The Big Squeeze - The Coming Crisis in American Higher Education

Most Americans already know that a crisis is happening in American higher education. Tuition costs are surging, putting a college education out of reach for many Americans. College grads are defaulting on college loans. They cannot find jobs in the fields they trained for. Those trends make the news every day. Yet they are only the most visible signs of deeper troubles that threaten to destabilize American higher education in the coming years. Let's take a closer look. Coming Crisis: Colleges Will Price themselves Further and Further Out of Reach According to the U.S. Census, the median income of U.S. households in 1970 was $8,390. By 1989, it has risen to $28,910. And by 2005, it was $46,326. Those figures indicate that Americans today are earning about 5.5 the salaries that they earned 40 years ago. How much have college costs grown? According to the Congressional Budget Office, the average yearly tuition at a four-year public American university in 1970 was $480. The average tuition at a four-year private college or university was a lot higher, at $1,980. Today, according to data from The College Board, tuition and fees at four-year state universities currently average $7,020 per year for students who live in- state, and $11,528 for students who live out of state. And private four-year colleges charge an average or $26,273 per year in tuition and fees. So tuition costs are rising at a rate that far outpaces the growth in income of the typical American household. While income has grown by a factor of 5.5 in the last 40 years, the cost of attending a state college has increased by a factor of 15 for in-state students and by a factor of about 24 for out-of-state students. And the cost of attending a private college has increased by a factor of more than 13. And colleges are planning tuition increases for the coming years. It's the big squeeze. For many American families, the dream of sending a child to college is slipping even further out of reach. Crisis: American Colleges Will Close Endowments at American colleges and universities have dropped dramatically during the current economic downturn. At the University of Delaware, the endowment shrank by 24.8%. Gettysburg College lost 25.3%, and the list goes on and on. Top-tier, well-funded institutions will weather the crisis. But a growing number of smaller American private colleges and universities are already finding it difficult to attract enough tuition-paying undergraduates to keep their doors open. With increasing frequency, these schools are making their troubles known. There's another reason that colleges are in trouble. With the lack of jobs awaiting graduates, it is difficult to convince many American families that it is really worth paying $30,000, $40,000 or more a year to earn a college degree. Crisis: American Students Will Be Unable to Train for Available Jobs The days of the English major, the philosophy major, and the general studies major may be numbered, as more students seek training for jobs that they can actually find after graduation. They are training as medical technicians, computer programmers and air conditioning technicians. Yet just as students are looking for practical training, the sources of that training are harder to find, for a few reasons. First, community colleges are no longer offering as much practical training as they once did. To attract more students, many have modified their course offerings to become more like private institutions. While President Obama has pledged to invest heavily in community colleges and upgrade their training programs, the changes are long overdue. Second, for-profit colleges and universities are in trouble. A number of them are being investigated right now by Congress because of shady recruiting practices and abuse of government programs for funding higher education. It seems likely that a number of for-profit schools will shut their doors. The result? American students will find it harder to find schools that offer the practical training they need to secure jobs. And we all know what can happen when a country's workers are under-trained, compared to workers in other countries. The result will likely be further damage to the American economy and business. What Will Save American Higher Education? The trends outlined above are grim. Yet the situation is far from hopeless. A number of positive trends are at work that point to the possibility that American higher education is not going away, but simply changing. * America still has the strongest educational infrastructure in the world. We simply have more colleges and universities than any other country. Many of these institutions are already reinventing themselves by offering distance learning options, three-year degree programs and other incentives for modern learners. * Americans' desire for education remains strong. With so many of our citizens hungering for learning, there is ample incentive for colleges to develop new learning options for them. * The timeline of education has changed. More Americans are returning to college at all stages of life. The result is that a larger pool of Americans who are interested in higher education. * Distance learning is moving into the forefront of American higher education. As Bill Gates predicted on August 9 in his talk at the Techonomy conference in Lake Tahoe, it is already possible to deliver a college education over the Internet for as little as $2,000. In the end, we predict that American ingenuity will not only survive these crises, but turn America into a new kind of community of learners.

