Distance Learning Center @ TestPrepReview.com

Engineering distance learning degree and certificate programs meet the demands of working individuals who want to continue their education in a field that changes rapidly. Because engineering relies heavily on technology which is always improving, continued education is necessary. Engineering distance learning programs give individuals the opportunity to obtain work experience while furthering their education.

When choosing an engineering distance learning college, finding an accredited university is important. ABET, which was previously named the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, became the recognized accreditation agency for engineering degrees, including engineering distance learning degrees, in 1936. To become a professional engineer, a license is required. Every state has a different process of obtaining an engineering license, but most require a degree from an ABET approved school. A list of state licensing boards contact information can be obtained through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying website to find each state requirement. In order to receive ABET accreditation there is laboratory experience required which can not be completed online. Many engineering distance learning programs that are ABET approved offer most of the courses online but require some with labs to be completed on campus. The ABET website provides a list by state and by curricular area of accredited programs and this is a good resource for those students looking for an accredited engineering distance learning degree program.

The University of North Dakota offers engineering distance learning degrees that can be completed online. The ABET accredited degree programs include bachelors in chemical, oil, electrical or mechanical engineering. Summer lab sessions are required on campus. The University of North Dakota engineering distance learning program is designed to be part time and was created especially for working students. Out of state tuition rates apply if the student is not a resident of North Dakota or does not have an active duty military status.

There are many types of distance learning psychology degree programs available. Bachelor’s degrees in psychology, human behavior, and behavioral science are available through distance learning colleges. Distance learning psychology masters programs include psychology, counseling, human behavior, forensic and organizational psychology. PhD’s in psychology and clinical psychology are available. Capella University is a distance learning psychology school that offers masters and doctorate degrees in many areas of psychology. All coursework can be completed online, but several weeks of attendance at educational seminars or colloquia are required to complete the degree programs.

When choosing a distance learning psychology school it is very important to consider all the steps in ones educational journey. In order to practice in the field of psychology outside of a lab or clinic, education beyond a master’s degree is necessary. Only graduates of doctorate programs are authorized to write a prescription which earns them the title of psychologists rather than counselors. If planning on moving forward towards a masters or doctorate, the student should plan ahead and know where he or she intends on transferring. The student should meet with the university, whether it is a traditional school or a distance learning psychology school, and verify that all credits earned will be accepted as transfer credits.

As with all distance learning degree programs, accreditation of the distance learning psychology program is vital. The Committee on Accreditation is the official accrediting agency of the psychology profession. Accredited programs can be accessed through the American Psychological Associations website. At this time, there are no distance learning psychology programs that are conducted completely away from the classroom that are accredited by the Committee on Accreditation. There are some online courses that are part of traditional programs which are accredited, but no complete programs. This information is critical when considering a distance learning psychology degree. A degree from a school not accredited by the Committee on Accreditation may not lead to as many job or salary opportunities as a traditional psychology degree.

Distance learning nursing degree programs were created to provide a flexible and convenient way for people wanting to enter the healthcare industry to become Registered Nurses, or RN’s. Distance learning nursing degrees range from associates to doctorates, and the career possibilities include nursing assistants, registered nurses, and perioperative or emergency room nurses. There are distance learning nursing programs where all the coursework can be completed away from the college and some programs are hybrid, requiring some coursework to be completed on campus and some off campus.

Distance learning nursing degree programs that are completed entirely online have come under some criticism in the healthcare field. Much of the criticism surrounds the fact that working as a nurse requires hands on interaction with patients. Learning how to properly interact with a variety of patients comes from experience generally gained through a traditional nursing program. In traditional programs, students are guided by a preceptor, or person who has worked in the nursing industry and can guide the students through real life examples. Some distance learning nursing programs provide access to preceptors who work alongside the students bringing them practical and up to date knowledge. Preceptors are especially important in perioperative distance learning nursing programs because operating room nurses see a wide variety of highly critical patients and must be able to continuously communicate with doctors. To counteract the critics of distance learning nursing programs, a distance learning nursing student may consider getting a part time position or volunteering in a clinical setting. This experience will provide the student with real world situational experience.

The American Association of Colleges and Nursing, or AACN, is the nationally recognized agency that researches educational facilities specializing in nursing. The AACN’s stance on distance learning nursing programs is that the programs must provide the same level of excellence and accreditation standards as a traditional nursing program. The AACN further states that the distance learning nursing program must provide social and clinical education for the nurses. The Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education or CCNE is both nationally recognized and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as the accreditation agency for nursing schools. When considering a distance learning nursing program, one should ensure it is accredited by the CCNE. The standards of the CCNE for distance learning nursing programs are the same as for traditional programs and if the school is accredited, the student will know he or she is getting a quality degree.

Distance learning law degree programs are not as common as other distance learning degree programs because the American Bar Association will not accredit distance learning law schools. This does not mean that a distance learning law graduate can not become a lawyer. Each state has different requirements for taking the bar exam and has a board of examiners that reviews each applicant. A typical state requirement is a degree from an accredited law school and most states look to the American Bar Association for a list of their accredited law schools. This means that in most states a person who graduates from a distance learning law program will not be able to take the required bar exam. The only state currently allowing students who earn a distance learning law degree, or Juris Doctorate, to take the bar exam is California. Many students will attend a distance education college based in California, take the bar exam and practice in California. When one passes the bar exam, he or she is only permitted to practice law in the state where he or she passed the bar. Some state representatives are trying to pass legislation to allow people who have attended a distance learning law college, passed the bar and want to relocate to a different state to take the bar exam and practice in a different state. These attempts have so far been unsuccessful.

