You could be inspired by Dirty Harry and want to become a tough cop. Then you will not only have to go through the Police Academy but you may also need a bachelor’s in say law enforcement or in forensic psychology.

On the other hand, if you are more inspired by Discovery Channel and AXN docu-fictions on crime investigation, you will dream of majoring in crime scene investigation or forensic science.

If 9/11 sparked a concern in your mind as to how important are those who help save innocent lives, you may be craving for a degree in homeland security or public safety management

.

The point is: before you decide on any online degree the first thing to do is to ask yourself exactly what is it that you want to do with your life – what profession do you want to take up – what job are you most suited to? And so on….

This is a deep question because it has many sides to it. First, you have to think of what you like doing. Then you have to think of what you are capable of doing. Then you have to think of what kind of earnings will leave you satisfied. Then you have to look at what is happening to others in the criminal justice profession –who are getting more, who are getting less – what particular profession you should target – and so on…

You should also ask yourself such questions as what will my daughter think of my profession?  Will I be comfortable when I have a daughter who can understand and ask questions? Or, for that matter, a son? You are going to have a family – aren’t you? Then you should think of the family aspects too when you are thinking about a career – it should suit them too!

In fact, there are many questions and you must not be afraid to ask them of yourself. Once you have answered them all and have decided on a particular career of your choice, the rest is easy. Just go keep looking for the various degrees that the various schools are offering – find out the one that meets all your needs, and bingo – you have got what you want!

To help meet this demand, students seeking a career in computers will need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer software engineering.

Computers and information technology is a part of our daily lives, and new technology is being developed at a fast pace. Computer training is needed to help expand new computer software systems and to include new technologies and applications. The skills needed for careers in IT change all of the time reflecting changes in technology and the growing needs of companies. Computer software engineers research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers and network distribution software. They work with medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, and scientific and general computing applications. Software engineers set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements

Computer software engineers need the skills to create functional and technical design qualifications for software development. They must also have solid programming skills, and be familiar with data types, syntax and control structures. Along with the ability to correctly analyze information, software engineers also need to be able to fix multifaceted application glitches and be able to produce quality requirement specifications, design documents and test plans. Problem solving and working as a team are also necessary parts of working as a software engineer. Now is the time to earn a degree in a computer-related discipline, as it is required for most software engineering positions. Growth in the technology field will be driven by the rapid growth in the technology sector. Demand for careers as a computer software engineer is expected to grow as computer applications continue to expand.

At this time, many companies are experiencing difficulty finding qualified programmers and software engineers. The USA grants only about 6% of the world’s engineering degrees, behind China, the European Union, Japan, Russia and India, according to the latest figures from the National Science Foundation ( http://www.nsf.gov/ ). This trend showing a decline in interest in computer science majors comes at a time when companies and groups representing U.S. technology professionals continue to debate whether there is an IT skills shortage requiring foreign workers to fill industry needs.

Graduate degree programs have not yet experienced the decline of computer science majors. Many U.S. graduate programs are dependant on foreign students who come here for Computer Training. Approximately 45% of computer engineering students are non-resident aliens. Enhanced security regulations in regards to student visa’s may account for the lack of students applying for computer programs.

When the industry does rebound, there will most likely be a crippling shortage of qualified personnel to fill tech jobs. Student s with a love of technology should still continue to pursue a degree in computer science, as the need for these persons will continue to rise. The current shortage of qualified computer science engineers for hire in the United States is a problem that is reflective of a decline in Computer majors. Though the glamour of stock options and tech firm perks may be over, the need for qualified personnel is still present. Students with a love of technology should still continue to pursue a degree in computer science, as the need for these persons will continue to rise.

On the other hand, PLEASE REFRAIN from submitting more than two additional letters. Additional letters usually don’t help much, and they might irritate the adcoms who may think you have a problem with following instructions. Your letters should be distinct; each new letter must mention a thing or two that isn’t stated in other letters.

