Education Reviews

The number of students enrolled in free home study courses has increased dramatically in the past ten years. Many of these students are enrolled in programs offered through traditional post secondary colleges and universities. Universities have responded to students’ needs by increasing the course offerings in distance learning programs.

Online universities are new providers of higher education. These institutions are generally a consortium of several degree granting institutions. Some of these programs are affiliated with traditional universities, while others are not affiliated with any other university. By working together, these institutions are able to offer a wider range of free home study courses.

The online consortium may or may not be a degree granting institution. In some programs, your degree will be granted from the online consortium, such as the University of Phoenix. Others are not degree granting institutions, and your degree will be granted from one of the participating universities, depending on your course of study.

In recent years, the number of online free home study courses with no affiliation with other institutions has grown. Most of these programs offer certificate programs, rather than college degrees. Many of these courses are seminar style and much shorter in duration than typical college courses. Independent study is common in these programs. The credits you acquire may not be transferable to another institution.

When considering your options in free home study courses, determine your overall goals. If you are taking a few courses for work and don’t plan to continue on for a degree, you may not care if your institution is accredited. However, if your long term goals include a post graduate degree, you may transfer to a traditional university at some point. If this is a possibility, accreditation may be important. Some institutions won’t accept credits from a school that isn’t accredited.

There is no denying the fact that among the basic and fundamental human rights of free markets, democracy, and freedom of press, the right to education stands on the top of them all. It is the primary right of every human being on the face of this planet, and the availability of this right differentiates developed nations from undeveloped nations.

It is an obvious fact that the nations who are ahead in education lead the world. At this point of time, it is the West that is ahead in the education domain thus leading the world, where as the Muslim world is lagging behind due to this very reason. The lines below discuss the difference between the Western and Muslim concept of the purpose of education.

The Western purpose of education is primarily weighed in terms of the workforce that is made available to keep the machines running and the economy booming. For West, the ultimate purpose of education is to get higher degrees and consequently to attain better jobs and thus keep the cycle of the economy running. Thus, for West education is all about economy to ensure that the nations remain economically strong and their hold on the world stays strong.

On the other hand, if the Muslim world be analyzed, there is poverty, corruption, injustice, and oppression. All these ills are there because of primarily the Muslim world being educated, however, if the situation be analyzed at a deeper level, the Muslims who do corruption, are unjust, and cause poverty among their respective nations are educated people in general, whether they are politicians, businessmen or bureaucrats. Thus in this case one ponders over the reason why education has not been able to bring any change in such people.

The dilemma of Muslim countries is that they have incorporated Western values in their system, oblivious of the fact that Islam presents the best set of values and principles. This is the reason why Muslim countries are unable to succeed both economically as well as socially. In Islam there are two main purposes of education.

The first purpose of education in Islam is to enlighten people and teach morality to them. Every form of education whether it is online Quran learning,the learning of hadith, or any worldly book must show a set or morality and ethical values. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated in one of His hadiths:

-No father has given a greater gift to his children than good moral training.- (Tirmidhi)

This hadith of Prophet (PBUH) shows that Tarbiyah or moral training is an integral part of education. If the children are provided moral training along with worldly education, then when they become politicians they will know they will know how to behave and take care of public, when they become jurists they will know how to be just and never give up to anything false. Above all, morally trained children will grow to become a productive members of the society, where they will work for the wellbeing of the society while ensuring that the members of the society all receive their right and are in best of condition.

The second purpose of education in Islam is the same as of the world today, which is to provide earning to the people, however, in gaining economic benefits from education Islam enforces the concept of earning Halal. Thus, when educating the children the parents must ensure that the children are also educated about the concept of halal and haram. Once the children have the concept of halal, they will know that they have to use their education only in the right ways to earn living. Thus, when one uses the education to earn living in the right way, there will be no corruption or exploitation and the nation will boom.

In short, the concept of the purpose of education in Islam is a bit different compared to the idea of education in West. Therefore, it is imperative for Muslim countries to ensure that they incorporate Islamic values in their education system to ensure better Muslims and better members of the society.

The business definition of earning potential, according to bnet.com, is the amount of money an individual will be able to earn in his professional capacity.

One of the biggest expectations that everyone has always had from education is to increase earning potential. However, this has taken a whole new meaning post recession. It wont be an exaggeration to say that for many, the only reason to invest time and money on college education is to increase their capacity to earn.

