Accountants are the number crunchers of the business world. They tally costs and expenditures, prepare tax documents and inspect financial records to ensure their clients are compliant with various laws, policies and ethical guidelines. Some accountants assist companies or organizations as part of a financial division, while others work independently.

The profession can be divided into several distinct occupations. A large number of accountants work as certified public accountants, who typically operate their own businesses or work for accounting firms. CPAs must be licensed in the state where they work; requirements vary by location, but CPAs in all 50 states must pass the uniform exam administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Managerial accountants oversee the various financial activities at public and private organizations, while government accountants usually service federal, state and local agencies. Auditing focuses on scrutinizing financial records. Internal auditors are tasked with evaluating records in their own organization, while external auditors provide third-party assistance to outside organizations.

Today’s accountants are expected to contribute much more than just mathematical expertise. “The advance of technology has taken a lot of the executing of tasks … out of the hands of accountants and into the hands of machines. That has made accountants fit more into the role of trusted business advisors,” Chris Ekimoff, director at Resolution Economics, an economics and statistics consulting firm.

Many accountants begin their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Additionally, many colleges and universities offer undergraduate degrees in business administration with a concentration or minor in accounting.

States require accountants to complete 150 semester hours before they are eligible to sit for their CPA licensing exam, around 30 credits more than a typical bachelor’s program. For this reason, many bachelor’s in accounting pathways include additional coursework that allows students to complete the necessary number of credits. Some schools also offer joint bachelor’s-master’s degrees designed to satisfy CPA licensure requirements.

Some students are choosing to earn their accounting degree online, rather than in a classroom. Web-based students typically follow the same challenging curricula as their brick-and-mortar counterparts. The online format is also ideal for students with jobs, child care responsibilities and other commitments that may get in the way of campus-based coursework.

How long does it take to earn an accounting bachelor’s degree online?

A typical online bachelor’s degree in accounting program spans 120 credits and requires roughly four to five years of full-time study. Programs with 180 credits or more are usually available at schools that follow a quarterly schedule; these options also require a commitment of four to five years.

How much does an online accounting bachelor’s degree cost?

Tuition for an accounting degree online may depend on the applicant’s state of residence, since out-of-state students typically pay more per credit than in-state students. At schools that differentiate between these two groups, in-state students usually pay between $325 and $400 per credit, while out-of-state students could pay as much as $500 per credit.

However, many colleges and universities charge a flat tuition rate for all students, regardless of state residency; these programs cost roughly $400 to $800 per credit. Students generally should expect to pay between $30,000 and $80,000 for an undergraduate online accounting degree.

Choosing an accredited online accounting degree

Accreditation status is one of the most important considerations for prospective students. Colleges and universities in the U.S. receive accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; the accreditation process involves an extensive review of a school’s educational programs and student services.

A school’s accreditation impacts course credit transferability, as well as student eligibility for federal financial aid, so students should ensure the school offering the program has earned national or regional accreditation.

Many people search for online RN programs, but the truth is you cannot earn an RN designation simply by earning a nursing degree.

To become an RN, you must first earn a nursing diploma or degree. Then you need to pass a national licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN. Once you pass this exam, you will have earned a registered nursing (RN) license.

The RN designation refers to a professional license rather than graduation from a specific degree program.

What is a Registered Nurse?

A registered nurse is a healthcare professional who has graduated from a nursing program, possibly online, and passed the the national licensing exam.

A registered nurse, often referred to as an RN, treats patients and helps educate the public about health. They are front-line providers who give emotional support to patients and their families. RNs also monitor patients’ medical symptoms, perform diagnostic tests and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.

RNs provide direct patient care or, with advanced experience and education, take on the following roles: 

• administration
• case management
• clinical research
• develop patient care procedures 
• teach in nursing programs.

A registered nurse’s primary responsibilities are to provide care and educational resources to patients and their families. 

Registered nurses often work in teams with other physicians and medical specialists in a wide range of healthcare settings including hospitals, homes, schools, community centers, or other non-medical environments. RNs often supervise other nursing professionals like licensed practical nurses (LPNs), unlicensed assistive personnel and nursing students.

Nursing is considered to be a very stressful job because of the direct involvement with suffering, high-pressure situations, emergencies and life or death decision making.  

