1. Accreditation  - The top architecture colleges will have either national or regional accreditation from a legitimate accrediting institution. Accreditation from a legitimate institution ensures that the education that you receive is well-rounded and thorough, and also provided by a school that is stable and growing with the educational trends. Without proper accreditation, the time and money you spend on a criminal justice degree will most likely be worth less which can make the job hunt very difficult.

2. Degree program – Whether you want an associates, bachelors, masters, or doctorate, top architecture colleges should have any if not all degree levels. Always make sure that you’ve determined the degree level you want to earn and that the school offers it before you begin applying. Those college applications fees can add up, and there’s no point in paying them if the school doesn’t even have the degree you want.

3. Accessibility – Many of today’s top architecture colleges offer both online and on-campus degree programs. You will want to make sure that your school of choice has the program you desire. If you can afford to attend class on campus at nights or on weekends, then consider that a great option. If you find it hard to maintain a schedule where you have to be in class at a set time, then consider an online program that allows you to access your classwork, submit assignments, and take exams all from the comforts of home.

By examining these three criteria when doing a college search, you should be able to get a clear picture of which Architecture colleges are right for you.

If you aren’t ready to settle on a major but want to start earning a degree, consider enrolling in an online general studies degree program.

There are some fantastic things to think about when considering an online general studies degree program. Let’s take it piece by piece:

Online – You can take your courses when it’s convenient for you from the comforts of your own home as long as you have a computer and working Internet connection. Let school fit into your schedule instead of the other way around.

General Studies – You will study a bit of everything including Liberal Arts, Science, Business, Mathematics, etc.. It will be very similar to your high school experience where you studied a variety of topics.

Many schools offer a General Studies degree online and on-campus. It is a great degree to consider if you don’t know what to study but want to earn a degree. It leaves several doors open in terms of careers, and continues to provide you with the well-rounded education you received when you were younger.

While my job at the time was entry-level, in order for me to advance, I knew that retail management college education was required as there is more to retail than just stocking shelves and knowing how to use a cash register. When enrolled in a retail management college degree program, students learn about budgeting, buying merchandise, and sales and marketing. Having a store with beautiful displays with products that are profitable and easily sold leads to the success of a great retail store. Not being able to grasp these concepts can lead to low sales and the possibility of selling merchandise at clearance prices just to bring in any possible income.

By enrolling in retail management college and earning a degree, graduates of the program will be able to seek managerial positions that usually pay more money. A retail sales person can expect to make around $20,000/year, whereas a retail management can make over $30,000/year. Operations Managers and Purchasing Managers can expect to make significantly more based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you are considering an exciting career in retail, consider enrolling in an on-campus or online retail management college. It could lead to better positions within a store and possibly better money too!

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT
• Roots can be traced all the way back to the 1640s, and established in 1701
• Current enrollment: over 5,000 undergrad and over 6,000 graduate students
• Library currently holds over 12.5 million volumes
• Currently ranked #3 in US News and World Report’s ranking of National Universities

Yale University is know as one of the most prestigious universities in the country. This top-notch Ivy League University has been educating students for over 300 years (which sounds unbelievable when you think about it). Yale University is made up of three components: Yale College (the undergraduate program), the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the professional schools. Currently, Yale has a student population of over 11,000 in all three schools combined.

If you’re interested in learning more about Yale University visit their website by clicking on the following link: Yale University.

The Yale College offers over 70 Bachelor’s degrees in a variety of majors including History, Music, Classical Studies, Art, Italian, Sociology, German, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Anthropology and Physics. The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences awards students with a Masters of Philosophy, Masters of Arts, or Masters of Science in over 50 majors including Medieval Studies, Management, Religious Studies, Psychology, Film Studies,  Chemistry and Astronomy. The professional schools at Yale consist of:

• School of Architecture
• School of Art
• Divinity School
• School of Drama
• School of Engineering & Applied Science
• School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
• Law School
• School of Management
• School of Medicine
• School of Music
• School of Nursing
• School of Public Health
• Institute of Sacred Music

The variety of degrees at Yale University is certainly extensive, but they are also well known for Yale-New Haven Hospital. This hospital is primarily a teaching hospital, and has a reputation of being one of the top hospitals in the state of Connecticut. (Being a former infant patient of this hospital, it’s held near and dear to my heart!)

If you’re interested in hearing more about why Yale University has been recognized for academic excellence for many many years, I encourage you to visit their website: Yale University.

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (aka MIT) admitted their first students for study in 1865
• MIT is located in Cambridge, MA
• Very competitive Admissions process – in 2009 10.7% of all applicants were accepted into MIT
• Currently there are 7 Nobel Prize Winners who are actively involved with MIT

When I was little, my Dad had me convinced that I was going to grow up with a degree from MIT, I would make a million dollars and buy him a Ferrari Testarossa (which I called a Ferrari Toaster Oven). So for the first 8-10 years of my life, that was my main goal. I didn’t know anything about MIT, how prestigious it truly was, or what type of career I would get from a degree at MIT.

