Write A Business Case For Tuition Reimbursement

Create a tuition reimbursment business case.

A business case for tuition reimbursement is a document created by an employee, then submitted to an employer, which requests approval for the reimbursement of educational expenses such as undergraduate and graduate course work.

To persuade your employer to approve a tuition reimbursement request, your business case must be compelling, well-written and motivate the reader(s) to make a decision in your favor. It must clearly describe the financial and organizational benefits and the return on investment. The business case must be long enough to provide the right level of detail, but not too lengthy so that you lose the reader's interest.

Before submitting a business case, understand the employer's tuition reimbursement policies and determine who must approve the tuition reimbursement requests.

Instructions

1. Review the existing tuition reimbursement or educational policies and determine if your request falls outside the guidelines. If it does, make some informal inquiries to your manager or human resources partner to determine whether the company has made exceptions to the policy in the past.

2. Determine who must approve the business case and in what order. Some companies may require that your manager approves the case before you can submit it to the final approver.

3. Document the college name and courses.

Gather financial and educational details about your specific reimbursement request such as the university name, course titles, course start and end dates and tuition fees.

4. Write the introduction to your business case. This is a summary of what you are requesting, why you are requesting it, the benefits to the organization and the fees and/or resource requirements. Like the entire business case, your introduction should be compelling and generate interest, so that the reader reviews the entire document.

5. Describe your tuition request in detail. Provide information about the program, the university and the specific courses. Describe the costs and resource requirements involved. Denote whether you will need to adjust your work schedule to attend the college courses.

6. Describe the return on investment.

Describe the employer's return on investment. Indicate how the course work will improve your work performance and benefit the employer. Be specific and quantify the benefits wherever possible.

7. If appropriate, include alternative solutions. For example, you may want to propose an option that includes fewer courses or requests partial reimbursement.

8. End the document, with a section titled "next steps." Ask for approval of your business case. Provide a desired approval date and a method to contact you. Thank the reader for considering your tuition request.

9. Submit a copy of the business case to the appropriate approver(s). Request to meet with the approver(s) to walk them through the business case document.

Tags: business case, business case, return investment, tuition reimbursement, your business, your business case, approve tuition

Be Smart Without Being Nerdy

When you think of a nerd, you probably visualize a person with thick glasses and no fashion sense or social skills. Many people believe that you must be nerdy to be smart. While nerdy people often excel academically, this isn't a prerequisite to being smart.

Instructions

1. Learn from a variety of sources and experiences. Analytical intelligence allows a person to analyze, judge and compare or contrast items. Creative intelligence produces a person who can cope with new ideas or create new products. Practical intelligence develops common sense or survival skills often associated with being street smart.

2. Share your knowledge with others. Be able to explain difficult concepts in layman terms. If you can tutor the star quarterback or the popular cheerleader, you become valuable to them and their peers.

3. Develop social skills early in life. Learn to interact with people. Find common points of interest between you and others.

4. Play sports or get involved in extracurricular activities. Look at being smart as one of many talents. You relate to a wider variety of people if you have more than one talent.

5. Pay attention to fashion. Most people define a nerdy person as someone who is unattractive or socially inept. Look at fashion magazines, find out what stores the popular kids shop at and find a trendy style that makes the most of your physical appearance.

6. Get contact lenses or pick a trendy frame for your glasses. Contacts allow you to see as well as your glasses, but don't have the nerdy association attached to them that glasses do.

Tags: being smart, social skills, your glasses

Be Safe When Living In A Dorm

Safety must be attended to when living in a dorm. It is very important to follow basic rules, don't prop open the outside doors, don't take the batteries out of the smoke alarms, don't forget to lock your dorm door.

Instructions

Be Safe at College

1. Follow common sense rules. Do not prop open the back door. This allows strangers to enter the building. Report anyone who is propping open the back door. When strangers are wandering the halls of a dorm crime increases.

2. Do not remove the batteries or disable the fire alarms. Even if the alarms wake you up at night a lot they are there for a reason. Do not jeopardize your ability to get the alert if there is a fire.

3. Lock your dorm door. Keep your wits about you. Remember that security is always a concern and take the time to check the room for security before you go to bed. Get in the habit of making checking the door to see if it is locked a routine you follow.

4. Get a file cabinet or safe that locks to store your valuables. If visitors in the dorm see valuables readily accessible it may make your room a target for thieves. Lock up your camera, laptop, checkbook, credit card, bank book, and jewelery.

5. Focus on your academic work. Don't be out and about too often at 3 AM. Crimes tend to increase after 1 AM. Be asleep in your dorm during the late, late night hours.

Tags: your dorm, back door, dorm door, open back, open back door

Write An Effective Law School Personal Statement

A personal statement is a reflection on who you are as a person.

Law school applications can require undergraduate transcripts, GPAs, LSAT scores and even GRE scores. However, all of these data only provide impersonal applicant information. A law school personal statement is one of the best ways to get to know applicants as individuals, not simply as numerical data. These essays are short, but they must reflect you as an individual and be powerful enough to set you apart from other applicants. Therefore, you need to begin the writing process as early as possible to allow yourself the maximum time to prepare your personal statement.

Instructions

1. Understand the guidelines. Most applications require an essay, but schools can differ in their specific requirements for the essay. The more common prompts ask you to explain your interest in law school and what you intend to do with your degree. However, if the school to which you are applying requires more information from you, you need to provide it in order to be accepted. Be well-versed in all the requirements of your school's personal statement so that you can provide everything it needs.

2. Pick a genre. Even though personal statements are essays about yourself, the genre in which you write needs to reflect you as an individual. It also needs to stand out from other applicants' essays. Consider the qualities you believe a successful law student must have. Use these qualities to establish a genre and tone for your essay. For example, decide whether you want to write more passionately, seriously or creatively. Your genre can certainly include more than one of these elements, so think about which ones best define you.

3. Conceive a theme. A law student must be able to focus and prove his case sufficiently and relevantly. Your essay needs to follow the same requirements by focusing on a specific topic. The topic can be as specific as a single instance in your life or as general as your interest in law. Make sure that the topic you select is one that you can elaborate on at the required word length.

4. Draft your essay. Don't try to write a perfect essay from the beginning, as putting too many restrictions on your writing will inhibit creativity. Also, don't worry too much about word count, as information can be added or removed later. Focus on the theme and genre and let your ideas flow. Remember that this is a personal statement, so the more personal you make it, the better it will be. Incorporate pertinent information about yourself so the application committee can feel like they know you.

5. Revise your essay. Read over it yourself first to determine what major content changes, such as addressing the prompt fully or adding new information, need to be made. Then, focus on more superficial issues, such as grammar and word count. If you are a current undergraduate student, seek assistance from your university's writing or career centers. You can also ask a friend, colleague or educated professional to help. Having someone else look at your writing is an important step in revision, as they can offer feedback for issues you might have overlooked.

6. Draft a final copy that includes all necessary revisions. Look over your personal statement at least once more to make sure it is exactly how you want it. Submit it before the submission deadline.

