Distance Studies news from schools in the United States and Canada provide the latest information from universities, colleges and virtual campuses offering online courses, degrees and continuing education programs – keeping you informed about the online and distance education community.

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August 13, 2010
CSU ranked one of 'Best in West'

Students who rated Colorado State University on topics such as professors, administration, campus food, and other aspects of campus life placed it in the Princeton Review's top 120 'Best in the West,' and on the list of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education.

Colorado State University is one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education and one of the 120 "Best in the West," according to The Princeton Review, a New York-based education services company.

Only 25 percent of the 2,500 four-year colleges surveyed were listed in "2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region." Colorado State also ranked as one of the best overall 373 colleges in the new 2011 edition of Princeton's annual guide, which is on sale this week.

Students rated their schools on several topics and reported on their campus experiences. Categories range from best professors, administration and campus food to lists based on student body political leanings, interests in sports and other aspects of campus life.

Student praise for Colorado State, according to Princeton Review:

• Colorado State University offers a breadth and depth of quality academics, especially in career-specific disciplines and diverse fields such as engineering, social work, math, business, interior design, health and exercise science and music therapy.
• Many students are satisfied with the level of one-on-one service. CSU "is big enough that people have heard of it but small enough that you don't get lost in the numbers" and it "has a small-school feel because professors are always available and not everything is taught by TAs."

Colorado State also received a very high "green" rating with 93 out of a possible 99 points on its performance as an environmentally aware and responsible institution.

Academic and co-curricular programs at Colorado State are recognized for their quality, innovation and achievement – from internationally renowned programs in infectious disease, cancer research and atmospheric science to national recognition as an institution committed to building character.

If you have any questions about any of CSU Continuing Education's undergraduate or graduate degree programs, please contact Jenny Hannifin at jhannifin@learn.colostate.edu, or 877-491-4336.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

August 10, 2010
Student Affairs in Higher Education Certificate Now Available!

The Student Affairs in Higher Education Certificate is now available online.

This four-class series is offered online through Colorado State University Continuing Education. You will build your skills and knowledge to design programs that help college students realize their learning and development potential through on-campus experiences.

Application and acceptance is required to join this certificate program. Apply beginning September 1, 2010 to start courses in Spring 2011.

If you have any questions about this course, please contact Karima Bounini at kbounini@learn.colostate.edu, or 303-376-2617.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

July 21, 2010
Why Are We Here?

Every now and then people in any business get caught up in the process of that business. The problem comes when they lose sight of their goal.

Our goal in higher education is simple: help students learn and succeed.

That's why we're here!

That sounds so simple, but it affects the way we do everything. When we open the door to a new distance or online class, do we make sure that the class is structured so that students will able to understand the content, interact with the instructor and each other, and demonstrate their understanding by an appropriate assessment mechanism?

When a student has a death in the family and misses a test, does the instructor work with the student and find a way for them to demonstrate mastery of the subject?

When we have a student enrollment problem, do we treat the student with caring and look for ways to help solve their problem?

Sometimes we forget. But generally speaking, the folks involved in distance and online education at Colorado State University do it pretty well. I've been involved in all kinds of unusual situations and requests, and we try to put ourselves in the student's place when we respond.

Almost every instructor I've been involved with for the past 30 years has the same goal I mentioned earlier: student success. They are usually teaching for a reason: they want to help students learn and succeed. And when students have genuine problems and challenges, they generally find a way to help the student work around it. They're really good people.

We are all students in life. We have needs and projects, and we all have challenges, inconveniences, and setbacks. But we appreciate getting support from others involved in the process who keep their eyes on the prize: our success.

If you're getting the support you need, then please let us know about it. If you're not, let us know about that too. There are sometimes system or process issues that we can't overcome, but we'll listen and respond, and hopefully we can find a way to help.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

July 7, 2010
Back to School While Working for One

Finding Distance Doctoral Programs

Lori Berquam wanted to find a Ph.D. program that would allow her to be a scholarly practitioner and continue working while earning her degree. When she began to research her options to earn her doctorate at a distance, Lori found that there were few offered, especially from a well-known institution like Colorado State University. After finding the College and University Leadership Ph.D. program at CSU, she began to learn more about the "fantastic program" offered at a distance.

