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.

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

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.

July 14, 2009
NDSU DCE Announces Five New Online Programs
North Dakota State University Distance and Continuing Education (DCE) announced today the addition of three new online undergraduate degrees for fall semester 2009 and two new online graduate programs available spring semester 2010.

The three new undergraduate degrees include:

• B.S. in Public Relations and Advertising offers a course of study which includes organizational communication and crisis communication, communication principles involved in business and how to manage problems when they occur.
• B.S. in Journalism, Broadcasting, and Mass Communication Technologies offers a course of study which includes print journalism, TV broadcasting, and web design.
• B.S. in Health Communication course of study is for students in health-related fields (nursing, pharmacy, etc.), for students who want to work in health-service operations (nursing homes, hospitals, etc.), and for students who want to work in health campaigns.

• A Master of Software Engineering degree is designed for those who want to strengthen their credentials, or gain current skills and knowledge in software engineering. Projects and larger assignments can be custom fit to each student’s specific needs. The program consists of 36 credits and can be completed in as little as one year. While this degree will not be fully available online until spring semester 2010 several courses are ready for students to take as early as fall semester 2009.
• The Transportation Leadership Graduate Certificate is a 12 credit online program designed to prepare future leaders of the transportation industry. This prestigious program is an initiative of the Regional University Transportation Centers. NDSU is one of the premier institutions that will offer courses taught by graduate faculty. This program will be available fully online starting in spring semester 2010; however students are encouraged to begin the admission process in fall semester 2009.

April 1, 2009
WSU Adds Online MBA, Online Accounting Major
Washington State University has two new online business programs: An MBA, and an accounting major.

Students can enroll part-time in the Online MBA this fall. Beginning fall 2010, students can enroll full time.

WSU has been a leader in graduate business education for more than 50 years, said Mark Fuller, Chair and Philip L. Kays Distinguished Professor in Management Information Systems. "It's a natural evolution to offer an online MBA," he said. "We've had so much success with online academic programs that students and employers understand that a degree from WSU is a degree from WSU, regardless of how students took courses."

The Online MBA consists of 39 semester credit hours. Like all WSU College of Business academic programs, the Online MBA is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

More information about the Online MBA is at omba.wsu.edu.

Accounting major

The new online major in accounting begins summer semester. The major comes at an opportune time for job-seekers. U.S. Department of Labor forecasts a "faster-than-average growth of accountant and auditor jobs" in coming years, due to changing financial laws, and greater scrutiny of company finances.

Information on the new accounting major is at online.wsu.edu/future_students/dc_accounting.aspx.
Washington State University, Center for Distance and Professional Education