Article Orange » Adult Education

Earning an Online Teaching Degree

College Search — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:34:33 +0000

Education and Training

All 50 states require those interested in becoming a public school teacher to obtain licensure. To become a private school teacher, however, many schools do not require licensure. The licensure obtained focuses on one of four areas: secondary education (which generally includes seventh through twelfth grade), middle grades (which includes fifth through eighth grade), elementary education (which includes first through sixth grade, and sometimes goes through eighth grade), and early childhood (which usually includes preschool through third grade). A teacher can also choose to specialize in a subject such as reading or music. In this case, the licensure may include grades kindergarten through twelfth.

Each state has its own specific requirements for becoming a teacher. All of the states, however, require obtaining a bachelor’s degree in order to become a teacher. It is possible to earn a teaching degree online, which is particularly convenient for those who already have a job but who are interested in entering the field of teaching. By pursuing a teaching degree online, it is possible to work around a busy work schedule while going to school to become a teacher.

Job Description

A teacher is responsible for acting as a facilitator or a coach to his or her students. The role of the teacher is to help the students learn and to apply concepts, such as science, mathematics, and English. This is accomplished through creating and facilitating hands-on activities and interactive discussions. To assist in this process, a teacher may use props or manipulatives in order to help students better understand abstract concepts, to learn problem solving skills, and to develop critical thinking skills. The main role of the teachers it prepare his or her students for the workforce by providing them with opportunities to interact with others, to adapt to new technology, and to think problems through in a logical manner.

The role of the preschool, kindergarten, and elementary teacher is to introduce younger children to concepts such as mathematics, language, social studies, and science. As the students get older, secondary and middle level teachers help students learn more in-depth information on these subjects.

Salary and Job Outlook

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities for teachers through to the year 2014 will range from just good to excellent. This discrepancy is brought on by differences in demand according to the locality, grade level, and the subject taught. Most of the job opening that will occur will be from the large number of teachers expected to retire during this timeframe. The fastest growing states in regard to population and, therefore, teaching openings include Alaska, Idaho, Hawaii, California, Utah, and New Mexico. Teachers willing to move to a new area or who have licensure in multiple areas will have the greatest opportunities for employment.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistic, the median annual salary for secondary, middle, elementary, and kindergarten teachers ranged from $41,400 to $45920 in May 2004. The lowest 10% earned $26,730 to $31,180, while the highest paid 10% received $66,240 to $71,370. For preschool teachers, the median annual salary was $20,980. In the 2003-2004 school year, beginning teachers with bachelor’s degree earned an average of $31,704.

Online Medical Assistant Degree

College Search — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:34:22 +0000

Obtaining a medical assisting degree online can open the doors to a great new career in a growing field. While a more traditional route for obtaining a medical assisting degree is to do so through a community college, a junior college, or a vocational school, it is also possible to get a medical assisting degree online. This degree is just as readily accepted by employers as one obtained through a more traditional means.

Pursuing a medical assisting degree online is the ideal arrangement for those who are already working in another field but wish to change careers. When working toward a medical assisting degree online, coursework can be completed at a time that is convenient for the student. Often, the courses involve material to be read or downloaded from the Internet, as well as chat boards to allow students to still interact with one another.

It generally takes about a year to obtain a medical assisting degree online or by other means. This is usually in the form of a certificate or a diploma. To receive an associate degree, it usually takes about two years. The type of coursework included is anatomy, medical terminology, physiology, typing, transcription, accounting, insurance processing, and record keeping. It also includes administration of medication, diagnostic procedures, laboratory techniques, and pharmaceutical principles.

The job description of a medical assistant can vary from one office to another. It also varies according to the type of medical practice, which can range from a podiatrist’s office, to a general physician’s office, to a chiropractor’s office. A medical assistant should not, however, be confused with a physician’s assistant, who helps exam, diagnose, and even treat patients while working under the physician’s supervison.

Often, the medical assistant performs both administrative and clinical tasks. This is particularly true in smaller practices. In this case, the medical assistant often reports directly to the office manager or even to the physician. With larger practices, the medical assistant may specialize in one area or the other. The medical assistant then reports to the department administrator.

On the administrative end, a medical assistant is responsible for answering phones, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, updating medical files, completing insurance forms, handling billing and other correspondence, and making arrangements for patients at hospitals or for laboratory services. The clinical duties completed by a medical assistant are regulated by the state. They may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, and explaining procedures to patients.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical assisting will be one the fastest growing occupations over the next several years, meaning employment opportunities will grow much faster than the average occupation through to 2014. The reason for the increased need for medical assistants is the continually growing population and the aging population, which will require additional medical care. In addition, the number of group practices continues to increase, which means there is a continued need for support personnel. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that medical assistants capable of performing both administrative and clinical duties will be of the highest demand.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for medical assistants was $24,610 in May 2004. Those working in professional schools, universities, and colleges earned the most, with a median annual income of $27,490. Those employed in the offices of health practitioners earned the least, with a median annual income of $21,930.

Online Psychology degree education, salary and job outlook

College Search — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:25:06 +0000

Those wishing to become a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist must obtain a psychology degree at the doctoral level. Those with a doctoral psychology degree may also teach, conduct research, or work as a counselor within a variety of settings. Most individuals with a doctor psychology degree choose to open a private practice or work within a clinical setting. In order to obtain a psychology degree, it requires five to seven years of work at the graduate level.

A person with a psychology degree at the master’s level can find employment as a psychologist’s assistant. As such, the person conducts psychological evaluations and conducts research. Obtaining a master’s degree requires two years of full time graduate level work. In some states, it is also possible to become a school psychologist with a master’s degree, though other states require obtaining a specialist degree.

Fortunately, it is simple to pursue a psychology degree online. Obtaining a psychology degree online can help speed up the process of earning the degree, as a person can work at his or her own accelerated pace. It also makes it possible to work around personal or professional schedules while working toward obtaining a psychology degree online.

Job Description

The basic role of a psychologist is to study human behavior as well as the human mind. A research psychologist investigates the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social components of human behavior. A psychologist may also work in applied settings, such as industry, business, government, and nonprofit organizations. In this case, the psychologist may be responsible for providing training, conducting research, advocating for psychology, and designing systems. A psychologist may also work within the health service field, providing mental care to patients or clients in private settings, hospitals, clinics, and schools.

A psychologist must be able to develop hypotheses and collect data in order to properly perform his or her job. A variety of research methods may be utilized in order to perform this function. A psychologist may gather information by conducting a controlled laboratory experiment, or he or she might administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. Or, he or she may collect data by conducting surveys, through clinical studies, through interviews, through questionnaires, or through observation.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities for psychologists will grow faster than the average occupation through to 2014. The main reason for this growth is the increased need for psychologists in social service agencies, mental health centers, substance abuse clinics, in schools, with consulting firms, with private companies, and with hospitals. The greatest opportunities will be for school psychologists, particularly those with higher level degrees, because there is an ever-increasing awareness regarding behavioral issues and the mental health of students.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $54,950 in May 2004. Those who were employed in the offices of other health practitioners earned the most with a median annual salary of $64,460. Those who worked with individual and family services earned the least, with a median annual income of $42,640. Psychologists employed in an industrial-organizational capacity earned a median annual income of $71,400.