eLearnPortal.com Distance Education Articles and Online Degrees

Howard Payne University Revamps Online Programs

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

For more than 100 years, Howard Payne University has excelled in the higher education arena. To push forward into the future, the university has been testing the waters of online education during the past few years to find out if the endeavor would be worth the effort. During this time, Howard Payne decided that online education was a great investment in the university’s future and decided to jump in feet first to relaunch and revamp its existing online programs.

In late 2008, Howard Payne signed a new contract with The Learning House, Inc., a comprehensive online education solutions partner, to extend the partnership and launch a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership online degree program. This new contract initiation with the Learning House will shine new light on the university and bring more students to the new program.

Howard Payne University is also expanding its general education offerings to include summer online courses for currently enrolled students. With an assortment of 11 general education online courses, existing students should have no problem finding a course that fits their needs, which will enable them to fast track their degree completion.

Learning House believes that the relaunch of Howard Payne University’s online degree programs will be a great success. Working together with Learning House to improve the quality and delivery of its online courses will create a solid foundation for Howard Payne to expand upon. Excellence in education is the root of Howard Payne’s success and will remain the case when it comes to online education. For more information about Howard Payne University’s online programs, please visit www.elearnportal.com/hpu.

About Howard Payne University

Located in Brownwood, Texas, Howard Payne University is a Christian, coeducational university of liberal arts and professional studies that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Founded in 1889 to prepare students for Christian ministry, Howard Payne University has expanded its original scope to include a full array of undergraduate programs and a limited number of graduate programs. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and School (SACS).

Union to Launch 100% Online Master’s in Psychology

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Barbourville, Ky., 6 July 2009 - Union College in Barbourville will launch its first all-online degree program this August.

Classes for the master's in psychology online degree program will begin August 25. The application deadline is August 15. To celebrate its first all-online degree, Union is waiving application fees for students who apply prior to August 15.

Though the college has offered master's degrees for nearly 50 years, and online classes for six years, this is the first program taken to a completely online format. Joni Caldwell, Ph.D., the psychology department's chairperson, says the online format is a good fit for the southeastern Kentucky region.

"Because we serve a large rural area, many of our students drive long distances. This will be a great convenience for them," said Caldwell.

Access is easier not only for southeast Kentuckians, but for any student, anywhere. Caldwell says she's already had inquiries from students in other states and countries.

"I think the program appeals to people because our faculty all have terminal degrees, and we've kept tuition very affordable and manageable," Caldwell said. That isn't an easy combination to find."

Students in the program can take up to 100 percent of their coursework online, though they are free to take on-campus classes as well. For those who choose to take all classes online, Caldwell says she will work hard to make them feel part of the campus community.

"We're building an online campus just for this program," she said. "It's geared toward students who may never visit our campus in Barbourville and will include a virtual student center, virtual caf�, and many social networking and community opportunities."

"Union is known for its one-to-one approach to higher education," said Caldwell. "We want to make sure that experience translates well for our online students."

Those interested in Union's online Master of Arts in psychology can find out more information on the online psychology Web site.

Union College is a private liberal arts college related to The United Methodist Church and located in Barbourville, Ky.

Howard Payne University Launches a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership Degree Entirely Online

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

BROWNWOOD, TEXAS - Howard Payne University has stepped up to answer the increased demand for online learning in higher education, launching a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership entirely online this fall. Students with busy schedules who want to pursue a master's degree can enjoy the benefits and convenience of online learning from a well-recognized traditional institution with a long heritage of educational excellence.

The Master of Education in Instructional Leadership degree program serves individuals who desire to pursue a career as a certified principal in the state of Texas. Aligned with the state standards for principals, the curriculum provides students with an appropriate mixture of theory and practical application.

Since HPU offers the entire program online, students do not have to meet a residency requirement. In addition, they can take the courses for this 36-hour, non-thesis degree program in eight-week terms. Although the program requires six hours of supervised internship, the internship also satisfies the required action research component. Instructors for this program include current HPU faculty as well as experienced practitioners throughout Texas.

