Linfield College Adult Degree Program offers multiple Environmental Studies field study courses in the Pacific Northwest as part of their Environmental Studies Minor, allowing students to acquire environmental perspectives through exploring various bio-physical aspects of the Pacific Northwest. Students who are interested in learning more about the relationships between humans and the planet’s life-support system are encouraged to take these courses. In addition to supporting student’s knowledge and interests in the minor, Linfield College’s Environmental Studies field study courses fulfill the Natural World requirement of the General Education curriculum for all students in the Adult Degree Program.

Field courses each involve a five-day experience on location at the coast or in the mountains and will occur in June, July and early August 2012. Registration for these courses begins May 14, 2012 through the Adult Degree Program.

Students enrolled in these courses have an opportunity to get outside of the traditional classroom and gain a “hands-on” experience with field study courses taking place in locations, such as the Oregon Coast for the Shoreline Ecology course. Shoreline Ecology provides students interested in learning about the ocean as a habitat for life and the oceanographic processes affecting shore life with fascinating learning.  The course allows students to observe shore habitats of the Oregon Coast as well as perform laboratory examinations of selected shore dwelling animals and plants. Human Ecosystems is another field study course set on the northern Oregon Coast. In Human Ecosystems, students will explore the scientific concepts and principles concerning the interrelationships between humans, other living organisms, and the environment. Shoreline Ecology and Human Ecosystems are taught by Dr. Ned Knight, adjunct professor of biology and environmental studies. Dr. Knight is a highly respected professor and students find his classes to be entertaining and informative.

Fire History of the Cascades is based in the Cascade Mountains of central Oregon and examines the science and politics that guide national fire policy. Using field research, students will contribute to a project documenting the effects of a fire that burned in the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests during the summer of 2003. Fire History of the Cascades is taught by Dr. Peter Schoonover, adjunct professor of environmental studies. Dr. Schoonover conducts research on forest habitats and leads a lecture series on environmental policy issues.

Dennis Snyder, a recent graduate, said “I diversified myself from having just a standard degree by pursuing the Environmental Studies minor. I took all of the required classes for the minor and three of the field classes during the summer including: ENVS 306 Fire History of the Cascades, ENVS 302 Shoreline Ecology, and ENVS 303 Human Ecosystems. The field classes during the summer were very informative, incredible, and enriched my learning experience in the Environmental Studies minor. I wouldn’t have missed any of those field classes. It was a very fun and enjoyable time!”

For students interested in broadening their field of study, the Linfield College Environmental Studies Minor is the perfect opportunity. The courses for this minor encourage a deeper understanding of the complex world we inhabit, including interactions among populations, environments, resources, technology, social organization and culture.

Those interested in the Environmental Studies Minor or the Field Study courses can contact Linfield today and start advancing their education right now.

                          

The minor program is designed to give you a strong foundation, not only in natural science, but also fundamental economics and ethics. Like a three-legged stool, each is critically important and interconnected, empowering you to make informed, rational, and progressive decisions with respect to environmental issues and situations.

The program consists of a variety of primarily online classes. Though for invaluable practical and experiential learning, you are also strongly encouraged to take at least one field course offered each summer. For example, Shoreline Ecology will introduce you to a variety of native species in coastal marine and terrestrial environments. Human Ecosystems will focus on several restoration and stewardship projects in the lower Columbia River Basin. And Fire History of the Cascades is designed to expose you to relationships between fire events, restoration efforts, and politics.

So, is it worth the extra time and credits to pursue this minor alongside your major? Consider the following:

• Today’s increasing number of green jobs, such as in renewable energy
• Banks looking more frequently to providing business loans for more sustainable practices
• Cooperation and partnerships among a variety of interest groups (and agencies) to fund and implement small to large restoration projects
• More intense and successful lobbying efforts for environmental clean-up or protection

These are just a few of many examples where your broadened background, coupled with Linfield’s long-standing reputation in the regional business community, can really increase your marketability to potential future employers. Or perhaps there’s a possibility of assisting your present employer in starting, continuing, or improving practices in more sustainable directions.

So, if you’re interested in this minor program that can be attached to any major in your bachelor’s degree, register for our June and July courses. Registration begins May 14, 2012. It could help you make a world of difference, locally and beyond!

Written by Dr. Ned J. Knight, adjunct professor of biology and environmental studies, Linfield College. Dr. Knight teaches the field study courses, Shoreline Ecology and Human Ecosystems, and in addition offers online courses in the Environmental Studies program, such as Water Resources, Intro to Ecology, and Concepts in Marine Ecology.

                          

With ever evolving tax laws, companies value accountants more than ever and this is reflected in the economy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the accounting profession is projected to undergo a 22 percent increase in employment by 2018, well above the average for other professional fields.

With Linfield College’s online accounting degree program, aspiring accountants can be exposed to different sectors and types of work. A career in accounting can be challenging and rewarding, which allows those considering a career in the field to achieve a comfortable work-life balance, while still achieving their professional goals in an area of interest.