Tags: personal statement, your essay, about yourself, applications require, from other, from other applicants, other applicants

Ways To Pay For College

Ways to Pay for College

You don't have to struggle to pay for college; sometimes you've just got to be creative. Paying for college doesn't have to mean being a slave to student loans for the rest of your working life, either. Check out these ways to fund your college education.

Types

There are plenty of ways to find money to pay for college. Students can accept family and friend donations. An easy way to go about this if students aren't comfortable with asking for money directly is to have an open house or graduation party. If a student is involved in church or an organization, there are often donation banks or scholarships available for high school graduates and college students.

Additionally, every high school and college student wishing to receive aid to pay for college tuition should fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This application allows any student to be considered for federal grants and loans. There are private scholarships and loans available as well, and applications can be found in any high school or college advising center. The number one nugget of advice would be to save money as much as possible. College is an investment and worth saving for.

Time Frame

Students should apply for financial aid, scholarships and loans for the next semester at the beginning of the current semester, though it is highly suggested that the process begin sooner. This ensures that students receive the maximum consideration for any money that can be allotted. There is also a deadline each year for FAFSA submission; check the website or your university's schedule and mark your calendars.

Misconceptions

When high school seniors are applying for scholarships and loans, they commonly search for the awards with the highest amount given, but this is the wrong approach. It is quite unlikely that a student will qualify for a large scholarship. But smaller scholarships are often less competitive and require fewer qualifications to apply. Every little bit of money helps in college. Additionally, current college students sometimes fail to reapply for financial aid during their four years. A student does not have to be a high school senior to receive aid; in fact, there are just as many, if not more, opportunities for existing college students as there are for entering students.

Benefits

Scholarships, savings, donations and grants are the best way to go because you don't have to repay them. Though it may require a little more work to obtain these, they're well worth the effort.

Warning

If a student has to resort to obtaining a loan to fund her education, federal loans are better than private loans are in terms of interest rates. Private loans are often given by banks and credit unions. They lend more money, sometimes upwards of $40,000 a year; however, it comes at a higher price at the end. Federal loans will not offer nearly as much money as private loans will, but they maintain low interest rates.

Tags: high school, college students, scholarships loans, high school college, interest rates, loans will, school college

Write A Statement Of Purpose For A College Application

Applying to college can help you reach professional success.

Filling out your college application is a very exciting time. You're taking the next big step toward reaching your goals for professional success. Deciding which colleges to apply to is a major decision to make, and once you choose which schools you'd like to attend, you need to do everything possible to ensure you are accepted. That way, you will have a selection of colleges to choose from when it comes time to make the transition into college life. One of the requirements of applying to most colleges is writing a statement of purpose on the application.

Instructions

1. Understand what colleges use a statement of purpose for before you start writing it. Your statement of purpose will be submitted to the college admissions committee so it can decide whether you will be accepted. The members want to see that you know what you want from college and that you're serious about your education. They also want to see some of your personality and passion for the field you wish to enter. They don't want to see you bragging about your accomplishments. You should be open and honest about your strengths and your weaknesses.

2. Write the introduction paragraph. This paragraph states your goals. That's a broad statement, but your introduction shouldn't be broad. You should be as specific as possible about your college goals and your professional goals. You should also include some personal information about what accomplishing these goals will mean to you and what your personal reasons are for entering a certain field.

3. Include specific information about your academic history and your extracurricular activities in the next paragraph. This paragraph should prove to the committee that you can handle the degree program you wish to enter. You must show that you're academically prepared, that you can handle a full course load and still be involved on campus, and that you can use the knowledge and skills you have now to excel in your chosen field.

4. Restate and describe in more detail your professional goals. Again, be as specific as possible. Explain why you're interested in your chosen field and what drew you to it. Include any relevant experience you've had that reinforced your decision to enter the field. Describe your future plan after graduating college and how you define professional success.

5. Explain why you want to go to that particular college and why you want to enter its program. Be specific about why that college and program are different and better than others for your professional goals. Do your homework and really understand what the program has to offer. The committee needs to see that the program is necessary for and beneficial to your professional development.

6. Conclude the statement of purpose. Summarize the key points you made, and add information about what you can bring to the program that other students cannot. You must sell yourself without sounding arrogant. Instead, be positive and confident, and don't forget to reiterate your personal reasons for choosing your field of study.

Tags: about your, your professional, information about, professional goals, professional success, statement purpose, your professional goals

Bfa & Mfa Art Colleges

Several art schools provide BFA and MFA programs.

Art is a growing industry, allowing graduates with either a bachelor's or master's degree in art do more outside of the studio. Either degree can lead to a career in the film or television industries, as graphic designers or as book illustrators. To earn a bachelor's degree in fine art, students must complete four years of study. A master's requires an additional two to three years of schooling, and graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as instructors. Several programs throughout the United States offer one or both of these degree options.

Ithaca College Department of Art

Through Ithaca College's Humanities department, students can graduate with a BFA in art. The program is based largely on art history, and students can choose from a variety of electives to tailor their degree to a specific interest. Courses can be pulled from the professional schools, including the communications and business departments. The art department provides seasoned instructors familiar with the art world and the best technology for learning graphic arts. Studio options include drawing and painting, as well as screen printing and illustration. Potential students should follow the college's entrance requirements and are encouraged to submit a portfolio and arrange an interview with a member of the department.

Ithaca College

201 Muller Center

Ithaca, NY 14850

607-274-3102

www.ithaca.edu

Moore College of Art and Design

Moore College lies in the heart of Philadelphia, offering an urban location for art students. The campus is within blocks of the city's art galleries and museums. Its location makes it ideal for internships, lectures and special events that feature world renowned artists each year. The school offers both a BFA and an MFA program; each supervised and designed by experienced art professionals. Students must complete their degree-specific courses, as well as an internship before graduating. Students in both degree programs have an option to engage in an international residency and work on self-directed research programs. Upon graduation, BFA students are able to seek careers in graphic design, illustration, or as gallery directors.

Moore College of Art and Design

20th Street and The Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

215-965-4000

www.moore.edu/

Academy of Art University

Established in 1929, the Academy of Art is located in the heart of San Francisco. The institution offers BFA and MFA programs, and specializes in a variety of fashion, computer and studio-oriented arts. Students are required to complete courses in their desired fields in addition to classes in management, marketing and eco-friendly design. The location of the campus is ideal for art students because it is just minutes from the city's diverse cultural district. Degree options include graphic design, industrial design and advertising. Students can choose from a vast list of electives. Programs are flexible enough to be tailored to a specific interest. The university provides campus-based learning, complete with summer sessions, student housing and financial aid. The school also offers an online program.

Academy of Art University

79 New Montgomery St., 4th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105-3410

800-544-2787

academyart.edu

Tags: Ithaca College, Moore College, Academy University, choose from, College Design

Is It Better To Save Money Or To Pay Off Student Loans

When you graduate with tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, one of your top priorities might be to pay off this debt as quickly as possible. However, there are some cases in which it is wiser to save your money than to make extra student loan payments.

