Allied Online University Blog

What Do Comic Book Superheroes Have in Common With Military Spouses? Well, Lots.

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:51:00 PDT

As one of the top military friendly colleges according to Military Advanced Education magazine, Allied American University prides itself in placing special emphasis on academic support for military spouses, including offering MyCAA (Military Spouse Advancement Accounts) and online associate and bachelor’s degrees*. Military spouses, in our eyes, are pretty darn valuable. In contemplation of this fact, the Huffington Post recently referred to military spouses as “heroes.” We wholly agree—except for a very small distinction: military spouses are more like superheroes.

Yes, that’s right. Like Batman. Like Wonder Woman. Like The Hulk. You may not be able to shoot laser beams out of your eyes or casually balance an airplane on your finger, but you are “superheroic” nonetheless.

Here’s how:

Dedication: Military spouses are some of the most dedicated individuals on the planet. Similar to Batman, whose persistence in ridding Gotham City of injustice is virtually unparalleled, military spouses dedicate themselves to their families, their counterparts serving in the military, and the military way of life as a whole.
Multitasking: With his ability to fly and run “faster than a speeding bullet,” Superman is able to save an airplane from crashing on one side of the world and then almost immediately, on the other side of the globe, use his superhuman breath to blow out a fire at the Daily Planet. Military spouses are masters at multitasking in very much the same way. Well, just in a mortal way. One minute you could be feeding the kids dinner, and in the next you could be taking an online course with AAU. Multitasking geniuses, we say.
Character: Not only does Wonder Woman have the capacity for superhuman strength and flight, she also operates with a very strong sense of empathy and character. She cares deeply about people; and with her Lasso of

Truth, values honesty in all that she does. The same is undoubtedly true of military spouses. Your ability to empathize is strengthened as you build relationships with other military spouses. Your sense of character is strengthened as you ingratiate yourself into the values of the military way of life.
Independent: Military spouses, by their very nature, are independent. Even if, at times, you don’t want to be, independence is still a strong component of your day-to-day. The equivalent in the comic book world is Catwoman. She has a strong sense of self and knows what she wants. Just like military spouses. Sans the black leather.
Resilient: At any given moment in the life of a military family, deployment is a possibility. And, with that said, so is relocation. For these reasons, among others, military spouses learn to be very resilient. You know, like Spiderman. Resiliency is one of Spiderman’s strongest attributes. He simply keeps coming back, no matter what is thrown at him: villains, relationships, shoes. Military spouses can relate. You face the change head-on, making the very best of the situation.
Powerful: Lastly, military spouses are like The Hulk. No, you’re not green. Nor do you have violent and sudden bouts of anger. But you are powerful; strong; forces to be reckoned with. You hold down the fort, so to speak. You carry the world on your shoulders. And for that, your family and the military spouse community at large are eternally grateful. And so are we.

You are valued. Thank you.

Your faithful sidekick,
Allied American University

*If you’re interested in pursuing an online degree with AAU, call (888) 384-0849 or visit the Allied American University website to request a course info packet at no cost!

A Criminal Justice Degree and the Sociology of Crime

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:00 PDT

Patricia Drown, Ph.D.

By PATRICIA DROWN, Ph.D.
Dean of Criminal Justice and General Studies, Allied American University

The criminal justice system is just that: it is a system. In that system there are those who apprehend; those who try cases, sentence or exonerate; and those who are responsible for corrections and rehabilitation.

But the bigger picture is that the criminal justice system is part of the community ecosystem. How we write our laws, why we write our laws, and most importantly how we enforce our laws and punish offenders says a great deal about our society, more than all the paintings and literature and music combined. The way our criminal justice system is organized and operates tells us and the world what we value and hold sacred. Our laws speak volumes about those whom we as a community feel are vulnerable and how we intend on addressing those who are predators among us.

The sociologist Emile Durkheim says that the establishment of laws and consequences is a way of a society showing a united front, saying “this is who we are.” Those who are criminal justice system professionals are the eyes, and ears and hands of that community.

