or textbooks, but work is never viewed by actual faculty members.

Beware of Fake Accrediting titles!:[3]

Accreditation Council for Distance Education (ACTDE)
Accreditation Council for Online Academia (ACOHE)
Accreditation Panel for Online Colleges and Universities (APTEC)
Accrediting Commission International (ACI)
American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions
American Council of Private Colleges and Universities
American Association of Drugless Practitioners (ADP)
Association of Accredited Bible Schools
Association of Distance Learning Programs (ADLP)
Association of Private Colleges and Universities
Association for Online Academic Accreditation
Association for Online Excellence
Association for Online Academic ExcellenceOhio University
Board of Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA)
Central American Council of Accreditation (CACA)
Council for Distance Education
Council of Online Higher Education
Central States Consortium of Colleges & Schools
Distance and Online Universities Accreditation Council (DOUAC)
Distance Learning International Accreditation Association (DEIAA)
Distance Learning Quality Assurance Agency (DLQAA)
Global Accreditation Bureau (GAB)
Global Accredited Council for Business Association (GACBA)
Global Accreditation Commission for Distance Education (GACDE)
Global Accreditation Council for Online Academia
International Commission for Higher Education
International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU)
International Accreditation Association for Online Education (IAAFOE)
International Accreditation Commission (IAC)
International Association Council of Engineering Professionals (IACEP)
International Accreditation Commission for Online Universities (IACOU) (Kingston)
International Accreditation Commission for Online Educational Institutions (IACOEI)
International Accreditation Organization (IAO)
International Council on Education (ICE)
International Education Ministry Accreditation Association
International Online Education Accrediting Board (IOEAB)
National Academic Higher Education Agency (NACHE)
National Academy of Higher Education
National Accreditation and Certification Board (NACB)
National Board of Education (NBOE)
National College Accreditation Council (NCAC)
National Commission of Accredited Schools (NCAS)
National Distance Learning Accreditation Council (NDLAC)
New Millennium Accrediting Partnership for Educators Worldwide
Organization for Online Learning Accreditation (OKOLA)
Transworld Accrediting Commission Intl. (TAC)
United Christian College Accreditation Association (UCCAA) (Divine Heart)
United Nations Council
United States Distance Education & Training Council of Nevada (NOTE: A similarly titled agency, the Distance Education & Training Council (DETC), of Washington, D.C., is a VALID and RECOGNIZED online learning accreditation agency.)
Universal Accreditation Council (UAC)
Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA)
World Association for Online Education (WAOE)**
World Association of Universities and Colleges (WAUC)
World Online Education Accrediting Commission (WOEAC)
World-Wide Accreditation Commission of Christian Educational Institutions (WWAC)
Worldwide Higher Education Accreditation Society (WHEAS)

Citations:

1. http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
2. https://www.ncahlc.org/Criteria-Eligibility-and-Candidacy/criteria-and-core-components.html
3. http://www.devry.edu/d/graduation-rates.pdf
4. http://chronicle.com/blogs/innovations/for-profit-colleges-dubious-statistics/28999
5. http://chronicle.com/article/Borrowers-Average-Debt-at/143381/
6. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9JVANU80.htm
7. http://www.geteducated.com/college-degree-mills/204-fake-agencies-for-college-accreditation
8. http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/guide/
9. http://www.msche.org/institutions_directory.asp
10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Commission_on_Colleges_and_Universities
11. http://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Itemid,/form_submitted,TRUE/institution,/showquery,/siteOrg,none/state,ANY/submit,Search/
12. http://www.wascsenior.org/institutions

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Online learning has been around in one form or another for more than 60 years, but in its constantly evolving state, it’s now become more popular than ever among educators. From the crude, elementary days of “distance learning,” where mail order courses were all the rage, to today’s massive open online courses [MOOCs] taken by thousands of students, education for the masses at home for free (at your own pace) is no longer the wave of the future — the future is now.

Online learning is constantly evolving for students in so-called traditional classrooms, as well. It’s called blended learning and universities and organizations of all sizes are leveraging the benefits, including cost savings, to bring together large groups of learners online to facilitate formal and informal learning on-demand and instructor-led with technology assisting in the delivery of the learning materials.
[Tweet “There is long and exciting road of changes to online education ahead of us.”]

There is long and exciting road of changes to online education ahead of us. But before looking at where we’re heading, let’s take a moment to see where we’ve been.

How Kids Learn Today:

54% of 21st Century Kids start using Mobile Devices when they are 5-8 years old.
30% of the apps on parents’ mobile device are downloaded specially for their children’s usage.
77% of the parents accept that usage of tablet increases children’s learning & creativity.
72% of iTunes top selling apps are designed for pre-schoolers and elementary students.

Now, as students get older, if they would like to continue taking online courses, there are a variety of formats. The following are the most common:

• Adult Online Education: The U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) promotes programs that “ help adults learn the basic skills they need to be productive workers, family members, and citizens.” It’s easy to find such programs online. Courses are geared toward teaching basic math, science, reading, and problem solving skills.
• Hybrid Education: Combines online coursework and materials with traditional in-class education. Students learn in a face-to-face setting as well as via the Internet.
• Online Continuing Education: Offers classes for students who already have a degree but need (or want) to take one or two specific classes in order to advance their skills in a certain area. Continuing ed does not lead to a degree upon completion.
• Online Distance Education: A student pursuing a degree at a traditional school may take courses online rather than all face-to-face classes.
• Online Higher Education: For students who want to attend college but for whatever reason (e.g. time constraints, family responsibilities, health issues, etc.) cannot attend a traditional school. Online higher education programs result in associate’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, just like their traditional counterparts.