Investment Accounts

The main consideration when deciding whether to pay off your student loans or save the money is the rate of return. If the expected rate of return on an investment account is higher than your interest rate on your student loans, you are generally better off saving the money. This is because the money will earn more interest each year than you will get charged for continuing to keep the student loan debt. Depending on your stance on risk, you could buy bonds, invest in a mutual fund or play the stock market.

Emergency Fund

If you do not have an emergency fund, you should save some money for this before making extra payments on your student loans. If you encounter financial trouble, you cannot get the money you have paid toward your student loans back. Financial adviser Dave Ramsey suggests saving $1,000 in an easily accessible account before making any extra debt payments. If you ever need to use your emergency fund, replenish it back to $1,000 before making extra student loan payments again.

Retirement Savings

On average, retirement accounts that invest in the stock market earn about an 8 percent annual rate of return, according to Young Money. If your loans have an interest rate under 8 percent, this would lead you to believe that you should invest in retirement first. However, this is money you will not see until you retire, whereas paying off student loans will reduce your monthly debt burden in the near future. Therefore, take a balanced approach to retirement savings. If your employer matches contributions, contribute at least the amount your employer will match every month. After that, you can split your money between student loans and retirement savings, depending on what you feel is more important.

Paying Off Loans

If you want to pay off your student loans, focus on the loans with the highest interest rate first. If you have credit card debt, pay that off first because it almost always has a higher interest rate than student loans. After that, pay only the minimum on most of your student loans and make extra payments on the loan with the highest interest rate until it is completely paid off. This will maximize the speed at which you pay off your debt.

Tags: student loans, your student loans, your student, interest rate, student loan, before making, before making extra

Grants For Graduate Degrees In Education

Graduate degree grants for education students can require teaching commitments.

Students enrolled in graduate-level education programs can apply for grants, scholarships and fellowships offered by the federal government, educational associations and private foundations. Program eligibility varies and can require students to meet residency requirements, attend specified colleges or commit to teaching jobs after graduation. Awards can include funds to pay for educational expenses, such as tuition and school fees, and personal stipends to cover living expenses.

Educational Administration Scholarship

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) awards the Educational Administration Scholarship to graduate students pursuing careers in school administration. As of January 2011, students can receive up to $2,500 for educational expenses and an additional $500 to cover travel expenses associated with attending the AASA National Conference. Students must receive a nomination from the dean of their college and each school can submit only one nomination per year. Nominees must hold or apply for AASA membership to receive awards. Candidates can download an application on the AASA website and submit it by mail.

Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship

The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation offers educational assistance to graduate students enrolled in teacher education studies. The program extends eligibility to Ohio, Michigan and Indiana students who have a professional or educational background in mathematics, science, engineering or technology. Recipients must agree to teach for three years at a high-need school after graduation. As of January 2011, awardees can receive a $30,000 stipend and free admission at participating universities, which include: Ball State University and Purdue University in Indiana; the University of Michigan and Michigan State University in Michigan; and Ohio State University and John Carroll University in Ohio. Graduate students can apply online for the fellowship program at the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship website.

Jacob K. Javits Fellowships Program

The Teacher and Student Development Programs Service division of the U.S. Department of Education provides the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship for students enrolled in doctoral or Master of Fine Arts degree programs. Candidates must hold U.S. citizenship, permanent residency or citizenship in a U.S. associated state. As of January 2011, students can receive up to $13,755 to pay for tuition and school fees and a stipend of $30,000. For consideration candidates must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the FAFSA website.

Ford Foundation Fellowship Program

The Ford Foundation awards fellowships to pre-doctoral, post-doctoral and dissertation-level students planning careers in research or teaching at universities or colleges. The program bases awards on academic achievement, which can include honors awarded, class rank and grade point average. In an effort to increase faculty diversity at post-secondary institutions, the foundation encourages African American, American Indian, Alaska Native and Puerto Rican students to apply. As of January 2011, pre-doctoral students can receive up to $2,000 for tuition and school fees and a stipend of $20,000 annually. Dissertation students can receive a stipend of $21,000 for one year and post-doctoral students can receive a one-year stipend of $40,000. Graduate students can apply online for the fellowship program at the Ford Foundation Fellowship Program website.

Tags: students receive, January 2011, Ford Foundation, school fees, State University, students apply, tuition school

Informational Resources For The 3rd Grade

Resources for your third-grader

Some parents worry about the how easy their children can access negative subject matter. That being said, there are a lot of positive resources available on the Web. There is a reason that one of the Internet's nicknames is the Information Superhighway. Visit these resources with your third-grader to reinforce that these websites are approved and are good supplements to his learning.

Word Central

Word Central is a resource created by the Merriam-Webster company that gives third graders an entertaining view of language and vocabulary. It is available at the Word Central site (Reference 1). This utility is a combination dictionary, thesaurus and rhyming resource. Word Central also includes games and a Daily Buzzword (a vocabulary word to learn each day). Students can even play around with language by creating their own dictionary made from words they and other browsing students have created. The site can help to make vocabulary more fun for students.

Language Arts

The Internet 4 Classrooms website (Reference 2) is a repository of links to practice tests, games and third- grade curriculum information. The language arts page in particular can help you and your student go over pertinent information for his grade level. The site contains links on subject matters like parts of speech, sentence structure, word usage, compound words and sequencing. The language arts page goes over nearly everything that your student will need to learn over the course of the year.

Reading List

If you are looking to supplement your child's reading, a suggested reading list is an important resource. The Great Schools website (Reference 3) contains an extensive reading list with several traditional and not-so- traditional choices. The list has several sections, including books about friendship, food, school, and moral values. By the time your child is finished reading these books, there is a good chance that he will be more than ready for the fourth grade.

Writing Prompts

To help your student brainstorm for writing ideas, try using a list of creative writing prompts from the Build Creative Writing Ideas site (Reference 4). This page contains 11 free writing prompts that can help your child begin writing a story, poem or whatever else he would like. The prompts focus on pride, the future, movies, food, dreams and various other topics. This site also contains many other articles about writing that can boost his creativity and motivation.

Tags: Word Central, help your, your child, your student, arts page, help your student

Make Foreign Language Vocabulary Quizzes

Quizzes are helpful in assessing students' vocabularies.

Introduced by authors Wiggins and McTighe in their book Understanding by Design, the Backward Design method is often used to teach foreign languages, first identifying what must be learned and then creating supportive instruction and assessment. Foreign language acquisition progresses on a continuum in which each unit requires some prerequisite knowledge from the previous unit, making regular assessment an important tool in the instruction process. Simple to design, easy to score and generally based on specific content, quizzes can be an excellent choice for frequent quick assessments of students' learning throughout a unit.

Instructions

1. Review the National Standards for Foreign Language Education, supported by the U.S. Department of Education, which defines content standards for foreign language instruction; these standards, known as the 5 C's, are Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities. Review these standards frequently in order to keep the curriculum aligned with them and to make sure assessments and quizzes support them.

2. Develop a theme for what students should be learning that has value outside of the classroom, interests your students and addresses Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities. Teach a unit on food, for example, using the theme "How does diet impact daily life?" Create quizzes to support this theme.