It’s certainly tempting to send letters from everybody who loves you; the pastor at your church, the grocery storekeeper, etc. But it’s really pointless unless these people have a strong connection to the college.

What is a strong connection?

An alumni of the school is a strong connection. Your sister who has just graduated from there is a strong connection. A college trustee is a strong connection. Someone who donated a million dollars to the development fund is a strong connection. These letters can make a difference, but remember, only if you have the academic qualifications.

On the other hand, don’t send those letters just because they come from somebody important. Your recommender must be able to talk about you. A letter from the president of the United States won’t help much if he can’t talk more than two lines about you. If a letter starts with something like, “I don’t know much about Clara, but if she’s anything like her parents…” you can be sure your letter will most likely be discarded.

“…sign here if you wish to waive your right to see this document…”

You probably see that phrase is most colleges’ recommendations forms. This is your right as stated under the Buckley Amendment. Put simply, the US Congress has passed a Bill that gives you the right to see all documents pertaining to you once you matriculate at a college.

On the form, the college asks you if you want to waive your rights. If you do, you will not be able to see the documents even after you enter college. I strongly advise you to sign the waiver.

The reason is this: By signing the waiver, you are effectively telling your recommenders that you are confident of what they are going to say (since you won’t know if they wrote nasty things). Colleges see your confidence as a good sign. They will trust that the letter is more truthful and candid than if you had not sign the waiver. If you are concerned that your recommender might be negative in his or her recommendation, then that is a sign that you probably should find another person.

After you’ve given your teachers to sign the form, always provide them with stamped and addressed envelopes so as to make things easier for them. Approach them early and give them ample time to prepare your letters. Follow up once in a while.

Lastly, update your teachers on your admissions status. They’ve helped you write nice things about you, so you should keep them posted on your progress. It’s just pure courtesy.

Education quality

The first thing you need to know is that many students are unhappy with their experience of UoP. The major reason seems to be that the quality of education is not at par with other institutions of higher learning. The course content is weak, the faculty is weak and almost every one gets good grades with rare failures or D-grades.

Management or criminal justice?

The second thing you should know about UoP before you join is that the degrees they offer is too management and administration oriented and do not have the kind of sharp focus on criminal justice that you would like to have. You will find that with a UoP degree in criminal justice, most of the time you are competing with people having management degrees from such reputed schools as Harvard, Cornell or Wharton Business School. In such situations your application will most likely hit the dustbin rather than being at the top of the list. Getting the jobs you want in the criminal justice fields of your choice will become more or less impossible with UoP degrees in criminal justice. Your career options will be narrowed down to a very few select options, many of which you will not be interested in because had you been interested in those careers you would have preferred to obtain an MBA or some equivalent management degree rather than a criminal justice degree. And you would have been more successful too in getting a job in those fields.

Dwindling profits

The third thing you should know is that UoP is a for-profit organization and its driving principle is earning profits through selling education to students. And, during the last few years it has not been doing well. Enrolments have been going down consistently, earnings are down, the parent company which owns UoP is not doing very well in the share market. Something seems to be wrong and you have to be careful before you commit thousands of dollars to an institution that exists not for educating students per se but for the sole purpose of earning profits out of selling education. And if it is not doing well there – that is, earning profits – then it is very likely that that there is something wrong with the product it is selling – education. So, think twice before you decide to buy the product of a company that is not doing very well in the market. This is perhaps the most important thing that you should know before you opt for a degree from UoP.

Realizing that your room will not be as big as living at home can help you determine what to pack for college.  You will also want to contact your roommates to see what they will be bringing.  Much of the time, you’ll find that you won’t need to buy that mini-fridge or a television because someone else already has one.  You also may want to consider bringing smaller versions of necessities.  For example, for a more neat and organized living area, you may find that a laptop computer is easier to store than a desktop.

Other items that you may find useful to put on your list of what to pack for college should include shower necessities.  As you will probably be sharing shower space with others, you will want to bring a pair of flip flop sandals and something to tote your toiletries in.  The sandals will help you to avoid any bacteria on the shower floors.  Although not everyone gets athlete’s foot, the chances go way up with all of the people who are sharing.