5 Emerging Education Channels on You Tube

• It’s OK to be Smart
• TeeHee Town
• The Art Assignment
• Baby League
• Slide Nerd

Trends in Teaching Styles

Teachers teach differently from the “old” days when blackboards and chalk were used. Now it’s smart boards and iPads. Three trends are emerging in teaching styles and learning, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
[Tweet “Three trends are emerging in teaching styles and learning: Collaboration, Technology Powered Learning and Blended Learning.”]

Classes will feature:

• Collaboration: New teaching techniques about access and collaboration
• Technology Powered Learning: No more pencils, no more books
• Blended Learning: Online and in classroom

Free courses are taught by experts around the world (MOOCs).

MOOCs: Where Online Education is Free

The Top 3 MOOC providers:

Coursera (2012)
• 5 million students
• 532 courses
• 107 partner schools
• Students from 190 countries

Edx (2012)
• 1.65 million students
• 125 courses
• 30 partners
• 225 countries

Udacity (2012)
• 1.8 million students
• 33 courses
• 16 partners
• 190 countries

Other Sources of Free Knowledge:

• Udemy Free Courses – Udemy allows anyone to build or take online courses. Udemy’s site exclaims, “Our goal is to disrupt and democratize education by enabling anyone to learn from the world’s experts.”
• iTunesU — Apple’s free app “gives students access to all the materials for courses in a single place. Right in the app, they can play video or audio lectures. Read books and view presentations.”
• Stanford – From Quantum Mechanics to The Future of the Internet.
• UC Berkeley – Check out: Berkeley Webcasts and Berkeley RSS Feeds.
• MIT – Check out MIT’s RSS MOOC feed.
• Duke – Duke offers courses on iTunesU.
• Harvard – Get a free Harvard education. “Take a class for professional development, enrichment, and degree credit. Courses run in the fall, spring, or intensive January session. No application required.”
• UCLA – Check out their writing program, with over 220 free courses a year.
• Open Yale — school offers “free and open access to a selection of introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University.
• Carnegie Mellon

The Most Popular Online Degrees Are:

• Business Administration
• Accounting
• Information Technology
• Finance
• Psychology

The future of Online Education is… the great unknown. Children in nurseries will be learning through MOOCs. In 2014, an estimated 10.5 million pre-schoolers will have taken at least some online course. What will education be like in 10 years? It may well have robot, a computer, with artificial intelligence, teaching a class. Safe to say that whatever it will be, 22nd century education will be unrecognizable to those of us in the 21st century.

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Silver Surfers: Internet Usage Among Older Generations

The Internet isn’t just for tweens and young socialites. In fact, a large population of Internet users are 50 and older, utilizing the Web for social media, shopping and even education. Let’s take a look at why the stereotype of the not-so-tech-savvy Baby Boomer is more than faulty.

Stats and Facts

Almost 1 in 5
Percentage of Twitter users over 50
53%
Percentage of Americans 65+ who use the Internet
Of that 53%, 70% use it on a typical day.
27 hours per week
Average amount of time Baby Boomers 47-65 spent on the Internet in 2012
48%
Percentage of seniors (65+) who own a desktop computer
63%
Percentage of adults 50-64 who own a desktop computer
Senior Internet use (2000-2012)
The number of adults 50+ who use the Internet has grown significantly in the past 12 years.

A Closer Look: Social Media

Though the average age of the social media user is fairly young, a large percentage of social media profiles belong to adults 55 and over.
27.4 million
Adults 55+ who engage in social networking to communicate
1 in 3
Online seniors who use social media
This is a big difference from 2009, where only 13% of online seniors were using social media.
49%
Percentage of online seniors who have a Facebook account
18%
Percentage of Twitter users 50 and older

A Closer Look: Shopping

Maybe it’s because they have the most money of any age group, or maybe it’s because they like the convenience; whatever the reason, adults 50 and older constitute a majority of the online consumer population.
59%
Percentage of online seniors who have made an online purchase in the past three months
$7 billion
Average annual amount spent online by adults aged 50+
Adults 50+ account for 80% of all online luxury travel spending.

Sources:
www.pewinternet.org
www.immersionactive.com
www.blogs.forrester.com
www.emarketer.com

The post Silver Surfers: Internet Usage Among Older Generations appeared first on Accredited Online Colleges.

FAQs about online (or traditional) accreditation:

It’s voluntary and a non-governmental
It’s done by independent agencies
Agencies set their own quality standards
If schools pass the agency review, it is an endorsement of their school’s legitimacy

Over 80: Number of accrediting agencies recognized by D.O.E.

2: There are two types of accrediting agencies

Recognized: comes from U.S. D.O.E.
Unrecognized: agencies not officially recognized by D.O.E.+

Fact: BEWARE of 40+ phony agencies.

Types of “Recognized” Accreditation

“Institutional” and “programmatic.”
Institutional accreditation normally applies to an entire institution,.
Specialized or programmatic accreditation applies to programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution.

FACT: D.O.E. does not accredit colleges in foreign countries. It does appoint members to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation.