3. Write clear and concise learning objectives that support the goals or standards. Specify exactly what students will know or be able to do at the end of a unit. For example, state the objective "Students will be able to name common foods" for a unit under your food theme. Use your specific objectives as the basis for assessments, including quizzes.

4. Develop a specific guideline for what will be considered acceptable evidence of proficiency, such as "Students will be able to correctly identify 85% of vocabulary words from the unit." Use this objective to create appropriate quizzes to assess the percentage of vocabulary students can understand and use properly.

5. Make a vocabulary list of words students need to know in order to meet the learning objectives. Include vocabulary for common foods, mealtimes, traditions or customs pertaining to eating and constructing sentences to communicate about food under your theme of food and diet, for example. Account for the students' level and existing vocabulary when deciding what to include in the vocabulary for each unit.

6. Choose the format you will use for your quiz according to the students' age or foreign language proficiency level. Quiz questions can be multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching exercises or open questions in which students use the unit vocabulary to form sentences or write an essay. Design quizzes with short answers, using longer answers for tests.

7. Write questions two different ways for the same word. For example, if the vocabulary word being quizzed is the word "meat," ask students to provide the foreign language translation. Later in the quiz, use the word "meat" in the foreign language and ask for the English translation. Mix translations like this to provide greater practice for students, increase the cognitive functions exercised and offer more feedback opportunities to assess students' translation abilities.

Tags: foreign language, common foods, Communication Cultures, Communication Cultures Connections, Comparisons Communities, Connections Comparisons

Gift Ideas For A Cpa

Buy a gift for your CPA friend!

Certified public accountants, or CPAs, work hard to get to a place where they can provide their services. As with any job, the right tools bring about the right result. If there is a CPA who you want to give a gift to for the holidays, a birthday or just to say thank you, there are specific things that may be more useful than others.

Corny but Fun

Websites such as cafepress.com and zazzle.com have T-shirts, buttons, bags, stickers, mugs and so much more that use fun phrases like "I love my CPA" or "There's no crying in accounting." It is sure to get a smile at the very least.

Pens

A nice pen set can sound boring, but when a large part of your job is looking professional and having your clients sign documents, an, attractive, well-working pen is an asset.

Laptop Bag

These can range from simple and cheap to beautifully done and expensive. It depends on how much you want to do for your CPA. Most accountants carry around a computer, so a new laptop bag that will also fit documents and folders can be helpful.

Software

The right software program can make a CPA's life so much easier and pays for itself quickly through its efficiency, organization and accuracy. Some possible programs include Expert Business Case, TValue Version 5 and BizBench 2009.

Wacky Symbolic Gifts

For these gifts, you have to use your imagination. A great example from Budget101.com is called the CPA survival kit. It has items like an abacus "for when your [CPA] calculator runs out" or a magic wand "for the magician people think you [CPA] should be." Come up with your own survival kit for your CPA.

Less Personal

Not everyone who is buying a gift for a CPA is on a close, personal level with her, so try gifts that are less personal. A fruit basket is always nice; cookie grams, office plants and flowers can work as well.

Money-Related Games

Monopoly, the Game of Life and PayDay are some board games that use money. Now, it is possible that your CPA wants to play something that avoids money, but it is thoughtful and relates to what your accountant does on a daily basis.

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Graphic Design Programs In Chicago

Graphic designers study typography and visual arts.

Graphic design is the study of the historical development, creation and application of typography and visual arts. The discipline is applied across a wide range of facets of everyday life---particularly in business, industry and entertainment. The spheres of communications and media are also heavily reliant on graphic design. Several colleges and universities in Chicago offer degree programs for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the field.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers undergraduate and graduate courses in visual communication design. The school's undergraduate program places an emphasis on both physical and virtual media. Advanced undergraduate studio coursework ranges from identity and information systems design to interactive multimedia, packaging design and urban graphics. Students of the school's graduate program are offered teaching assistant internships and mentoring opportunities in the visual arts.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

37 South Wabash Avenue

Chicago, IL 60603

312 629-6100

saic.edu

Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago's Bachelor of Fine Arts program in graphic design combines a survey of the history of art with applied technical artistic skills for both traditional and digital media. Histories surveyed included art from the stone age and the renaissance as well as the genesis of communication design. Fundamental traditional courses range from applied drawing, 2-D design, 3-D design, typography and photography. The program concludes with a senior year independent project and internship at a Chicago area design firm.

Columbia College Chicago

600 S. Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL 60605

312-663-1600

colum.edu

The American Academy of Art

Chicago's American Academy of Art offers an undergraduate program in design that encompasses graphic design techniques with the development creative and analytical skills. Students are trained to master industry-standard graphic arts equipment and software, and work on developing sound project management skills through group projects. Coursework includes electronic imaging, visual communications, the history of graphic design and a survey of American illustration.

The American Academy of Art

332 South Michigan Ave

Chicago, IL. 60604

312-461-0600

aaart.edu

Tags: graphic design, American Academy, College Chicago, Columbia College, Columbia College Chicago

Apply For Cocacola Grants

Apply for a grant through the Coke company.

Although Coca-Cola Co. is most known for its soft drinks, the company does provide grants, ranging from school related to those interested in entrepreneurship. Whatever you are looking for, you first must apply for through the Coca-Cola website. It is free and you may apply as many times are you want (although applying for the same grant with the same idea may not get you anywhere).

Instructions

1. Open your Internet browser and navigate to the Coca-Cola Company foundation grant application website, listed below under "Resources."

2. Click "Apply Online." You will have two choices. Individual grants are provided in the form of a scholarship while actual grants are given out to companies.

3. Follow the prompts, answering yes or no to different questions.

4. Choose "Click Here" when you are shown the grants you are able to apply for. Read through the description, then select "Apply."

5. Write in your name and company information, your goal, and what you look to accomplish with your grant. Keep this information short and sweet (they are not looking for a book on your grant application). Include your mailing information, then select "Submit" to send the application.

Tags: grant application, then select, your grant

Bachelor Of Arts Degree Jobs

A Bachelor of Arts degree gives you many career choices.

When you graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree, you have many career options available to you. College students who enroll in a Bachelor of Arts degree program are exposed to a wide variety of majors that they can select from, such as women's studies, journalism and foreign languages. Graduates frequently use their Bachelor of Arts credentials to find jobs in their specific field.

Entry-Level Jobs

Upon graduating from college, the fierce competition of the job market will await you. While you may not be able to land your dream job straight out of school, your Bachelor of Arts degree can get you an entry-level job at a major corporation or a nonprofit organization, depending on what your specialty is. Embrace the entry-level position as learning experience and use it to gain knowledge about what a particular industry is like to work in. Be open to taking positions that you may even feel overly qualified for. Everyone wants to secure a hefty paycheck from the get-go, but postgraduation is a time for you to use your degree to experience the working world.

Managerial Positions

With a Bachelor of Arts degree, you can work your way up to becoming a manager. In most companies, managers are required to possess a bachelor's degree. Your chances of moving up the corporate ladder increase if your degree specialty is related to the type of work your company does. For instance, if your major was in women's studies and you work for a nonprofit women's organization, you may be more suitable for a management position than someone else who has a financial background. Managerial positions are administrative, but you can apply the organizational, leadership and communication skills you learned in your bachelor's degree program to make you a successful manager.