In terms of school supplies and what to pack for college, you want to make sure that you have a few calendars to keep track of deadlines, a box of pens and pencils, computer paper and printer cartridges (if you bring a printer), as well as extra notebooks and highlighters.  Having everything that you could need will save you trips to the campus bookstore as well as get you started on the right foot to an organized living space that holds everything that you might need at the last minute.

When you’re deciding how to pack for college, you want to keep in mind that you won’t have mom or dad to remind you of things or to wake you up, so you will need to figure out how to do this for yourself.  This can mean an alarm clock to a daily calendar of assignments.  What you may find useful is a dry erase board that you and your roommate can share in order to remind each other of things.  Having someone else watching out for you will help ease you into this new independent lifestyle.

In terms of clothing choices in what to pack for college, the climate will play a large role.  You may want to consider bringing a jacket for colder days, but only bring a winter coat when you need it.  Actually, for all of your clothing, here are some tips on how to pack for college.  First, you may be able to rotate your clothing as you return home for visits.  If you’re going abroad or far enough away that you won’t be visiting home much, then you can have your parents or relatives send you clothing as you need it.  Or, you can bring a layer of thermal underwear to put underneath clothes if the weather should suddenly become chilly.

Once you’ve gathered the clothing that you want to bring and figured out what to pack for college, how to pack for college closets becomes the next issue.  You want to start off your college life with an organized living space that allows you and your roommate space.  You may want to invest in some creative hangers that allow you to hang more than one item at a time (Non-Slip 5-Tier Slack Rack, Belt/Scarf Hanger) or hang your clothes on the doors (Over the Door Hanger).  There are many different kinds of hangers and storage accessories that can keep your clothes looking clean and neat, even when they barely fit into the closet.  You really can make the most of a little space with a little planning and a little more creativity.

Although this isn’t an inclusive list of what to pack for college, you are certainly on the right track to making your own list of things that you want to bring.  The key to this smaller, on-your-own space is to create an organized living space from the beginning.  Your roommate will appreciate it too when he or she can find her books when running out to class instead of hunting through piles of clothes.

I’ve compiled a list of things to consider when choosing an academic major.

Level of interest: Do you enjoy the subject? You are more likely to be successful if you enjoy your major. If it bores you, you will likely be unmotivated and may suffer academically.

Do you have a natural talent/skill?  Don’t discount any natural talents or skills, instead, let those skills guide you to success.

Possible careers? What sort of job will your degree prepare you for? Will you need additional schooling to achieve your career goals? Is your major geared toward one particular trade (for example; engineering or accounting) or can you apply it to many careers (Majors such as English, history, psychology that teach marketable, non-trade specific skills such as reasoning, critical thinking, writing and communication)?

What are the requirements?  What courses and how many will you have to take within the major as well as supplementary courses outside your major (i.e. accounting students take courses in marketing, economics, and business as well as specific accounting courses). Does the program require a minimum GPA for admission and retention? Will you need a minor? Will you be required to complete an internship or a co-op program?

Prerequisites.  Are there specific courses you must complete prior to engaging in major specific courses? (Prerequisites are often lower level introductory courses that establish a basic set of knowledge that will be referred to and built upon in subsequent classes.) For example if you wanted to major in psychology you would most likely be required to take a course introducing theories, models and major researchers in the field.

Evaluate the instructors.  How qualified are the teachers? Where did they go to school, what sort of degrees do they hold, where have they previously worked or taught and what have they published? Find out about reputations from other students as well. Is a certain professor notorious for being rigid or difficult? A good relationship with an instructor can benefit you when you begin applying to graduate schools or jobs and you need recommendations.

Program reputation.  Does the program receive national attention? What do graduates think of the program? What sort of jobs do alumni hold?

Are you considering a double major?  A double major can be a huge undertaking. This can be fruitful but you will need to be more organized when planning class schedules and picking classes. Some majors will not allow you the time to devote to a second major (often called comprehensive majors.) Be informed and be prepared to work!