Functions of Accreditation

Verifying that an institution meets established standards;
Assisting prospective students in identifying acceptable institutions;
Assisting institutions in determining the acceptability of transfer credits;
Helping to identify institutions and programs for the investment of public and private funds;
Protecting an institution against harmful internal and external pressure;
Creating goals for self-improvement of weaker programs
Involving the faculty and staff comprehensively in institutional evaluation and planning;
Establishing criteria for professional certification and licensure
Providing one of several considerations used for determining eligibility for Federal assistance.

The Accrediting Procedure

The agency sets the standards.
The institution prepares an in-depth self-evaluation study that measures its performance against agency standards.
On-site Evaluation: A team selected by the accrediting agency visits the institution.
Publication: Upon being satisfied that the applicant meets its standards, accrediting agency lists the institution or program in an official publication with other similarly accredited or pre-accredited institutions or programs.
Monitoring: The accrediting agency monitors each accredited institution or program.
Reevaluation: Accrediting agency periodically reevaluates each institution

1996: Year Jones International University was accredited, thus becoming the first fully online university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the US.

Trendlines: Accredited online education is growing at a whirlwind pace:

1,865: Estimated (because the number is growing) number of top accredited online universities

307,965: Estimated number of students enrolled in 2013 in U. of Phoenix Online College, making it the largest enrollment of any school, online or not in the U.S.

14 million: number of students that will enroll in an online course in 2014

2 %: overall rise in higher education enrollment

10%: rise in online enrollment

Number of students enrolled in at least one online college course

2002: 1.6 million

2005: 3.2 million

2010: 6

By 2013: estimated more than 6 million.

That’s 1/3 of all college students.

Student satisfaction, online education vs. traditional

51 %: say it’s about the same

27.7 %: somewhat inferior

13.9 %: somewhat superior

9.7 % inferior

2.7 %: superior

Still:

10X: The rate of growth in online enrollments is ten times that of the rate in all higher education

65: percentage of higher education institutions saying that online learning is a critical part of their long-term strategy.

77: percentage of academic leaders rate the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face.

FACT: Among faculty, cost (88% reporting as important or very important) and ease of use (86%) are most important for selecting online resources.

Best online programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs (in general, overall)
Pace University, New York City, $556 a credit
Daytona State College, Daytona Beach, Fla., $121 a credit, in-state student; $634 out of state
Graduate education

St. Johns U., Queens, N.Y, $1,050 a credit
Auburn U., Auburn, Ala., $437 a credit

Graduate information technology

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Ca., $1,569 a credit
Sam Houston State U., Huntsville, Tx, $237 a credit

Graduate engineering

U. of Southern California, Los Angeles, Ca., $1,569 a credit
Penn State World Campus, credit price not available

Graduate nursing

Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan, $485 a credit, in state students; $728 out of state
Lamar U., Beaumont, Tx., $900 in state tuition per credit; $451 for out of state

Sources:

https://www.petersons.com/college-search/us-colleges-universities-accreditation.aspx

https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-schools\

https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=74

https://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/

http://sloanconsortium.org/sites/default/files/pages/OnlineLearningSurvey-Infographic-1.png

https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/lamar-university-ONUR0174/nursing?int=d8a949

https://www.geteducated.com/college-degree-mills

The post Race to the Top: Finding the Best Accredited Online Colleges appeared first on Accredited Online Colleges.

Are States the Biggest Enemies of Higher Education?

Unlike private institutions, public colleges and universities rely heavily on state and local taxpayer dollars to provide their services. With the vast majority reducing the amount of money they devote to higher education, the states are becoming less and less friendly to public higher education.

States and Higher Education

Public higher education remains most popular among college-age people, drawing about three-quarters of higher education enrollment.

Enrollment by type of institution, actual and projected (1)

Year; Public; Private

1990; 9,710,000; 2,250,000

2000; 10,539,000; 2,616,000

2011; 13,689,000; 4,374,000

2012; 13,474,000; 4,259,000

2013; 13,428,000; 4,222,000

2014; 13,666,000; 4,302,000

2015; 13,812,000; 4,343,000

2016; 14,000,000; 4,397,000

2017; 14,218,000; 4,459,000

2018; 14,394,000; 4,510,000

2019; 14,571,000; 4,563,000

2020; 14,744,000; 4,616,000

2021; 14,953,000; 4,681,000

2022; 15,169,000; 4,747,000

2023; 15,375,000; 4,810,000

Public higher education has long been the financial responsibility of the states. But recent years have seen states spending less and less on public colleges and universities.

Breakdown of funding sources (2013) (2)

State: 51%

Tuition: 43%

Local: 6%

Tax dollars still make up the majority of funding, but universities have become increasingly dependent on tuition over the past 25 years, as states and local communities have reduced their contributions to university coffers.

Tax dollars’ percentage of per-full-time-student spending by year (2)

1988: 76.2%

1989: 75.6%

1990: 75%

1991: 73.9%

1992: 71.2%

1993: 69.2%

1994: 68.8%

1995: 68.9%

1996: 68.4%

1997: 68.9%

1998: 69.4%

1999: 70%

2000: 70.8%

2001: 70.7%

2002: 69.9%

2003: 67.7%

2004: 65.1%

2005: 64%

2006: 63.6%

2007: 63.8%

2008: 64.5%

2009: 62.6%

2010: 59.6%

2011: 57.6%

2012: 53.4%

2013: 52.9%

Making Cuts

Every state but Alaska and North Dakota is spending less on higher education than before the Great Recession.