Lori, the Dean of Students for University of Wisconsin – Madison, is now completing her first complete year in the distance Ph.D. program in College and University Leadership (CUL).  When asked what she values most in the program, Lori identified the:

• Comprehensive curriculum
• Insight, wisdom, and support from faculty
• Direct applicability to her job
• Ability to have contact with other higher education professionals across the United States from different institutions, both public and private

Finding Flexibility & Connection

Lori appreciates that she can have a face-to-face connection with the other students in her cohort for a few days each year during the on-campus portion of her program and then return home to complete the majority of her course work. The program allows students to bring their experiences as higher education professionals to the table for everyone to learn from.

In addition to the personal connections she has made with other leaders in higher education, Lori has found the program to be "an opportunity for practitioners to participate while being scholars." She enjoys the flexibility of doing the course work from home, where she can engage in her courses while she’s sitting at her home desk or eating dinner. Like many other working professionals, Lori needs a flexible distance degree format that allows her to earn a degree while maintaining a busy and active career.

Advice from a Current Student

Lori's extensive knowledge of the education industry and her own personal experience with distance learning has helped her develop tips for other current distance students or individuals interested in distance learning:

1. Keep up with the reading – it is interesting, appealing, and applicable. She also suggested getting a portable, electronic book reader.
2. Persevere – just keep up your hard work!
3. Apply what you learn to your job. For projects, find something that can be mutually beneficial for work and school.

Lori believes that this degree program has made her a better administrator and a better person. Even with her busy schedule, she has found that the hard work and time she dedicates to the program is well worth the short-term and the long-term benefits.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

May 28, 2010
Higher Education Leads To A Lower Unemployment Rate & Higher Earnings

According to a recent study by the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the level of higher education received is directly related to the mean earnings and indirectly related to the unemployment rate for those individuals.

The Education & Training Pay chart (http://www.learn.colostate.edu/global/docs/EducationTraining.pdf) shows the proven relationship between education, unemployment rate, and earning power.

On one end of the spectrum there is a 14.6% unemployment rate and mean earnings of $31,121 for an individual who did not complete high school. However, on the other end of the spectrum, an individual who completed a master's degree will only encounter a 3.9% unemployment rate and mean earnings of $83,371.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

May 28, 2010
CSU Continuing Education Awarded for Website Design
Colorado State University Continuing Education has been honored for excellence in website design by the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), an association of public and private accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities, international universities, and nonprofit organizations with a significant commitment to professional and continuing higher education.

UPCEA selected CSU Continuing Education for its Bronze award in the Interactive Marketing: Web Site category. The organization's annual Marketing and Publications Awards Program recognizes the best marketing practices and promotional pieces in the field of continuing education.

Award winners were selected by a panel of distinguished communications professionals in the fields of advertising, publications, design, marketing, and public relations. Entries were judged on how well each piece accomplished its objective. Judges considered concept, writing, graphics, and overall integration. All factors are evaluated in the context of the purpose, content, and organization of the piece, including consistency between design, purpose, and effectiveness of marketing message.

CSU Continuing Education's website was highlighted in a showcase of winning programs at the UCEA annual conference in April and is featured in a listing of award-winning programs on UCEA's website.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

May 28, 2010
Mechanical Engineering Professor Receives Educator of the Year Award from eLCC

In April, Dr. Susan James, Mechanical Engineering Department Head, received the eLearning Educator of the Year award from the eLearning Consortium of Colorado (eLCC).

Dr. James has taught distance courses for more than 10 years, but in the last two years she has moved from videotape and DVD delivery to online courses and other internet-accessible tools. The CSU Continuing Education and TILT partnership has supported her technology transformation to enhance online learning. She uses RamCT and provides links both to full audio/video recordings of lectures and to smaller bandwidth recordings of screen capture with audio.

Using multiple delivery modalities is something that very few instructors have attempted. In the last year, she has added blogs and wikis to her courses as tools to support improved class discussion and promote better understanding. Her practices facilitate better connections between campus-based students and distance students by creating common venues of communication.

Dr. James was recently appointed Department Head, and leads her department in use of distance technologies. She has adapted her presentations to take full advantage of the touch-screen Sympodium in creating recorded lectures, and makes separate screen capture and audio recordings available to help both campus and distance students.

Additionally, she is enhancing the student experience through use of blogs, wikis and other communication tools. She has become a leader in her department and college, and her approach to course design has become a model in distance education at CSU. Departments in other colleges are now using similar approaches to course development.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

May 27, 2010
CSU Continuing Education Offers Some of the Most Lucrative College
On July 24, 2009, a CNNMoney.com article listed the 15 most lucrative college degrees according to the average starting offers for graduates. CSU Continuing Education offers nearly half of the degrees on the top 15 list.