Don’t you want to be a part of that? Join us today in AAU's criminal justice bachelor's or associate degree program and help to make your community the place you want it to be.

Patricia Drown, Ph.D. is the Dean of Criminal Justice and General Studies for Allied American University. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Services and Criminal Justice, as well as a master's degree in Counseling Psychology.

The Need for IT Skills

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:32:00 PDT

By TIMOTHY J. PEREZ, M.S., MCSE, MCITP
Dean of Computer Information Systems, Allied American University

The economic climate that many organizations face has limited their ability to train their employees in the ever changing world of Information Technology (IT) and Computer Information Systems (CIS). A recent survey from CompTIA shows that those in the IT field need to take it upon themselves to ensure that they stay up to date.

The interesting thing to note is while this knowledge gap continues to grow, so does the demand for individuals with current IT and CIS skills. Perhaps you have thought about entering or renewing your skills in the area of CIS. Allied American University provides flexible IT and CIS online degree and certificate programs specifically designed to meet the needs of the busy working adult.

Susan Hall’s “Comp TIA: IT Skills Gap Widening” posting on the ITBusinessEdge web site provides a detailed overview of the need for strong IT skills. I hope you’ll agree that now is a great time to embark on an educational journey here at AAU to continue to build and renew your IT and CIS skills.

Timothy Perez is a seasoned technologist and a passionate educator. He has expertise in a wide variety of technical areas and holds various IT certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA and CIW. He is a doctoral candidate in Information Systems with Dakota State University, and holds an MS in Information Systems from National University and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Chapman University.

Are You Engaged?

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:03:00 PDT

Bill Luton, PhD

By BILL LUTON, PhD
Dean of Business and General Studies, Allied American University

No...really. Are you engaged? I’m not snooping into your personal life with that question, I’m snooping into your business/marketing life.

If you’re one of the thousands of people trying to start a small business (or you’re planning to do it soon), and you’re relying heavily on social media to get it off the ground, you must be engaged with the people you’re trying to reach.

It used to be enough to just communicate in a one-way, mass-media style, manner...

...but that’s not enough anymore!

You need to engage your followers and customers in conversation. This helps retain old customers, and it especially helps gaining new ones. No matter how much great information you “bestow” upon your waiting public, nothing pulls ‘em in like seeing a true conversation taking place.

Did you know that customer testimonials are much more effective than what you say about yourself?

Think about it... when you’re going to meet someone new, doesn’t the “testimonial” of your friends count a lot more than anything else? When you’re looking for a job, isn’t your potential new company interested in your references? (Side note: If you are the type to just write “References upon request” on your resume, chances are you’ve already sealed your fate! So include references!)

Here’s your charge for the next two weeks: Engage with people, in your personal life as well as your work life. Do you think your friends want to converse much with you if all you ever do is “post on their wall” and you never reply to anything they have to say?

Business is exactly the same way. You’re not creating a single relationship with hundreds of people, you’re creating hundreds of relationships. So go out and...

Get engaged!

Bill Luton, PhD, is the Dean of Business and General Studies for Allied American University, an accredited online college. He holds a PhD in Organization and Management, as well as an MBA in Management and Strategy.

AAU Helps Students Who Have Been Waitlisted and Frozen Out of Enrollments

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:08:00 PDT

In the face of mounting debt and looming budget cuts, California State University system officials have announced plans to implement a college enrollment freeze for most CSU campuses next spring semester. In addition, all pending fall semester applicants will be waitlisted.

Needless to say, this is heartbreaking. This move will not only negatively impact new CSU students, but also those who had hoped to transfer to a CSU from community college. Some will be waitlisted and others will be denied admission altogether.

So, what do you do? College students and parents of college students everywhere are undoubtedly grappling with this very question. Because, at the end of the day, this is education; it is the foundation for future growth and achievement; and it is certainly not something to be taken lightly. Here at Allied American University, we don’t think so either. We wholeheartedly believe in providing genuinely budget-friendly options for students to start or finish out their degree.

