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Distance Learning for Your MBA

By Jay
Moncliff

In today�s job market, a bachelor�s degree often isn�t enough to give you the
edge over other job applicants. However, getting your MBA at a local college or
university may be just too much for a full-time breadwinner with a home and
family to care for. There are still ways to advance your education, though, and
one of the most popular is getting your MBA through distance learning.

Distance learning via internet is a relatively recent phenomenon. Usually, a
student will enroll in an online university and take the all of the classes
online. Sounds like a great deal, right? There are many pitfalls for the
distance learner.

Be sure to choose the right school. As with every other category of business,
there are good and there are not so good distance learning programs. Don�t waste
your time and money on a school that is not accredited by a nationally
recognized agency. Your diploma needs to be from an accredited university or
school to help you advance, so do some homework up front and check the
credentials of the school. They should be accredited by one of the nationally
recognized agencies (New England, Middle States, North Central, Northwest,
Western and Southern). These are the valid accreditation agencies.

Verify that the classes are all online. Don�t enroll in a distance learning
program across the country, only to realize later that you�ll need to attend one
or two sessions in the classroom.

Check out the technical capabilities of the classes. Are the classes
available through technology that you can access, like websites, email or
bulletin boards? Will you have to use complicated, proprietary software? Steer
clear of programs that are not simple and easy to use. After all, isn�t that why
you want an online degree program. Just in case there are problems, make sure
that technical help is available when you�ll be working.

Look for programs with a proven track record. Even though the idea of
internet learning is new, you should look for a program with a good success rate
an satisfied graduates. Ask if you can email or talk to some of the graduates,
or read recommendations. Ask about the school�s completion rate.

Does the school offer adequate financing? If the school is accredited, they
should be able to participate in the federal student loan programs and offer
financing to distance learners.

Finally, investigate who is teaching the classes. Do they have experience in
online teaching? Managing a virtual classroom is different that teaching the
typical college course, so the teachers should be experienced in this type of
learning.

Of course, distance learning is not for everyone. In order to succeed at this
type of coursework, you will need to be self-motivated and dedicated to getting
your MBA. You will need to be organized and disciplined. Procrastinators have a
difficult time working at their own pace, because they can always finish an
assignment �tomorrow�. Of course, this can turn a 2-3 year program into 6-8
years.

Investigate online distance learning to pursue you MBA, but first, make sure
that you are ready to commit to self-directed learning.

Jay Moncliff is the founder of target=_new>http://www.distancelearningreviews.info a website specialized on
Distance
Learning, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on
Distance Learning. For more info visit his site:Distance Learning

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft As An Online Degree Candidate









By Joyce Jackson

As degree candidates in standard programs there
is campus training every semester on personal safety and how to get around
campus at night. As an online degree candidate you do not have those concerns
but you do have identity theft.

Identity theft is a huge and growing
proliferating problem. What is fairly new however, is the danger is poses to
online degree candidates. Yes, your records and degree are in danger of being
stolen. Here’s how to protect yourself.

What is identity theft?


Identity theft occurs when someone steals your identity and impersonates
you in order to obtain student loans or other forms of financial aid. Fraudulent
credit card accounts could be opened or other criminal acts committed using your
identity.

You may not know when it happens. One day you may be turned
down unexpectedly for a loan, get a call from a collection agency about an
account you never opened or worse yet, a call from the police about a crime you
didn’t commit. Suddenly you are a victim of identity theft.

What are the
effects of identity theft?

On average, identity theft is not discovered
until 14 months after the crime has occurred. By this time, the thief has
wreaked havoc on the victim’s credit rating. Victims might spend months or even
years regaining their credit worthiness. In the meantime, the victims find it
difficult to obtain loans, get a job, an apartment, or even write checks.


How does identity theft happen?

Criminals steal personal
information, such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, ATM card
numbers, telephone calling card numbers and other key pieces of personal data
and use them to impersonate their victims. After assuming your identity, they
will quickly move to spend or borrow as much money as they can before moving on
to their next victim.

Methods with which criminals gain access to your
identity online: Pose as your bank or utility company needing to “update their
records” Grab information off Internet sites that are not secure Once the thief
has this information, they may open a new credit card account or apply for
financial aid using your identity and their address. Chances are, you will be
unaware that any of this has taken place until the bills go unpaid. The creditor
then reports the delinquency to your credit file.

How do I protect
myself from identity theft?

Prevention is the first step in battling
identity theft. To minimize the risk of someone’s stealing your identity and the
hassle of cleaning up the aftermath, follow these guidelines:

- Be very
careful in giving out your credit card, social security number, bank accounts
and other information online.

- Do not give personal information or
account numbers to anyone claimig to be from your degree program until you have
confirmed the identity of the person requesting the information and verified
that you need to provide them with the information.

- Know what type of
student financial aid you are applying for (e.g. loans, grants) and the amounts
of the aid awarded. Make sure the amount is promptly credited to your school
account.

- Immediately report the suspected theft or loss of a key
identification document such as a driver’s license, passport or Social Security
card to the issuing agency.

What should I do if I become a victim of
identity theft?

First, contact the fraud department of each of the three
major credit bureaus. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed on your credit
file. This alert will warn creditors to be especially careful in authenticating
the identity of anyone claiming to be you. This means you cannot obtain instant
credit, a minor inconvenience in light of the damage identity theft can do. File
a report with your local police department and make sure to get a copy. Contact
each credit grantor who has opened a fraudulent account to let them know that
you are not the person responsible for opening the account. Have them close
these accounts. If you open new accounts, make sure to place passwords on them.
Call the Identity Theft Toll-free Hotline at 1-877-438-4338. This is the central
point of contact within the federal government for reporting incidents of
identity theft.

Remember to close the accounts that you know or believe
have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. If someone has stolen your
identity and you are concerned about your AES-guaranteed loans or grants, or are
suspicious about student financial aid granted under your identity, you may
contact AES Investigative Services at 717-720-2740, or via email at:
investigativeservices@aesSuccess.org.
EQUIFAX: www.equifax.com

TO
ORDER YOUR REPORT, call: 1-800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241

Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

TO REPORT FRAUD, call: 1-800-525-6285 or
write:
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

EXPERIAN:
www.experian.com

TO ORDER YOUR REPORT, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
or write:
P.O. Box 2104
Allen TX 75013

TO REPORT FRAUD, call:
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:
P.O. Box 9532
Allen TX 75013


TRANSUNION: www.transunion.com

TO ORDER YOUR REPORT, call:
800-916-8800 or write:
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

TO REPORT
FRAUD, call: 1-800-680-7289 or write:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division

P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

About the Author: Joyce
Jackson writes extensively on the advantages of Online Degrees. More tips,
articles, resources and information are on her website: href="http://www.theonlinedegreeguru.com"
target=_blank>http://www.theonlinedegreeguru.com

Source: href="http://www.isnare.com">www.isnare.com