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A Quest for Higher Grounds
by
Philip Nicosia
With the
advancement of technology, more and more people are enjoying
convenience in fulfilling their various goals in life including
that of obtaining education. A growing number of schools are now
offering online degree programs in response to the need of busy
working professionals and entrepreneurs who lack the time to
pursue a college degree. The convenience and flexibility these
online schools offer are what normally attracts people to get an
education via the Internet.
Online learning is gaining ground in the different parts of the
world but is more popular than ever in the United States. A 2005
report entitled “Growing by Degrees: Online Education in the
U.S.” confirmed a very bright future for online education with
an enrollment growth rate over ten times the prediction of the
National Center for Education Statistics. It revealed that
online enrollment in the U.S. rose from 1.98 million in 2003 to
2.35 million in 2004.
www.delegancefashions.net
We asked Troy University to
provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding online
learning for working professionals, and, here's what they had to
say:
M: How long has Troy University
been offering online courses?
TROY’s Florida Region
pioneered online offerings for the entire University in the late
1990s. For more than ten years, TROY’s quality online, on-site,
and blended-delivery programs have been serving the needs of
the working adult in Orlando and throughout Florida.
Troy University is
very involved with local and global community events.
Troy
University at the annual
A Woman's Worth 360 Degrees Conference &
Expo
M: How does Troy University
accommodate working professionals?
Troy University offers evening and/or
weekend classes, as well as online courses via TROY eCampus and
video teleconferencing (VTC) courses.
M: Why is Troy University a great
educational option for the working professional?
Troy offers 5 terms per year and flexible
course schedules, including online and evening/weekend courses.
TROY graduate
professors are all PhDs with real-world working experience, so
they understand the challenges in balancing work, family and
education.
M: What programs are available?
At the Orlando site, a student may earn
one of four Master’s Degrees each with several concentration
options completely on-site in a hands-on, face-to-face teaching
environment:
Master of Science in Management (MSM)
Human Resource Management
Healthcare Management
International Management
Leadership and Organizational
Effectiveness
Information Systems
Master of Human Resource Management (MSHRM)
Master of Science in Counseling &
Psychology (MSCP)
Clinical Mental Health
Social Services Counseling
Master of Public Administration (MBA)
Public Management
Public Human Resource
Management
Justice Administration
National Security Affairs
Health Care Administration
Management Information Systems
Government Contracting
Nonprofit Management
Education
Environmental Management
In addition, Troy University offers a wide
range of online degrees, including graduate and undergraduate
programs. Students may pursue an Associate of Science degree in
Business Administration, Computer Science, and General Studies
or a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Nursing, or Sport &
Fitness Management; Bachelor of Science with majors in Computer
Science, Criminal Justice, History, Management, Nursing,
Political Science, Psychology, and Social Science. Troy
University offers a RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Resource Management.
Graduate programs include: MBA, Master of Criminal Justice,
Master of Post Secondary Education, Executive MBA, Master of
Human Resource Management, Master of International Relations,
Master of Management, Master of Nursing, and Master of Public
Administration.
M: How is Troy University different
from other universities with similar programs?
History ~ 1887 – 2007, 120
years of TROY ~ Troy University, with deep roots in a
Southern Alabama town, has been educating students for 120
years. We stand proud on our long-standing traditions
of high quality education and a degree that brings
with it recognition and respectability.
Affordability – As the second
largest University in the State of Alabama University
System, Troy is uniquely positioned to offer extremely
student- friendly tuition rates throughout the State of
Florida and around the world. TROY maintains that access
to quality education should be available to anyone who is
determined to better themselves through lifelong learning
prospects.
Student Service ~ One Student
at a Time ~ Troy University’s long-time credo
has been “One Student at a Time.” Each TROY staff and faculty
member is dedicated to making that the personal experience
of every student. From our academic advisors to our
distinguished doctorate faculty, TROY is accessible and
interested in our students.
