Kaplan University has established themselves as a leader in higher education innovation, serving more than 90,000 students online. Geared toward adult students, Kaplan strives to help them unlock their potential by helping them to prepare for careers by getting a student-centered practical online education.
KU Campus
Last week, Kaplan University announced the launch of KU Campus, an application developed exclusively for the iPad. This application allows students to use the device to access their online classroom. This app is the first of its kind in private-sector education and is available as a free download from the iTunes store.
According to Kaplan’s press release, the key features of the iPad app are as follows:
- Classes: Students can attend classes, access archived seminars, review course content and course structure.
- Course Information: The syllabus, course materials, unit information and links, and activities are available.
- Discussion Boards: Students can join the conversation on the discussion boards and participate in an interactive dialogue with professors and classmates as part of the learning experience.
- Grades and Credits: Students can view assignment and final grades, and credits earned for each course, as well as cumulative credits and GPA.
- Financial Aid Information: Students can view charges, payments and balances by term as well as a summary of financial aid or scholarship information.
- Alerts: Students can access notifications, alerts, and appointments in the message center.
- Connect with Classmates: Students can find links to Kaplan University’s social networks on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to connect with other students and alumni.
Kaplan sees flexibility as the key to their student population, most of whom have jobs and are responsible for care for their families. Fifty five percent of their students are over 30 and 88% take courses online.
Gregory Marino, president of Kaplan University Group, when speaking of their new iPad app:
“This application is a milestone in Kaplan University’s commitment to delivering high-quality educational options to students who value the flexibility of an online format. Our mission is to help our students succeed in every way possible. By offering technological innovation and continuous accessibility, we can accomplish this in ways yet to be achieved by others in the sector.”
Free Ebooks
This isn’t the first time that Kaplan has recognized the need to be a leader in information technology. In January of this year, Kaplan announced that they were allowing FREE download of over 130 Ebooks to either the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Nook, Sony eReader and Kindle for a limited time. The titles included college prep books, test prep books, books related to graduate studies, legal studies, medicine and nursing.
About Kaplan University
Kaplan University has more than 200 academic programs and offerings, and serves more than 61,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.
Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 92,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States and abroad. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest division.
For more information about Kaplan University, you can check them out on our site.
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If you are considering returning to school online you may be curious as to whom offers the best programs, especially in America. There are quite a few to choose from but when you weigh which academic program is right for you, then the in-depth research should be well worth it. If you are currently in school, you may be surprised to see yours on the list.
Top 10 online colleges and universities
- University of Phoenix- The University of Phoenix was founded by John Sperling. He felt that working adults were often overlooked and deserved an equal college education. The first class was developed in 1976 consisting of only eight students. The online program was launched in 1989 in San Jose California. You can currently obtain an Associates Degree, Bachelors Degree, Master’s Degree, or Doctorate level degrees in whatever program you choose.
- Walden University-Walden University is a private institution offering distance learning programs and higher education. This University was founded in 1970 in New York by two teachers: Bernie and Rita Turner. Walden University has been accredited since 1990.
- Capella University-Capella University was established by Dr. Harold Abel and Stephen Shank. Believe it or not, Stephen Shank is the former CEO of Tonka. Capella University offers a vast variety of degrees ranging from Bachelor’s to PhD degrees.
- Ashford University- This University has interesting history behind it. It was established in 1893 originally as a Mount St. Clare Academy which was a boarding day school for girls. This Academy was purchased by Bridgepoint Education in 2005 where then the name was changed to Ashford University.
- Colorado Technical University-Colorado Technical University was founded in 1965. It’s original name was Colorado Technical College and was changed in 1995. Some degree programs that are offered are: business, engineering, Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, etc.
- Strayer University- Strayer University is formerly Strayer College. It is currently owned by Strayer Education. Strayer University currently offers online distance education programs.
- Career Training Academy- This school lives up to its name as it is a successful school for career training licensed by the State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
- Remington College- Remington College launched its new online programs in 2009. They offer Associate’s Degrees in Paralegal and Criminal Justice and Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration with concentrations in General Business, Human Resources, Management, and Marketing, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Management.
- Branford Hall Career Institute- This Institute is an independent career college. You can study in fields such as: Culinary, computer networking, health, paralegals, etc.
- Anthem Career College-At Anthem you can train in Business Management, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, and Paralegal.
So what do you think? Are you currently a part of one of the best online schools in America? If so, which one? Please share with us your positive experiences with any of the mentioned online colleges or universities. Also, please feel free to share with us any job offers you may have received on completion of a degree at any one of these online institutions.
Get free information about online colleges from classesandcareers.com!
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The struggling economy has prompted many to reinvent their careers or pursue life-long dreams. Many are launching small businesses and taking the leap into entrepreneurship: some out of necessity and others fueled by a passionate goal or business idea. Online universities are helping those who need additional education to reach those goals.
A career change
For 25 years, Denise Ransom of Antioch, California worked as an administrative assistant in corporate America. But at age 50, her passion for helping others and her desire to work with people led her to pursue a bachelors degree in human services with the University of Phoenix. After completing her degree and receiving a masters in social work, she launched her second career working with Contra Costa Children and Family Services. However, the economy forced her company to lay her off after only two years.
Faced with unemployment, Denise asked herself the question that so many have asked in this struggling economy, “What will happen to our families?” Ironically, that question prompted her to launch her own small business to provide a business that could answer that question. Her business, From My Heart to Your Heart, is an integrative child-parent visitation service. According to Denise, “…“starting this small business was something I really — so passionately— wanted to do and perhaps that is why the door to success opened for me.”
Business experience and education fueled her innovation
Denise believes that her corporate experience and education have helped her come up with an innovative approach to parent-child visitations. Utilizing four volunteer workers, including two University of Phoenix interns, she operates her business differently than the traditional court sanctioned visitations. Parents and children meet and interact freely during evening hours in a facsimile home environment at a local community church. But Denise takes it a step further by providing interactive courses that improve family communication and help with basic parenting skills.
As with any small business, Denise admits it requires tenacity and a passion for your dream. “Small business is hard work: you’re the cook, the bottle washer, the accountant, etc. You have to do everything, but I wouldn’t give it up for the world. It’s all about what effort you want to put into a small business and about what you want to get out of it.”
Business from the heart
Denise’s approach to business is common thread among women small business owners. A recent study by the Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute indicates that women-owned businesses, like Denise’s, will be responsible to changing the American workforce and generating millions of new jobs. The research confirms the benefit’s of Denise’s passionate management approach, and found that women tend to focus more on community-based business aspects. As owners, they are:
- More diligently engaged in strategic and tactical facets of their business
- More proactively customer-focused
- More likely to incorporate community and environment into their business plans
- More receptive to input and guidance from internal and external advisers
- More committed to creating opportunities for others
Turning dreams into reality
The University of Phoenix plays a crucial role in helping women like Denise pursue their dreams. The University clarifies it’s vision by “constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and educational aspirations without putting their lives on hold.”
Denise can attest to the benefits of this type of education, and the families whose lives she is helping to improve have also been impacted by the education she received at the University of Phoenix.
If you are interested in changing your career and pursuing your life-long dream, you can find information about the University of Phoenix on this site, along with many other accredited online universities.
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