All 15 of the highest paid college degrees have a strong background in math and the majority of the careers are in the engineering field. CSU Continuing Education offers degrees and certificates in many of the top earning fields on the list. To accommodate your busy schedule and your current responsibilities, many of these programs are available online or at a distance and one of the certificates is available at our Denver Learning Center. The degrees offered include:

• Computer Science Master's Degree
• Engineering Management Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Engineering Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering & Operations Research Master's Degree
• Systems Engineering Master's Degree
• Statistics Master's Degree
• Biomedical Engineering Master's Degree

The certificates offered include:

• Systems Engineering Certificate
• Construction Management Certificate

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.
Colorado State University

April 30, 2010
Study: The Comparative Effectiveness of Web-Based and Classroom Instruction
Dr. Kurt Kraiger, co-director of the Industrial and Organizational Psychology Master's Degree, co-published a study comparing the effectiveness of web-based courses versus traditional classroom courses.

One finding of the study was that students learned more in web-based courses than classroom formats. Dr. Kraiger believes that this may be because either students are self-selecting into it or the courses have been redesigned to be better than the original.

Another finding was that in true experimental tests there were no differences in the amount learned from online courses versus what was learned in the traditional format.

Read the full study, "The Comparative Effectiveness of Web-Based and Classroom Instruction: A Meta-Analysis".

Find out more about Dr. Kurt Kraiger.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.

Colorado State University

April 29, 2010
U.S. News ranks Colorado State University among 'America's Best Colleges'
U.S. News and World Report ranked Colorado State University in the top tier of best universities in the nation in the 2010 "America's Best Colleges" edition released on August 20, 2009.

"The community holds firmly to the school's core appeal: a humble, laid-back attitude and a hands-on, practical approach to learning," is how Colorado State University was described in a special feature on Colorado schools.

"Our goals as a land-grant institution are straightforward: We provide students with an outstanding, competitive education, conduct research that can improve the quality of life for communities worldwide and, through community outreach, help meet the needs of Colorado residents," said Tony Frank, president of Colorado State.

"These rankings are a strong indicator of the quality of our state's system of higher education, with our three top research universities all included in the top tier nationwide despite some serious funding challenges in recent years. Our goal is to work with state leaders to find a way to sustain this quality in our current budget climate, both by containing costs and identifying a stable funding stream for our institutions."

Learn more about the quality Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates and Professional Development offered by Colorado State University Continuing Education.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.
Colorado State University

April 27, 2010
Going back to school: Step by step
By Les Hollingsworth

Whether you're a new graduate with a bachelor's degree, a blue-collar employee looking to strengthen your resume, or a skilled professional looking to climb the corporate ladder, it's likely that you've thought about continuing your education. The odds are also good that you've wondered about doing it online. This five-part series will provide a few tips and thoughts over the next two weeks to help you decide.

Part I: How to find and choose an online degree
Part II: Deciphering accreditation: What the alphabet soup really means
Part III: Public vs. for-profit colleges: Pros and cons
Part IV: Red flags and warning signs when evaluating online degrees
Part V: Starting the admission process

Part I: How to find and choose an online degree So you're thinking about going back to school. With a family, a job, and/or other commitments, going to class on campus is not an option. And it would be really difficult to attend evening and weekend classes. Have you considered an online degree program? How do you find one that's right for you?

Step one: find a list of institutions that offer online programs. There are actually countless schools that provide online degree programs - and many are highly respected state institutions. Several of the larger for-profit institutions have effectively dominated the marketing efforts for online education, making it somewhat difficult to find the traditional university that also offers online degrees. The moral of the story is that you can find a great school with a great reputation - you just have to know where to look.

In my humble opinion, the best - and most objective - source is Peterson's Guide to Distance Learning, which lists thousands of institutions and their distance learning programs in a clean and easily searchable format. Many of the institutions also list general information such as how much of the coursework can be completed online, tuition, etc.

If you're like most people, you will do a Google search of the degree name that you're looking for, i.e. "project management master's, business degree online", etc. The top results for these searches will often be lead aggregators. These websites gather information from numerous schools and then sell information that you provide to target schools. They are extremely useful to a potential student for requesting information from large numbers of institutions, but be aware that they are not a comprehensive list and certainly aren't objective. Position and findability on the website are determined by the highest bidder for different degree areas.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at hollingsworl@uwplatt.edu . My goal is to be a resource for anyone who seeks to improve themselves through education. Good luck!