<b>Check out survey and introductory courses in a variety of programs. </b> These courses will be more general and give you a better understanding of what to expect from the program as a whole. Remember, you probably are not going to like every single class or topic in your major. I had a friend who loved cost accounting but hated her tax accounting class.

Browse the course catalog.  Familiarize yourself with the policies and requirements. Read the school’s handbook regarding the differences in requirements for an Associate’s Degree, a Bachelor’s of Arts, Bachelor’s of Science, Bachelor’s of Fine Arts, etc. These will each require a different set of courses. Also, check your school’s general education requirements. These are often a set core of courses every student must take in order to earn their degree. Check for overlaps and conflicts with your major. Some departments won’t give credit for certain courses in a major that were used for general education requirements.

Use your advisor.  These people know the ropes. They are there to help you navigate the system. If all of this is overwhelming (and don’t feel bad if it is) relax! If you have an advisor who just isn’t helping you, see if your school has a set of general advisors set up for undecided students. These counselors will often have access to information about general school topics (deadlines, procedures) as well as tools to help you find information regarding specific degree programs. If you already have a major but are unsatisfied with your advisor, consider asking for a reassignment. Often this can be done in the department office.

Talk to other students.  They can often provide insight and experience that will be beneficial. An upperclassman can be your best friend when it comes to figuring out the system. Not only do they know the best places to eat, but they might know the best places to buy and sell books, the best advisors and the best teachers.

Don’t be afraid to change your mind. In the long run it’s better to spend an extra year or two in college than to be miserable or regret your decisions. People change their majors all the time (I changed mine 3 times.) and while it’s a big decision, it is only a piece of the larger puzzle.

The lack of one official accrediting agency creates an opportunity for sub par online schools that are trying to obtain students through any means possible.  In other words, just about any organization can say that they are an accrediting agency, so potential online school enrollers should do their research before signing up for classes at a particular online school.

Sadly, a number of online schools create false accrediting agencies in order to make candidates think that they are trustworthy and established.  To avoid this conflict, be sure to check whether or not an online school is accredited by one of the six major regional accrediting agencies.  These include the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA), Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU).

If your online school is accredited by one of the above agencies, your degree will be seen as legitimate by most employers.  However, if your online school is not accredited by one of the above agencies but by a false accrediting agency, your degree may not be acceptable to most employers.

How do they do this you ask? Well, the most successful MBA programs strive to gather groups of students with diverse backgrounds and goals and then facilitate the sharing of their experiences in the context of the study of theoretical business applications. Before we get in to the academic elements of the MBA program, let’s first take a look at some of the different techniques schools are currently using to cultivate leadership qualities in their students (besides the standard lectures, papers, exams, etc?).

1) Problem-Based Learning (a.k.a Case Studies)

Rather than simply conveying material to the students through lectures, business schools are now using the problem-based learning format to force students to think for themselves rather than regurgitate material that they’ve memorized.

Classes are subdivided into small groups and each group is presented with a particular management issue or problem.

As a team, the students must research the case they’ve been presented with and apply what they’ve learned from their studies to come up with a solution to the particular problem.

This type of exercise forces students to become “horizontal thinkers” who must consider ALL factors related to a particular decision rather than simply looking at an issue from on particular perspective (ie. accounting vs. marketing vs. finance).

2) Studies in the Field

Many schools are now supplementing class lectures and individuals study time with studies in the field

Although most students coming into MBA programs already have significant work experience, schools continue to stress the importance of “learning from doing”

The interpersonal skills that are crucial to strong leadership cannot be taught in the classroom setting but rather must be observed first hand in the field.

3) Team-Based Learning

While many of the projects assigned in business school require students to work in groups, team-based learning focuses specifically on how to work as team.

The goal isn’t so much to complete a particular assignment or project on some managerial issue, but rather the to learn how to work closely with others.

