The Political Science degree program draws individuals with a passion for government and politics, but it is also offers interdisciplinary curriculum that is attractive to students seeking a broad, liberal arts education that will serve as a precursor to post-graduate studies. Students may choose to focus their studies and their career interests on international, federal, or state government or political systems.

The most popular career path for political science graduates is to become a lawyer. Political science is a common pre-law degree and the majority of law school students actually hold degrees in political science. The problem-solving, analytical, and oral and written communication skills emphasized in political science curriculum are critical components of post-graduate legal studies.

[Next Step: Law School]

These skills are also valuable and relatable skills for working in:

• Intelligence communities.
• Non-governmental and nonprofit organizations.
• Media or journalism.
• Political campaigns.
• Lobbying or policy analysis in the private sector.

Federal careers can be found in most states and with the largest concentration located in and around the Washington D.C. region. You can find out which jobs are available by searching the government’s Human Resources page. For the federal government, you can see what jobs are available through the Office of Personnel Management.

While a degree offers no guarantee of employment in these areas, political science does provide an outstanding foundational education for developing core analytical, leadership, and communication competencies that are universal and relevant. It is recommended and a common practice that political science students or graduates seek out and complete internships in order to progress in their political-science career of choice.

By Stephen Schwalbe, PhD
Program Director, Political Science at American Public University

According to a 2011 fall survey by U.S. News more MBA graduates are landing jobs now than in the past two years – as a reflection of the improving economy. Among 441 business schools surveyed in the study, 78.8 percent of those graduates were hired within three months of graduation; that’s a 4.1 percent growth from the past two years.

Recent national media attention has shifted to people re-tooling and pursuing their entrepreneurial passions after finding themselves displaced from their jobs/careers. They are finding creative ways to utilize/exercise/capitalize their talents and passions into entrepreneurial ventures. I recently discussed these trends with American Public University’s Dean of the School of Business Dr. Chad Patrizi and Program Director of Business Administration Dr. Kathy Irwin.

What are some enrollment trends you’re seeing recently in the School of Business?

Dr. Patrizi: We are noticing that students are entering the business administration programs and choosing a specific concentration. The highest enrolled concentration is the General concentration in the MBA and BBA programs. The next highest enrolled concentration is the Information Technology Management in the MBA program and the Entrepreneurial/Small Business Management concentration in the BBA program. The Entrepreneurial/Small Business Management concentration has four times the students than any other concentration.

 What forces do you believe are influencing these trends?

Dr. Patrizi: I believe what we are seeing is that our students are entering the program with clear-cut career aspirations. They have mapped the business skills they want to learn to the best concentration that fits their development plan.

Dr. Irwin: We continually assess our curriculum and work closely with industry advisory councils. These councils are made up of exceptional leaders from a variety of business disciplines. This, along with our research and benchmarking practices, help us forecast trends and offer concentrations that many professionals are actively seeking. For example, Healthcare Administration is a high-growth sector that requires specialized knowledge and skills. We are monitoring this and other business sectors to gauge demand. By offering diverse concentrations, we are providing more educational opportunities and students are taking advantage of those.

What criteria do you analyze to determine whether a new concentration will be beneficial?

Dr. Irwin: We research and analyze data, but more importantly, we listen to our students. One of the things I love most about APUS is that it feels like a community. It is a place where our students’ voices are heard. We take to heart what they are saying and we provide relevant curricula. Because of our student-focused culture, and the fact that we are online, we are able to make changes quicker than many other institutions. We also provide additional support that enriches student learning. I believe this distinguishes us from other universities.

Can you expand upon the industry advisory council, how often they convene, and what it means in the long run for learners?