Online Food Science Career Schools

Online schools and colleges are available to provide students with the opportunity to obtain an accredited education in food science. Students looking to pursue a career in this field can do so through a number of online career training programs. With an education in food science students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to work in dietary and nutrition. Students can earn a certificate or degree at their own leisure allowing them to pursue careers working in health clubs, hospitals, schools, health care facilities, restaurants, and much more. Degrees programs are available ranging from an associate to a masters level and certificates area attainable as well. Certificate Online certificate courses are available to those who are just starting their education and career or those looking to enhance their training. Accredited online schools allow students to enroll in certificate programs to learn a variety of subjects. Coursework at this level of education may consist of food safety, food science, sanitation, food chemistry, and many other specialty subjects. Students looking to pursue careers in food science can earn a certificate which will enable them to work in dietetics, food service management, nutrition, and many other career professions. Associate Degree Associate degree training can be done through a variety of accredited online educational programs. Students who wish to earn an associates degree in the field of food science can obtain the knowledge and skills to pursue a number of careers. With online studies students are able to learn various subjects including nutrition, food preparation, chemistry, food processing, physiology, culinary studies, and much more. Coursework will vary depending on the career each individual student chooses to pursue. An education in food science will allow students to find employment as dieticians, nutritionists, food scientists, and other related professionals. An associate's degree will open the door for students to earn a bachelors degree. Bachelors and Masters Degree There are a number of accredited schools and colleges that offer online studies in food science. Students who wish to obtain an education at a bachelor's or master's degree level will have the opportunity to learn a variety of subjects. Coursework will vary depending on the specific area of study chosen by the student and level of degree desired. With an accredited online educational program students can learn food packaging, human nutrition, business, food engineering, chemistry, food microbiology, and much more. An education will give students the skills needed to find employment in food science, dietetics, nutrition, and food technology. A bachelors or masters degree program will allow students to enter the career of their dreams. Online learning can provide students with the resources they need to enter an exciting career in the food science industry. Online career studies will allow students to learn the necessary food science skills and knowledge from the comforts of their own home. By researching and enrolling in the accredited program that best fits the students educational and personal goals they can be on their way to the start of a new career. Accreditation is provided by agencies like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges ( ). DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org. Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

Online High School - Its Present Role

Take for example, high school education, in most Asian countries it is about four years from freshman, sophomore, junior then senior years and students shall spend the eight hours in a classroom. There are those lucky that an early age of course with permit to work, will be employed as actors or actresses and therefore they cannot spend their high school life the way that it should be. On this premises, they had resources to pay for home school education or doing online education, where the realm of an ordinary classroom could be made possible in their shooting set or even at home. This is done in order not to missed the years that they had spent more of their lifetime working, thus they do double time efforts in educating themselves using online high school education. Education over the internet is the trend nowadays, with the presence of computers and internet broadband at every home, students are likely prone to finished a degree by merely facing a computer. There are even online teachers who are professionally driven to let their students get the same lessons and activities even excel the learning faculties of an ordinary student taking up education in a university or going everyday to attend to a school institution. There are academies offering unique set of curriculum accustomed to a particular student who may find going to school daily a hindrance to get a diploma. Other institution would have modular type of lessons and focuses on the objective of a particular lesson which are sometimes more definite study compared to that student who is at school in tune for another day's lesson. Yet, we are sometimes in question of how good it is when one does not experience what high school life should be? The presence of a school play which are likely shared by all high school students not merely seniors or eradicating the gap or in betweens, will less likely give the students the chance of a lifetime. They in an instant would probably say had missed half of their lives. On the other hand, online high school does a lot of sense to teenagers who cannot control time, who by the fact had experience so much opportunity that if taken away would mean a denomination of a dream. Hence, child actors actress do this thing not because they like it but because they feel that no matter how education is conducted, it is very important and that they need to have it as early as convenient and as easy as possible through the internet.