Sadly, my course of study took me quite far away from anything affiliated with MIT, as I chose to go the route of Elementary Education. If I still had the drive to do some sort of engineering or more technological savvy career, however, MIT would be one of my top choices. For more information on MIT and the degree programs they offer, visit their website: MIT.

As noted above, the admissions office only accepts about 10.7% of all of the applicants they receive. They are very selective in the process. Currently, their degree offerings include:

• Bachelor of Science (SB)
• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master in City Planning (MCP)
• Master of Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Finance (MFin)
• Master of Science (SM)
• Engineer (each degree designates the field in which it is awarded)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Science (ScD)

Undergraduate students also have the opportunity to test drive a few experimental methods of learning, including MIT’s Experimental Study Group (in which 50 freshman maintain a “close-knit” community through the learning process), the Concourse Program (which presents a variety of subjects in a more intimate setting), Media Arts and Sciences Freshman Program (which offers 25 students the ability to participate in research for communication), Seminar XL (a study program for students who want to explore courses deeper than the traditional college course. This program is facilitated by an instructor who holds two 90-minute groups each week).

There are a number of ways that students can learn at MIT. With such a selective admissions process, it enables MIT to try alternate methods of education. For more information on MIT and the degree programs they offer, visit their website: MIT.

• The University of Notre Dame is ranked #17 Best College in the United States by US News & World Report
• Founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
• Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, 90 miles from Chicago
• Very competitive admissions process
• Catholic University

 When most people think about Notre Dame, they think of one of the following:

• Excellent Academic Reputation
• A killer football team
• The Hunchback

Two out of the above three are correct. Hopefully you’ve guessed which two are actually affiliated with the school. The “Fightin’ Irish” definitely have great academics and athletics, which has helped build them a very strong reputation and each year, incoming freshman applicants have to face a very competitive admissions process (1 out of every 5 applications is accepted).

For more information about Notre Dame, visit their website: University of Notre Dame.

Academics

Students can enroll in one of the several schools within the University of Notre Dame. They include the School of Architecture, College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Science, The Law School, and The Graduate School. Notre Dame offers a wide variety of majors in engineering, business, liberal arts, law and science. Most of their programs are strictly “on-campus”, however there are a few online courses as well.

Athletics

The University of Notre Dame offers men’s and women’s athletics, in basketball, soccer, golf, lacrosse, swimming & diving, tennis, fencing, softball (women’s), baseball (men’s), football (men’s), track & field, and rowing (women’s). In a few words – something for everyone! Notre Dame is one of the “dream schools” for many student athletes because of their great winning history, as well as their passion for athletics in general. Very few schools have the popularity on a national scale that “The Fightin’ Irish” have, as evidenced by the school’s mascot on t-shirts, hats, and other paraphernalia in stores coast-to-coast.

Faith

On top of the great degree programs and sports, University of Notre Dame is a faith-based institution with campus ministry programs, an on-campus church, and a number of service-oriented programs for students.

For more information about Notre Dame, visit their website: University of Notre Dame.

• Dartmouth College was established in 1769
• Offers graduate programs at the Tuck School of Business (also online)
• Four year, private liberal arts college
• Located in Hanover, New Hampshire
• Ranks #11 in US News & World Report’s rankings of National Universities

About Dartmouth College

The Mission of Dartmouth College is as follows “Dartmouth College educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership, through a faculty dedicated to teaching and the creation of knowledge. It was founded in 1769 by the Reverend Eleazar Wheelock, a Congregational Minister from Connecticut. Currently, Dartmouth serves over 4,000 undergraduate students and over 1,700 graduate students. To this day, religion plays a role in the student life at Dartmouth College, with over 27 different religious organizations present offering seminars and group events throughout the academic year.

If you are interested in learning more about Dartmouth College and their academic programs, visit their website: Dartmouth College.

Dartmouth Academics

Dartmouth College is divided into several different graduate and undergraduate schools.

• Undergraduate Arts & Sciences – with 29 undergraduate academic departments and 10 academic programs divided into four categories: the humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs.
• Dartmouth Medical School – Founded in 1797, and is the nation’s fourth-oldest medical school.
• Thayer School of Engineering – Incorporates the  undergraduate Department of Engineering Sciences and a professional school with degrees through the doctorate. Founded in 1867.
• Tuck School of Business – Established in 1900 as the first graduate school of management, awards the master of business administration degree.
• Graduate Arts & Sciences – In Dartmouth’s Graduate Arts and Sciences Programs, students and faculty work together to master their disciplines and pursue research at the frontier of knowledge.

Dartmouth Tuition

Currently, Dartmouth lists their tuition by each school. Dartmouth is known for its academic excellence while providing students with a well-rounded and enriching college experience. The cost of tuition is comparable to other schools of its caliber.