The Master of Education in Instructional Leadership program has set forth several definitive goals. For example, the curriculum of this degree program will maintain the highest quality, aligned with the state of Texas standards for principals, emphasizing instructional leadership, administration, supervision and communication skills; curriculum and instruction management; performance evaluation; and organization and fiscal management. Also, enrolled students will pass the Texas Examination for Educator Certification for principals on their first attempt. In addition, graduates of this program will have received the necessary knowledge and skills to perform successfully as first-year principals. Finally, students will exhibit the highest caliber of moral and ethical character and provide a Christian, “value-added” dimension to the educational community in which they will serve as principals.

Graduates of this program can look forward to entering a job market with an above-average growth rate. A university survey of teachers and administrators in Central Texas and beyond indicated a need for a master's degree program that leads to principal certification. Through Howard Payne University's forward-thinking approach in answering this educational need, future students will get to enjoy all of the benefits that this program has to offer, including the ultimate convenience of a fully online course curriculum.

About Howard Payne University

For 120 years, Howard Payne University has offered quality liberal arts academics with a Christian heritage steeped in tradition. The educational experience at HPU integrates faith, learning and living to achieve academic excellence in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Around the world, graduates of HPU play leading roles in their communities. Recently, HPU has expanded its scope into the realm of online education in response to its students' academic needs. While rich in tradition, HPU continues to grow and expand to meet the demands of today's academic market, ensuring success well into the future. HPU has received accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association of Schools of Music, the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education and the State Board for Educator Certification.

Grace College Offers Master of Education Degree Online

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

More than half of current teachers in Indiana and approximately half of all teachers nationwide are entering retirement age and creating a high number of open teaching positions. Professional development for teachers is the key to remaining competitive and creating sustainability in the field of education. Therefore, current teachers must continue to learn and improve upon their own practice to achieve their professional goals.

Grace College, an evangelical Christian, liberal arts institution located in Winona Lake, Indiana, has noticed this trend and expanded its teaching programs by offering a new online Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree to enable more teachers to reach their professional development goals. The degree will help current teachers learn useful, practical skills that will directly improve their teaching abilities and lead to increased student learning.

Students can earn a Master of Education degree from Grace College in two years, with courses offered through a combination of on-campus and online opportunities. Along with the required core courses of 24 credit hours, Grace College requires students to take 12 hours in a specialized cognate area to complete the 36 credit hour degree program. Encompassing the areas of leadership, literacy, special education, Christian school teaching, and generalist teaching, these cognate areas will provide students with opportunities to develop specialized knowledge and skills.

Candidates will begin the program with an introductory course that helps them formulate a successful professional development plan. Throughout the Master of Education program, candidates will encounter a variety of coursework that will assist them in meeting the professional development plan objectives, which all teachers must submit to the Indiana Professional Standards Board for license renewal. Students will also develop the knowledge needed to apply for National Board Certification. The program ends with a professional capstone course in which a portfolio is presented to document their professional growth during the program.

The Master of Education online program from Grace College will create an environment where teachers can become more decorous professionals and develop their ability to influence their community, school and classroom. Candidates applying for the program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 for all college work, a valid teaching license or eligibility for a license, three reference letters from educational professionals and a personal essay relating graduate study to professional goals as an educator. Anyone interested in applying for the online master of education program should visit www.elearnportal.com/grace for more information.

About Grace College

Grace College is an evangelical Christian, liberal arts institution that applies biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence and preparing for service. Grace enrolls 1,200 students from 37 states and 17 countries who represent 30 denominations and many non-denominational churches in more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The academic, residential, athletic and social aspects of the college are designed to encourage intellectual and spiritual growth in a supportive campus community. For more information, visit www.elearnportal.com/grace.

About eLearnPortal.com

Helping people connect with opportunities for high-quality, online education is the goal of eLearnPortal.com. eLearnPortal.com. is the gateway to finding an online degree! From online associate degree programs, online bachelor degree programs, online certificate programs, and online Master degree programs, eLearnPortal.com is the one stop for finding high-quality, online degree opportunities. All the schools listed on eLearnPortal.com are accredited by major accrediting bodies, and offer complete online degrees.