Executives and Chiefs

At the tippy-top of the corporate ladder are the executives and chiefs who run a company. These high-profile positions require bachelor's degrees, at the very least, and demand years of experience in a certain field. Your Bachelor of Arts degree can land you a job as a senior editor of a magazine or a president of a government-funded agency.

Entrepreneurs

An entrepreneur is someone who starts his own business, and you can choose this route with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Banks and other funding sources will be more willing to lend you money for a business startup if you have a high degree of education, such as a Bachelor of Arts degree, because it demonstrates that you have commitment, drive and dedication. With the right amount of capital and a successful vision, you can start your own company and put your bachelor's degree to good use.

Tags: Bachelor Arts, Arts degree, Bachelor Arts degree, bachelor degree, corporate ladder, degree program, many career

Online School Psychology Degrees

Doing coursework in your pajamas is only one of the benefits of online school.

Online universities are an appealing choice for those looking to further their education without relocating. Distance learning may provide students with more flexibility in time management. Students who are interested in getting a degree in psychology from an online university instead of attending classes on a traditional campus will find many options available.

Penn State's World Campus

Penn State's World Campus offers two degrees in psychology available online. Students interested in the social services aspect of the field can pursue a bachelor of arts in psychology; those interested in applying psychology to business can pursue a bachelor of science in psychology. World Campus courses are taught by Penn State faculty members, and students graduate with Penn State diplomas and transcripts. In the academic year 2010-11, full-time students at Penn State's World Campus paid between $5,946 and $6,436 per semester.

Penn State World Campus

Pennsylvania State University

128 Outreach Building

University Park, PA 16802

800-252-3592

psu.edu

Florida Tech University Online

Florida Tech University Online is affiliated with the on-campus program at the Florida Institute of Technology. The online school offers bachelor's degree programs in applied psychology and the specialized fields of child advocacy, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, human factors and organizational psychology. Tuition in the 2010-11 school year is $460 per credit hour; bachelor's degrees require at least 121 credit hours. Florida Tech University Online graduates have the option of participating in the graduation ceremony at the college campus in Melbourne.

Florida Tech University Online

University Alliance Online

9417 Princess Palm Ave.

Tampa, FL 33619

888-353-8324

floridatechonline.com

University of the Rockies Online

Students seeking advanced online psychology degrees may find a home at the University of the Rockies Online. The school, founded as the Colorado School of Professional Psychology, offers master's degrees and Ph.D.s in 13 psychology specialties. Offerings include general psychology, mediation and conflict resolution, and criminology and justice studies. In the 2010-11 academic year, master's degree students paid $672 per credit hour and doctoral students paid $882 per credit hour. The master's program entails coursework of 39 hours and the doctoral program includes a minimum of 62 credit hours.

University of the Rockies

555 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3612

866-621-0124

rockies.edu

Tags: Penn State, World Campus, Florida Tech, Florida Tech University, Penn State World, State World, State World Campus

Write A History Dissertation

Many history dissertations are republished as mongraphs.

The dissertation is the most important component of the history graduate program, says J. P. Greene of the American Historical Association. Where lectures and seminars are designed to develop knowledge and critical thinking skills, the aim of the dissertation is to contribute original knowledge in a particular historical field. For those wishing to pursue a career as a historian, the dissertation is a crucial first step in realizing that ambition.

Instructions

1. Choose a subject area. It is important to choose a topic area that not only interests you, but also fills a gap in historical knowledge, sheds new light or presents a new perspective. There are also practical considerations to bear in mind when choosing a topic, such as technical and linguistic skills. For example, a dissertation on the Middle Ages may require a working knowledge of a particular medieval language to read primary sources.

2. Write the proposal. According to the history department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the dissertation proposal has four elements; a working title, an introduction containing the research problem and overview, a development section that explains the need for research in this area, and a conclusion reiterating the main points of the proposal. The proposal must convince the department that the dissertation is a research-able and worthwhile area of study.

3. Complete the research. A history dissertation should be primarily led and informed by primary sources but secondary sources are important in contextualizing your research. Keep a note of all sources consulted, to prevent plagiarism, and use these as a basis for your bibliography.

4. Write the first draft. As the dissertation is a lengthy document, it may be helpful to break it down into smaller sections or chapters. Be sure to include an introduction, where you present the research question, and a conclusion, which summarizes your main findings and your original contribution to the historical field.

5. Proof-read the dissertation. Ensure that your argument flows logically and that each statement is backed up by relevant quotes or information from primary or secondary sources. Be sure to spell-check thoroughly and adhere to the style guidelines of your department.

Tags: historical field, knowledge particular, primary sources, secondary sources

Apply For An Internship With A Cover Letter

Internships are an important part of college life because they help you prepare for a job in the field that you want to work in after you get out of school. Use a cover letter to help get your application noticed by companies that might hire you as an intern. A proper internship cover letter will let the company know why you will fit its internship needs and what you can bring to its program.

Instructions

Prepare the Application and the Resume

1. Collect a copy of the application for the internship for which you wish to apply.

2. Fill out the application completely, including your name, the school that you are attending, your permanent home address and your school address, and answer all the questions on the application completely.

3. Place the application in an envelope addressed to the company with which you want the internship.

4. Write your resume. Type your name and both your home and college addresses in the top center of the page. Add a current phone number.

5. Record your educational experiences, your GPA if it's high and any activities you have participated in during high school and college.

6. List your past jobs and any personal or professional references that would help get you the internship. Your references may include past teachers or professors, adults such as team coaches or people for whom you volunteered, and family friends for whom you worked as a teen.

7. Place your resume with your internship application in the envelope.

Create a Cover Letter for the Internship Position

8. Type the name of the person who is searching for interns and the company's address at the top of the letter. Type your contact information after the company information.

9. Address the internship cover letter to the contact person who is looking for interns. The opening of the internship cover letter should read, for example, "Dear Ms. Smith."

10. Write an opening paragraph explaining who you are, what college you attend and what degree you are pursuing.

11. Write a second paragraph explaining why you are interested in the open internship position and why you think that you would be a good fit for the company's program.

12. Use the last paragraph of your cover letter to thank the person for reading your letter and looking over your material.

13. Type your closing, print the cover letter and sign it. Place the cover letter in the envelope with the internship application and the resume.

14. Address the letter in black or blue in to the company, making sure to write the name of the person who hires interns. Include your current return address on the envelope. Stamp and mail the letter to the company.

Tags: cover letter, internship cover, internship cover letter, Type your, application completely, application envelope

Identify A Compound Sentence

Sentences

Sentences come in multiple forms: simple, complex and compound. Simple sentences are classified as independent clauses with straightforward subject-verb combinations. A complex sentence combines an independent clause with a dependent clause. In a compound sentence, you will see two independent clauses -- or simple sentences -- combined through the use of punctuation and coordinating words.