Note: Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

• Undergraduate: tuition $39,978; room, board, and mandatory fees $12,297; total $52,275
• Graduate Arts and Sciences: $39,978
• Dartmouth Medical School: $45,075
• Thayer School of Engineering: $39,978
• Tuck School of Business: $50,700

If you are interested in learning more about Dartmouth College and their academic programs, visit their website: Dartmouth College.

After a bit of browsing on the web, I found that I was gravely mistaken. The Art Institute Online has made a few of these creative and interactive majors available online. To request information from AI online, click here: online distance education.

The Art Institute has 40 national locations and is now offering 16 of their degrees through online distance education. Their current offerings consist of:

Associate

• Associate of Science – Graphic Design
• Associate of Science – Kitchen & Bath Design
• Associate of Science – Web Design and Interactive Media

Bachelor

• Bachelor of Science – Fashion & Retail Management
• Bachelor of Science – Game Art & Design
• Bachelor of Science – Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Science – Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Bachelor of Science – Interior Design
• Bachelor of Science – Media Arts & Animation
• Bachelor of Science – Photography
• Bachelor of Science – Web Design and Interactive Media

Continuing Education

• Diploma – Digital Design
• Diploma – Residential Planning

The Art Institute aims to offer convenient and flexible courses that students can access anytime, anywhere via online distance education. The courses are accelerated, offering classes that are only 5 1/2 weeks long. This allows students to earn their degrees at a faster rate so they can jump into their new career sooner rather than later.

Tuition for The Art Institute’s online distance education programs is currently $448 per credit hour, with a $100 lab fee per course. They welcome transfer credits, and financial aid is available for those who qualify. The Financial Aid office at The Art Institute is more than happy to guide you through the admissions process and applying for financial aid.

For more information regarding how AI Online can help you enroll in online distance education, visit this link: online distance education.

• Villanova University is located in Radnor Township - right outside of  Philadelphia, PA
• The Augustinians have sponsored Villanova since 1842
• Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the AACSB International, and the Computing Science Accreditation Board
• Villanova University has been designated an arboretum with two, one mile self-guided walking tours on main campus

Villanova University is one of the top Higher Education institutions in the nation with more than a 150 year history. Villanova, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded by the Order of St. Augustine in 1842, and is the largest Catholic learning institution in the state of Pennsylvania.

Upon visiting Villanova, students will find a mix of old stone-front buildings, such as Alumni Hall (built in 1849) and Tolentine Hall (built in 1929) mixed with more modern architecture of the College of Engineering (built in 1997). The fact that Villanova has also been given the title of being an Arboretum, students enjoy beautiful scenery as they walk along campus paths between classes, to and from the dining halls, and upon leaving their dorm rooms to begin their day’s classes. If you are interested in learning more about Villanova, visit their website: Villanova University.

Villanova also offers more than 50 bachelor’s degrees and 35 graduate degrees from five colleges. Degree programs are offered in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing and Law.

Villanova enrolls more than 10,000 students each year and is regionally accredited. Villanova’s top notch athletics include more than 20 NCAA Division I teams. A majority of Villanova’s faculty are experts in their field and hold the highest degree.

As for student life on & off-campus, there are a variety of faith-based organizations and service groups as well as Greek Life, theater groups, academic based clubs, and athletics. Villanova is also situated on “The Main Line”, which is home to several other neighboring colleges, and there are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities all within a short walk or drive. Villanova is also about 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia, and there are several bus routes and a train station on campus that whisk students away to the City of Brotherly Love.

Villanova has a great deal to offer students academically, atheltically, and socially. If you are interested in learning more about Villanova, visit their website: Villanova University.

Now imagine that you are a regular average “Joe” with a product or idea that you want to set up online. Perhaps you’re a freelance decorator or wish to start a courier service. What better way to market yourself than online? It’s typically less expensive than advertising in the local paper and you can spread the word out to more people in a larger venue.

So how can one be fully prepared for a career utilizing the power of the Internet? LA College International can help you with an Associate’s degree in E-Commerce. An E-commerce degree can help you learn the ins and outs of online business all from the comfort of your home computer. Interested? Contact LA College International now to ask about their E-commerce degree programs by clicking here: E-commerce degree.

The current E-commerce degree program consists of courses such as:

• Search Engine Advertising
• E-commerce & EBay
• Principles of Web Page Design
• Business Law
• Introduction to Computers
• Data Base Management
• Business Communication

This small sample of the classes incorporated in the E-commerce degree program covers the basics needed for setting up a successful stand-alone online business or a foundation for creating a larger client-base for a store or service.

LA College International also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in E-Commerce. This course is a little  more in-depth than the Associates degree, with more emphasis on management and business in general, with a selection of e-commerce related courses.

Both of these programs are offered 100% online, and financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Take the first step in promoting your business, products or services online the right way. To speak with an admissions representative about either the Bachelor’s degree or Associates degree in E-commerce programs, visit this link: E-commerce degree.