Get an Online Education in Online Education

You can get an online education in just about everything. They even offer degrees for all kinds of stuff and just about anything that you could learn in college you can also learn on the Internet in your own home and save yourself quite a bit of money. But you need to make sure of course that the online-college is accredited, and look over the course outline to make sure it's exactly what you need. You'll be amazed at all the various classes that are offered, and how easy they make it; so you can study on your own time and at your own pace; set your own schedule. Believe it or not you can even get an "online education in online education." When I first learned of this I laughed, but it actually makes sense because someone has to do all the work behind the robust IT networks, and web-based applications that the students and professors use in online-education-courses. Now, you might think that an online-education-degree is not as good as one from an actual college, but as long as you know the information, and you can backup your knowledge, what difference does it make what the name of the college is as long as you have that degree? Yes, there have been some cases in the past where some of these online education schools were fake and they were handing out degrees without the students actually doing the work. Don't try to go for such a program because it will catch up with you, rather take the full-on course and make sure you learn the information. I hope you will consider this.

Online Public Health Degrees For A Great Career

Online public health degrees may not have the glamor of medical degrees but the former is still very crucial. There is an old saying, "prevention is better than cure" and people with online degrees in public health, such as social workers,  play a major role in preventing illnesses. Were it not for these social workers, clinics and hospitals would be a lot more burdened with sick people than they are. A distance learning public health degree teaches the art and science of improving the health of communities. It differs from other health care fields in that it is geared more towards the health of the community as a whole and not specifically geared towards individual treatment of diseases. People who have these degrees acquire the skills to design policies and programs that prevent illness or the spread of disease. They also learn the skills on how to develop programs that are geared towards helping the less fortunate in society. There are several schools (both campus-based and online) that offer public health degrees. However, doing the program via online distance education presents some major benefits that campus based programs do not offer. For example, if you are currently working and unable to take time off to attend classes at a typical bricks and mortar college, then doing the program online is a great alternative. You can complete the online program in your spare time. Since the program is online, you can access class notes, discussions, lectures and homework entirely via a computer that is connected to the internet.  If you looking for an online school to pursue your public health management degree, it is vital that you enroll with an institution that is legitimately accredited. There are some schools out there posing as legitimate institutions but they are far from it. There is a very easy way to check if a school is accredited or not.

What Specialties Are Available For Online Education Degrees?

While each core curriculum will differ from school to school, most education degree programs include courses in all relevant aspects of education. These courses are designed to give you the knowledge needed to be a successful teacher. Some schools also give you the freedom to choose your own curriculum for your online degree. This means that you can decide which areas of the education field you want to gain expertise in. The ability to design your own curriculum gives you a unique background that allows you to stand out from the competition and attracts potential employers. Some concentrations for online education degrees include Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Adult Education, Distance and Online Education, Educational Administration, and Special Education. People who have their online education degrees in Elementary Education usually teach kindergarten through fifth grade. The major goals of this degree are to establish a foundation in reading, writing, math, science, history, and the social sciences for all children. The courses in this field are designed to prepare you to teach these major fields of study. Some course titles include Philosophy of Education, Psychology of Learning, and Teaching Methods. You may also be required to take courses in computer technology. A degree in Secondary Education is for those who want to teach middle school and high school aged children. Many individuals who get their degree in secondary education focus their training on a particular subject, such as English, math, or science. The courses in this field will teach you about different teaching techniques, curriculum development, and other related topics. An online degree in Adult Education will prepare you to teach and educate adults. This can include a teaching career in colleges, universities, and learning centers. People pursuing this degree generally specialize in a specific subject, or have work experience in a particular field. Courses in this field of study include Adult Growth and Development, Adult Psychology, and Program Planning and Development. A degree in Distance and Online Education will prepare you to work in the field of distance learning. People with this degree generally work at colleges and universities teaching their courses online. Some of the courses in this degree include Foundations of Distance Education, Technology in Distance Education, and Teaching and Learning in Online Distance Education. People who have their degrees in Educational Administration manage the activities in schools, day care centers, and colleges and universities. They can also be directors of educational programs in businesses, prisons, and museums. Many go on to be college presidents and school district superintendents. Courses in this field of study include Introduction to Educational Research and Evaluation, Policy Studies, Current Issues in Education, and Educational Leadership. People who want to work with disabled children and/or adults generally have their online education degrees in Special Education. This degree will prepare you to work with people who have learning disabilities, mental health issues, physical disabilities, and other conditions. Courses in this field include Educational Psychology, Legal Issues of Special Education, Child Growth and Development, and Strategies for Teaching Students with Disabilities. Along with coursework, many of these education degrees also require that you work in a classroom as an intern before graduation. That way, you will have the experience along with your online education degree to make a positive contribution to your students.