Unlike our CSU counterparts, our tuition rates are very stable so students don’t have to worry about exorbitant and sudden increases year-to-year. Plus, we’re 100% online. So, in this world of ever-increasing gas prices, students won’t feel any pain at the pump.

As a privately held university, AAU won’t be affected by state-controlled budget cuts. And, as a brightly resonating consequence, students benefit from a consistent and stable pool of classes to pick from, as well as the certainty that they will get the class they want. At AAU, there are no waiting lists or subsequent delays—nothing to keep students from the education they wish to attain. Conversely, as an accredited online university, classes can be taken at the pace and the location that is most comfortable to the student, which makes it easily applicable to full-time working students and parents. AAU also has federal financial aid eligible program, in addition to affordable payment plans.

Choose from an array of online Certificate and Degree Concentration programs, as well as online Associate and Bachelor’s degrees. For an alternative to budget cuts, denials of admission, waitlists and enrollment freezes, check out the self-paced, 100% online, budget-friendly and student-focused Allied American University.

Online College Degree: A Passport?

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:34:00 PST

There are many times in life that we seem to step up to the glass window with an onlooking “gatekeeper” looking impatiently as if to say... “Passport, please?” Obviously, the most frequent place you’ll hear this is when you’re in line trying to get into a foreign country, or back into the United States. But I think there’s a little more to the metaphor, and that’s what I’d like you to think about this week. In order to break this metaphor down and get some mileage out of it, we need to answer a few questions:

What does the passport signify?
Who is the person behind the glass?
Where do I get this passport?
What if I don’t have one?

You can answer these questions in rapid-fire. First, the passport signifies many things... first, your high school diploma, next, all the other info you need to get into college, beyond that, the quality work you have to do to get past the person behind the glass on college graduation day, and then finally, the document you receive that gets you across the stage! Your diploma.

Are there other “passports” out there that help you along the way? Absolutely, but studies show that there is absolutely nothing in this universe like an online college degree to earn you the best shot at getting the best job, for the best pay, and with the best upward mobility.

Who is the person behind the glass? Well, I’ll let you wander there on your own. Some of those people can’t wait to open the door and let you through after “stamping you APPROVED...” and some would like nothing better than to slam the door in your face.

The thing you need to remember is that if your “documentation” is in order, the door is going to swing open for you, and a new world of possibility will be unlocked.

Where do you get this passport? Well, from Allied American University’s Business School, I hope! My job is to make sure that the “ingredients” in your passport are among or exceeding the best in the world. That’s my commitment to you.

And as for the last question... what if you don’t have one? Well, we can get you on track to take care of that problem right away!

I, for one, can’t wait to get out my APPROVAL stamp and send you through with a smile. It will be hard and it will be challenging, but I know you can do it! See you soon?

Image by Jeff Sandquist

Bill Luton, PhD, is the Dean of Business and General Studies for Allied American University. He hold a PhD in Organization and Management, as well as an MBA in Management and Strategy.

Business Administration: The Economy's Looking Better... Now What?

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:01:00 PST

There are so many metrics and figures used to determine whether or not an economy is healthy. Is there growth? Where is the growth? How does it affect me? When will it affect me?

If you’re asking some of these questions right now, you’re not alone!

The important thing to realize is that, if you want to stand out above the pack when we’re on the upswing, you must have your degree!

So keep on plugging away at your business administration degree courses.

The DOW has flirted with 13,000 over the past few days, and jobless claims are dropping. Does that mean jobs are growing on trees? Absolutely not! It just means confidence is coming back, business is picking up, and there are a few more opportunities now than there were in the recent past.

p>Think of yourself as a publicly-traded company on the stock market right now. When Americans finally have a little money to spend, which stocks will they choose to invest in?