East Texas Baptist University Now Offers a Criminal Justice Degree Online

Fri, 22 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The field of criminal justice is growing exponentially. To keep up with the times and the demands of future workers, East Texas Baptist University has decided to offer a Criminal Justice online degree program to service those unable to attend traditional classes. The new online degree program is an important step toward making East Texas Baptist a more competitive online contender.

Located in Marshall, Texas, East Texas Baptist University has been a quality liberal arts institution dedicated to excellence in education for almost 100 years. To expand upon that quality, in early 2009, East Texas Baptist enlisted in a partnership with The Learning House, Inc. to get the new online Criminal Justice program up and running successfully. Learning House provides East Texas Baptist with the tools necessary for an impressive online education program, including 24/7 on-demand faculty and staff support, customizable course content and fail-safe hosting services.

East Texas Baptist will offer the Criminal Justice online degree program as a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice as well as a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, both of which emphasize a Christian perspective for law enforcement, probation, parole and other criminal justice areas. Students will be briefed on various topics while enrolled in the program, including the history of correctional systems and practices, research methods in criminal justice, causes and characteristics of crime, and the legal aspects of criminal procedure.

The Learning House, along with East Texas Baptist, is confident that this new online program will prove successful due to the increasing number of adults looking for work in the field. The coursework is conveniently designed to accommodate busy, nontraditional students and can be completed anytime from anywhere. The program is well suited for any working or non-working adult. Those interested in the Criminal Justice online degree program should visit www.elearnportal.com/etbu for more information.

About East Texas Baptist University

Located in Marshall, Texas, East Texas Baptist University is an institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees, East Texas Baptist University's primary focus is on quality academic programs in the humanities, natural and social sciences, and fine arts. Upholding its passion and drive for success, East Texas Baptist was recognized as one of "America's Best Universities" of 2009 by U.S. News & World Report.

About The Learning House, Inc.

In early 2009, East Texas Baptist University initiated a partnership with The Learning House, Inc. to assist in the development and launch of its online campus. Learning House is a comprehensive online education solutions partner that helps colleges and universities offer and manage their online education programs. Learning House provides a total online campus solution to each of its clients, including online course development and publishing, learning management system customization and hosting, online program marketing, 24/7 technology support, faculty and staff training, online education infrastructure and consulting. Learning House provides online learning services to more than 60 accredited institutions of higher education. For more information about the Learning House, please visit: www.learninghouse.com.

Finding Your State Department of Education

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Becoming a teacher is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it is important to know what your state requirements are for teacher training before you start your coursework for your teaching certification. Each state has different requirements, so make sure that you know which state you are planning to teach in. Below you will find contact and website information for all State Departments of Education.

Soldiers Turning to Online Degrees for Education

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Online degrees are becoming more and more popular with military veterans who do not have the time and/or resources to attend college in a traditional environment. By attending school online, these soldiers can spend more time at home with their loved ones or working to provide for their families.

How Do Virtual Classrooms Work?

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

If you aren't familiar with distance learning, then the idea of attending classes online can be daunting. What you should know is that virtual classrooms are relatively easy to navigate and contain all of the resources you need to complete your degree on time and efficiently.

Online Degree Programs: Up to $83 Billion in Financial Aid Packages for Online Degree Programs - Help is Out There!

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In these rough economic times you might think that a college education or online degree program is out of reach, in both costs and time consumption. Fortunately, that isn't the case. Over $83 billion in financial aid will be distributed this year alone, and aid is available regardless of your income level. All you need is the right information and resources to help get you started on the road to completing a traditional or online college degree.

Lessons Learned in a Risk Management Degree Program

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Little makes headlines more rapidly than mishap, scandal or mismanagement. In today's world of 24/7 news and near-constant communication, the ability to cope with crisis, extra- or inter-office arguments and massive influxes of information is an increasingly valued talent.