Worldwide Presence ~ Brick’n
Click ~ With 65 sites in 17 states and 13
countries, a student can truly Start Anywhere, Finish Anywhere.
The ability of TROY to offer physical teaching
locations thought the US and world and to supplement
those offerings with a myriad of online programs makes Troy
University the choice for the mobile, busy working
adult.
M: Most potential students are
concerned about accreditation, how does Troy University respond
to their concerns?
Accreditation is very important when
choosing an institution of higher learning. Transferability and
marketability are both important aspects of a graduate’s
diploma. Troy University is accredited by the Commission on
Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to
award the Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Educations
Specialist Degrees. This is the same accrediting body which
accredits leading schools in the southeastern United States such
as University of Florida, FSU, Auburn University, University of
Alabama, Rollins, Miami, Emory, and Vanderbilt among many
others. The Troy University Master of Business Administration
(MBA) is professionally accredited by the Association of
Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
M: Are online courses conducted
mainly through e-mail?
Online courses are conducted in the Troy
Blackboard system. Blackboard is a complete online educational
environment which offers services such as a discussion forum,
chat sessions, and e-mail.
M: Are online courses held in chat
rooms?
Some courses require students to
participate in chat sessions with instructors and other
students, but courses are not held solely in chat forums. One
of the most common tools for interaction is the active
discussion board available in Blackboard, which allows the
student to operate in an asynchronous environment while still
remaining active in week to week and day to day interaction with
other students led by the faculty member teaching the course.
M: Do students have to be online at
a certain time?
As noted above, the use of the
interactive discussion board allows Troy University students
the flexibility of being in the online classroom at anytime.
M: How are online courses
“integral”?
Troy University’s online courses resemble
traditional courses offered at TROY in structure and content.
Some degrees can be obtained completely online and therefore all
of the courses required to complete the degree will be offered
via the Internet.
M: Does Troy University offer any
face to face courses?
TROY
Orlando and all of the Troy University locations around the
globe proudly offer classroom settings for students to
interact on a personal level with our instructors.
M: Are online courses
intellectually less rigorous than face to face courses?
To maintain academic integrity and
accreditation standards, all TROY courses are intellectually
stimulating. Some suggest
online courses can be even more challenging since scheduled
interactions is required of all students.
M: Are online courses strictly
one-to-one exchanges with faculty?
Troy University’s online courses encourage
interaction among students and instructors.
Group interaction and individual
student to student interaction are frequently an important part
of online courses, not unlike in face to face courses.
M: What does the potential student
need to know before he or she starts?
Troy University has a long history of
serving its students. A Troy degree is highly respected.
Potential students are encouraged to contact their nearest
office to inquire about the application, financial aid, and
registration process and requirements.
M: How do students participate in
online classroom discussion?
The Troy Blackboard system has discussion
forums in which students and instructors can hold classroom
discussion and exchanges. Many instructors also hold chat
sessions in which students are encouraged to participate.
M: Are online faculty instructors
different from faculty at brick and mortar schools?
Troy University faculty consists of highly
trained and educated professionals,
and faculty qualifications are the
same for all TROY faculty, and are in strict compliance with the
requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools, the academic accrediting body for TROY and all Florida
Public Institutions. Our faculty
sometimes teach online and face to face course alike, often the
same instructor will be teaching a course in both delivery
methodologies.
M: Can credits be transferred from
another college?
In
keeping with regional accreditation standards, Troy University
accepts transfer credits appropriate to the chosen TROY program,
from other accredited institutions. Students should contact the
local TROY campus for assistance with having potential transfer
credits reviewed.
M-------------------
For additional information regarding
Troy University's programs for working professionals, contact
Phyllis A. Crooms,
Area
Site Director, TROY Orlando Campus, 1020 N. Orlando Avenue,
Suite Z
Winter
Park, FL 32789, 407-599-6993, or visit them @ www.troy.edu/fwr
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