Dr. Patrizi: First and foremost, the IAC provides insight to ensure that the business programs are meeting industry needs. An IAC is held annually and is composed of corporate leaders and experts. They are given an open platform to review the programs in the School of Business. The School of Business sponsors to IACs including an IAC for the Accounting programs and an IAC for the Business and Marketing programs. The IAC s provide information to ensure the programs reflect industry needs to better prepare APUS students. In addition to the IACs APUS conducts Triennial Program Reviews where each program is scrutinize in detail in an effort to optimize the quality of each program. In terms of listening to students, APUS conducts End of Course, End of Program and Employment surveys. The alumni survey are taken 1 and 3 years following graduation. This allows us to pinpoint how effective our programs have been as our alumni members apply their education in the field. In fact, we have a number of alumni who return to earn a second or even third degree.

Many private and public MBA programs are launching development partnerships with large firms to train employees online. Why are so many universities now incorporating online learning?

Dr. Patrizi: Despite the recession, companies still face the challenge of attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. Blended and asynchronous learning offers a lot of advantages to both employers and employees alike. By emphasizing education, organizations are more likely to keep their top employees while also bridging major skills gaps. From an employee’s perspective, numerous studies indicate that education and career development rank high when choosing an employer. It also drives discretionary effort because employees feel as though they have opportunity to grow and develop with an organization.

The challenge is finding cost-effective solutions that are flexible and do not interfere with productivity or work-life balance. That is where online learning comes in. Students can take an online course on their own time and their employers do not lose 8 to 10 hours or productivity per week. Instead, they are developing a multi-skilled workforce. It’s a win-win scenario.

You mentioned the popularity of Global Management Studies—how can employees and multinational firms benefit from this type of business concentration?

Dr. Irwin: Global Management Studies is an important field right now because many companies are transitioning to a multinational business model in order to stay competitive. With the proliferation of the Internet and e-commerce, growth lies in international expansion. Business students recognize this trend and many choose Global Management Studies. This helps them to be well-versed and have an in-depth understanding about the key components for conducting business overseas. These people are going to have a strong foundation when it comes to setting up or growing businesses that are not purely domestic. The program attracts individuals who might be interested in traveling to foreign countries, negotiating complex business deals, and managing projects around the world. It is an exciting subject.

Dr. Patrizi: Europe, China, India, and South America are taking prominent roles in the world’s economy, and the demand is growing for employees that have a global business perspective. Employees are adapting to working in a virtual organization, or in international finance, where team members are geographically dispersed. This is good for business, but at the same time, students need to learn how to research and respect different cultures. Our program emphasizes researching case studies and strategies that have worked or even failed in the international arena. This approach helps students understand and navigate common cultural barriers facing multinational firms.

Why is information technology (IT) such a highly desired MBA concentration?

Dr. Irwin: E-commerce, social and interactive media, enterprise systems management—these are expanding disciplines that are quickly changing. They require employees with specialized skills. We’re seeing a large number of current IT professionals who come back to school in order to finish a higher degree. They want additional business skills to lead larger teams and projects. Sometimes an MBA is required for management positions in IT or for lateral transitions. The IT concentration allows them to earn their MBA while still focusing on a familiar subject. Dr. Patrizi: It is clear that IT is the leading concentration in both our undergrad and graduate business programs. The enrollment data is telling us that this concentration, and the fact we provide it entirely online, makes it a natural choice for IT professionals because they thrive at working and learning in the virtual environment. The data also suggests that many of our students want to round out their technical expertise with business management credentials.

If going back to school is part of your development plan, consider the time you have outside of work and whether online education is a viable option. Be sure to check with your human resources group to see if your organization offers educational reimbursement programs.

[Learn more about the online MBA at American Public University. ]

Interview by J. Mason

One of the most important parts of the enrollment process is figuring out your finances for school. Do you plan on paying out of pocket, applying for financial aid, or getting a loan? If you know the answer is a loan, then it’s a great idea to be educated on the types of direct loans available, and what you qualify for.

Understanding how the payment deferments work, as well as what the grace period is with the loan. The grace period is an allotted amount of time during which you are not expected to make payments on your student loans after leaving school, or dropping below half-time status.

What are the different direct loan types?

Direct Subsidized Loans: Great for half-time students with financial need.

• No interest is charged while you are in school at least half-time, during your grace period, and during deferment periods.
• You do not have to make payments while you are attending school at least half-time and during your grace periods.
• You will receive a six month grace period to make payments after you drop below half-time.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Good for half-time students not based on financial need. 

• Interest is charged during all periods.
• You do not have to make payments while you are attending school as a half-time student, or during your grace period.
• Interest will continue to be charged while you’re in school.
• You will receive a six month grace period after you drop below half-time.

Direct PLUS Loans: Ideal for parents of dependent undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time.

• You can borrow up to the school’s cost of attendance.
• Interest is charged during all periods.
• Direct PLUS Loans do not have a grace period. The repayment begins as soon as the loan is fully disbursed.
• To qualify for this loan you must not have an adverse credit history. A credit check will be required.

Once you know what method best suits you then talk to your financial aid about next steps and starting classes.

By Online Learning Tips Staff

Future administrators need experience observing master teachers and struggling teachers. They must also practice effective note taking. While this sounds simple, scripting teacher and student behavior is especially challenging during the context of a class. The best tools in the administrator’s toolbox are scripting sheets. Each scripting sheet should address a specific skill or observable behavior.

Some questions you’ll expect to address in your scripting sheets are:

• Did the teacher plan effectively and set clear objectives?
• Was the subject material appropriate for the lesson?
• Were the students well managed and were high standards of behavior insisted upon?
• Were the students fully engaged throughout the lesson?
• Is homework used effectively to reinforce and extend learning?

It is impossible to see everything all of the time, so these tools help administrators manage their observation time. Performing a variety of skill assessments across a period of time, and multiple class visits, give the administrator a quality snapshot of teaching behaviors.

[How do you get on the path to administration? Learn more about the M.Ed. in Administration & Supervision online.]

With observation techniques and practice, administrators can master this difficult task. Each state has specific assessments for identifying student skills. In my education program, I ask our students that teach outside of the program to provide information from the state in which they currently teach (or plan to be certified). Together, we identify key observable skills in accordance with any state mandates.

Should administrators draw attention while observing a class?

Administrators should be visible on campus. The more often they visit classrooms the more they will get a “full picture” of what is normal in a classroom. If an administrator is visible, students will learn to accept the administrator’s presence and it won’t be disruptive. Administrator interaction with students will depend on the current classroom activity. Teachers often tell the students to keep working if an administrator comes into the room. Quite honestly, the goal is to be so visible that students and teachers are used to you being there, which results in a better picture of daily classroom life.

How should the administrator communicate feedback to the teacher after a class is observed?

The administrator meets with teachers regularly to discuss observations and to provide the teacher with written feedback. The forms will be kept by the administrator and used as a part of the formal evaluation process. Observations are used to monitor teachers’ strengths and to identify potential areas of professional development for the entire staff. These notes can also be used for remediation or to provide support when recognizing teacher excellence.

Ultimately, the main purpose of evaluating effective teaching and providing consistent feedback is to create an engaging classroom experience for students and to enhance their learning outcomes.

By Dr. Amy Burkman
Director of M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, American Public University

Every student is unique in their own way. Whether they chose the path of asynchronous learning (online), or synchronous (brick and mortar), they possess a set of traits that led them to their education platform choice.

An online education is asynchronous, which means that it is student-centered and uses online learning to share information outside the constraints of time and place among a network of people. So, it would seem to be an online learner you would need to be a self-starter, and unreliant on the more heavily focused peer engagement you would expect on a campus in a physical classroom. While you won’t be talking to your professors and classmates face-to-face everyday, you’ll still have the opportunity as an online student to network and chat with classmates through social media and the classroom.

[5 Questions to Ask if You're Ready to Go Virtual]

So, what traits would help identify an online learner? Several different words come to mind, but there about 5 that standout everytime you think of the online education landscape:

1. Self-motivated
2. Curious
3. Critical thinker
4. Time keeper
5. Independent

[Online University - Is it Right for Me?]

Instructors are present throughout the online experience, but you have to be motivated by yourself to be successful as an online student. You need to be curious about your subjects, and being a good critical thinker is especially important for your discussion posts. Time management is key in getting assignments completed on time, and not letting yourself get distracted by your freedom of surroundings. Being independent as an online learner means you have drive. The fact that you’re not getting dressed for class every day, and still “attending” and submitting assignments on time says a lot. There’s nobody there to scold you in person for handing something in late, you’ll need to parent yourself!

[Learn more about online degrees and certificates at American Public University. ]

If you’re interested in how you can become an online learner, do your research, check out the accreditation on a school before you get too serious, and check out the school’s social media environment and atmostphere.

Happy learning!

By J. Mason

Monday, May 16, 2011 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET

Register Today!

Could religion be headed for extinction or is something else taking its place? In a recent study presented at a meeting of the American Physical Society, scholars suggested that religion may be dying in nine countries including: Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Canada, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. But what is causing this unprecedented cultural phenomenon and what is the future of religious affiliations in these nations?

[Interested in learning more about earning a B.A. in Religion 100% online?]

Join American Public University and our esteemed panel as they discuss the study and delve deeper into the bigger picture of the battle of religion vs. spirituality. This panel will feature both a believer’s and a humanist’s point of view on the topic and include an extensive discussion on religion’s current and future role in the modern world.

Cool news, readers!

American Public University (APU), part of American Public University System, and Northern Virginia Community College today announced a transfer credit agreement. NOVA is Virginia’s largest institution of higher education and one of America’s largest community colleges.

The announcement reflects APU’s continued commitment to provide a ready pathway for community college graduates to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree, according to APUS President and CEO Dr. Wallace E. Boston.

“We’re very pleased to partner with Northern Virginia Community College, which shares our mission to provide access to an affordable, quality, post-secondary education to students,” said Boston. “This agreement will enable NOVA graduates to continue their education online with APU while working in their chosen profession.”

NOVA graduates can apply their eligible associate degree credits in a block format toward junior status at APU for the completion of bachelor’s degrees in subject areas ranging from history, intelligence studies and management to marketing, security management and sports and health sciences, among many others.

You can read about the full agreement here.

This recent podcast explored the necessary steps to take for an online institution to obtain and maintain state licensure for online classes.

Dr. Frank McCluskey, VP, Scholar in Residence at APU interviewed Dr. Russell Kitchner who gave insight into how to get licensure in all 50 states. Dr. Kitchner explains that licensure is more about building relationships between the institutions. He also shares a handful of very stringent tasks that some schools have had to follow in order to achieve licensure; like a program by program review, reviewing the university catalog, and checking up on the organizations refund policy.

There are a great many tips in here for schools looking for country-wide licensure, as well as advising on having a dedicated group of people to work on regulation work to maintain the licensure. For more details on this process listen to the podcast below.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Fred Stielow, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Libraries and Educational Materials at American Public University System.

A lot of you may be the way I was at the beginning of my relationship with online education, and may have the same questions about online libraries… What’s an Online Library? Why would I need it when there’s one down the street?

Fred’s got ya covered.  Check out our newest podcast, and let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

– N

OnlineLearningTips.com – APUS Online Library from American Public University on Vimeo.

In honor of AMU and APU‘s graduation ceremony tomorrow, I thought, that as a DC native, I might put together a quick post with some to-dos and must-sees in Washington, D.C. — so if you’re in the area for graduation, here are my personal top ten favorite things to do (in no particular order)!

1. Visit the Capitol - You can either purchase a ticket at the kiosk just outside the building (for an official, guided tour),  or admission is free, so you can just wander in (after a security screening) and people-watch.
   • Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm
   • No backpacks permitted
   • More information here
   • List of restaurants in this area here
2. Check out the Smithsonian/The National Mall – Both the Blue and Orange Metro* lines go to the Smithsonian (the Smithsonian stop is on the Mall).
   • The Mall stretches from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and is dotted by Museums, cafes & restaurants and more
     • The Hirshorn Museum of Art (beautiful sculpture garden)
       • 7th Street SW & Independence A, Washington, DC; 202-633-1000
     • The National Museum of American History(Lincoln’s top hat, Julia Child’s kitchen, Nintendo GameBoy, etc.)
       • 14th Street NW & Constitution, Washington, DC; 202-633-100
     • National Museum of Natural History (Hope Diamond, insect zoo, IMAX theatre)
       • 10th Street NW & Constitution, Washington, DC; 202-633-1000
   • You can also find the National Museum of the American Indian, the WWII Memorial, and an old-fashioned carousel in front of the Arts & Industries Building.
   • Restaurants on/near The Mall
3. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – Located at the west end of The Mall, this memorial is absolutely a must-see while you’re in the area.
   • Henry Bacon Drive NW, Washington, DC 20037; 202-426-6841
4. Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum – Located just outside the mall, this museum is a sobering experience, but one of the best (IMO) museums DC has to offer.
   • 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC; 202-488-0400
5. Say hi to Mei Xiang and Tian Tian (our giant pandas) at the National Zoo – It’s free and open from 10:00am until 6:00pm daily.
   • 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; 202-633-4800
6. Visit the Newseum- Accessible by Green, Yellow and Red lines on the Metro* the Newseum is an awesome museum (sadly, not free… tickets are around $20/person) featuring front page news from around the world.  Here you’ll have access to 15 theatres and 14 galleries – and I promise a really great, interactive and informative experience.
   • 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., 888-639-7386
7. Walk around Penn Quarter & China Town- If you hit the Newseum, you’ll already be in this area, and the following attractions are all within a 15-20 minute walk:
   • Museum of Crime & Punishment
   • Ford’s Theatre (very cool)
   • International Spy Museum
   • Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
   • The U.S. Navy Memorial
   • The Verizon Center
   • E Street Cinema (eclectic movie theatre)
8. Eat some chili on the U Street Corridor- Home to DC’s famous Ben’s Chili Bowl (1013 U St. NW), the 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW), and plenty of bars, shops, cafes and night clubs.
   • More Food on U St.
9. Take a stroll through Georgetown – Unfortunately, the nearest metro stop (Foggy Bottom) is about 8-9 blocks away, but Georgetown is worth the trip if it’s a nice day.  Here, you’ll find tons of restaurants and shops (from boutiques to big name stores) and it’s just a really beautiful, cute little town that backs up to the water.
   • Georgetown’s main thoroughfares are M Street and Wisconsin Avenue (located right at the end of Key Bridge)
10. Visit Dupont Circle- Accessible by the Red line on Metro, Dupont boasts several posh restaurants and bars, as well as a variety of museums and parks:
    • The Textile Museum
    • Woodrow Wilson House
    • The National Museum of American Jewish Military History
    • The National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall
    • Embassy Row (pretty cool)

Obviously, I’ve given you a TON to do.  And let me put a disclaimer out there: it is highly unlikely that  you would be able to accomplish all of this in one day, so pick and choose, visit the websites I’ve linked to for you above, compare your list to a map and enjoy yourself! Washington, D.C. is really an incredible place (perhaps I’m a bit biased)!

Since this is Nicole’s Corner, and I’m the Social Media Guru here on Online Learning Tips, here are a few apps (iPhone mainly, but I believe some are available on Blackberry and Droid platforms) to facilitate your DC visit:

• Urban Spoon (to help you find good food nearby)
• Yelp (find restaurants, attractions, and events nearby— all rated by locals)
• DC Metro Map (a convenient way to have a Metro map in your pocket at all times!)
• UStream Broadcaster (set up a live streaming video channel online to share your graduation and DC visit with friends and family back home)

Congratulations, grads, and best of luck in your future endeavors…

Cheers, and happy downtown wandering!

*Metro Map