Next time: Accreditation - What it really means.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

April 27, 2010
UWP Online engineering program keeps best buy ranking
PLATTEVILLE- For the second consecutive award cycle, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Online has once again made the top-25 Best Buys - Online Master's Degrees in Engineering. GetEducated.com, LLC, a consumer-oriented online degree clearinghouse, conducts a biennial survey of tuition costs at accredited distance learning engineering graduate degree programs nationwide. Awards are based on a comprehensive data set and surveys of 216 colleges.

"Shopping around for an online degree is increasingly the best form of college financial aid," said Vicky Phillips, GetEducated.com's CEO and chief analyst.

UWP was one of only a handful of public colleges included in the list, finding its spot at #20. According to GetEducated.com, UWP was included in the list because of its flat rate tuition that results in a very affordable price tag of just over $15,000.

"This is a great honor to provide this service and be recognized," says Les Hollingsworth, marketing director for UWP Online. "The engineering field requires its practitioners to regularly pursue professional development so it's vital that universities provide that training at an affordable cost, especially in this economy."

Founded in 1989, GetEducated.com touts itself as the safest place in cyberspace to research accredited online degrees. They also operate the Diploma Mill Police, a free online degree accreditation verification service designed to protect online degree seekers from fraud.

UWP Online offers bachelor's degrees in business administration and criminal justice, and master's degrees in engineering, criminal justice and project management. For more information, go online at www.uwplatt.edu/disted.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

March 19, 2010
Take Advantage of the Rewind Button: Learning Graduate Statistics Online
Soon after Ryan Jolicoeur decided to go back to school for a master's degree in Applied Mathematics, he decided the degree wasn't a good fit for his educational goals. He began investigating distance programs in other disciplines, and found Colorado State University Continuing Education. He is now a student in the Master of Science in Statistics distance program, where he's gaining a solid background in both theoretical and analytical statistics. The flexibility and convenience of the program allows him to work at his own pace and continue to work full-time while earning his graduate degree.

Before beginning his distance statistics degree, Ryan worried that he wouldn't have opportunities to ask questions and interact with the faculty and other students. He quickly found that the online interaction between professors, advisors, and his fellow students was an effective environment for questions and discussions.

Getting a master's degree in Statistics isn't easy, and Ryan was concerned that if he wasn't in the classroom, he may fall behind or have more difficulty understanding the complex course material. But, his experience has been quite the opposite. Because he takes his classes online and watches DVDs of campus classes, he can take advantage of Rewind and Pause - something his fellow students in the classroom can't do. I wish I could have hit Rewind when something my professors said didn't quite make sense or sink in.

Motivation, discipline, and time management are critical for distance and online students. Since Ryan's program allows him to study when and where it works best for him, he's developed a routine to ensure that he accomplishes all of his work and study responsibilities. During the week, Ryan works from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and after dinner begins watching his course videos and reading the lecture notes online. He also tries to commit 45 minutes of his lunch break to study whenever he needs to. With this routine, Ryan devotes about 15 – 20 hours each week to successfully complete his courses.

Ryan's figured out how to successfully complete an online or distance course, and he shared three of his tips.

1. Stay involved and ask your questions on the discussion boards. Make sure you answer questions posed by other students when you have the answers.
2. Stay on track. Don't jump ahead too far in the lectures because you be able to absorb too much information at once. Make sure to not fall behind either. Be smart with your time and use your down time to review your notes.
3. Keep a good work-life balance.

Connect with Ryan and other current students and alumni on the CSU Continuing Education LinkedIn Group.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.
Colorado State University

March 8, 2010
TRU-OL Contest Gives People the Opportunity to Complete their University Education
KAMLOOPS -- The Open Learning (OL) Division of Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has officially launched Grow Your Education, Compete to Complete, its first ever tuition credit contest which recognizes the importance of post-secondary education and the difference it can make to an individual's life and future.

The contest, which runs January 29 to April 18, 2010, comes at an auspicious time for many individuals, who are both swayed by today's troubled economy and yet concerned over related tuition fees, to return to school to enhance their job marketability.

"This contest is intended to make people aware that they are closer to a university degree than they may have thought," Cameron Beddome, Chief Recruitment Officer, Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL), said."

TRU-OL is inviting their current and former students as well as any individual who has not been a full-time student (have taken 12 or more credits during any eight month period) at any post-secondary institution after December 31, 2006,* to Compete to Complete their university credential and grow their education.

TRU-OL is utilizing its social media Facebook page to help determine one lucky winner who will be awarded with full sponsorship of all fees related to up to 60 TRU-OL credits that will be used towards completion of their post-secondary credential. The prize is valued at up to CAN$9,500.

