Monday, August 2, 2010

“Quinnipiac to offer IT master's degree online” plus 2 more

“Quinnipiac to offer IT master's degree online” plus 2 more

Quinnipiac to offer IT master's degree online

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 12:48 PM PDT

Quinnipiac University will offer its master of science in information technology degree program in a online and in-person formats starting January.

The Connecticut State Board of Governors of Higher Education approved the format and the name change from master of science in computer information systems.

The online masters program is designed for IT professionals who want to continue working while pursuing the advanced degree.

Quinnipiac offers nine online degree programs: master's in business administration, MBA in supply chain management, MBA in chartered financial analyst, MBA in health care management, master's in organizational leadership, post-professional master's in occupational therapy, master's in teacher leadership, master's in interactive communications and the master of science in information technology.

 

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UC Regents consider proposal for online undergraduate degree

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 09:30 PM PDT

In an attempt to alleviate the financial effects of the ongoing budget crisis, the UC Board of Regents informally endorsed a proposal at their July 14 meeting, which would potentially grant students their undergraduate degree by taking a course load fully available online.

The program would offer courses with the heaviest enrollment on UC campuses and those that are most demanded by students enrolled in community colleges and who are planning to transfer.

Some students and professors have expressed support for the program because of what they believe is the remarkable accessibility it would offer - an advantage that they argue the formal classroom setting simply cannot compete with.

"The obvious benefits of online courses is that if you don't have time or the means to go to class, you can still get an education," said Ursula Barghouth, a recent graduate of UCLA who used online course offerings to fulfill some major requirements.

Michael Maher, a UC Davis professor in the Graduate School of Management, shares Barghouth's sentiment.

He explains what he sees as the notable accessibility and convenience that online education offers and its ability to respond to each student's pace of learning as key benefits of the proposal.

Maher also contends that online education would aid students struggling with an obligation to work long hours while also dealing with a heavy course load. The difficulty of finding transportation to school or the threat of being rejected from certain classes all make an online option seem favorable, he stresses.

"Online education enables students to learn at their own paces," Maher said. "In a conventional class, some students are bored and want to move faster, [while] others can't keep up. [This program] reaches out to students who have difficulty or simply cannot go to campuses to take classes at a particular time."

However, some opponents to the pilot argue that the plan is not viable. In a piece done by the Sacramento Bee, Chancellor Katehi expressed reluctance to award degrees to students "without [them] ever placing a foot on campus."

Fred Wood, vice chancellor of student affairs, questions the quality of a fully online degree and does not believe that it equates with a degree received by taking on-campus courses. He does, however, support a hybrid program, in which students would take a few online courses in addition to courses taken in the formal classroom setting.

"If you believe the degree reflects the benefits from experiences inside and outside of campus, you call into question whether it is the same degree or not," Wood said.

Wood discusses the importance of interactions between students and faculty and what he sees as the invaluable experience of being in the environment of the campus. These avenues of human interaction and experience add enormously to the quality and excellence of the students' education, he contends. However, Wood believes these advantages are forfeited when a student is learning through purely electronic media.

He also adds that students are not the only ones who could potentially be at a loss if the online program is implemented. Wood, who is also a professor of chemistry, explains that as a faculty member, he benefits greatly from interacting with students.

"It's valuable [and] you lose so much," Wood said. "[When talking with students], we are articulating carefully, we're listening and we're concerned. How will you have this online?"

Despite the contentions on both sides of the debate, Katehi points to the main concern as maintaining the quality and excellence of the university and its students. It is now a question of whether the model for an online undergraduate degree can not only educate the students, but also guarantee the quality of the education it provides.

NOURA KHOURY can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

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College education not the only way

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 06:29 PM PDT

• Online degrees gaining acceptance

• Majority of '09 Washington County grads planned more education

Education experts agree that high school graduates who further their education have a brighter employment future than those who don't. But a traditional college is not the only option.

Trade schools and other institutions provide a range of training and experience that can help students advance in the careers of their choice, educators say.

For instance, in Washington County:

• Washington County Technical High School offers 19 programs to incoming high school juniors.

• Award Beauty School in Hagerstown offers cosmetology and nail-technician programs.

• Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.-Cumberland Valley Chapter, offers training in carpentry, electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and plumbing.

Despite the training received at Washington County Technical High School, students are encouraged to further their education, said Principal Jeffrey Stouffer.

In some cases, though, students are poised to obtain jobs, he said.