Change in per-student spending, 2008-14 (3)

Louisiana: -$5,004

Hawaii: -$4,648

New Mexico: -$4,588

Alabama: -$4,413

Idaho: -$3,857

South Carolina: -$3,761

Massachusetts: -$3,704

Nevada: -$3,430

Connecticut: -$3,293

Arizona: -$3,082

North Carolina: -$2,999

Florida: -$2,745

Georgia: -$2,656

Kentucky: -$2,649

Mississippi: -$2,524

Washington: -$2,498

Oregon: -$2,386

Tennessee: -$2,310

New Jersey: -$2,263

Utah: -$2,230

Pennsylvania: -$2,206

Minnesota: -$2,160

Arkansas: -$2,073

Iowa: -$2,031

Oklahoma: -$2,005

Texas: -$1,923

Delaware: -$1,996

Missouri: -$1,914

West Virginia: -$1,859

Virginia: -$1,852

Kansas: -$1,663

New Hampshire: -$1,659

Rhode Island: -$1,649

Michigan: -$1,631

Ohio: -$1,481

Colorado: -$1,407

Wisconsin: -$1,401

South Dakota: -$1,388

California: -$1,373

New York: -$1,154

Maine: -$1,136

Nebraska: -$1,099

Maryland: -$1,015

Illinois: -$851

Vermont: -$717

Indiana: -$547

Montana: -$422

Wyoming: -$93

Alaska: +$636

North Dakota: +$3,150

23%

Average decrease in states’ per-student investment (4)

Three states — Arizona, Louisiana and South Carolina — have cut their funding by more than 40%. (4)

What Are the Effects?

The single biggest effect, as we’ve seen, of states trimming their higher education budgets is that the institutions will rely more heavily on tuition dollars. That means college is getting more expensive. While that isn’t the only effect, it may be the most obvious.

Rising tuition

27%

Average increase in four-year tuition at public colleges from 2007-12 (4)

Program and staff cuts

Arizona’s state university system cut more than 2,100 positions, eliminated more than 150 programs or departments and closed 8 local campuses. (4)

Such cuts run the risk of degrading the quality and experience of public education.

Sources:

1. http://www.sheeo.org/sites/default/files/publications/SHEF_FY13_04172014.pdf

2. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d13/tables/dt13_105.20.asp

3. http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2015/3/27/to-balance-budgets-governors-seek-higher-education-cuts

4. http://www.cbpp.org/blog/mapping-state-funding-cuts-for-higher-education

The post Are States the Biggest Enemies of Higher Education? appeared first on Accredited Online Colleges.

<a href=”https://www.accredited-online-college.org/avoiding-diploma-mills/”><img src=”https://www.accredited-online-college.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/diploma-mills.jpg” alt=”Avoiding Diploma Mills” width=”500″ border=”0″ /></a><br />Source: <a href=”https://www.accredited-online-college.org/”>Accredited-Online-College.org</a>

Fake Schools, Fake Degrees: Avoiding Diploma Mills

What is it:
 A diploma mill is a phony university that sells a diploma — a worthless piece of paper — rather than the educational experience. 

It’s a Big Business

$80,000: Average cost of getting a college degree
$399: Average cost of a fake online diploma in 2010
3,000: Number of unrecognized universities selling degrees to anyone for cash
$500 Million: estimated amount spent on fake diploma annually
More than 100,000 fake degrees sold in US annually
40,000-45,000: Number of Ph.D.s earned annually in US
More than 50,000: Number of fake Ph.D.s bought annually from diploma mills
More than 50%: Estimated number of all people with Ph.D.s have fake Ph.Ds 

Want to buy one? What’s it cost around the world?

Fake Bachelor and Masters Degrees – Mexico $1,555 Online
Fake Bachelor’s Degree Online $34,000
Fake College Transcripts – Massage School $10,000 to $15,000
Fake Degree – Iraq $1,500 to $7,000
Fake Diploma – Australia $249 Online
Fake Diploma – China $20 to $44
Fake Diploma – Indonesia $648
Fake Diploma – Philippines $10 to $60 in 2 hours
Fake Doctoral Degree Online $550
Fake Harvard Degree – Russia $40,000
Fake High School Diploma – Indonesia $432
Fake Master’s Degree – Saudi Arabia $5,000
Fake MBA Degree – UAE $5,445
Fake MBA Degree Online $500
Fake Pilot License – Philippines $30,000 to $50,000
Fake Teaching Diploma – Vietnam $50 to $600
Fake University Degree – India $80 to $1.035
Fake Yale Degree – Vietnam $1,200 to $1,500

Behind the Ivy: Spot the Fakes

Red Flags: Warning Signs
Red flag #1: No Studies, No Exams, No Interaction
Red Flag #2: No Classwork. Degree based on your life experience
Red Flag #3: Flat Fee. Gimme your money, honey
Legitimate colleges charge by the credit, course, or semester — not a flat fee
Red Flag #4: Fast, Fast Track
You can’t earn a degree in a few days, weeks, or even months
Red Flag #4: Hi-Pressure Sales People. Legit schools don’t advertise through spam
Red Flag #5: Frequent Name Changes
Red Flag #6: No Public Email Address
Red Flag #7: No Student Services
Real distance learning requires resources like councilors and tech support

More clues: The Hidden Traps

• Accreditation
Diploma Mills aren’t accredited, so they hide it, behind terms like “internationally approved,” “authenticated,” and “licensed.”