Instructions

1. Look for a coordinating conjunction that connects two separate subject-verb combinations. Such conjunctions may be one of the following: and, but, or, yet, for, so. Also, you will typically see a comma placed prior to the conjunction in compound sentences. For example, if you have the sentence, "Many popular bands play rock 'n' roll, but others play rhythm and blues," you have a compound sentence with "but" as the conjunction.

2. Look for a semicolon connecting two independent clauses. For example, suppose you're examining the sentence, "Different types of music can be fused together; ska combines rock and reggae." You can conclude this is a compound sentence because the semicolon separates two subject-verb combinations.

3. Examine your sentence to see if it contains a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb to bridge independent clauses. Such adverbs include however, therefore or nevertheless. Consider the following sentence: "People often have set opinions about music; nevertheless, one should keep an open mind." This is a compound sentence that employs a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb -- nevertheless.

Tags: independent clauses, compound sentence, subject-verb combinations, conjunctive adverb, semicolon conjunctive, semicolon conjunctive adverb

Get Into College With Bad Grades But With Talent

Students can find ways to use their talents to find entries into their college of choice.

Some kids may have talent and ambition, but mediocre grades in high school. It may only dawn on them as they enter their last year or so of high school that their grade point average is subpar and that it may hurt their chances of getting into the college of their choice. However, there are several things they can do to have a better chance of getting accepted into a good university, even during your final year of high school.

Instructions

1. Re-take your SAT and ACT tests as often as possible until you get a higher than average score. Some four-year colleges will weigh standardized test scores of applicants very heavily, or at least weigh them in such a way that they can neutralize the negative impression made by bad grades. There are a plethora of SAT and ACT study guides out there, and if you live in a large enough area, you may be able to find a tutor with ease.

2. Emphasize any extra-curricular activities on your college application. Participation in sports, academic clubs, the yearbook staff and school radio or TV stations can help colleges see a broader picture of who you are, and that you are able to at least pass your classes while juggling extra-curricular activities. If you have a year or two remaining in high school, it certainly won't hurt to sign up.

3. Get one or more teachers to write you a letter of recommendation. If you performed poorly in some classes but showed talent and ambition in others, make sure your prospective college knows what your strengths are. If you aced most of your English and Art classes while barely scraping by in math and science, go back to those English and art teachers and get them to write you a letter of recommendation. This is also an absolute must if you wish to major in English or art.

4. Consider enrolling in a two-year community college and then transferring to a four-year college. Excellent grades at a community college is a great way to work your way up to that four-year school that may have passed on you when you were in high school. College is not the elite, seldom-attended institution that it was generations ago. If you get your high school diploma, it is likely that some school out there will take you. If you work hard and earn high grades at a small, local college, you can transfer to a more prestigious university.

Tags: high school, classes while, community college, extra-curricular activities, letter recommendation

Begin Your Paralegal Training Online

Paralegals deliver specialized legal support.

Recognized in 1968 by the American Bar Association, paralegals provide distinctive support services for attorneys, according to ParalegalSecrets. Several options exist for obtaining paralegal training, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Distance education programs have become sophisticated, offering working adults the opportunity to complete several types of degrees. Many schools offer online certification or associate's degrees in paralegal education. Researching and developing a list of potential programs is the foundation to begin your paralegal training online. In May 2009, paralegals earned between $44,160 and $81,150 annually, according to BLS.

Instructions

1. Determine the type of degree you would like to pursue. Paralegal credentials include certification, an associate's degree or a baccalaureate degree in another field with certification, according to BLS. When considering a degree, think about how much it will cost, the amount of time required and the viability of your degree in your local economy.

2. Create a list of schools that interest you. Review online paralegal programs that meet your specific needs and offer the type of credential you seek. Contact local universities and community colleges to find out if they offer online paralegal degrees. In addition, search the US Department of Education's online accreditation database for ideas.

3. Contact each school to request program information. Call or email each school to request an information packet about the paralegal studies program. Review the documentation to ensure the program meets your requirements. Visit each school, if possible, to gain a firm understanding of available resources, access to a legal library, employment services and school administration.

4. Complete an application for the best schools on your list. Make sure you submit your application in advance of the deadline. If you require financial assistance, complete the free federal application for student aid.

5. Consult with an academic adviser. An academic adviser can review credits you have already obtained, help with the selection of new courses and assist you with planning your degree. Contact your school and request a meeting to determine a course registration plan.

6. Enroll in your first set of courses. Use your school's enrollment system to register for classes identified by you and your adviser. Complete the registration process and pay for your tuition, fees and classroom materials.

Tags: each school, school request, academic adviser, certification associate, each school request, offer online

Physical Therapist Assistant Online Courses And Salary

Becoming a physical therapist assistant can be a rewarding career.

Physical therapist assistant jobs are estimated to grow 35 percent by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, you can capitalize on this trend through online courses that specialize in physical therapist assistant training. By educating yourself in this growing field through online classes, you can position yourself for a fulfilling career through a more flexible schedule and a lower cost than traditional classroom training.

Career School Online Courses

There are many schools that offer online courses for a physical therapist assistant. Career schools like Penn Foster offer accredited online courses that lead to certification. They have courses that include subjects like introduction to medical terminology, body systems and therapeutic treatment. You can take all the classes at home in front of your computer. Upon graduation you will receive a certificate or career diploma, or you can choose to continue your studies. The total price for online courses is around $800, as of 2011, which you pay in full or in monthly plans.

Career Outlook

Career opportunities as a physical therapist assistant generally are in hospitals, personal care facilities and home health care. You can earn a diploma by spending an hour a day in your home studying for your new career. The shortest time to graduate is four months, after which you'll have a certificate or diploma as a physical therapist aide or assistant, which can help you start a career helping patients recover. The demand for physical therapists has risen over the years, increasing the number of working therapists and assistants. New skills learned through online physical therapist assistant courses are instrumental in securing a position as a therapist's assistant.

Average Salary

The average annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is over $46,000 as of 2008 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent make over $63,000 and the lowest make around $28,000 or less. These salaries are greatly influenced by location, demand of therapists and the type of care facility in which a physical therapy assistant works. A good education is key in obtaining any position; assistants will only get hired if they have completed some sort of courses. Diplomas and licensing are also required in most states.

Salaries by Industry

The annual salary varies based on the industry in which the assistants work. Facilities that offer home health care and services typically pay their assistants the highest, according to BLS figures, with an annual average of around $52,000. Nursing care facilities come in a close second with around $51,000, followed by hospitals, office health practitioners and regular physicians with averages close to $45,000. The BLS predicts these salaries will rise steadily with the demand for more physical therapist assistant positions.

Tags: therapist assistant, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, courses that, online courses

Tie A Woman'S Toga

Togas were worn by the Roman Empire's upper class.

Togas were worn during the time of the Roman Empire. Men of high social standing would wear a toga over their tunics. Because of this, the toga was seen as the wardrobe of the social elite. Historically, women never did wear togas. However, with the popularity of "toga parties," women can feel confident that they, too, can wear a toga when the need arises.