If you want it to be you, you need to become “a good bet.” The best way to do that is to show the following:

Growth
Consistency
Skill
Potential

Call it Dr. Bill’s GCSP formula if you want, but better yet... don’t do that, because no one will know what you’re talking about. :-)

Better still, just embody these values, use continuing education for growth, your own hard work ethic to prove consistency, elbow grease and competency based on what you’ve learned in your program to show skill, and good old fashioned self-confidence, mixed in with all the other traits I just listed, to show potential.

Let me know how the search is working for you. If you’re going to be a stock, be a star, not a dud.

All the best, Dr. Bill Luton Dean of Business bluton@allied.edu

Image by Images_of_Money

Bill Luton, PhD, is the Dean of Business and General Studies for Allied American University. He hold a PhD in Organization and Management, as well as an MBA in Management and Strategy.

Business Education - Turning It Upside Down

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:24:00 PST

What would you do if you could turn your business education upside down? In other words, are there things that should be done differently that you, from your perspective, can see and experience that give you a unique perspective?

Guess what? You know there are many things you would change if we were to set up the ideal world of business education opportunity for you.

So since that’s true, why don’t you do something to help yourself... actually, why don’t you do two things:

Write a list of things you would do that would turn your business education upside down (for the better).
Here’s the tricky one... now you have to translate that list into the language of life and business outside these hallowed walls!

In other words, it’s easy to write a list of things someone else should do to make your business education better, but what can you do to impact it? And beyond that, what can you do to impact the business you may be already running? Is it struggling? Is it not quite open for business?

Here’s the bottom line: If we can use the same critical eye we use to judge things we mostly cannot control, imagine how it would be if we turned that critical eye on the things we can control!

I urge you to do that today.

Make your list (and be brutal).
Turn that list upside and apply it to yourself/business/dream.
Make some directional changes as a result, and START TODAY!

Image by Abulic Monkey

Bill Luton, PhD, is the Dean of Business and General Studies for Allied American University. He hold a PhD in Organization and Management, as well as an MBA in Management and Strategy.

General Studies College Courses Online - The Classic Education Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:53:00 PST

Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.

- Malcolm Forbes

Although I am excited about all of our degrees at Allied American University, there is one that has a special place in my academic heart: General Studies. The Associate and Bachelor's degrees in General Studies exposes students to an ocean of knowledge and in a very real sense gives them the classic education that was always intended to be part of the college experience. In the General Studies department, we have some of America’s best minds ready to instruct you in the Arts, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, as well as clear up the mysteries of Mathematics, English and Literature.

Now, do not feel left out if you are a Criminal Justice, Computer Information Systems or Business major! These same excellent instructors will be leading you through the general education requirements of your online college degree course.

Welcome to Learning! Welcome to Allied American University

Patricia Drown, PhD Dean of Criminal Justice and General Studies

Image by pfv.

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice and General Studies for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

Computer Information Systems - IT Skills In Demand For 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:04:00 PST

A question that I am frequently asked by individuals who wish to enter the CIS and IT job market is: What skills should I develop?

You are probably aware that even within the CIS and IT professions there are many sub-fields that one can specialize in. While generalists do exists, having a specialty or two can give you a competitive advantage. But what area should you focus on once you have your computer information systems degree?

There are two approaches that can be taken here:

Select a field or specialty that interests you the most or
Look at where the job demand is for the variety of IT specialties

Read ComputerWorld’s report on the nine hot skills to have in 2012. Interestingly enough, programming and application development ranked #1 on ComputerWorld’s list.

Allied American University's online computer information systems degree programs help you develop both programming and application development skills. With monthly course starts and individualized attention there hasn’t been a better time than now to embark on a journey into the CIS field.

Image by Illusive Photography

Timothy Perez is a seasoned technologist and a passionate educator. He has expertise in a wide variety of technical areas and holds various IT certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA and CIW. He is a doctoral candidate in Information Systems with Dakota State University, and holds an MS in Information Systems from National University, and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Chapman University.