For those with a previous bachelor’s degree who are already working in entry level positions in the accounting profession, or those who are wanting to advance in the accounting profession, receiving a post baccalaureate accounting certificate is another option, which can help individuals to expand the scope of their accounting knowledge for advancement in their current organization or into new positions, while also increasing their earning power.

With online accounting degree options available, it has never been more feasible to achieve those educational goals. Selecting the best fit for an online degree program is equally as big of a decision, as it is to make the decision to go back to college.

Linfield College Adult Degree Program provides an accredited online degree program, so students know that they are earning a degree that is both valuable and respected industry wide. And while making the decision to go back to college is never easy, Linfield offers its students academic advising, financial aid assistance, and the flexibility of online class attendance that they need to earn their degree, along with the quality education they demand.

While the demand for accountants continues to grow, the time is now to start working toward the next step in your career. Contact Linfield today and find out how you can start advancing your education in the accounting profession right now.

                          

However, while the demand for registered nurses is growing, there was another report by the OCN, which found that employers are increasingly looking for RNs with BSN degrees for future hires. The Oregon Consortium of Nursing Education is working to better prepare Oregon nurses to assume leadership roles in the increasingly complex healthcare environment. Supporting this notion, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, has published information showing that registered nurses with BSN degrees are linked to better patient outcomes, including lower mortality rates. This is clearly a valuable aspect of any healthcare professional, as well as medical facility.

Earning a RN to BSN degree can be the next step for many RNs with an associate degree that will help them to provide the additional knowledge and clinical experience that is in demand by employers. Earning such a degree will also become a springboard to prepare for a range of nursing specialties through graduate study, which would not be available otherwise. With today’s online education options, it has never been more feasible to achieve your RN to BSN degree. Selecting the best fit for an online degree program is equally as big of a decision, as it is to make the decision to go back to college.

Linfield College Adult Degree Program, provides an accredited online degree program, so students know that they are earning a degree that is both valuable and respected industry wide. And while making the decision to go back to college is never easy, Linfield offers its students academic advising, financial aid assistance, and the flexibility of online class attendance that they need to earn their degree, along with the quality education they demand.

While the demand for registered nurses bringing additional knowledge and skills continues to grow in Oregon, the time is now to start working toward the next step in your career. Contact Linfield today and find out how you can start advancing your education right now.

                          

A worthy goal in order to pursue one of these career paths is to earn a social and behavioral sciences degree. A social and behavioral sciences degree will help equip people with the skills and knowledge needed to be prepared to enter into one of the fields of this chosen career path. However, for many individuals who are mid-career, going back to college may appear to be a very daunting task. There are options for earning your degree that allow you to maintain a professional career, and the flexibility that your busy life requires. The popular option that more and more adults are turning to is through online programs to earn their online degrees.

Earning an online social sciences degree is an option for those who demand flexibility in their busy lives, but also want to be able to pursue a level of higher learning and/or embark on a new career. Online courses offer many of the same options that a traditional college classroom setting offers, but with the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your schedule, while still helping you in your career aspirations.

For those who feel compassion for their fellow men and women, and want to make a career of it, earning a social and behavioral sciences degree is a great next step. Request more information from Linfield Adult Degree Program, and take that first step today.

                          

Prospective students may apply for free to any of the Linfield Adult Degree Programs that are offered. Pick among the six accredited online degrees, including the recently added online marketing degree program, and three accredited online certificate programs. Four additional degree and certificate programs are also offered in a hybrid online/classroom format through Linfield’s McMinnville and Portland, Oregon campuses. All students who apply must register for a Linfield Adult Degree Program course by June 25, 2012.

Students applying to one of the Linfield Adult Degree Programs have access to online tutoring services and state of the art online university library resources as well. In addition, those students who apply for free before February 20, will be eligible to attend the Path to Scholarships Workshops, which will be held in Portland, OR on January 28, 2012 or as a Webinar on February 4, 2012. On average, students who participated in these sessions last year won an average of $6,000 in scholarships, making the goal to go back college that much more achievable.

So why wait? Apply today and begin working toward your bachelor’s degree or certificate, all online.  Registration for Spring classes ends on February 10, 2012.

                          

Students and professionals who are interested in broadening their horizons by living and working abroad can usually find a niche for themselves, no matter their degree or background. However, international business students may find they are more attractive candidates for a job if they have a degree with an international focus, along with demonstrated interested in the global economy. Students and professionals alike would do well to combine travel and work experience with their international business degree.

Once graduates have obtained their international business degree, they have an option to work in a variety of fields. Having an international business degree gives professionals a distinct advantage. In addition to being in high demand, these adults have more opportunities from which they can choose. Some may opt to work for a local company that has offices in other countries, while others may choose to live and work abroad.

Although sales and marketing careers are in demand when working internationally, there are plenty of other exciting careers that are open to international business majors. Graduates may go on to work with international trade and development organizations, where they are expected to give advice on export markets, do market research, or complete trade promotions. They may join the diplomatic service and act as representatives of their country’s governmental agencies to foreign governments. Others may find work as an international banking officer or a cultural advisor. Whatever field draws your interest, the first step is obtaining the best fitting degree.