The California based Concord Law School was founded in 1998 and was the first distance learning law school. Although it remains unaccredited by the American Bar Association and State Bar of California, the Committee of Bar examiners of the State Bar in California allows graduates of the Juris Doctor program to apply for admission to the State Bar of California and take the California bar exam. The entrance requirements to the Concord distance learning law school include a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, passing an entrance exam, and a review by a board of school representatives. Tuition is $8900 annually and the program is 4 years in length. A traditional law college generally charges $60,000 for a Juris Doctorate but the Concord school is almost half making it an affordable alternative. For those students who do not want to take the state bar exam but want more legal knowledge, Concord offers a distance learning law degree called an Executive Juris Doctor. The program is three years in length.

Most universities offer a distance learning history degree program because it is a diverse degree that can be used in many career fields. Through a distance learning history program, a student can major or minor in history and can work towards a bachelors, masters or doctorate. Most people who do not plan on continuing their education beyond a bachelor’s degree in history use the degree to teach at the high school level. The history portion of the degree can be earned through a distance learning history program. The student will have to fulfill a student teaching requirement at a school to earn his or her teaching certification so that part of the degree plan can not be done through distance education. Student teaching requires a semester of full time work at a school and the distance learning history program will coordinate the student teaching.

Many people will earn a bachelor’s in history as a stepping stone to further their education. Distance learning history colleges offer masters programs in specialized areas such as art history and military history. With a master’s degree, the graduate can teach at the community college level. Pre-law students can earn a bachelor of arts in history on their path to entering law school. Distance learning history doctorate programs are a good choice for working professionals who want to continue their education. To teach at a major state university, a Ph.D. is required. Many community college professors will continue their education through a distance learning history program so they can reach the university level. Ph.D. programs vary based on the college, but many offer Ph.D.’s in United States History, Latin American History, and Philosophy.

The American Military University is an example of a college that offers distance learning history degree programs that can be completed entirely online. The university offers both bachelors and masters in history and military history. The university is regionally and nationally accredited by the North Central Association and the Distance Education and Training Council. The university caters to working adults by providing classes that begin every month and classes that do not require the student to login at specific dates or times.

Distance learning business degrees include associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees. Many career fields and job opportunities require a business degree. When working towards a bachelors or masters in business, the student can focus on areas of study such as global business, human resources, marketing, finance and law. All of the previous degree programs are offered through distance learning business colleges.

A distance learning business online degree grants access to the entire world through the computer. Coursework can be completed with students and instructors who are working in other countries for a variety of companies. In a traditional classroom environment, a student would be fortunate to have peers who are working in the industry or who have any global experience. The online environment provides a communication source where coursework can be completed and students can share valuable, real life experience. A distance learning business degree can bring more networking opportunities than a traditional classroom environment. The students of a distance learning business degree online environment can take the opportunity to ask fellow students about global companies and ask about potential job and relocation opportunities upon graduation.

Many people who already have a bachelor’s degree in business are choosing to get their masters in business administration through a distance learning business program. Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business offers the Global Executive MBA, which brings new credibility to a distance learning business program. The online MBA programs offer students who are already employed in the industry to continue their education and remain competitive in the marketplace. Many professionals are concerned that a distance learning business degree is not viewed with the same merit as a traditional degree within the job marketplace. As more top-rated colleges such as Duke begin offering online degrees, the reputation will change.

It is possible to become a Certified Public Accountant through a distance learning accounting program. One must earn a bachelors degree that contains Certified Public Accounting courses and one must pass a Certified Public Accounting exam to become a CPA. Each state has a Board of Accountancy who licenses the CPA upon passing the exam. When considering a distance learning accounting degree from a non-local school, one should make sure the school he or she will be attending is state specific or passing the required state exam will be difficult. Earning a master’s degree will help the graduate earn a higher salary and a larger number of job opportunities, as will having experience in the career field. The accounting degree requirements can be satisfied through a distance learning accounting program, but it is very important the potential student verifies that the university is approved by the professional organization for CPA’s, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Whether the potential student wants to earn a title of accountant or CPA must be considered when choosing a distance learning accounting program. Most states do not have specific educational requirements for those who want to earn the title of accountant. Becoming a CPA requires the passing of a state certification exam. Most employers want accountants to be CPA’s because being a CPA is a requirement in administering audits of U.S. corporations that are traded publicly.

Certain personality traits are important when pursuing a distance learning accounting degree. A person who wants to become an accountant should love manipulating numbers, be a logical thinker, be able to work alone and with a client. The person should have strong reading comprehension skills because the subject matter in a distance learning program may be difficult to learn without an instructor showing in detail how to work out problems. It would be wise to create a virtual team that is involved in the same distance learning accounting program to meet with on the internet or phone to help with the added struggles of a distance learning accounting education.