"The majority of students at TRU-OL take 60 credits or less as most program students come to TRU-OL to complete or continue a credential which they began elsewhere," Beddome said. "Students are permitted to transfer up to 105 credits towards a TRU-OL degree. This is more than any other post-secondary institution in Canada."

In order to win, contestants must first create a new Facebook group for the TRU-OL Grow Your Education, Compete to Complete contest and describe how winning the contest, and accomplishing their post-secondary potential, will make a difference in their life. From there, each contestant must visit www.truopen.ca/contest and fill out and submit an entry form.

In order to increase their chances of winning, contestants must then spread the word and invite friends to join both their Facebook TRU-OL contest group as well as Open Learning's Facebook profile page. By the end of the contest period, every friend that each contestant's Facebook TRU-OL contest group shares with TRU-OL's Facebook profile page counts as one contest entry. The contestant with the best odds of winning is the individual who has the most friends in common between their Facebook TRU-OL contest group and TRU-OL's Facebook profile page. Note however that the probability of wining will be dependent on the total number of entries TRU-OL receives.

The winner will be selected at random, within 30 days of the completion of the contest.

*Further eligibility criteria apply. Please visit www.truopen.ca/contest for full contest rules and regulations.

Contact Information:
Moragh MacAulay
Web Services Manager
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning
(p) 250-852-6894
(e) Mmacaulay@tru.ca
Thompson Rivers University

February 26, 2010
Get Connected With CSU Continuing Education

Colorado State University

February 26, 2010
Colorado State Named a Carnegie Community Engagement University
Colorado State University's reputation for outreach and community partnerships has earned it a label as a Carnegie Community Engagement university.

A Carnegie Community Engagement University is one that encourages collaboration between the institution and the larger communities "for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity," according to the organization. In Colorado State's case, engagement includes curricular engagement as well as outreach and partnerships

CSU is one of 119 organizations recognized as a Community Engagement university in 2008.

"Credit for this honor goes to our faculty and staff who have embraced the land-grant university mission of engaging campus and the surrounding community for the benefit of the state, nation and globe," said Tony Frank, president of Colorado State. "The value of community partners in creating an educated community is critical to our land-grant mission of improving lives though research."

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.
For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.
Colorado State University

February 19, 2010
A day in the life of Sean Wohlgemuth, a recent graduate of the Master of Computer Science program
Sean Wohlgemuth has worked with Microsoft for over thirteen years as a Software Development & Test Engineer. Sean decided that he wanted to earn his master's degree and with his job being time intensive, being on campus wouldn't always work, especially when one of his projects was in a critical stage. He got started by registering for one course, and then applied after ensuring that he liked the program and that it was a good fit for him. He completed the Master of Computer Science in 2 1/2 years and Microsoft paid for Sean to earn his graduate degree.

Before beginning the program, Sean was worried that he would come across things he hadn't seen before and that he would be lost, but said that the reference materials and the lectures made him feel comfortable. Sean felt that CSU Continuing Education's Master of Computer Science program was flexible and asynchronous because he could plan two weeks of course work at a time and schedule his studying around his work. Sean spent a lot of time on nights and weekends studying. During the week he would focus on his course work and on weekends he would try to get a head start on what was due. The program gave him sufficient amount of time to get things done including his readings and assignments, which gave him the flexibility to finish his course work around his work and family schedule. He felt that the program gave him a better balance with work, school, and his family than other programs may have. Even though he spent a lot of time studying on the weekends, at least he was at home and still able to take care of and play with his daughters.

Being a recent graduate, Sean has great advice for future and current online students. He says with an on-campus program you have to be engaged, and the same is true with online learning. You need to make sure you comment, ask questions, and help others on the online discussion boards. He also mentioned that it is key to proactively engage and get your assignments done. He warns to not be deadline driven because if you don't start ahead of time, you will be in trouble trying to finish last minute.

Sean visited Fort Collins, Colorado this past December to attend the CSU commencement ceremony on campus. Before attending he hadn't thought of the benefits of walking at graduation, but he enjoyed it and felt that it gave him a good sense of closure in knowing that he'd officially completed his degree. He said it "fulfilled the whole experience."

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.
Colorado State University

January 28, 2010
Commencement brings new opportunities for education
Fall graduation has come and gone, and while dreams of tassel-turning and diplomas swim in the heads of those soon to have the opportunity to shake hands with the chancellor this May, it might be a bittersweet 'congratulations' for those without a serious job prospect.