What lends credibility to the phrase “the more you learn, the more you earn” is the data for median annual earnings by educational attainment released by the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the bureau, the annual income of high school graduates or equivalent is $27,448. The earnings start rising as the level of education increases, with those who have some college or an Associates degree making $33,838 per year and those with a Bachelors degree earning $47,853. The income of graduate or Masters degree holders is the highest at $63,174.* If there was ever a doubt in your mind about the significance of college education in increasing your earning potential, then surely these numbers should clear it.

Yes, college is probably going to eat up a considerable chunk of your parents savings or you might have to fund it by taking a student loan, but its an investment that is likely to bear rich dividends through your life. And there are several options available to suit everyones goals.

If academics are not your forte, it doesnt mean you have to rule out college altogether. You can still increase your earning potential by pursuing a two-year Associates degree in fields like healthcare or computers where there is a huge demand for trained workers. For example, an Associates degree in respiratory therapy will qualify you for entry-level positions as a respiratory therapist, whose average annual income is $52,200.** Now thats a fair deal in return for two years of education, wouldnt you say?

A Bachelors degree can boost these earnings further, especially if you are smart about the major you pick. There are some rewarding careers like accounting, computer science, and healthcare administration for which a Bachelors degree is the minimum qualification. A Bachelors degree will not just increase your earning potential, but also provide you a wider base of quality jobs from which to choose.

Needless to say, with professional and graduate degree programs like MBA, law, or medicine, the sky is the limit as far as earning potential is concerned. However, you should go down that road only if you have the inclination and the resources for extensive schooling that these professions require.

Taking a cue from students who are in a rush to join the workforce, many universities and colleges have also introduced accelerated degree programs that allow students to complete their post-secondary education in a shorter span of time than that afforded through traditional colleges and universities. Such degrees are a brilliant idea because the sooner you finish school, the sooner you can start making a living.

Whichever field you choose to enter, college degree programs can help you reach the next level not just in terms of a paycheck, but also the quality of your life!

*U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey **Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Respiratory Therapists

In Kentucky, the Board of Certification of Alcohol and Drug Counselors oversees the licensing of chemical dependency and addiction treatment counselors. Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Certification in Kentucky is regulated for the protection of public health. Addiction treatment is a sensitive issue and the professional management of every case is taken seriously. Patients seeking relief from any addiction deserve to be treated with dignity and respect conducive to healing and recovery in an environment that utilizes the latest in psychological research and addiction treatment therapies that are based on medically sound principles. Likewise, addiction treatment professionals deserve the support of a government agency that strives for healthy communities, advocates for legislation that improves its outcomes and responds to changes in the addiction culture by sharing information and resources to help more patients succeed.

Careers in alcohol and drug counseling aren’t for the faint of heart; addiction can be an ugly business. Many candidates for CADC certification have personal experiences with dependency. Some have been inspired by their own recovery and wish to share their experiences and strength. Others have a close friend or family member whose life has been touched by addiction and are inspired by witnessing their recovery. Still others seek to prevent the tragedies that are all too often preventable, like deaths and permanent damage due to the effects of drug or alcohol addiction.

It’s encouraged that individuals wishing to pursue a chemical dependency certification complete a chemical dependency certification education program. In addition, each applicant must have 6,000 hours of documented, board-approved experience working with substance abuse patients. Some applicants may replace a percentage of those hours with professional education. For example, an applicant with a Master’s Degree in chemical dependency can substitute that training for 3,000 hours of work experience.

Additionally, applicants must have a minimum of 300 hours of direct supervision from a CADC certified counselor with at least two years of experience, broken down into specific tasks relating to different aspects of dependency treatment. Each supervisor is required to evaluate the applicant’s professional and ethical conduct, personal attributes and areas of competency. The applicant’s educational background must consist of specific training areas and each applicant must complete a sample case presentation. Finally, each applicant must pay the application fee, submit two letters of recommendation from certified drug and alcohol counselors and pass a written examination.

The requirements may seem overwhelming, but they’re designed to meet the guidelines of the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which ensures that chemical dependency counselors are held to the highest standards. The best way to meet the requirements is to enroll in a reputable CADC certification program.