The Benefits of Attending Colleges With Online Courses

There's no doubt about it - registering for your college courses can be a nightmare. Most new college students will develop a type of graduation plan where they paint a rosy four-year graduation plan, and in this plan, they have figured out which semester they will take which required courses so they can graduate "on time" in the traditional four year period. But after you've registered for classes for a semester or two, you soon realize that it can be really difficult to get the classes you want or need to take during a certain semester. This is where the benefits of attending colleges with online courses comes into play. It is just plain frustrating to register for college classes, but it's even harder to get college classes if you are trying to plan your classes around a work schedule or are a college athlete with a training schedule. With live classes, there are many students wanting to take classes, and these classes have limited spots available and are available only at select times, so it can be hard to find a class that isn't full at a time that fits in with your schedule. But when you go to one of the colleges with online courses, this program can be a thing of the past. Most colleges and universities now offer traditional courses and online courses, and you can use these two class formats in your favor. When you attend colleges with online courses, you can enjoy the flexibility that online classes offer. You can substitute your live courses for online courses any time a scheduling conflict pops up. This will help you to stay on schedule with your four year graduation plan, which can take a lot of stress off of your registration process each semester and help you to meet your graduation goals.

Have You Ever Heard of Vedic Mathematics Sutras?

For those who are completely in the dark, Vedic mathematics sutras are derived from ancient Hindu scriptures and texts. Currently, it is considered as an alternative mathematics system compared to modern mathematics. That said, it is being introduced into modern day teaching because it helps students to cope with large numbers easily. It's essentially a good way to handle numbers that you'd otherwise instinctively reach out for a calculator. As you may know, modern mathematics refers to the syllabus of mathematics that is currently taught in schools, colleges and universities all over the world. Vedic Mathematics has brought a different sort of learning system for Mathematics. It is being taught in a number of schools in London, India and elsewhere. What is a sutra? In simple terms, a sutra, which refers to a Hindu sutra, in this case, is a literary composition that is distinctive in nature, easily understood and mainly uses technical terms. Vedas or the term Vedic is a reference made to the Hindu religious texts and scriptures. As it is, the sages, saints and seers of Hinduism envisioned the miracles of mathematics in the cosmic universe. Hence, Vedic Maths was born. It was written in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, which uses mainly Sanskrit language. However, the person who brought it to the attention of this world is Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji, a learned person in areas such as Mathematics, History, Philosophy and Sanskrit. His book, Vedic Mathematics was published in 1965. According to him, there are sixteen sutras and sub-sutras in this line of Mathematics. Some of the sixteen sutras are called as Vertically and Crosswise, Transpose and adjust, By addition and by subtraction and By the completion or non-completion. Currently, much research is still being done to find easy applications of Vedic Mathematics in subjects like calculus, geometry and computing. Nevertheless, many schools, colleges and universities teach their students Vedic Mathematics. Contrary to some of the more rigid ideas of modern mathematics, Vedic mathematics gives an opportunity for the students to find their own methods instead of simply following the set methods. In other words, it is flexible. It also uses mental calculations. It's worth looking into, even in these days of calculators and spreadsheets. Apart from anything else, it will give you a handy check as to whether you've typed in the right numbers. So it would have been handy for those scientists who used the wrong units and crashed that probe into Mars.

