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Online Learning
By Julie K. Barnes
In today's Internet age, there are many possibilities open for furthering education and telecommuting. For example, we are currently posted at a hardship post with few opportunities to work outside the mission. I took a job within the mission in order to have something to do instead of sitting home all day. Those first few months were really rough. I had gone from doing genetic research to supervising local employees, and I was afraid that I would forget every bit of science I ever learned!
However, after hours of searching on the Internet and elsewhere, I found a Master's degree in Biology that can be done completely online. There are also online programs in public health, MBAs, etc., and many of them are from well-known universities (Johns Hopkins, for example).
I have also discovered FasTrac and the plethora of courses that can be taken through it. Most spouses I have talked to at this post don't even know it exists. There are all sorts of courses there that can lead to certification in, for instance, web site design.
It took me endless hours of searching before I found an online master's program in my field. But it was there! I believe that there are many other "hidden" opportunities out there.
Foreign Service Institute FasTrac Distance Learning Program
FasTrac offers a comprehensive library of web-delivered, self-directed learning courses, addressing a vast range of business, computer technology, leadership and management, and professional development skills. All Department of State Foreign Service and Civil Service employees, Foreign Service Nationals, Personal Services Contractors, and eligible family members are eligible to participate in the FasTrac program. FasTrac student IDs/passwords allow access to over 1,400 courses on both the Internet and the Department of State's Intranet. (A course must be taken in its entirety on one site.) FasTrac learners have the ability to obtain college credit and CEU's for an array of courses. Many courses can help students prepare for vendor professional exams. Visit the FasTrac site at www.wbtrain.com for additional information and a list of participating institutions. There is no cost to Department of State employees participating in the FasTrac Distance Learning Program. For more information and to register for courses, family members should contact FSIFastTrac@state.gov.
Specific Programs:
http://distance.jhsph.edu/
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has and Master's in
Public Health Program that can be done 75% online, with 25% needing to
be completed on campus (I believe there are two in Maryland). You can
take up to 16 credits, without actually enrolling in the program, as a
special student.
http://www.sjc.edu/content.cfm/pageid/1688
Saint Joseph College of Connecticut offers a fully accredited Master's
Degree Program in Biology that can be done completely online. They offer
some interesting looking classes for people with backgrounds in molecular
and cell biology.
http://www.sfsuonline.org
San Francisco State Multimedia Studies Online. Program includes courses
on Web design, graphic design, and marketing.
Information:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearning/elhome.htm
This is the U.S. News guide to e-learning. There is a lot of useful information
here on various degrees that can be earned online. You can search (by
clicking on the "e-learing search" link) for programs to fit
your needs, even by individual university. There are also links to articles
about e-learning. This is a really great site if you are looking for a
specific program or want to know what programs are offered by a specific
school.
Web Sites that list a variety of schools and programs:
http://www.classesusa.com/index.cfm
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/
These sites have links to information about degree programs starting at
the associate level all the way up to doctorates. Some are at well known
universities like Boston University and University of Washington.
http://www.designschools.com/
For those interested in design schools. Wed design, graphic design,
interior design, automotive design, etc.
Online Universities:
http://www.aiudegreeonline.com/index.jsp
American Intercontinental University Online. Has degrees in Business
Administration, Information Technology, Visual Communication, Education,
and Criminal Justice.
http://www.aiu.edu/frasetprogram.htm
Atlantic International University. From what I understand from reading
this site, you earn a degree by taking online courses offered by various
universities. They offer a wide range of degrees (Bachelor's, master's
and PhDs) including fields like Biology and Architecture. Unfortunately,
this university is not accredited by an accrediting agency recognized
by the US Secretary of Education.