None are more cherished and revered throughout history than people who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Considered to be one of the most respected professions, nursing has evolved into a multibillion dollar industry in recent years. Although still staying true to its original values of the past, it has adapted itself to the changing world in a remarkable fashion.

Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing laid a foundation that was devoted to helping people in pain and distress. Technological advancements have helped the nursing profession establish itself as a lucrative career choice. The popularity of this profession can be gauged by the interest students from all over the United States have shown in RN to BSN associate programs.

The main difference between earning an ADN or a BSN will be the length of time and the amount of credits required to complete the course of study. Typically, students enrolled in an ADN course of study spent two years in order to complete the program and be qualified to take the licensing examination for becoming a registered nurse. The BSN program takes four years to complete and may require additional prerequisites in order to gain entrance. Also, many career schools offer highly accelerated programs that lead to obtaining a BSN and 18 to 21 months here toward students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree in another subject.

Core Curriculum Studied

Despite the nursing program followed, students typically study a core set of subject matter that includes adult health, psychiatry, maternal and newborn nursing including pediatrics, gerontology: nursing to name but a few. BSN programs always offer more courses in nursing that would include theory, research, instrumentation as well as specialized training in such areas as surgery and rehabilitation.

Starting Salaries Are Similar Graduates obtaining an ADN or BSN are generally speaking offered similar salaries to start their medical careers. However, since many against positions in the nursing field require a BSN, pinging is degree does prepare the individual for the potential to earn a greater amount of money. A survey conducted in 2006 in the state of California revealed that RN’s with an ADN earned approximately $70,804 while RNs with the BSN on a little bit more at $75,017. There are several advantages for an individual to obtain an ADN that include:

Less expensive education costs Less time-consuming Possibly pursue a course of study while fully employed Programs are typically available at local community colleges making access easy

The survey also revealed that as of 2006 in the state of California 46.6 percent of RNs have attained their schooling through an ADN program, while 37.7 percent had attended a BSN program. Other RN licenses were completed to a hospital sponsored diploma program. This type of program is administered through a local hospital and in many situations is offered with either reduced or no tuition in exchange for a commitment of a specified duration of time employed at that particular medical institution.However, individuals completing a hospital diploma program are at an eligible to sit for the national licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN, but did not receive a degree.

As stated earlier, the acronym ADN stands for Associate Degree in Nursing. This can be an interested individual’s ticket to the fast track for working as a nurse as quickly as possible. An ADN course of study takes only two years to complete, covering all the basic skills needed to work as an independent registered nurse.

This course of study prepares all students to apply for and pass the national certification exam known as the NCLEX-RN. Students successfully passing the exam are now registered to work as a nurse in the state where the exam was taken. Yet, taking and passing the national exam may also qualify individuals to work in certain other states that offer reciprocity when it comes to recognizing the validity of individual’s RN license.

Once licensed individuals will find employment in a variety of different settings from a physician’s office to a research facility where education and licensure allow the individual to conduct daily chores such as collecting samples, participating in patient treatment, dispensing medication, offering education and explanation for comforting concerned patients and loved ones, conducting basic lab tests as well as supervising licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants in their daily chores.

Individuals seeking a quick and easy path toward obtaining the position of an RN will find the path first obtaining an ADN to be an excellent choice. More often than not, individuals obtaining one or more years of experience as a registered nurse decide to continue on with education to obtain a BSN degree. Sending such a degree offers other exciting opportunities for a registered nurse that lead to specialized practice as well as entering management positions.

Always Make Sure to Check out Degree Requirements

Many colleges have different entrance requirements when it comes to selecting students for an ADN course of study. Many of these basic requirements include that students have maintained a C grade or better throughout their high school years. Furthermore, it is important for potential students for an ADN degree to realize the importance placed upon taking science classes in high school such as biology, chemistry and others. Often, high schools offer a pre-nursing course of study that emphasizes the necessary knowledge needed in order to be a successful candidate for an ADN degree. In many cases individuals will need to score better than 940 on their SATs in order to gain entrance.

Since there is such a great demand for qualified registered nurses in today’s medical field, other opportunities for obtaining an ADN degree such as studying at your pace with an online course make it easier than ever before for individuals to grab it that during. Regardless whether studying at your local community college or online, the secret to success is to apply yourself passionately learning everything that you can. Skills taught and learned form the foundation for successful, personally rewarding and financially opportunistic careers as a registered nurse.