According to cnn.com, spring graduates had a rough time this past year suffering through the economy and battling each other for the 40% fewer job prospects compared to those of 2008. CNN also said that, while the job market is better, this is no time to put your feet up. With national unemployment up-now at 10.2% per CNN-the well-prepared student may find him or herself living at home with mom and dad. Nearly one in seven college grads moved home for an extended period last summer (according to Pew Research Center), and not much has changed in the job market since then.

While there are options in this economy, take a step towards the career you really want and consider a better option than scanning the classifieds: graduate school.

Without knowing your longer-term career goals, it's a mistake to enroll in graduate school. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has some wonderful resources for those who are questioning or interested: namely the Career Center and Counseling Services.

If you are interested, a graduate degree can act as a stepping stone to a higher paying job and make people immediately more marketable than their baccalaureate-holding peers.

According to Roger Meyer, the director of UWP University Counseling Services, an advanced degree can do all of these things, depending on the specific degree and the job market within the field. "Advanced degrees commonly tend to make people more money and make them more marketable in general compared to someone with a bachelor's degree."

Employers will consider more than just your degree when seeking to hire, said Meyer. "The best way to make yourself marketable is to get your bachelor's and work for one to three years to build up your work experience within the field. Then get your master's degree. Also, the willingness to relocate can be very important. When you are geographically limited, options can be severely reduced, and oftentimes who you know can become as important as what you know."

UWP has great graduate options offering master's degrees in engineering, project management, and criminal justice through the Distance Learning Center in addition to on-campus graduate programs in computer science, counselor education, industrial technology management, and education.

Employers want to hire people who are lifetime learners. Fields and industries will progress, things will change, and "to be hirable later on, it often helps to have an advanced degree depending on the field you choose," said Diana Trendt, director of the UWP Career Center. "Students interested should also talk with their advisor or faculty, because they often have some very valuable insight into their specific field."

As spring approaches, flowers defrost and tassels turn, think about your future and consider the advantages a graduate degree can offer.
University of Wisconsin - Platteville

January 29, 2010
Colorado State University Continuing Education Named a Military Friendly School
In recognition of its quality, flexible educational opportunities, Colorado State University Continuing Education has been named a "Military-Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Colorado State is among the top 15% of colleges, universities and trade-schools nationwide to receive the honor.

The Military Friendly Schools list is determined through exhaustive research by the G.I. Jobs Military Friendly Schools team. This research includes public and private entities which administer education benefits and a comprehensive survey administered by G.I. Jobs. A Military Friendly Schools Academic Advisory Panel, consisting of five higher education administrators, assisted in the development of survey questions and weightings.

Criteria evaluated by GI Jobs for the Military Friendly Schools list include a school's VA-approval of GI Bill benefits, CLEP acceptance, credit for military service, Reserve and Guard policies, access to flexible learning options, veteran programs, veteran student composition, and assets dedicated to recruiting military students, among others.

"We are proud to provide access to Colorado State's academic quality and renowned faculty to military personnel who are not be able to come to campus," said Hunt Lambert, associate provost of Colorado State Continuing Education. "It is an honor for us to be recognized for our flexible and innovative online and distance education programs that meet the educational needs of the military, their families, and veterans."

Rich McCormack, publisher of G.I. Jobs Magazine, said, "I thank you for your commitment to educating our nation's most deserving heroes."

The Military Friendly School honor will be recognized in a Guide to Military Friendly Schools and a new www.militaryfriendlyschools.com Web site that will be published and launched in late Sept. 2009.

The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University's land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver, and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.

For more information, visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/ degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.
Colorado State University

January 28, 2010
Keys to Success in a Distance Degree Program
I'm too tired to study when I get home from work. I want to spend time with my family this weekend and have some fun. It seems like I'm going to be working on this degree forever.

These are comments that I hear on a regular basis from students I teach and advise. While earning my Ph.D. at a distance, I learned several useful techniques that helped me keep things in perspective and stay on top of everything that I had going on. Here are four factors that will influence your success:

Control
Control means taking on a reasonable workload, so that you can successfully balance your course load, family and career. Don't give in to the temptation to procrastinate on an assignment and then do it at the last minute with the least amount of effort possible. Stay up after you put the kids to bed and finish that paper because tomorrow has its very own to-do list. Set up a study schedule and stick to it, so that you are making progress in your courses on a regular basis. Use self-discipline to complete your assignments and group activities in a timely manner, in order to successfully complete the course. Lastly, take responsibility for your decisions and follow through with your commitments. Students that are able to take control of their lives are much more likely to succeed in their educational endeavor.