How to avoid it: Research. Ask Questions.
• Are they accredited?
• By whom?
• Is the accrediting agency legitimate?

• Faculty
Faculty can be researched, so scam sites leave them out.
How to avoid it: Dig deeper. Don’t deal with just one person.
• Where did the faculty graduate from?
• What resources are available as a distance learning student?
• Who is in charge of student services, can you speak to them?

• Location
Many diploma mills are located outside U.S. Others have only a PO Box and exist only as a website.
How to avoid it: Find the details.
• Does the university have a physical presence?
• Where exactly is it located?

We’re #1: U.S. is the fake college capital of the world

Top 10 Locations of diploma mills in U.S.
• California (134)
• Hawaii (94)
• Washington (87)
• Florida (57)
• Texas (53)
• New York (44)
• Louisiana (39)
• (tie) Illinois (29)
• (tie) Nevada (29)
• Arizona (28)

Outrageous. Diploma Mills at work

• Dog earns MBA
: Chester Ludlow, a pug dog from Vermont, awarded an MBA from Rochville University. Diploma sent from Dubai.
• Cat gets its GED: 
Sponsored by the Better Business Bureau, Oreo the cat achieved its General Equivalency Degree (GED) from Jefferson High School Online for only $200.
• In 2008, 10 Washington State Troopers used fake diplomas to earn $50,000 in raises.

If you think you’re being scammed: check with the CHEA,“The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Sources:
http://www.geteducated.com/life-experience-college-degree/290-online-college-diploma-mill-cases
http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2015/06/09/7-warning-signs-an-online-degree-is-a-scam
http://www.havocscope.com/fake-diploma/
http://www.chea.org/
http://aaar.assembly.ca.gov/sites/aaar.assembly.ca.gov/files/reports/Intro%20to%20Degree%20Mills.pdf
http://www.geteducated.com/life-experience-college-degree/290-online-college-diploma-mill-cases
/
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0206-college-degree-scams
http://www.geteducated.com/college-degree-mills#sthash.6ZUrf2Ye.dpuf

The post Fake Schools, Fake Degrees: Avoiding Diploma Mills appeared first on Accredited Online Colleges.

When thinking about a free education, there are many questions that arise:

• Are there tuition-free colleges?
• Can I get a college education for free?
• Is free community college my best option?
• What are work college options?
• Can financial aid cover the entire cost of my education?

It’s natural to have lots of questions, especially when college is so expensive!

If you want to learn about free education programs, but aren’t sure what your options are, this guide will help. Tuition and fees can be overwhelming, but with the details outlined below, you’ll learn some valuable tips on getting an education for free.

The Growing Cost of an Education

During the 2022-23 academic year, the average tuition for undergraduates, including fees, room and board, and books, was estimated to be $27,100 at public institutions. That figure was far higher at private, non-profit schools at $58,600. It costs an average of $33,600 at private for-profit institutions.

Tuition and fees can be high even at smaller schools. For example, according to the Education Data Initiative, the average annual total cost of attending a two-year community college is $12,917. A private two-year college is even more expensive at $18,282. For comparison’s sake, the total annual cost for a community college education in 2000-2001 was $4,600.

Many students choose to attend in-state four-year public universities to take advantage of lower tuition rates. However, in-state schools can also be expensive.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a public in-state four-year university is $10,338. If you attend a public out-of-state university, that figure jumps to $22,698. A private four-year university is even more expensive at $38,185 for tuition and fees.

So, college is getting more and more expensive, so you might be wondering, “How can I go to school for free?“

Unfortunately, not everyone has a college fund to pay for school. And for many students, taking out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans isn’t a favorable option.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to continue your education and go to college …without the price tag.

See also: Top 25 Accredited Free Classes Available Online

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The first step in pursuing a free college education is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

This lengthy document is required for many types of federal aid, including grants, which do not have to be repaid.

Additionally, many states use the information from your FAFSA to determine if you’re eligible for state-based aid (which is discussed in the next section). Individual colleges and universities also use the information you provide on your FAFSA for matching you with potential sources of financial aid.

Completing the FAFSA takes some time, but it’s free and available online, making it as easy as possible to find funding sources for college. The FAFSA is required for online education and traditional on-campus programs.

It’s important to note that schools, states, and federal agencies set deadlines for having your FAFSA completed. Be sure you check with the schools in which you’re interested and your state to determine when those deadlines occur. Check with the StudentAid.gov to find out when federal deadlines occur as well.

The FAFSA process is an ongoing one, which is another important detail to understand. You must renew your application each academic year to reflect any changes in your financial situation. This can help identify new sources of college funding with each new academic year.

State-Based Free Education Programs

As noted above, the FAFSA isn’t just for federal student aid. Most states also use the FAFSA information you provide to identify possible state-based aid programs to finance your education.

Each state has different aid available for college students, so you’ll need to check the financial aid programs in your state. But, while there are differences in the specific programs from one state to the next, you can find grants and scholarships in every state.

Like federal financial aid, state-based aid comes with certain restrictions. For example, some grants and scholarships are provided to students that meet strict income requirements. That is, you have to make less than a specified amount to qualify. 