“The ability to tailor international business courses to round out my skill set even further, an opportunity much different than the cohort programs I was considering before choosing Linfield, was a bonus,” Said Craig Ostbo, Linfield Adult Degree Program student. “A bucket list item for me is to learn a foreign language – especially Spanish. I’m also someone who works better under a deadline. So, there’s no better way for me to learn the language than to put myself in a situation where it is a requirement for my degree. I am embarking soon on what will be the first of two consecutive years of Spanish and I couldn’t be more excited about it.”

Fortunately, new technologies are making it easier for adult students to obtain their bachelor’s in international business with an online degree program from an accredited institution while continuing to work. For more information on the Linfield International Business Degree program, contact us today and we’ll help get you started.

                          

You can earn your marketing degree completely online!

Earning an online marketing degree means no time spent commuting to class. The marketing classes are held online as virtual classes, which allows students to “attend” the course at their convenience, and learn at a pace that works well for them. This also makes incorporating online courses to earn a marketing degree a very reasonable, and plausible option for those going back to college mid-career.

Earning college degrees online has become much more commonplace in the business world, with the advancements of technology and people’s desire to advance their education while maintaining their full work and home life. Tt is recommended to investigate your options and select a program from an accredited online college. According to a survey conducted by The Society for Human Resource Management, 87 percent of those surveyed agreed that online degrees are viewed more favorably today than they were five years ago. Earning the degree from an accredited college will ultimately be of the greatest benefit, for how the degree is viewed by employers in the business world.

Whether it is career advancement, achieving higher learning or meeting academic goals, no matter what your motivation, there is no better time than now to look at the options available to earn your online marketing degree.

A marketing degree is one of the several accredited bachelor’s degrees that are offered within Linfield College Adult Degree Program. If you need help getting started, contact a Linfield Adult Degree Program advisor today and start on the path to achieving your goals.

                          

Do you want to understand how society has developed ways to improve the lives of people over time? There are endless opportunities that will allow you to find satisfying work making a positive difference in the lives of people. But knowing where to start can be the most difficult first step. A good place to start is considering pursuing a social and behavioral sciences degree. What will a social and behavioral sciences degree do for you? It will help you to qualify for professional opportunities in a wide range of career fields.

Social and behavioral sciences describe the study of people in the world, their behaviors, and how they make an impact on those around them. The field is a very broad one and includes using both observational and experimental methods. Having a degree in social and behavioral sciences allows a person to work in many different settings, as well as embark on many career opportunities. Social and behavioral science degree programs will help you gain the skills and knowledge to prepare you in many high-demand fields, including:

• Education and Teaching
• Human Services
• Counseling
• Law Enforcement
• Human Resources
• Health Care
• Public Service
• Public History Field

While earning a social and behavioral sciences degree is a step in the right direction for starting a career in one of these fields, finding the time to earn a degree can be a major challenge. However, earning an online degree is an opportunity for many, which allows them to incorporate earning a degree into an already busy schedule. Choosing to earn an online social and behavioral sciences degree is the first step in helping you pursue your goal of a career to help people and the public, and also preparing you with the knowledge to succeed.

If you would like to request more information or learn how you can earn your social and behavioral sciences degree online, contact Linfield Adult Degree Program.

                          

Whether you are adding another degree to your higher educational goals or earning your first degree, a bachelor’s degree in marketing is highly regarded when learning the invaluable assets of post-education life: teamwork, research, communication, strategizing and other skills. People pursue degrees for many different reasons, chief among them to gain experience, knowledge, and employment. Make yourself an effective communicator, salesperson, and develop the skills needed to succeed in the job force with a marketing background. People with marketing degrees are no different.  With competitive salaries and a high percentage entering the workforce, it is an attractive degree for those with targeted careers or those still finding their calling.

The career and employment opportunities for individuals who earn their marketing degree are ample, including a career in public relations, becoming a marketing manager, a career in sales, advertising and more. Marketing degree students learn to strategize, compromise, and develop products or services effectively. According to the Oregon Employment Department, the unemployment rate of people with marketing degrees is 5.5 percent, well below the national average. Careers in marketing are needed in just about every industry and sector – retail, fashion, manufacturing, financial and public services, leisure and tourism, and more. Regardless of whether you are looking to advance your current career or looking for a chance to pursue something new, a marketing degree opens many doors to help you find the path you desire. There is an optimistic outlook in the job industry for those with marketing degrees, as there is an increasing demand in the work force for those holding a marketing degree giving promise to recent graduates. In fact, overall employment positions, including advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, sales managers and more, are expected to increase by 13 percent through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For those who have entered the workforce already, the influence of marketing has likely been noticed. For many people who pursue a bachelor’s degree in marketing – especially those in the Linfield Adult Degree Program – they have seen real life marketing in action, for better or worse.

Linfield Adult Degree Program offers an online marketing degree, which offers a few hybrid classes, but the majority of courses online to allow for flexibility in a student’s already busy schedule. With affordable costs, scheduling flexibility, and the ability for a combination of on-campus and online classes, Linfield can help you reach your personal and professional goals.

Contact us today to learn more about Linfield’s marketing degree, or for financial, program or other questions.