Instructions

1. Drape the cloth over your left shoulder, making sure that the cloth drapes to about your ankle in front. Throw the rest of the cloth behind your shoulder.

2. Pin the cloth to your clothes under your toga at your waist. You don't have to worry about "hiding" the pin because the toga will eventually drape in front of it.

3. Pull the cloth around your back and over to your right side. Then pull it across your body and back over your left shoulder.

4. Pin the cloth in place on your right hip. This pin will be exposed, so you may want to pin the toga to your clothes from the inside of the toga. This way the pin will not be visible.

5. Pin the top of the toga into place at your left shoulder. Allow the cloth to hang over your left shoulder or arrange the excess cloth over your left arm. You can pin the toga to the layer of cloth beneath it; or you can pin the toga to your T-shirt underneath.

Tags: over your, your left, left shoulder, over your left, your left shoulder, toga your, back over

Comparing College Tuitions

Tuition can be a deciding factor in where to go to college.

When you are researching different colleges or trying to decide which one to choose, cost of tuition can be a big factor. It can vary considerably at different types of institutions. As of 2011, the annual cost of tuition at a community college was about $2,700, while a private four-year university was around $27,000. Sticker price says a lot, but a number of other variables might also factor into the cost of your college education.

Instructions

1. Use online tools like the "College Navigator" at the National Center for Education Statistics website or "College Search" at the College Board website to narrow down your college search. You can compare and sort colleges by tuition and a number of other factors.

2. Examine and compare the sticker prices from the institutions in which you are most interested. Note that you might not be comparing "apples to apples." Many institutions charge by the credit hour, and different programs will require a different number of credit hours to graduate. Thus, while the published price of College A might look less expensive than College B, it could actually be more because College A requires more credits to graduate. Look on individual college websites or talk to the admissions office to determine which option works better with what you want to do.

3. Determine whether financial aid affects the price for you. You might qualify for scholarships and grants at one institution but not another. This process might be difficult to measure if you have not applied to the colleges yet, but discuss your options with their financial aid offices. They will probably direct you to apply for the Federal Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) if you have not already done it.

4. Examine how other costs outside of tuition might affect the overall cost of your education, particularly transportation and housing. College A might charge less for tuition than College B, but if College A is a considerable distance away and College B is close to your parents' home, College A could end up costing you more because of the price of housing or commuting. Some colleges require that you live on campus, while others permit you to have a choice.

Tags: College could, College might, cost tuition, cost your, more because, number other, than College

Landscape Design Schools Near Orlando Florida

Earning a landscape design degree lets you be involved in shaping outdoor areas.

Although most major universities near Orlando do not offer a program in landscaping, hope is not lost for those that want to break into this field and get their hands dirty. Several community colleges and smaller schools in Orlando and outlying areas give prospective students options to consider.

Valencia Community College

Valencia Community College is the only school in Orlando that offers a degree in Horticulture and Landscape Technology, according to CTI Career Search. It is the most immediate school in relation to Orlando and offers an associate degree in landscape/horticulture technology that can be completed in a year or less, according to Valencia's Landscape and Horticulture Technology curriculum. Students can choose to specialize in horticulture or landscape specializations. Students who choose the landscape concentration must complete three hours of courses in nursery operation and plant propagation as well as 11 hours of electives. These electives can cover courses dealing with pesticides and citrus growth and can even include internships.

Valencia Community College

P.O. BOX 3028

Orlando, FL 32802

407-299-5000

valenciacc.edu

College of Central Florida

The College of Central Florida, located in Ocala, Florida, is one of only a handful of schools close to Orlando that offers a degree in landscape design. Like Valencia Community College, CTI Career Search states that the College of Central Florida offers an associate degree in the field. According to the College of Central Florida's website, their landscape design program prepares students for work in fields such as greenhouse production, nursery management and landscape designers. The program, once completed, can also lead to the Florida Gateway College, which offers an additional golf course operations program. According to the College of Central Florida's website, the landscape design concentration requires 64 credit hours that include core courses, nine hours of general education requirements, and six hours of electives.

College of Central Florida

3001 SW College Road

Ocala, FL 34474

352-873-5800

cf.edu

South Florida Community College

The South Florida Community College located in Avon Park, FL is another college that offers an associate degree in landscape design. The department's website states that this 30-hour course was designed to prepare students for work in the field and emphasizes courses in plant physiology, identification, and, in the case of the landscape concentration, equipment maintenance and employability skills. Courses within the 30 hours of work include citrus culture, landscape design and turfgrass management.

South Florida Community College

600 West College Drive

Avon Park, FL 33825

863-453-6661

southflorida.edu

Tags: Community College, Central Florida, College Central, College Central Florida, landscape design, Valencia Community

Set Up A High School Scholarship

Scholarships benefit high school students at the start of their academic careers.

Scholarships for high school students make an investment in people at the very beginning of their academic careers. Students just starting out may have few financial resources, and a scholarship or grant could be the only way they can attend college. Any individual or group can start a high school scholarship to make a difference, honor a loved one or benefit a specific population of students.

Instructions

1. Calculate how much money you can put in the scholarship fund. Any amount less than $25,000 may not be sustainable. Monies for scholarship funds come from large corporate donations, bequests, or group or individual fund-raising efforts.

2. Investigate third-party administrators. New scholarships often use an intermediary to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, assist in setting up the scholarship and administer funds. Community foundations exist in most metropolitan areas to help individuals and organizations acquire grants and establish charitable funds. Larger intermediaries include the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America. Consider foundations for specific causes if the scholarship helps students with certain illnesses or career paths. Universities or colleges can help establish scholarship endowments for recipients attending that university or college.

3. Write up a list of eligibility requirements and document them. The IRS requires that scholarship programs benefit a broad charitable class as well as exhibiting a nondiscriminatory selection process. Charitable class is defined as a group sufficiently large and indefinite enough to better the community as a whole with the award. You can't specify a family or restrict eligibility criteria so that only your child's babysitter qualifies. You also don't want your requirements to be so broad that the number of applicants overwhelms you. Experts at FinAid recommend identifying two or three characteristics you most desire in a scholarship recipient.

4. Create an application form. Keep this document concise to make assessment of applicants easier. Include questions about your top two or three qualities in a recipient. Try to keep your questions concrete and avoid essays. You may want to include academic scores (which are easy to assess), and financial need.

5. Create a website for your scholarship and promote it online. Students are web savvy and can search for scholarships online. Putting your application online makes access easier for your potential recipients and reduces your paperwork.

6. Determine how many scholarships you want to award each year and how much money you want to award to each student. Some scholarships are one-time awards and cannot go to the same student twice. Others are renewable and can hinge on academic achievements for future rewards.

Tags: academic careers, award each, high school, high school students, much money, school students

Distance Learning Degrees In Math

Careers in math are not limited to teaching careers.

A degree in math can lead to a high-paying career. Julianne Pepitone of CNN Money noted that, as of 2009, the top 10 paying careers all require a strong background in mathematics. Contrary to popular misconceptions, a math degree does not necessarily lead to a teaching career. Instead, careers in engineering, computer science and actuarial science are all possible. Distance education degrees in math allow you to gain this education.