Further Your Career With Distance Learning MBA

In today's competitive job market, having just a bachelor's degree is just not sufficient to give you an edge over other job applicants. Getting a fulltime MBA degree from a local college or university can also put too much strain on a breadwinner who has to take care of his/her family. But that shouldn't stop one from pursuing further education. You still can advance your career prospects by means of distance education and one such popular distance learning course is MBA. Distance learning through internet is somewhat a recent happening. The student has to enroll in an online university and take classes online as well. It sounds great isn't it? However a distance learner also has a set of pitfall. To ensure you pursue studies from a recognized university, please keep the following points in your mind. Choose the right institute: It is very essential to choose the right school for distance education. There are some good and not so good distance learning institutes. Do not dissipate your money and time on a school that has no national accreditation. Accreditation is a must: A degree from any accredited university is a must to advance your career. Hence homework to check the credentials of the school is required. Also, get it verified if all the classes will be conducted online so that you don't get enrolled into a distance learning program which needs at least one or two sessions to be attended in the classroom. Verify the classrooms' technical capabilities: It is vital to check the classrooms' technical capabilities. Enquire whether the classes are conducted by means of technology you can access, such as email, websites or bulletin boards. Also, ask whether it would be complex proprietary software or a simple user interface. Just simply don't approve for complex programs. After all, that's why you are going for an online degree program. Whenever you come across any doubt or problem ensure that you take technical help and most importantly, ensure that technical help is available 24/7. Search programs that have a proven track record. Though the idea of internet learning is new, look out for programs that have superior success rate among graduates. Must accept loan programs: Ask whether the school offer adequate education financing. Any accredited school will participate in the federal student loan programs as well as offer financing to distance learners. Experienced teachers: Last but not the least, it is essential to know who is teaching. Are there any experienced teachers for the online course? Running a virtual classroom is far different than taking a typical college course. Hence teachers with experience in this type of learning are a must. Finally, it is important to be self motivated if you want to gain knowledge and success through distance learning MBA. Hence, get yourself disciplined and organized.

Important Tips for Choosing the Best Nursing College

If you are interested in training to be a nurse, you'll definitely want to choose a quality school to attend. There are many nursing colleges to choose from. This can make your decision difficult. To ensure you get the best education possible, here are several important tips that you can use to make sure you choose the best college to take your nursing courses. Tip #1 - Check into their accreditation The very first thing you need to do when looking at nursing college is to check into their accreditation. Without accreditation, you won't have the degree needed to take the state test to become licensed as a nurse. Be sure that the college you choose has an accredited nursing program. If they don't, keep looking. Tip #2 - Look for Colleges with Modern Classrooms Another important tip to remember as you look for nursing colleges is to look for colleges that have modern classrooms. You don't want to attend a college that still has classrooms that are outdated. Modern classrooms provide you with a better education, which will help ensure you get the preparation needed to be a good nurse. Tip #3 - Ensure High Tech Labs and Equipment are Available You should also ensure that the nurse colleges you are considering have high tech labs and equipment available. Today the medical field has become a field that is more high tech than ever. With high tech labs and equipment, you'll get great training on the high tech equipment which you'll probably be using on the job. Tip #4 - Find Out What the Student Teacher Ratio Is It's also a great idea to find out what the student teacher ratio is at the nursing colleges that you are considering. Usually you should look for a ration that is 20:1 or less. Why is this important? Well, the lower the ratio of students to teachers, the more personal attention you will get from your professors. Greater interaction and personal attention from teachers will provide you with a better education. Tip #5 - Take a Look at the Faculty When considering several different nurse colleges, take a look at the faculty to help you make your final decision. Most colleges will have an area where you can take a look at the faculty teacher courses within the nursing program. Take a good look at their educational history, their achievements, and more. It will ensure that you have top quality faculty teaching you, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible nursing education. The college that you choose for your education as a nurse is a very important decision. It will affect your entire career as a nurse, so it should not be a decision that you make lightly. Keep these tips in mind as you consider various nurse colleges. This way you ensure you choose a quality college that will prepare you for a wonderful career in the nursing field.