Business Administration - Leading From Behind

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:14:00 PST

There go my people. I must find out where they are going so I can lead them.
— Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin, French politician (1807-1874)

We have all faced situations where we feel like we are leading from behind. That scenario leads to three questions:

What is leading from behind?
Does it hurt to lead from behind?
Can it help to lead from behind?

For those questions, you need to look at a few things: yourself; your followers; and your situation.

If you’re a brand new business administration graduate who has landed a great job with folks who will be reporting to you from day one, a certain amount of leading from behind can be good!

On the other hand, you will need to know the lay of the land at least enough that you can... and I know this sounds strange... direct folks to the bathroom on day one! If you can’t do that, you’ll be branded clueless, and not much else you say or do will matter.

In this case, leading from behind does not mean that you’re really following. You may have many talented people who are simply going to need to get to know you before they feel comfortable with you as their “boss.” Can you make it look like you’re following while you’re really leading? Certainly! In this case, we have the definition for #1 above... “What is leading from behind?”

Now for the next question. Does it hurt to lead from behind? The answer there... it depends. Leading from behind done the way I described in the previous paragraph is a bit different from leading from behind as in the quote at the beginning of this blog... and I repeat...

There go my people. I must find out where they are going so I can lead them.
— Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin, French politician (1807-1874)

And also, leading from behind can be completely necessary in some cases... close your eyes and picture pushing shopping cart!

Finally, can it help to lead from behind? The non-definitive answer is... I think so. Just because your followers are not ready for you to lead them doesn’t mean you’re not ready to lead them... in that case, you just need to figure out a way to lead in rear-wheel drive for a while instead of front-wheel drive.

My thought for the day? If you start out in rear-wheel drive, you can probably skip front-wheel drive altogether, and end up as an extremely powerful, extremely efficient, all-wheel drive organization.

So once you have your online Bachelor's degree in business administration in hand, dig in and see what leading from behind can do for you.

Image by IngridTaylar

Bill Luton, PhD, is the Dean of Business and General Studies for Allied American University. He hold a PhD in Organization and Management, as well as an MBA in Management and Strategy.

Criminal Justice Degree Opens The Door

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:16:00 PST

The minute my niece graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, she began to work on the next step of her dream - working with at-risk youth. Her own adolescence had been a difficult one and she would be the first to tell you that she had made a lot of mistakes. But there she was, degree in hand and ready to help kids who may have made those same mistakes. Today, she is working in a group home as a counselor with her eyes on becoming a juvenile probation officer.

The path to our success and to our dreams is not always a straight one. Not all of us were great in high school, or we may have even “tried” college before without success. And it could be that those “bumps in the road” are what makes us good at that when we get into criminal justice and rehabilitation. Maybe we understand things in a different way. I don’t know, but I do know this: for those of you who want to serve the community, a degree in Criminal Justice is the open door you have been looking for. Just ask my niece or me - her very proud aunt.

Image by dospaz

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

With Criminal Justice, It May Not Be What You Say

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:00 PST

One of the most fascinating and important parts of police work is the interviewing of witnesses and interrogation of suspects. For seasoned investigators, what the person says is sometimes not even half of the story. A person’s eye movements, their posture, even the way they fold their arms tells a story. What you learn can make a case.

At Allied American University, you will have the opportunity to study this type of interviewing technique- known as Kinesic interviewing - with some of the finest professionals in the field. You will learn to look for verbal cues and behavioral patterns that could signify guilt. Your professors will be detectives, district attorneys, FBI investigators, Homeland Security and counter-terrorist professionals as well as forensic psychologists. The Allied American University Criminal Justice Program offers Associate and Bachelor's degrees as well as certificate programs to enhance your knowledge of criminal justice and rehabilitation. We look forward to having you join our team.

Image by TomD.

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

CIS – A Closer look at the CompTIA A+ Certification?