Again, it’s important to thoroughly research what aid opportunities are available to you, and what the qualification requirements are for each award.

Free Tuition Program

Are you looking for free tuition programs? Some states offer programs where you can go to college for free through community colleges or state colleges and universities.

Students must meet certain qualifications to be eligible. Once eligibility is determined, you must apply for the programs. Some are on a first-come first-served basis, so get started in your financial aid search early, that way you don’t miss out on any funding opportunities.

For more details, check out these state programs for free college. This is not a complete list, so if you don’t see your state listed, further research might reveal additional opportunities for free college:

Arkansas- Arkansas Future Grant

California- The California Promise Program

Delaware- Delaware Technical Community College Seed Program

Hawaii- Hawaii Promise Program

Indiana- 21st Century Scholar

Kentucky- Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program

Maryland- Community College Promise Scholarship

Missouri- A+ Scholarship Program

Montana- Montana University System Scholarships, Grants, and Waivers

New York- The Excelsior Scholarship

Nevada- Nevada Promise Scholarship

Oklahoma- Oklahoma’s Promise

Oregon- The Oregon Promise Grant

Rhode Island- Rhode Island Promise

Tennessee- Tennessee Promise

Washington- Washington College Bound

West Virginia- West Virginia Invests

Wyoming- University of Wyoming Scholarship Opportunities

How to Get a Free College Education: Tuition-Free Schools

While it might sound too good to be true, some schools offer free tuition to certain students.

This is not a common practice, by any means. But, free college tuition is becoming more and more prevalent. In fact, nearly 30 states have some level of free college for their residents. This includes several states that have free college with very few eligibility requirements:

• Oregon
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Tennessee
• Michigan
• Maryland
• Deleware
• Rhode Island

Nearly two-dozen other states offer tuition-free college with certain restrictions. The most common restrictions pertain to income and merit. Other restrictions pertain to residency and the program in which you’re interested.

There are specific colleges and universities that offer free tuition to certain students as well. In most cases, free tuition is limited to students that live on campus. However, you might also learn how to get a free education online by exploring the options below.

Looking for free education?

Alice Lloyd College

If you live within the service area, Alice Lloyd College offers free tuition through the Appalachian Leaders Scholarship. You don’t have to take federal student loans because tuition and fees are free. Save tens of thousands and apply if you qualify!

The Apprentice School

The Apprentice School focuses on shipbuilding trades. Students pay no tuition. In fact, as a student, you’ll earn an hourly wage at a full-time job provided by the school. Apprenticeships last four to five years, and at the end, you receive a certificate.

Barclay College

At Barclay College in Kansas, you’ll get free tuition if you live on campus. You’re responsible for fees, room and board, and other expenses, but additional scholarships or grants can help defray those costs. 

Berea College

If you have financial need and your family income does not allow you to pay for school, Berea College may be for you! You receive full tuition for free if you qualify. This school does not charge tuition.

College of the Ozarks

Located in Missouri, College of the Ozarks offers free tuition for students with full-time enrollment. You’re required to work 15 hours a week. Additionally, you must work two 40-hour weeks during the school year.

Curtis Institute of Music

Students receive free tuition from Curtis Institute of Music on a merit basis. The school offers living costs and living expenses based on need. More information can be found here.

The University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire’s Granite Guarantee Program offers free tuition for up to four years of study. To be eligible, you must be a resident of New Hampshire. You must also study full-time and be eligible for Pell Grants. The program is available to junior college transfers as well. If you complete two years of study in the Community College System of New Hampshire and immediately transfer to the University of New Hampshire, you’ll qualify for two years of free tuition.

Warren Wilson College

Warren Wilson College, which is in North Carolina, offers a tuition waiver to in-state residents. To qualify, you must meet criteria for need-based aid. You must also be a first-time college student and attend school full-time. In exchange, you must work 8-16 hours per week.

Webb Institute

You can get free college tuition if you do a double major in naval architecture and marine engineering at Webb Institute. More details for Webb Institute learners can be found here.

West Point

At the United States Military Academy, students do not pay tuition. Find out more details here. This four-year program develops leaders and provides them with a lifetime of success. There is not even a financial aid office because everyone attends with free tuition. Free tuition is also available at:

• The United States Air Force Academy
• The United States Coast Guard Academy
• The United States Merchant Marine Academy
• U.S. Naval Academy

Other Ways to Save Money on College

If you’re having trouble finding a college or university that fits your needs and offers free tuition, there are many other ways you can reduce the cost of your education.

As noted earlier, there are local, state, federal, and school-based scholarships and grants, neither of which have to be paid back. Filling out the FAFSA is your first step in finding these sources of funding. But, your work isn’t done there.

You want to cast as wide a net as possible when looking for scholarships and grants. This means spending a lot of time and energy conducting research, identifying which scholarships and grants for which you apply, and submitting your application materials for those programs.

There are two good rules of thumb when applying for scholarships and grants. First, apply for as many programs as possible. Second, apply for scholarships and grants even if you don’t quite meet all of the criteria.

You don’t want to waste your time applying for programs that have strict requirements (e.g., residency or a minimum GPA) that you definitely don’t meet. For example, if you live in Florida, there’s no point in applying for a scholarship that’s only for residents of Ohio.