General Math Degrees

Some schools offer online general math degrees that provide students with a wide range of studies in the various mathematical subjects. Degrees are offered at both the bachelor's and master's degree levels. These types of degrees can prepare students for a wide array of career options in areas related to mathematics. For instance, the degree offered by Ottawa University includes studies in calculus, college algebra, linear algebra and differential equations.

Math Education Degrees

A second option for online degree-seeking students is to pursue a mathematics degree that leads to licensure as a teacher. For instance, Western Governors University offers an online bachelor of arts in mathematics that integrates teacher education into the degree curriculum. This allows a student to obtain certification to teach in the state of Utah and other states that have reciprocity agreements with the state that recognize the teaching credentials of Utah teachers without having to pursue additional licensing requirements. Students can seek certification to teach either grades five through nine or five through 12.

Applied Mathematics Degree

Some schools offer online master's degrees in applied mathematics, like the one offered by the University of Washington. Master's degree programs of this type generally require 30 to 40 credit hours in a variety of areas within the mathematics field. The required courses tend to be more specific, in terms of their subject matter, compared to more general math degree requirements. Courses include: Vector Calculus and Complex Variables, Applied Linear Algebra & Introductory Numerical Methods, Numerical Analysis of Boundary Value Problems and Introduction to Dynamical Systems and Chaos, among others.

Master of Science Degrees

A master of science degree in the mathematics field can allow a student to focus on a more specific area of math and also allow students to conduct research at the graduate level. Texas A&M University offers an online master of science in mathematics that covers a wide range of mathematics courses, such as Mathematical Communications and Technology, Differential Equations, History of Mathematics, Fourier Series and Wavelets and Computational Linear Algebra.

Tags: certification teach, five through, master science, math degree, mathematics field

Select A Gift For Your Grad

It's commencement time, and whether "Pomp and Circumstance" will play for your favorite scholar at kindergarten, graduate school or some stage in between, a carefully chosen gift will help you say, "I'm proud of you."

Instructions

1. Think in terms of beginnings - after all, that's why they call it "commencement." Give the grad something to inspire the next step, whether it's the launch of a new career or another rung on the academic ladder.

2. Help the brand-new lawyer, doctor or professor furnish that waiting room or office. A beautiful rug, a handsome piece of furniture or an elegant picture frame will set a tone that says, "I'm on my way."

3. Bestow the time-honored graduation present: travel, geared to the scholar's interests. Treat the high school or college grad to whatever broadening adventure your budget allows for: a summer on an archeological dig, a two-week seminar on a favorite subject, or a no-holds-barred grand tour.

4. Take the younger graduate on a cross-country train or car trip. Or sign up for a learning adventure. Many national and state parks, environmental groups and historic sites offer family work-play-learn vacations ranging in length from a weekend to several weeks.

5. Spring for further study closer to home if travel isn't in the cards this year. Give the budding musician, painter or ballerina of any age a series of master classes. Sign up a kindergarten or middle school grad for a course at the science museum, the zoo or the botanical garden.

6. Make something enduring if time and your talent allow. Paint a picture, weave a rug or a wall hanging, needlepoint a pillow, or build a bookcase that can travel with the recipient through the years.

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Behave During A Study Abroad Program

behave during a study abroad program is no great mystery and just takes some simple common sense and a willingness to try new things. Avoid disgracing yourself and get the most out of your experience with a little preparation.

Instructions

1. Read as much material and information about your host country before you go. Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the laws or behaving offensively simply because you were too lazy to read information before you went.

2. Keep everyone informed of your whereabouts and intentions. This is not only polite but very important for your safety and to prevent mistaken communication. Tell your parents or guardians about your participation and give them appropriate contact numbers. You should also tell your sponsors, host family and friends your whereabouts in case of emergency or if they need to reach you in a hurry.

3. Follow the code of conduct set out by your institution. This may vary slightly depending on your location or college but will contain basic common sense procedures such as staying away from excessive alcohol and not taking illegal drugs.

4. Treat your sponsors and host family with respect, always be polite and ask permission whenever something is unclear. Always remember that you are lucky to have the opportunity at this experience and you should be grateful and humble.

5. Have an open mind and try to experiment with new things at least once. Expect different foods and cultural habits and don't say something is "disgusting" or refuse to try something just because it isn't the same as what you have at home. This is part of the experience and why you came abroad in the first place.

Tags: about your, common sense, host family, sponsors host, sponsors host family, your sponsors

Use Falling Action In Writing

Use Falling Action in Writing

A story that doesn't have falling action is almost always a story that ends too abruptly and disappoints the reader. An author must allow some time after the climactic scene to finish the story, show what happens to all the characters and suggest how "life goes on" after the story's end. The following steps will help you finish up your action so that it is satisfying to the reader.

Instructions

Examples of Falling Action

1. Consider the plot of the movie "Star Wars." The climax occurs when the Luke blows up the Death Star, and everything after that is falling action. Luke and Leia are reunited with Han, R2D2 is damaged but can be repaired, Han and Luke receive medals for their bravery and the rebellion survives to continue the fight.

2. Reread the end of novel "The DaVinci Code." The climax occurs when Sophie discovers that her own existence is the secret behind the DaVinci Code. She is reunited with her grandmother and brother, she and Langdon begin a romance, Langdon returns to Paris and figures out the secret resting place of the Holy Grail.

3. Remember the movie "Jaws." After Chief Brody kills the shark (the climax), he rests amid the wreckage of the Orca, where Hooper finds him. They tie a couple of barrels together and use them to get back to shore. No doubt Hooper goes on to great academic success as a shark expert and Brody returns to the quiet life of Amity Island he had been enjoying before the first shark attack.

4. Think about the ending of the novel, "The Great Gatsby." The climax occurs when Gatsby is killed by Wilson. Afterward, Nick can't find anyone willing to attend Gatsby's funeral. Gatsby's father appears to tell Nick about Gatsby's childhood, Nick breaks up with Jordan and returns to the Midwest.

Writing Falling Action

5. Write the climactic scene. Then ask yourself, "What happens next?" Be creative, but not so wild as to be something out of character for "people" the reader feels he has come to know. Make it logical, yet creative. If you are setting up the story for a sequel, leave a few ends open or pose a new challenge for the main character.

6. Deal out justice. In most stories, the protagonist defeats an enemy, and that enemy, along with his or her allies, should face the consequences of being on the wrong side of the conflict. The hero and his or her allies should be rewarded. (There are exceptions, such as when the enemy escapes justice and the hero resolves to pursue him or her, thus setting up the possibility for a sequel or ongoing book series.)

7. Return to a new normal. The characters should return home, pick up their lives and go on. This doesn't necessarily mean that their lives should be the same as before the events in the story, but it should be whatever would be normal after the climax. For example, if a war was won, the characters may put away their weapons and get regular jobs or they may ship out to a new assignment.

8. Remember the classic ending, "they lived happily ever after." End your story shortly after the climax.

Tags: climax occurs, climax occurs when, occurs when, Action Writing, after climax, allies should, climactic scene