Setting goals, assigning responsibilities, and learning to rely on others are some of the skills involved.

Because team project and work groups have become so common in the business world, the schools are stressing teamwork abilities now more than ever..

The Curriculum

Now of course, underlying all of these different teaching techniques, is the curriculum itself. The first year courses of most MBA programs make up what is known as the core curriculum. While each school tries to present the material in what they believe is a unique or progressive manner, there remains minimal variation in these courses from school to school because every MBA student must ultimately have a fairly extensive level of knowledge in the following areas:

Business Strategy Analysis

Financial and Managerial Accounting

Management Statistics and Data Analysis

Managerial Economics

Marketing Management

Managerial Finance

Managing Organizations

Operations Management

For a detailed description of any or all of these courses, please browse through the course calendar or website of the particular business schools you are considering.

Once this core curriculum has been completed, most business schools allow their students to spend the remainder of their course time on electives. Many schools are recognized for particular programs that they offer and this recognition tends to revolve around these second year elective courses. Often business schools will have faculty who are eminent leaders in their field lecturing for these courses, providing the class with cutting edge research and the latest advancements in the area. Some of the areas that a second-year MBA student can specialize in include:

Accounting

Arts Management

Educational Administration

Entrepreneurial Ventures Finance

Government

Health Care Administration

Human Resource

Management

Management Consultants

Management Information

Technology

Manufacturing Management

Marketing

Not-for-Profit Organizations

Operations Management

Small Business Management

So as you can see, it’s no longer possible to pigeonhole business schools as gathering places for society’s elite, who put in a couple of years before taking over the family empire. A degree from a reputable business school can now place you on the fast track for a leadership position in any one of an incredibly diverse number of career paths. The MBA has become just as important in public service domains such as education, government, and healthcare administration as it is in the more traditional corporate sectors.

What to Expect for the Costs you have Sunk In?

Having established that going to business school represents a pretty serious financial burden, let’s see what you’re actually getting for all those dollars your laying out. What are the “frills” schools are using to attract students, and the impact that the program can have on your ability to attract employment and your earning potential once you’ve found the job you’ve been seeking.

Facilities:

Talk about plush. Be prepared to work extremely hard when you get to business school, but if your at one of the better ones, take solace in the fact that you’ll be doing it in style. The fact is that many of the schools (and not just the powerhouses) are investing heavily in infrastructure to woo you. Remember, there’s a definite element of reciprocity in the relationship between schools and applicants. To put it simply, they want you to like them just as much as you want them to like you. As a result a significant proportion of a business school’s dean’s time is spent fundraising. Many schools are building brand new buildings, with brand new classrooms, libraries, conference rooms, cafeterias and students lounges all supplied and state-of-the-art technology. Just as one example, Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management has built a simulated trading floor with the exact same technology being used by real analysts.

Connections:

The business world is ALL about connections. We’re not going to feed you the line that “it’s who you know not what you know” but rather that it’s “who you know AND what you know”. For that reason, an MBA program has become incredibly important for young people trying to get their foot in the door. At business school you’re going to educated in the “what” and immersed in the “who.” Without even realizing it, you’re going to be spending two full years networking. Whether it’s faculty who have pivotal roles in major corporations, corporations who’ve formed alliances with the school, or fellow students, over the course of the program you’re going to be in close contact with individuals who are currently, or will be in the future, extremely influential in the business community. Imagine your new best friend happens to be the next Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, David Filo, or Jerry Yang just waiting to surface. Well that’s the kind of relationship that fortunes are built on.

Jobs:

The following excerpts come directly from the Business Week Guide to the Best Business Schools (6 th ed.). It summarizes the relationship between MBAs and corporate hiring so well that felt we should pass it straight on to you completely unadulterated. We further recommend that you find the complete article from which this excerpt was taken (available on the web) for supplementary reading and that you use the guide as one of your resources for choosing the right business school for you (in our opinions it’s one of the most informative).