But, there are plenty of scholarship programs that have less restrictions on who qualifies. For example, a scholarship might be designed for first-year students only, but might also consider second-year students. If you’re a second-year student, it’s worth a shot to apply!

Another option is to take as many Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Dual-Credit courses in high school as you can.

AP and IB courses require college-level work, and will often count towards fulfilling graduation requirements at most colleges and universities. Depending on the classes offered at your high school, you could conceivably graduate with a semester’s worth (or more) of college credit.

The same is true of dual-credit programs. Many high schools offer on-campus classes that count for high school credit and college credit as well, usually through a local community college. Students across the country use these programs to their advantage to graduate high school with one, two, or more semesters worth of college courses already completed. In fact, some high schoolers are able to graduate from high school with an associate’s degree in hand as well!

The advantage of dual-credit courses is that you earn actual college credit from an accredited institution. These credits are more likely to be accepted by colleges and universities than AP and IB courses. This isn’t to say that AP and IB courses aren’t widely accepted for college credit. But the process might be more common and go more smoothly with dual-credit classes.

Other options for offsetting the cost of college include:

• Apprentice programs
• Work programs
• GI bill covers education costs for Veterans

In the case of apprentice programs and work programs, you can get a tuition waiver, learn a trade, and be employed, all while you go to college. When you complete programs like these, you get valuable on-the-job experience that allows you to be immediately employable upon graduation.

Of course, the GI Bill is a great way for those that have served in the military to pay for college and transition into civilian life after completing their tour.

How to Go to School for Free: Find Specialty Scholarships

Yet another avenue for going to college for free is to find scholarships for specific situations.

For example, there are scholarships for military and ex military students. You can find scholarships for visually impaired students as well. If you have ADHD, there’s scholarships for you, too. And that’s just the start!

Below is a list of just some of the types of specialty scholarships that might be available to you:

• First-time college students
• Single mothers
• First-generation Americans
• Low-income students
• Students in rural areas
• Students in urban areas
• Transfer students
• International students
• Students that were adopted
• Students of certain ethnicities
• LGBTQ+ students
• Athletic scholarships
• Academic scholarships
• Religious-based scholarships
• Students with disabilities 

Additionally, you can find scholarships for students of a certain age, students with a certain major, and students that work for a particular company. There are scholarships for students taking part-time credit hours and full-time credit hours as well.

These types of opportunities are also available in the form of grants, work-study programs, waivers, and other aid packages that don’t have to be paid back.

How to Start in the Education System Without Breaking the Bank

While a degree can take you places, it’s not a possibility for everyone to pay for one. There are plenty of ways, however, to continue an education without breaking the bank and taking out many federal loans.

As noted earlier, the key to a free college education is to do your due diligence. The more time you spend researching things like “education free” and “go to school for free,” the more likely you are to find programs for which you qualify.

If you’re a high school student, visit with your guidance counselor to get advice on how to search for free colleges and financial aid. If you’re already in college and want to lower the cost of your education, visit with the student financial aid office on campus. In either case, these sources will prove extremely valuable in your quest to get a higher education for free.

See also: Top Accredited Online Colleges Without an Application Fee

The post How To Get A Free Education appeared first on Accredited Online Colleges.

Methodology:

• Recommendation Rank (.5): the percentage of alumni who would recommend a school to others as compiled by GradReports.com
• Number of Online Offerings (.5):the number of online offerings including certifications, Associates degrees, undergraduate and graduate programs

1. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers over 80 online programs including Bachelor’s, graduate programs, and certifications. NAU was the first public university to offer competency-based online degree programs that allowed students to obtain credit for life experience. The University’s online offerings are also personalized, allowing students to progress through self-paced online degrees centered around competencies. The personalized online learning option is offered at a flat tuition rate of $2,500 every six months.

For more about Northern Arizona University’s Online Programs, go here.

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers over 230 online programs at Bachelor’s through doctoral levels. They are noted for a large number of Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and International MBA concentrations. Southern New Hampshire University was at the forefront of offering many of the support services available in traditional programs online, and was named the 12th most innovative organization in the world in Fast company’s “World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies” edition. Six start dates are available for undergraduate programs and five for graduate programs every year.

For more about Southern New Hampshire University’s Online Programs, go here.

3. Bellevue University

Bellevue University offers 110 online programs, with 74 offered at the undergraduate level, and almost 40 Master’s degrees. Many Master’s level offerings center around management, business, and computer and information systems. Bellevue University has a long history of focusing on adult education and educational outreach. As of 2011, 80% of undergraduates at Bellevue University were over the age of 25. Accelerated cohort programs have long been a signature offering at Bellevue, offering undergraduate degrees taken online with the same group of students with many classes being delivered in 6-week bursts.

For more about Bellevue University’s Online Programs, go here.

4. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida currently offers 51 online programs, including 5 Bachelor’s degrees, and over 20 Master’s as well as Certification programs. Unique offerings include a number of Master’s level engineering programs available fully online, as well as a wide range of certifications for working professionals. The University of Central Florida has been recognized as a leader in online education for a number of years, and received a $20 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2010 to help support and expand their offerings.

For more about the University of Central Florida’s Online Programs, go here.