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:25:00 PST

Are you thinking of pursuing an IT industry certification, but not sure where to start? A question that certifications candidates frequently ask is “what certification should I pursue?” The answer however really depends on what your career goals are and what area of IT/CIS you would like to enter.

However, in this blog we will take a close look at the well-recognized CompTIA A+ certification. CompTIA is a non-profit computer trade association that was founded in 1982. Today it is a leading provider of various IT certifications. The A+ certification dates back to around 1993. The A+ consists of two separate examinations. This is a great starting point for many individuals who desire to enter the IT field. The well recognized certification validates your knowledge in general PC support. Items included are: installation, maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting.If you would like to learn more about the requirements for the A+ please visit this link. Happy computing!

1Review of Acronyms: CIS - Computer Information Systems IT – Information Technology

Image by GrantWickes Timothy Perez is a seasoned technologist and a passionate educator. He has expertise in a wide variety of technical areas and holds various IT certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA and CIW. He is a doctoral candidate in Information Systems with Dakota State University, and holds an MS in Information Systems from National University, and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Chapman University.

Criminal Justice: Training the Leaders of Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:20:00 PST

We are very proud of our Criminal Justice Faculty. Not only have they earned higher degrees, but they are some of the most respected criminal justice and rehabilitation professionals in the country.

When you enroll in the Allied American University Criminal Justice Program for either your Bachelor's or Associates degree, your classes will be led by those who have taken the theories out of the book and into the streets. These are men and women who are in the field ever day working with Homeland Security, uncovering Internet Fraud, and investigating homicides. They are Correctional officers and Emergency Management Specialists. They are very good at what they do, but if you ask them what is most important to them, it is preparing students such as yourself to be the future of the Criminal Justice system. That is why they teach - and that is why they chose Allied American University: because the AAU Criminal Justice Program is where the leaders of today train the leaders of tomorrow.

Join us.

Image by PeterJBellis

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

CIS - What's New For 2012?

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:55:00 PST

With the start of any new year, many of us wonder what will come and what we can expect. In the field of computer information systems, technology is the driving factor for change. Technology continues to infuse itself in just about every aspect of our lives and workplace. Individuals are more connected than ever before with a large spectrum of devices that can access Wi-Fi and other mobile networks.

This Washington Post article gives us a look into what we can expect in 2012 in regards to technology. Interestingly enough, one of the items that tops the list is Cyber-warfare and Internet espionage. In a sense our greatest “strength” is always our greatest weakness. The interconnected nature of our lives leads us to be more vulnerable and susceptible to cyber-attacks which threaten our security.

There are two key ways that individuals and organizations can protect themselves from such threats. First, awareness and understanding of security vulnerabilities allows individuals to be more cautious when working online or with their Internet ready devices. Secondly, a solid education and foundation in computer information systems allows an individual to be equipped to protect themselves and an organization for which they may be employed from such threats.

Have you considered a career in the field of technology? The CIS degree programs at Allied American University prepare individuals to work and interact in the online society of today.

1Review of Acronyms: CIS - Computer Information Systems IT – Information Technology

To Protect and Serve At The Holidays and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:36:00 PST

On November 23, Chief Beck of the LAPD stood shoulder to shoulder with his men, other city officials, and even a few celebrities. They had a job to do, and for this job, there weapons were spoons, spatulas, and smiles.

The LAPD, like many other police organizations across the country, volunteered to feed the homeless and the hungry on Thanksgiving. And over the coming weeks, many departments will play “Santa” to the needy families in their community.

Being a criminal justice professional goes well beyond the arrest and prosecution of criminals... It is stabilizing the neighborhoods.

It is caring for the citizens.

It is reaching out a helping hand.

Are you prepared to protect and to serve?

Then enroll today in the Allied American University Criminal Justice Program.

Image by cwwycoffi1

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

CIS - Going Back to School!

