• 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.

• 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.

This new center is expected to be opened in the Spring of 2011 thanks to state funds and grants that help to support quality online education. It will focus on developing already existing online programs at BGSU but also to help create and diversify future online programs to cater to a larger range of college students and adults who wish to return to school to earn or advance their college degree.

As of the time of this article, BGSU has the following offerings for online degrees and courses:

• Bachelor of Science – Advanced Technological Education (ATE)
• Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Degree Completion)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN/BSN Completion
• Master of Arts in Teaching Biology – Interdisciplinary Studies Specialization
• Master of Arts in English, Plan II (non-thesis)
• Master of Education in Classroom Technology
• Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching
• Master of Family and Consumer Sciences – Food and Nutrition Specialization
• Master of Education in Special Education – Assistive Technology Specialization
• Executive Master of Organization Development (Blended Program)
• Executive Master of Business Administration (Blended Program)
• Ph.D. in Technology Management

Graduate Certificates and Endorsements

• International Scientific & Technical Communication Certificate
• Food and Nutrition Certificate
• Quality Systems Certificate
• Ohio Reading Endorsement Program (Blended Program)

Bowling Green State University offers financial aid to those who qualify and an admissions representative is ready to answer any questions or guide prospective students through the admissions process. For more information regarding any of BGSU’s excellent distance learning programs, please click here.

With the number of career choices and majors offered to college students, it can be a very difficult decision to choose which path a student wishes to take. One of the advantages of enrolling in a vocational program is to allow the student to experience a career before fully investing him or herself in a college education that can cost tens of thousands of dollars – especially if they student decides that career path doesn’t suit them. To learn more about this new program, click here.

Students that are interested in a vocational high school program can choose from these fields:

Computers

• Computer Programming with Visual Basic
• Computer Network Security
• Computer Network Technician
• Graphic Design
• PC Service and Repair –A+
• Web site Design

Health Care

• Fitness and Exercise
• Health Records Specialist
• Massage Techniques
• Medical and Dental Office Assisting
• Medical Billing
• Nutrition Specialist
• Pharmacy Tech
• Physical Therapy Aide

Skilled Trades

• Auto Mechanics
• Carpentry
• Electrician
• Gunsmithing
• Heating and Air Conditioning
• Home Inspection
• Landscape Design
• Locksmith
• Motorcycle Repair
• Plumbing

Business

• Introduction to Financial Statements
• Introduction to Sales
• Online Business Management
• Accounting
• Computer Accounting
• Small Business Management

The great thing about many of these vocational programs is that many of them can lead to associates and bachelor’s degrees including many of the business, healthcare, and computer online programs.

Ashworth University provides extremely competitive tuition rates, and even offer tuition specials on occasion. They are currently offering a 35% discount on all tuition rates. Ashworth also has low down-payments, convenient payment plans, and financial aid is available to those who qualify. For information on Ashworth’s college-level programs, click here.

What is Ethnomusicology you ask? It is the study of music in the context of culture. For students who are looking to pursue a career pertaining to music in the ministry, understanding ethnomusicology can help convey the Lord’s Message through culturally sensitive music, especially when travelling to ministries and on missions in other countries. To request more information on this very new degree program, click here.

The ability for musicians and church leaders to be able to communicate through music to other cultures can help break the language barriers that may stand in their way. It opens the doors of communication instead of closing them, and the entire degree program is tought by University Musicologists who already have a defined understanding of musical and cultural diversity.

The Masters program itself is offered in a on-campus and online, or “blended” format. 30 credits can be completed online, however 12 credits are required to be taken on-campus during a summer session. The curriculum consists of a biblical foundation, anthropology, and finally worship studies. Each section of this program is to help build a stronger faith leader increasing their knowledge in their own church and community, and then adding the ethnomusicology on top to expand that knowledge to other countries.

There are a great number of advantages to this program, mainly being able to spread the Word of God to other countries, and open up the lines of communication with those who may not be able to understand you through spoken language. Music is an international language and while there are variances to each culture’s music, they all follow the basic musical scale. The Masters in Ethnomusicology degree  ties together the Christian mission, international communication, and the love of music into one exciting, engaging, and informative program.

This Master in Degree in Teaching & Learning is for future and current teachers or those who develop school curriculum who desire to find new ways to develop their teaching and instruction skills. According to Post University’s website, students of this program can focus on:

• Brain & Learning Theory
• Gaming & Edutainment
• Differentiated Instruction
• Informatics & Blogging
• Digitally-Mediated Instruction
• Program Assessment
• Problem-Based Learning
• Cross-Cultural Achievement

To learn more about this program or others offered by Post University Online, click here.

This Masters in Education program is accelerated and can be completed in as little as 12 months, however can also be earned within 22 months. Each course is 8-weeks long, and most students tend to take two 8-week courses at a time, but if a student can handle more, they are certainly encouraged to do so. Current tuition rates are approximately $500 per credit hour, with each course containing 3 credit hours. Financial Aid and payment arrangements are available through Post Universities admission and financial aid offices.

On top of this new Masters in Education program, Post University also has other available degree programs including associates and bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business administration, child studies, criminal justice, sports management, legal studies, and human services.

Students can also enroll in several certificate programs including:

• CPA Examination Preparation Accounting Certificate
• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Education Administration
• Finance
• Forensic Accounting
• H.R. Management
• Legal Nurse Consulting
• Paralegal (Legal Studies)

Post University is:

1. Licensed and accredited by the State of Connecticut through the Department of Higher Education (DHE):
2. Accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Bryant & Stratton College, however, has introduced an Associates degree of Administrative Assistant online program starting in the Fall 2010 semester. To learn more about this program, click here.

This online degree program educates its students on the modern-day office. They will gain knowledge regarding word processing, office systems, office equipment, accounting, and  basic administrative skills. Upon graduation, degree holders will be able to function in the smallest and largest of offices, and will be able to quickly settle into their new career having been fully trained before even beginning their on-the-job training.

The 60-credit course can be completed in 4 semesters and includes courses in accounting, document transcription, office systems, computer science, oral presentations, business writing, critical thinking, human relations management and much more. The overall curriculum includes everything necessary to start a career as an administrative assistant.

Besides this particular degree, Bryant & Stratton College also offers several other online programs including certificates, associates and bachelor degree programs in accounting, business, criminal justice, human resources, paralegal studies and more. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify, and the school’s admission counselors are ready to help guide students through the entire process from application through financial aid all the way to orientation.

For over 150 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing students with a quality higher-education, and now with their expanded online program, more and more students can achieve their career goals through the comforts of their own home at their own time.