5. American Public University System

The American Public University System offers almost 200 online programs including Associate offerings, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Certifications and Diplomas. The system is comprised of American Public University as well as the American Military University, which offers a number of learning opportunities for Service Member to obtain degrees in Homeland Security, Intelligence Studies, Emergency and Disaster Management, Criminal Justice, and Management and Business Administration. Class enrollment is currently over 50,000, with over 11,000 graduates in the most recent class. Student experiences and support are geared towards working adults and in particular Service Members.

For more about American Public University System’s Online Programs, go here.

6. Excelsior College

Excelsior College offers almost 200 online programs include Associate Offerings, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Certifications and Diplomas. A large majority of the College’s offerings are at the Bachelor’s level. Excelsior College is known for its particularly liberal transfer policy, allowing almost all prior credits from regionally accredited institutions to transfer. Their credit by exam credits are a commonly accepted form of credit at other universities similar to CLEP. Programs are built around flexibility with active support for Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, or Veterans through their Center for Military Education.

For more about Excelsior College’s Online Programs, go here.

7. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University offers over 70 online programs including Associate Offerings, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Certifications and Diplomas. The fields of business administration, fire science, criminal justice administration, occupational safety, and health are particularly well represented in offerings. Students may choose from more traditional term-based delivery methods or Columbia Southern’s Lifepace learning, which allows flexible start dates, due dates, and course lengths. Columbia Southern is known as one of the most affordable online universities, with both undergraduate and graduate per-credit-hour tuition rates set at close to $200.

For more about Columbia Southern University’s Online Programs, go here.

8. California Coast University Online

California Coast University offers over 40 online programs including Associate Offerings, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate Degrees, Certifications and Diplomas. Their largest topical cluster of courses are their Masters in Business Administration offerings. California Coastal University is known for offering a great deal of flexibility in how students progress through courses. This allows for a minimum time until degree of 9 months for undergraduate study, and three years for doctoral study. Courses of study are designed for mid-career working adults, with the average age of students at 41 years of age.

For more about California Coast University’s Online Programs, go here.

9. Herzing University

Herzing University offers over 50 programs entirely online at the undergraduate, graduate, associates, and certification levels. The largest topical cluster of programs are their business offerings, with other clusters in nursing, healthcare, and technology. With the EdFlex program students may complete coursework online or at one of the University’s 11 campuses as they choose. Programs may be taken on a part-time or full-time basis and are offered with a number of support services similar to the offerings of traditional universities.

For more about Herzing University’s Online Programs, go here.

10. Full Sail University

Full Sail University offers over 20 programs online at the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree levels. Areas of study are largely vocational and center around creative media, with programs in art, design, film, music, production, business and technology. Live sessions, project-based learning, and social collaboration are hallmarks of Full Sail’s online programs. Most programs are accelerated, taking around half of the time of a traditional college degree to complete. Bachelor’s level offerings generally take 20-36 months, while Master’s level offerings typically take a year to complete.

For more about Full Sail University’s Online Programs, go here.

11. Penn West Global Online

Penn West Global Online offers a variety of online degree programs designed for flexibility and convenience. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate programs in fields like business, healthcare, and education. The programs are fully online, allowing students to balance their studies with work or personal commitments. Penn West also focuses on affordability, providing financial aid options for eligible students. Additionally, their experienced faculty ensures that students receive a high-quality education with the support needed to succeed in a global workforce.

For more about Penn West Global Online, go here.

12. Western Governors University

Western Governors University offers over 50 online programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and certification levels. The University was established by state governors of 19 states in 1997 as a competency-based learning program. The University has since grown with a number of other states joining with the same curriculum, teaching model, tuition, and services for branches in their own state. Four colleges are currently available: the Teachers College, College of Information Technology, College of Business, and College of Health Professions. Though courses are flexible and self-paced, the average time until completion of a Bachelor’s degree is less than 3 years.

For more about Western Governors University’s Online Programs, go here.

13. American Intercontinental College

American Intercontinental College offers over 70 online degree options including Associate degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, and certifications. Originally founded as the American Fashion College of Switzerland, American Intercontinental offers degrees primarily in business, IT, criminal justice, and fashion design. In 2013 American Intercontinental University became one of the first fully online programs to be granted two-year accreditation by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. Intellipath allows students to customize learning presentation based on how they learn best, to push through subjects they already know more quickly, and to spend a greater length of time on topics they need help with.

For more about American Intercontinental College’s Online Programs, go here.

14. Liberty University

Liberty University offers over 260 fully online programs at the Associate level through Doctoral level, and offers one of the largest collections of fully online graduate programs of any school surveyed. The university is the largest online Christian university as well as the largest Evangelical Christian University in the world. Over 100,000 online students were taking classes as of May 2013. While many online courses are offered in traditional 16-week semesters, a number are also offered in shorter, slightly overlapping 8-week sessions. This allows for greater scheduling flexibility for online students.

For more about Liberty University’s Online Programs, go here.

15. University of Maryland University College

The University of Maryland University College offers over 240 online programs including certifications, Associates degrees, undergraduate, and graduate programs. UMUC has one of the largest offerings of graduate level programs online of programs surveyed. Since 2005, UMUC offered teaching support on-site and online for the US military in Afghanistan and Africa, and they were ranked as the #1 “Best for Vets: Colleges 2015” by The Military Times. Though their offerings are comprehensive, a number of topical clusters within their offerings include business & management, cyber security, education, healthcare, IT, liberal arts, and public safety.

For more about the University of Maryland University College’s Online Programs, go here.

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