Motivation
Another major factor influencing your progress is motivation. If you ever feel your motivation declining, take a step back and recall the main reason you entered the program. Thinking about the benefits the degree will give you in your career can give you the motivation you need. Students with a degree earned at a distance are prized by employers who will recognize your competence and the strength of your character developed by the challenges of earning such a degree.

Support
To successfully complete a degree at a distance, you'll need the support of at least one person. You need someone to believe in what you are doing. While moral support is important, there are other kinds of support that are also invaluable, including child care, financial support and help with chores. The broader the network of support among friends, family and even coworkers and employers, the easier it is for motivated students to finish their coursework.

Self-assessment
If you can reasonably assess your own strengths and weaknesses, you will fare well in a distance education environment. Self-assessment leads to appropriate action. Time and effort are precious commodities to adults with multiple responsibilities and can be best used by students who understand themselves and can manage their time well.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

January 11, 2010
Colorado State University Among Kiplinger's "Top 100 Best Values"

Colorado State University

January 2010
ICS Canada Offers Working Adults A Flexible Learning Schedule.
Want a better job? Looking for a new career? Thought about starting your own business? Busy adults often don't have time to attend regularly scheduled classes, but through distance education everyone can now get the education they need. ICS Canada, Canada's largest career school of independent online study, has educated millions of adults through their accredited study-at-home programs. The school offers training in the fields of health care, education, technology, business, legal studies, design, and automotive technology.

Here's Why So Many Students Are Choosing ICS Canada:

• All textbooks, study aids, and learning materials are delivered directly to each student.
• Students can study in print, online, or in combination. Students decide which method best suits their learning style and how quickly they would like to study.
• Students have the flexibility to study anytime, anywhere.
• There are no classes to attend because students can complete all of their studies from the comfort and convenience of their own home.
• ICS Canada offers 53 vocational programs, 15 certificate programs, and a high school diploma program.
• Students can access their information, take their exams, check their grades, email their instructors, or even enroll online.
• Friendly and helpful support from expert instructors, dedicated to each student’s success, is just a phone call or an email away.
• Over 100 faculty and student services staff waiting to help our students.
• Web access to learning and student services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• ICS Canada’s tuition is among the lowest of all accredited career schools. They offer 0% APR financing and even customized monthly payment plans to best meet any budget.
• Textbooks, study guides, exams, and instructor support are all included in the student's tuition at no extra cost.
• Graduates have access to ICS Canada Career Services, which include resume writing, interview tips, job search techniques, and much more.
• Students can earn a Career Diploma in as little as six months, or a High School Diploma in as little as eight months.
• ICS Canada Career School is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The DETC is a widely recognized and respected commission with accredited institutions in the United States, Canada, and around the world.
• ICS Canada has also secured program specific recognition from:
  • Guild of Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Accountants
  • Canadian Registered Small Business Accountant’s Association
  • Transport Canada
  • Canadian Bookkeepers Association
  • Association of Bridal Consultants
  • Canadian Decorators' Association (CDECA)
  • Certified Interior Decorators International, Inc.
  • Ontario Medical Secretaries Association - Health Care Associates (OMSA-HCA)
  • Engine Service Association Inc.

ICS Canada

January 2010
ICS Canada Offers New Certificate Programs
ICS Canada now offers Certificate programs that can build essential skills for working professionals, or for those who want to simply learn a skill for personal enrichment. The ICS Canada Certificate programs offer a convenient way to earn an education credential. And because there’s no waiting for semesters to start, students can begin their studies as soon as they receive confirmation of enrollment.

The program offerings include a variety of online certificate programs such as:

Accounting
Accountants perform a wide variety of business functions that help monitor the financial health of their organization. This Certificate program provides a blend of fundamental business and accounting principles. It is also appropriate for adults looking to refresh or refine existing accounting knowledge used in a current position, or to improve the performance of a small business through a better understanding of the essentials of accounting.

Medical Terminology
Common medical terminology is a critical part of the language used by health-care practitioners. It is essentially a vocabulary that requires a uniform pronunciation, definition, and spelling of terms used by professionals. Individuals with medical terminology training are capable of analyzing and interpreting medical reports related to specific body systems. This program is appropriate for adults looking to learn new job skills, refresh or refine existing health-care knowledge, or who want to improve occupational performance by possessing a better understanding of medical terms.