As we approach the millennium, the MBA is unquestionably the hottest degree you can hold, particularly from an elite school. The stats prove it: At virtually all of the best schools, GMAT scores and starting pay packages are setting records. Applications are too, although a large part of the boom is coming from overseas…The 61 schools surveyed by business week for its 1998 rankings waded through 116,912 applications for the Class of 2000, and the average GMAT score was 667 for those attending the Top 25 schools, up from 649 just two years earlier.

Today, the MBA is on its way to becoming a requirement for anyone who hopes to build a career in Corporate America, and, indeed, much of the world… Certainly, it’s true that corporate recruiters can’t seem to hire enough MBAs these days. The 259 recruiters who participated in business week’s 1998 survey of the best business schools hired 10,348 MBAs in total, a 28 percent rise from 1996. And they would have hired even more if they could have: Grads of the Top 25 business schools averaged 3.2 job offers each, up from 2.3 in 1992, and compensation exploded. The median pay package (salary, bonus, and extras such as stock options or moving expenses) at the Top 25 hit $111,420, up 19 percent from just two years ago. Another telling figure: Median pay topped $100,000 at 18 of our Top 25-versus 5 two years ago.

Being able to attend a regular class is, however, not possible for every student. You might not have the resources in the initial stages of life, and at a later point in life time might become a constraint. Hence, to complete your education, you need the flexibility of time and place and the convenience of doing it from anywhere in the world. The University of Phoenix is perhaps one of the best options available to you today. The University has earned repute for excellence and success. In fact, according to a student survey, there is 95 percent satisfaction level amidst students who earn their online degree from the University of Phoenix.

The alumnae from the University of Phoenix have seen a marked increase in their marketability. They have been able to secure jobs that they desired, or have received promotions in their present jobs. Many full-time homemakers have been able to complete their education, which has helped them not only with their self esteem but has also prepared them for job markets once they decide to move out.

The flexibility offered by the University of Phoenix is a major advantage. Each course can be taken over a period of five to six weeks and students can take a break between courses. They do not have to be present for any classes and can review the downloaded learning material offline at their convenience. Additionally, the University of Phoenix Online education is recognized for most employer reimbursement plans. For these reasons among many others, the University of Phoenix is perhaps the best place to start looking for the means to fulfill your career goals.

The guidelines for a SOP vary by school, and you need to follow them closely. Not adhering to the guidelines could be a reason for your not being accepted into the school.

The Parts of the Letter

Why are you applying? Graduate schools want to know why students are interested in obtaining a graduate degree, and typically look for an in-depth answer, not because “I can’t find a job so I might as well go to grad school.” A carefully thought-out statement of purpose is essential.

What is your experience? If you have an undergraduate degree in a similar field, you may be interested in continuing this part of your education. Conversely, someone with an unrelated undergraduate degree may be interested in expanding his or her knowledge. Others have been in the workforce for some time and are now ready to pursue a graduate degree.

Why this school? This is also an important aspect of the letter. Conduct thorough research on your school of choice so you can give a substantial reason for that particular institution. Again, stating that you were not accepted elsewhere is not a good reason, even if this is true.

What will you do with your degree? Why should a school use their time and resources to educate you? What you will do with the degree is of interest to any school, because as a graduate, you are a representative of that institution. Further, a school needs to know that your goals and aspirations are in line with those of the school.

Allow Plenty of Time

Just as the college admissions letter is important for undergraduate work, so too is the statement of purpose letter important for graduate work. It is a key element of your admissions application.

Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time on the statement of purpose letter. As much as you are able, begin as far ahead as possible. A couple of months or more is ideal.

Once you have drafted and reworked your SOP, consider having someone else review it. Someone who is skilled in writing statement of purpose letters, or has a degree or experience in English or journalism is useful, as these people are trained in writing.

Keep your reader engaged by focusing on the questions asked rather than including extraneous information (which uses valuable space). Demonstrate to the admissions personnel your genuine interest in your field and their school, and provide examples of how you will use your degree. These simple steps will help you compose an effective statement of purpose letter and increase your acceptance rate.