"We always encourage higher education, but it depends on what they (the students) get into," Stouffer said. "When they are ready to graduate, we do send out a survey, and 64 (percent) to 68 percent report that they plan to go on to higher education. That could be college or a trade school."

In some trades, students are prepared to get jobs right out of school, he said.

"For cosmetology, we give them their full licensing here," Stouffer said. "If you spend your time here in the cosmetology program, you get your hours and then you go on to take the state board test. If you pass, you are fully certified and it's a huge saving."

At Tech High, which Stouffer noted had a 100 percent graduation rate in 2009 and no dropouts for 2 1/2 years, education goes beyond training in a trade.

"We have a lot that we are offering," Stouffer said. "We have the students for two straight years. They come in and get their academics, they are able to play all the sports at their home school, and it really works."

"We are one of three high schools in the nation to have top modeling programs for biomedical science and pre-engineering. And we are expanding. We have new programs coming in," Stouffer said.

"We will probably have 480 to 500 students this year, which is higher than ever," he said.

Tech High offers AP (Advanced Placement) classes, which can result in college credits. Tech High also works with Hagerstown Community College to offer the Essence Program, in which students take courses for college credit. Honors classes also are available for those who qualify at the high school.

Other options

• Award Beauty School and Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.-Cumberland Valley Chapter offer services in Washington County for students who want to continue developing their skills, and those who want to learn trades, but did not have the opportunity to do so in high school.

"We offer cosmetology and nail-technician programs. It is a certificate diploma," said Mary Ellen Sommerfeld, school director for Award Beauty School.

Award Beauty School is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Science (NACCAS). The school instructs students and provides them with the knowledge to take the Maryland state boards in theory and practical exams, Sommerfeld said.

Anyone may attend Award Beauty School. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

• Associated Builders and Contractors-Cumberland Valley Chapter, accredited by the University of Florida, offers training in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC and electrical.

"We offer everything from entry level all the way up to journeyman, and to master's level training," said Bob Simmers, education director at ABC.

Daytime and evening classes are offered. Daytime classes are accelerated programs, in which students attend school for 20 hours a week for nine weeks, which accounts for one year of training.

Evening classes are offered two nights a week from September to April. The majority of students enrolled in the evening classes are already employed by contractors, but other students also are enrolled.

"About 50 percent of the education is in the classroom and 50 percent is hands-on training in a shop that is fully equipped, and they (students) are tested in both areas," Simmers said.

ABC offers payment plans and has a limited number of scholarships available, Simmers said.

The economy is looking up for employees of the trades, according to Simmers.

"The Department of Labor projects that over the next eight years, employment for people in the trades will increase by 14 percent, except for HVAC, which is projected to increase by 28 percent, and that's because of the demand for energy-efficiency and green energy," he said.

There are other advantages to completing a degree through ABC, he said.

"Our school is accredited, and if you complete the four levels and you get your apprenticeship hours in, you qualify for your journeyman's card. That means you don't have to take the journeyman's exam. Whereas, if you work as an apprentice and don't get schooling through ABC, you have to take the journeyman's exam," Simmers said.

After completing a degree at ABC, getting a job is easier, Simmers said.

"We're owned by about 200 members who are contractors. Your chances of getting employed are greatly increased because they know you are getting quality training," he said.

A closer look at local trade schools

Following is contact information for some local trade schools:

• Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.-Cumberland Valley Chapter

530 N. Locust St.

Hagerstown, MD 21740

Offers training in plumbing, carpentry, electrical and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)

More information can be obtained by calling 301-739-1190, by sending e-mail to abccvc@myactv.net; or by going to www.abccvc.com.

• Award Beauty School

26 E. Antietam St.

Hagerstown, MD 21740

Offers cosmetology and nail-technician programs

More information can be obtained by calling 301-733-4520 or by going to www.awardbeautyschool.com.

• Washington County Technical High School

50 W. Oak Ridge Drive

Hagerstown, MD 21740

Programs include auto technology, biomedical sciences, carpentry, collision repair, computer game development and animation, computer repair and networking, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, digital communications and photography, early childhood professions, environmental horticultural and landscape design, electrical construction, printing and graphics communication, health occupations, multimedia design, pre-engineering and architecture, plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

More information can be obtained by calling 301-766-8050 or by going to www.wcps.k12.md.us.

Editor's note: This story was edited Aug. 2 to correct the address for Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.-Cumberland Valley Chapter

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