Criminal justice instructor Carol Sciannameo at Everest University in Largo, Fla., explains that a large number of jobseekers are returning to school, despite the recession. “Even though you might think that the recession makes higher education less affordable, we have actually seen increases in our enrollments despite economic difficulties,” he says. Sciannameo explains that students of all ages understand that education is an investment in their future.

Much of the growth in career education comes from workers who are seeking specialized skills or certifications needed to get a raise or promotion. Others simply want to keep their skills up-to-date in the face of changing technologies. And for others interested in entering a new career, a bachelor’s degree is now necessary, when once an associate degree or on-the-job training would do.

Long-term employment trends confirm students’ perceptions that higher education is more important today than ever before. In fact, a 2006 Department of Education report finds that jobs that require only on-the-job training are expected to see the greatest decline. In contrast, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 90 percent of the fastest-growing jobs require individuals to have some form of post-secondary education.

According to a July 2008 study by the National Center for Educational Statistics, the most common areas of study for adult work-related coursework are health, business, trades and computer technology. The report finds that 35 percent of adult students participating in career-related coursework took courses in business and 32 percent in health.

Many higher education institutions are rushing to fill this demand. The NCES reports that in 2005, more post-secondary institutions offered coursework in the field of health care than any other field, with 3,700 institutions offering career programs in health care. Business and marketing was the second most common field, with 3,500 institutions offering business programs.

The focus on upgrading skills has meant that more adults are going to school than ever before, in all fields. Many educational institutions are trying to meet the unique demands of non-traditional students, by offering fast-track programs, night classes and online educational programs. With the growth of adult education, many institutions have tried to work around students’ busy lives. Students can often complete degree programs in a matter of months, as opposed to the years it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree, which helps account for the emergence of more career-training institutions and the explosion of online education. While most of the research on higher education tends to focus narrowly on universities, the 2008 NCES study reported that of all career-related credentials granted in 2005, a full 21 percent were associate degrees, and 36 percent were certificates from career-training institutions. And 13 percent of the career-related certificates came from career training institutions with programs shorter than two years.

Despite the additional time and cost needed upfront, research shows that higher education tends to benefit individuals who invest the needed time and effort. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that while a high school graduate on average earns about $1.2 million over his or her lifetime, an associate degree holder earns about $1.6 million and a bachelor’s degree holder earns about $2.1 million — almost $1 million more than high school grads.

The possibility of increased salary is a powerful motivator for many potential students, even amidst a recession, says online instructor Chris Cozzolino from Everest University Online. “Our students recognize that education truly is the best investment they can make. They are willing to invest the time and effort needed to get a certification or degree that is necessary to find a stable career,” Cozzolino says.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Americans admire self-made millionaires whose degrees come from the school of hard knocks. The reality of the work place, however, is that the more education you have, the more you are likely to earn – and the more job satisfaction you are likely to enjoy. According to United States Census Bureau data, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn on average about $25,241 more per year than those with only a high school diploma. And those with a master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earn on average about $25,257 more per year than colleagues with only an undergraduate degree.

“Whether your plan is to finish a degree you started long ago, pursue an advanced degree or add a professional certificate to your resume, heading back to school can open the door to a better-paying job,” says Stephen Semprevivo, president of ClassesUSA.com. “Education can help you command a higher salary from your current employer, earn a promotion or find a new, higher-paying, more satisfying job.”

Professionals heading back to school will find a wealth of educational opportunities tailored for busy people. From night classes at traditional brick-and-mortar schools to online courses and accelerated degree programs, the options are numerous. Sites like ClassesUSA.com can assist prospective students in finding the degree or certificate program best suited to advancing their professional goals.

For those looking to earn a degree relatively quickly, accelerated degree programs can be particularly appealing. Offered for a variety of certificate and degree endeavors, these programs typically compress the course workload into a shorter time frame. For example, courses might span 20 hours of class time in just five weeks, as opposed to more than 40 hours over 16 weeks. And “class time” doesn’t necessarily mean sitting in a classroom at a set time every week. Many accelerated programs are offered online, making it even easier to fit learning time into a busy lifestyle.

An accelerated degree program can make financial sense as well. Fewer semesters as a student could translate into fewer tuition payments. And by earning a degree quickly, you can have more time in the work force at your new higher earning potential.

Remember, however, that compressing an entire degree into a shorter time period can mean pressure that is even more intense than what you would experience pursuing a degree at a traditional pace. But take heart, even if you don’t perform well under pressure or at an accelerated pace, there are still other ways you might be able to speed up your educational process:

* Transfer, transfer, transfer – Check with the registrar to see whether previous college courses you have completed can count toward your degree requirements elsewhere.

* Life experience counts – Some degree programs will grant you credit for knowledge acquired through work experience. You may have to pass an exam that measures your level of expertise and familiarity with the subject matter, but this can still save you time, and tuition money, in the long run.

* Go online – Many degrees or certificates can be completed partially or entirely online. The flexibility of taking classes online may enable you to complete the program faster and will almost certainly allow you greater control over your time commitments than you would have in a traditional class structure.

“Whatever path you choose to further your education, the resulting degree may mean finally crossing those job-related items off your resolution list, rather than seeing them show up year after year,” Semprevivo says.

To learn more about online and traditional higher education opportunities, visit www.ClassesUSA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Related posts:

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