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:49:00 PST

Going back to school is usually not easy. If you have already entered the workforce and are a working adult that only adds to the complexity. The reality however, is that many working adults have seen the need to go back to school to renew and refresh their skills. This may be to enhance their upward mobility and receive a promotion or simply to embark on a new career. If you are someone who is thinking about going back to school, don’t get discouraged. There are many opportunities and programs that are designed to fit around the schedule of a working adult with many obligations to attend to.

A recent article from US News & World Report shows higher enrollments in computer information systems programs. So if you have been thinking about entering into the field of computer information systems fear no more. Allied American University offers an array of online and flexible degree programs to fit your needs. So why not take a look at some of AAU’s offerings.

1Review of Acronyms: CIS - Computer Information Systems IT – Information Technology

Image by Avolore

Criminal Justice - Making History

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:44:00 PST

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

From the Halls of the Supreme Court, to the county court room; from the halls of Congress to the cops in a cruiser, those words are the reason the Criminal Justice system exists.

The Criminal Justice system is here to protect, defend, and yes, even to interpret the Constitution. The face of the Criminal Justice system may have changed since those words were written, but its purpose has not.

The day you decide to begin to commit to a degree in Criminal Justice, you become a part of history.Think about it, and welcome to Allied American University.

Image by Fidelio

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

CIS – IT Certifications Lead to Higher Pay and New Job Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:35:00 PST

In our last blog topic we discussed the role that IT certifications play both in industry and in gaining a career in the CIS field. It is interesting because there are an equal amount of supporters to IT certifications as there are to opponents. But to get to the bottom of the story it is helpful to see statistics of how obtaining one or more IT certifications can impact your salary and career path.

InfoWorld recently conducted a survey to find a correlation between IT certifications and their respective jobs and salary (pay). It is interesting to note that the survey yielded some very positive results. A large percentage of those surveyed indicated that a certification led to a new job and others also indicated earning higher pay.

This article demonstrates that the IT field is competitive and that a solid foundation in IT coupled with industry certifications can lead to new job opportunities and higher paying opportunities.

The article from InfoWorld is found here.

1Review of Acronyms: CIS - Computer Information Systems IT – Information Technology

Presentations: Are Bullet Points Really The Enemy?

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:31:00 PST

Steve Jobs used to say that bullet points were the enemy. And with a history like his with giving great presentations, is this something you (and I) should take to heart?

Let’s think about that one for just a few minutes.

First, Steve had a very, very good track record with making great presentations. In fact, folks came from all over the world to hear him speak and to watch his dynamic keynotes.

Sure, the products played a role in that too. But if you ask an artist, presentation is everything.

Let’s just try a quick comparison to see if there’s anything to the “bullet points are the enemy” idea.

Here’s a typical presentation with bullet points:

And here’s one Steve Jobs used to introduce iPad 2:

Hmm… I can see the point. Can you?

Think about this when you design your next PowerPoint or Keynote (depending on whether you’re a Mac or a PC).

You don’t necessarily have to eliminate bullet points to have a better presentation, but it wouldn’t hurt to consider adding an artistic touch and bringing the “wow factor” by doing things a little differently.

Let me know what you think, and send some examples of your outside-the-box thinking in presentations. I’ll share them with the AAU-verse!

Bill Luton, PhD, is the Dean of Business and General Studies for Allied American University. He hold a PhD in Organization and Management, as well as an MBA in Management and Strategy.

Facing the Facts and Our Own Bias Through Criminal Justice Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:47:00 PDT

One of the benefits of a college education in criminal justice is that it helps you, through reading, discussions with your Professors and discussions with other students to understand bias and prejudice that may ultimately keep you from doing your jobs well. A correctional counselor, for example, may be asked to manage the case of a predator. How would you handle that situation if you had not had the opportunity in an academic setting to think it through first?

We all bring our lives to the job, and over the years I have interviewed hundreds of police officers and correctional officers who admit that they had never examined their own bias against a group or class of criminals and that lack of self understanding kept them from doing their best for the community and their department.