Artist: Cartooning
The ICS Canada Cartooning Certificate Program is a fun and interactive collection of lessons that will teach the fundamentals of drawing, plus a detailed coverage of pen and ink and cartooning techniques. Artist: Oils/Acrylics
The ICS Canada Oils & Acrylics Certificate Program is a fun and interactive collection of lessons that will teach the fundamentals of drawing, plus detailed coverage of how to handle still life, landscapes, and portraits. In addition, the student will learn how to plan and execute a complete painting.

Artist: Watercolors
The ICS Canada Watercolors Certificate Program is a fun and interactive collection of lessons that will teach the fundamentals of drawing, plus detailed coverage of watercolor techniques. Students will also learn how to apply various types of washes and control the amount of blending that occurs between two colors. This course also describes the process for special effects such as scratching, scraping, blotting, drybrushing, lifting out, scrubbing out, spattering, applying opaque paint, and masking.

Fitness and Nutrition
The ICS Canada Fitness and Nutrition Program can help you achieve your goals of a more productive career and the satisfaction that comes with doing a job you love. Earn your Certificate quickly and conveniently through online learning. Your courses include:

Managing Personal Health

Healthy Eating Habits

Exercise Science Terminology

Fitness Anatomy and Physiology

Flexibility Training and Injury Prevention

Stress Management Techniques

...and much more.
ICS Canada

December 28, 2009
Acquiring New Skills Necessity - Not Luxury
By Dawn Drake

As the economy struggles to recover, individuals continue to lose their jobs or live in fear of finding their employment picture changing dramatically. Because it can be very easy to become paralyzed during this time, it is important to be proactive in acquiring additional skills so you will continue to bring added value to your employer (or a new employer). Historically, people turn to education to upgrade their skills in tough economic times. This time is no exception.

If you have been thinking about starting or completing a degree program, NOW is definitely the time to take advantage of the programs that universities offer.

• Check to see if your company has tuition reimbursement programs. The flexibility of taking courses at a distance allows you to stay employed while upgrading your skills.
• If you have recently been laid off from a job, take advantage of the training packages or funding provided by your company, local workforce development agency, or state assistance. Often, tuition for our programs can be covered by these funds. If you have a question about this coverage, contact the Distance Learning Center to see if we are an approved provider for your funding agency. If we are not, we will be happy to complete the necessary forms to become a recognized educational provider.
• Consider a certificate program – it may be the best way to start working toward a degree program. There are many certificate programs available at a distance.
• Acquire training for a specific skill set, while you are earning your degree.

Businesses often cut back on in-house training during tough economic times, but your employer may be willing to cover the cost of online training. Talk to your human resources office to determine if the cost of these courses might be covered from a training budget or if this would be a cost savings for your business. One way to help you keep your job is to help your company control their costs.

UW-Platteville is a willing partner interested in finding the best way to help you, and your company, survive and prosper in these tough economic times.

Dawn Drake is Executive Director of Alternative Delivery Systems at the Distance Learning Center, which offers master’s degrees in engineering, criminal justice, and project management, and bachelor's degrees in business administration and criminal justice. To learn more, go online at www.uwplatt.edu/disted.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville

December 28, 2009
Five Tips for Succeeding in an Online Course
By Christine Schuldes

1. Print the Course Calendar for each of your courses. Record all the due dates for assignments and exams on your calendar (electronic organizer, cell phone or paper calendar). Set a reminder on your electronic devices to alert you to upcoming due dates.

2. At the beginning of the semester, set a specified amount of time each day to work on class assignments. For example, one student found that by designating one hour each day of the week for studying, she was able to keep up with her coursework much better than when she tried to do everything over the weekend. Or, you could set aside two hours every other day, with larger blocks of study time on Saturday and Sunday.

3. Work on your written communication skills. Clearly communicating your ideas is imperative in an online course, especially in courses that require group activities. Effective communication is vital to a virtual team’s success. Allow time to review what you say, checking your content as well as grammar and spelling. Set aside enough time to communicate with your instructor, classmates and group/team members.

4. Check the News on the course home page regularly for each of your courses. Instructors often post important announcements such as

• additional information pertaining to course material
• details regarding expectations for an assignment
• upcoming deadlines
• hints or additional information regarding assignments

Reading messages from others is an important part of the communication process!

5. Do not hesitate to ask questions. If the question occurred to you, it is likely that others have the same question and all will benefit.

Christine Schuldes is the bachelor of business administration program coordinator at the Distance Learning Center, which offers online master’s degrees in engineering, criminal justice, and project management, and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and criminal justice. To learn more, go online at www.uwplatt.edu/disted.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville