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  • Looking for a Change of Career? Upgrade Your Life With These Quick Online Programs:

    Looking for a Change of Career? Upgrade Your Life With These Quick Online Programs:

    When it comes to careers, it’s a bit disheartening to think about having to change your path as an adult. You’ve already been trained and educated in your field! How are you going to switch gears when you suddenly find yourself without a job, or start looking for a change of pace?

    Today we’re going over some of the top online degrees that are sought out by people changing careers. These are programs that will work on your schedule, at your pace, and help you transition into a new career path with no fuss.

    Top Online Degree Programs:

    Accounting

    Accounting is a very stable field of work. If a company exists and does business, it has an accountant. As long as there are people doing business, people need an accountant. You can pursue a degree in accounting through many great online programs, and getting into the field is straightforward once you have a degree.

    Independent work in the field of accounting is plentiful, whether as a bookkeeper, payroll professional or freelance accountant. Arguably the most plentiful work for a freelance accountant would be tax preparation. On average, an accountant makes $68,000.

    Human Resources

    HR is a field that offers very stable work, as all large companies need an HR department. Without an HR department, companies can’t easily manage their people. If you like working with people and don’t mind defusing potentially incendiary situations, HR might be a great field for you.

    You’re sure to find ample work in the field once you get an online degree in HR. Companies with large enough profiles require sizable HR departments, making the field very consistent and stable. On average, HR professionals make around $60,000 per year.

    Nursing Degrees

    If you have a compassionate heart and want to get your foot in the door in a medical career, consider an online nursing degree. Nursing is a rewarding and stable career that you can pursue via an online degree course. No matter where you live, there are hospitals that need nurses, so the job is consistent. Additionally, nurses make good money and often receive full benefits for their work.

    Registered nurses can make an average of $70,000 per year once they’re in full swing.

    Criminal Justice

    If you’re interested in a more civic-minded career, you could look into online degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice field includes jobs like corrections officer, court functionaries and even police officers. While the degree itself has a wide scope, it can be pursued online and offers a great change of pace to a rewarding career serving one’s community.

    Police officers usually make an average of $60,000 per year, though that number can vary widely depending on the county, experience and other factors.

    Cyber Security

    Jobs in cyber security are highly sought-after in our increasingly connected world. While you might not think it, IT specialists and cyber security professionals are in higher demand than most other skilled labor. If you’re passionate about technology and interested in a career in cyber security, a degree in the field can be pursued online at your own pace.

    Cyber security professionals can make an average of $90,000 per year if they’re successful and have relevant experience. This makes the field very attractive for people looking for a change of pace from their existing career!

    Graphic Design

    If you’ve got a hand for art and want to get into a paying career, graphic design could be the path for you. Designers typically work for companies that need lots of graphics, such as designing logos, advertisements and the like. Graphic design work often sees lots of overlap between art and computer science. As such, it’s a highly competitive field with lots of job opportunities.

    On average, graphic designers make around $47,000. That number can vary a lot based on how much experience you have, who you’re working for and where you’re located.


  • Degrees in Nutrition: Can You Get One Online?

    Degrees in Nutrition: Can You Get One Online?

    If you’ve been thinking about changing career path, you might have considered a job as a nutritionist. Or, if you haven’t maybe you are now. Work as a dietary expert or a nutritionist is very important in our ever-changing world, and it’s not hard to find work in the growing field. Today, we’re going over the career path of a nutritionist and how you can get a degree in nutrition online.

    Nutrition Degrees

    What is Nutritional Science?

    Nutritional science, the field of study one pursues in a nutrition degree, is the study of the intersection between optimal health, dietary choices and food. In short terms, nutritional science looks at the types of food people eat to see what kinds of health those foods promote.

    Nutritionists are becoming increasingly more important in the US for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the population is aging: Baby Boomers, one of the largest demographics in the country, need increased dietary attention as they age. Secondly, American lifestyles are becoming increasingly sedentary, and people aren’t getting enough good nutrition on average.

    Careers in Nutrition

    Due to these demographic factors, it’s estimated that the need for nutritionists will increase by 15% by the year 2026. This means that nutritionists will see career growth around 7% greater than the national average, according to current projections. This means that a job in nutrition is a great bet for your future and your career.

    In order to find work as a nutritionist, the average dietary professional needs a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science or a related field. This education covers a wide variety of topics, from medical science to physiology to food science. In short, it’s a rather involved field!

    Average Pay

    On average, a nutritionist working in America will make $55,000 per year. That’s roughly $25 per hour, which is not a bad median income for a bachelor’s degree! Since the pay is relatively good, the work is stable and in high demand, and the position requires only a four-year degree, work as a nutritionist is increasingly popular.

    However, not everyone has the free time to attend a four-year university to get their nutritional science degree. If you’re interested in making a change of careers to nutritionist, but don’t know how you’ll find the time to get your degree, you should consider online courses.

    Online Degree

    People with busy schedules, full-time jobs and families often can’t make the time for full-time attendance of a university to get a new degree. However, taking courses online can open up possibilities for your education. Since online courses can be taken in the evenings or whenever you have down time, you can fit them around your busy schedule more easily.

    Contrary to popular misconceptions, a degree you get online is just as valid and respectable as one you get in person. If you attend an accredited online university with a legitimate degree program, you will get a legitimate degree!

    Common Misconceptions

    Some people believe that online degrees are easier to obtain than in-person degrees, or that they’re less important. This isn’t true, though. Someone acquiring their degree online will work just as hard as a student in a classroom. Studying, writing papers and taking tests are all still parts of online course work, they’re just done on the schedule of the student, instead of the schedule of the course.

    Another common misconception about online degrees holds that they are often cheaper than in-person courses. However, this also isn’t always true. However, with an online degree, you don’t need to worry about certain collegiate expenditures, like covering a dorm room, a meal plan and a parking pass for on campus!


  • Careers in Medical Billing and Coding: Online Degrees

    Careers in Medical Billing and Coding: Online Degrees

    Getting a degree online is one of the smartest things you can do when you’re looking to change careers. A very popular online degree course for new career-seekers is a career in medical billing and coding. There’s a lot to love about this career path, and today we’re going over what you could expect from a career in medical billing and coding. Let’s talk shop.

    Medical Billing and Coding

    Job Description

    What, exactly, does a medical billing and coding specialist do? Well, there are two answers to that. The straightforward answer is that a billing and coding specialist sends people the bill for the medical services they were provided. Pretty simple, right? Well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

    A more complex answer is that the billing specialist oversees what’s known as the billing cycle. The billing cycle is the main interaction between patients and doctors once medical services are completed. A billing specialist oversees the registration, processing, recording and handling of sensitive patient records, which makes this a very important job.

    Responsibilities

    When a patient comes in for a visit to the doctor, the billing and coding specialist has to translate all of the services rendered and activities to codes. These codes indicate a record of what kinds of medical services are being billed for. Then, this recording is sent to whoever is paying for the visit, which is usually an insurance company.

    Other than billing and entering code, specialists also handled denied claims and work with insurance agencies to understand why claims are denied. When bills are past due, specialists have to reach out to the patients or insurance agencies in question regarding the late payments to acquire the missing funds.

    Job Satisfaction

    This means most of the work a billing and coding specialist does is highly specialized and technical, but not incredibly fast-paced of inherently stressful. The work is usually done in a medical setting, such as a doctor’s office, though some specialists work independently and are contracted.

    If you’re interested in a job in the medical field that doesn’t involve directly dealing with patients, this might be a good job for you. Those with a good eye for details, strong work ethic and who enjoy clerical work are ideal candidates for billing and coding specialist jobs.

    Where You Work

    There are a number of places that billing and coding specialists work, but primarily they find their work in hospitals. Private practices are also common employers of billing specialists, as are nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, health insurance companies and pharmacies. In short, you can find work as a billing and coding specialist in nearly any aspect of the medical profession.

    Other specialists work from home as independent contractors. While it is possible to begin a career as a work-from-home coding specialist, these cases are much rarer than working in a medical setting. That said, there are some medical billing specialists who make a living from home, just know that you likely won’t start in the field as a contractor right after getting your online degree.

    Average Pay

    The average pay for a medical billing and coding specialist varies depending on their experience, the setting they work in and what kind of work they’re doing. In general, however, a billing specialist makes an average of $34,000 per year, or around $16 per hour. That’s assuming an average amount of experience, a college degree and work in an office of some kind.

    Keep in mind, contractor work will end up paying more than full-time employment, but contract work means you need to have your own insurance and pay taxes yourself.


  • Should You Get a Degree Online?

    Should You Get a Degree Online?

    Maybe you’ve been considering going back to school, or maybe even going to school for the first time. However, you might not have the time or the spare cash to go to a traditional four-year university. If that’s the boat you’re in, have you considered online degrees?

    There’s a lot of misinformation on online degrees out there. Today we’re going to dispel a few common myths and explain why an online degree could be perfect for you.
    Is an Online Degree Worth It?

    On Your Own Time
    One of the best things about attending an online university to get your degree is that you get to pursue your education on your own time. At a traditional university, you would have to work around the schedule of the school. Many universities require a certain base number of credit hours, meaning you could be spending up to six hours per day at the school.

    If you have a full-time job or a family (or both!) it can be exceedingly difficult to find the time to take college courses. That’s where online degrees come in. Instead of having to attend lectures in person and make it to the school to take tests, an online university allows you to take in the material on your own time.
    No Judgment
    Many people are afraid to go back to school for fear of being judged. Some feel as though their decision to seek out a new career path is comparable to admitting defeat. As such, they’re hesitant to attend a physical college, and they might even resent the idea of getting a degree online.

    However, studying and learning a new profession online is a great way to prove that you haven’t given up. If your current job situation stinks and you really want a change of pace, whether for better hours or better pay, there’s nothing more defeatist than just sticking around.

    When you go back to school online, there’s no one looking over your shoulder and judging you. It’s just you and the work you’re assigned. While some degrees might have video conference-style lectures, they’ve got a distinctly different feel than sitting in a lecture hall.

    Accredited Schools
    Some people feel as though online degrees somehow mean less, or are less valid, than degrees that were acquired at conventional universities. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you attend an online university that is fully accredited and get a degree, it’s just as prestigious and valid as a degree from a four-year university.

    Notably, many people often feel this way about certifications that can take less credit hours to acquire than bachelor’s degrees. For instance, many nursing certifications or cosmetic certifications can take as little as two years to acquire. This doesn’t make them any less helpful in acquiring a job than a four-year degree, it just means they’re much more focused.
    For instance, nursing certifications and criminal justice are two of the more popular online courses. Another popular choice for people seeking out online education is a degree in nutrition.
    Authentic Experience
    While it might not be the most traditional experience, attending a university online is no less authentic than going to college. Maybe you never went to college, or maybe you got a degree that has proven unhelpful in your career. Either way, now is the time to make a change and get that degree you’ve been thinking of.

    Go on, you’ve got nothing to lose. Find the online school that’s right for you today!


  • Can You Get a Law Enforcement Degree Online? The Facts

    Can You Get a Law Enforcement Degree Online? The Facts

    While many people are on the lookout for the best jobs, they often overlook law enforcement careers. However, careers in law enforcement can be rewarding, with great opportunities for benefits and pay. You might be wondering how you would get started looking for a career in law enforcement, though. Isn’t it hard to become a law enforcement professional?

    Thankfully, there are numerous online programs that offer opportunities to pursue a law enforcement degree. If you’ve been wanting a change of pace in your career, this is a field you should be thinking about. You can serve your community and advance your career prospects when you get into law enforcement.

    Online Law Enforcement Degrees

    Online Degrees

    Contrary to popular belief, there are numerous accredited and well-respected online universities that offer law enforcement degrees. Whether you’re already out of school but looking for a change of career, or never went to college but want to advance your career prospects, there’s a lot to like about online degree programs.

    When you go to a traditional college, you have to set aside time in your day to attend lectures, take tests and other such activities. That’s all fine if you’re a kid, but a busy adult rarely has that kind of down time to spend on a university campus. That’s where online degrees come in.

    Your Education, Your Way

    Online degrees allow you the freedom and flexibility to take courses at your own pace. If you find you’ve got little time during the day for classes, you can take your lessons and tests at night after you get home from work. If you have children you need to take care of, it’s hard to get time set aside for classes. Thankfully, online degree programs are flexible enough to work with your schedule.

    It’s also worth noting that many online degrees are also very affordable when compared to traditional universities. Keeping your costs down while pursuing your degree is a huge help for a working person!

    Law Enforcement Careers

    There are a number of rewarding careers in the field of law enforcement. The most obvious of these is police officer. While you’ll still need police training following your degree program, a law enforcement degree is the first step to becoming a police officer.

    There are many other types of jobs in the law enforcement field, too. Many careers with federal agencies require a law enforcement degree, as to jobs with the courts system. Another potential avenue for law enforcement careers would be through national parks, as a park ranger.

    Law enforcement careers are often tied directly in with the operations of the federal or a state government, meaning that they are often subject to background checks and rigorous vetting. As long as you’ve got a clean record and a passion for service to your community, you’ll likely fit right into the law enforcement field.

    Average Pay

    The average pay of a law enforcement career can vary widely from job to job. For instance, even among police officers, though the median income is $60,000, that number can vary immensely from department to department. Experience, background and length of service also have a lot to do with pay.

    On the other hand, a job with a national park or a job with a federal court could offer vast ranges in pay based on where you’re working. One commonality, however, is that benefits tend to be exceptional for government work. Medical, dental and other such health coverage are all common with law enforcement jobs, and retirement benefits are a common draw to such jobs.

    If you feel as though a job in law enforcement would be ideal for you, seeking out an online degree is step one. The rest is up to you!


  • Looking for a Change of Career? Consider These Online Degree Programs

    Looking for a Change of Career? Consider These Online Degree Programs

    When it comes to careers, it’s a bit disheartening to think about having to change your path as an adult. You’ve already been trained and educated in your field! How are you going to switch gears when you suddenly find yourself without a job, or start looking for a change of pace?

    Today we’re going over some of the top online degrees that are sought out by people changing careers. These are programs that will work on your schedule, at your pace, and help you transition into a new career path with no fuss.

    Top Online Degree Programs:

    Nursing Degrees
    If you have a compassionate heart and want to get your foot in the door in a medical career, consider an online nursing degree. Nursing is a rewarding and stable career that you can pursue via an online degree course. No matter where you live, there are hospitals that need nurses, so the job is consistent. Additionally, nurses make good money and often receive full benefits for their work.

    Registered nurses can make an average of $70,000 per year once they’re in full swing.

    Criminal Justice
    If you’re interested in a more civic-minded career, you could look into online degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice field includes jobs like corrections officer, court functionaries and even police officers. While the degree itself has a wide scope, it can be pursued online and offers a great change of pace to a rewarding career serving one’s community.

    Police officers usually make an average of $60,000 per year, though that number can vary widely depending on the county, experience and other factors.
    Cyber Security
    Jobs in cyber security are highly sought-after in our increasingly connected world. While you might not think it, IT specialists and cyber security professionals are in higher demand than most other skilled labor. If you’re passionate about technology and interested in a career in cyber security, a degree in the field can be pursued online at your own pace.

    Cyber security professionals can make an average of $90,000 per year if they’re successful and have relevant experience. This makes the field very attractive for people looking for a change of pace from their existing career!