Within the online classroom, and throughout all of your courses, you are able to ponder some of the tough issues that criminal justice professionals encounter every day. Whether you choose to be involved in corrections, a police department or as an advocate, you will be better prepared to understand the victims, the criminals, the crimes and yourself once you have completed your degree in Criminal Justice at Allied American University.

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

Image by magic_fella

CIS - The Value of IT Certifications

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:37:00 PDT

A common topic for discussion that frequently arises in the IT realm is the value of IT certifications. IT certifications are typically designed by either neutral certification agencies or by manufacturers of a given product or technology. Some common certification organizations include: CompTIA, Microsoft and Cisco. Certifications serve as an extra layer of validation to prove competence and knowledge with a given technology.

Here at AAU, we realize that the first step in earning a certification is acquiring a strong foundation in CIS. Earning your degree with AAU will do just that. A degree program provides you with a strong background from which you can further develop your skills by training for and acquiring a vendor certification. In fact, a degree coupled with one or more vendor certifications can make you a more competitive job candidate.

Click here for an article from PCWorld which discusses some of the more common IT vendor certifications.

1Review of Acronyms: CIS - Computer Information Systems IT – Information Technology

A Criminal Justice Career is Born

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:06:00 PDT

In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same. - Albert Einstein

As an educator in the field of criminal justice for some years now, I have had the privilege of being there at the beginning of many careers. I have seen my students take their first steps by enrolling in the criminal justice degree program with only a dream and often no clear vision of where it will take them.

I have seen them wrestle with the theories of crime and with what often seems like the injustice of a system that calls itself just.

I have watched them debate, argue and bond as they become part of a world few will ever understand- the world of the Criminal Justice professional.

And then, I have seen them move on - some to the academy, some to Border Patrol, some to non-profit organizations where they reach out to youth and families, taking what they have learned to help those families navigate a system that can be bewildering.

All of them, no matter where they go, are the ones that understand that, to the person to whom it is happening, there is no difference between the large and small problems. And all of them have gone to help.

Patricia Drown, PhD is the Dean of Criminal Justice for Allied American University. She holds a PhD in Human Services and Criminal Justice as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. Image by Aberdeen Proving Ground

Your College Degree: How to Stand Out

noreply@blogger.com (Allied American University) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:13:00 PDT

We’ve all heard the statistics, and we’ve all seen how hypercompetitive it is for new graduates just entering the marketplace for the first time.As a matter of fact, if you ask most college students what they plan to do once they finish their degrees, they’ll tell you they really aren’t too sure.

I have news for you… that’s really nothing new. I have more news for you… your college diploma isn’t going to be a golden ticket that you can cash in for a six-figure career, a couple of nice new cars and whatever else it is that you might want. BUT, it will at least get you into the parking garage. The rest is up to you!

When my wife’s grandfather graduated with his bachelor’s in business in 1950, everyone in his graduating class had a job before they ever walked across the stage. That’s really impressive, but that was when a college education was extremely rare. In fact, in 1950, only about 5% of Americans had a college degree. As of now, it’s more like 39%.

So, the “small bowl” effect of college degrees is a thing of the past. How do you stand out now?

That’s where your innovation comes in and your Allied American University business education can help. We teach the value of standing out, and you should embrace that, too.

Start by being a voracious reader, and by paying close attention to others who are standing out every single day. A great place to start is Twitter, Facebook, G+, or any number of social networks, where people are innovating all the time. I’m also going to plug a book that can help you. It’s designed to help small businesses take advantage of innovation opportunities, but I want you to read it with the idea that the small business is you.

So here’s your assignment, check out the following resources as a starting point, and let me know how you plan to stand out. If you mention some of your innovative ideas, we can brag about them in a future blog and share them with everyone else!

All the best,

Bill Luton, PhD

Dean of Business & General Studies Allied American University bluton@allied.edu

Resources:

Guerrilla Marketing Demilked

Bill Luton, PhD, is the Dean of Business and General Studies for Allied American University. He hold a PhD in Organization and Management, as well as an MBA in Management and Strategy.