The field of nursing is growing exponentially and the occupational outlook for nursing jobs in the United States is excellent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many states are currently experiencing a shortage in nurses, while other states have a surplus. 

Because of changes in the American healthcare system due to the Affordable Care Act, many new patients are expected to enter the system. The extended lifespan of the Baby Boomer generation is also increasing the need for more nursing and medical professionals.

Special preference may be shown to registered nurses who: 

• are fluent in another language
• have years of professional experience
• specialize in certain kinds of care, diseases, age ranges, or parts of the body
• have earned a master’s in nursing.

How to Become an RN Online

There are three steps to becoming a registered nurse:

1. Complete the minimum required nursing education—usually a certificate or diploma.
2. Work at a healthcare facility under an RN to gain supervised clinical experience.
3. Pass the national RN examination (NCLEX-RN exam).

Online RN Programs

More than one online nursing degree program can help you become an RN and prepare you to sit for the licensing exam.

RNs may follow one of three educational paths:

• Earn a diploma or certificate from an approved nursing program
• Complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN)
• Earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree (BSN)

Many RNs launch their careers by earning nursing diplomas or certificates and becoming a LPN (licensed practical nurse). Once working, LPNs can go on to complete the coursework needed for an associate’s degree to become an RN. Testing out of required courses can significantly speed up this process.

Some opt to complete an online associate nursing program before taking the nursing exam and beginning to work.

Changing Careers to Become a Nurse

If you have no nursing experience and want to enter this field, nursing school at a local community college may be your best option. Many community colleges offer hybrid or blended online nursing aide programs, nursing diplomas and associate’s in nursing that prepare students to be a Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LPN).
 
Online LPN programs prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-NP exam and lay the foundation for future education needed for an RN designation.

LPN programs, generally offered at community college nursing schools, combine nursing theory courses with local supervised placements inside hospitals and nursing homes. 

Sometimes online LPN programs include coursework required to sit for the the NCLEX-RN exam. These programs allow students to gain different levels of licensure as they work their way through the program.

Nursing students must complete clinical hours and take exams in person, but can complete many core courses, such as anatomy, online. Many online nursing classes also use virtual simulation to enrich learning. 

Similarly, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) gain on-the-job experience and lower levels of licensure before pursuing an RN degree online.

Online LPN programs take, on average, one year to complete. LPN to RN bridge and associate nursing degree programs take two years. 

• Allen County Community College Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing
• Excelsior College Associate of Science in Nursing

For those who have a bachelor’s degree, but their major was not in nursing, there are special programs that allow career changers to earn a RN degree online. These special nursing degrees are often referred to as online accelerated BSN programs or second degree BSN.

Online nursing bachelor degrees are the fastest route to a BSN for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree with a non-nursing major. Few online nursing degree programs, however, admit nurses who do not already hold a valid RN license.

Online nursing master degrees are sometimes open to individuals who hold a bachelor’s in a field other than nursing. Explore an online nursing degree at the master’s level if you already hold a bachelor’s and want to move into nursing without repeating a formal new nursing bachelor’s degree online.
 

RN Licensure and Certification

Once an individual has completed education and clinical requirements, they must pursue licensure to become a registered nurse.

Though licensure requirements do vary by state, passage of a state-approved training program and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) are almost always needed.

The NCLEX-RN exam covers:

• psychosocial and physiological integrity
• health promotion
• infection control
• fundamental nursing skills.

RNs can advance their careers by earning certifications in specialty areas. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, offers a variety of certifications and specialties ranging from General Nursing practice to Public Health Nursing and Pediatric Nursing.

Whether you’re training to work in aviation, you’re enrolled in an online nursing program or you’ve just started taking classes to become a certified teacher, you probably want to know if a degree program is accredited. Accreditation matters in today’s competitive job market. What is accreditation, and how does it impact your future job prospects? Employers look for candidates who hold degrees from accredited schools, and specific program accreditation can separate candidates who get a call back and those who end up in the discard stack. Before you sign up for classes, know whether your program holds appropriate accreditation.

Setting Standards

Think of accreditation as proof that a program or university has met a series of standards set out by an objective board of knowledgeable people. Program accreditation indicates that a specific degree program adheres to rigorous academic standards and educational requirements. In essence, a student who enrolls in an accredited program at one school could transfer to another accredited program without worrying about the quality. The two programs might not share the same curriculum or requirements, but they will both adhere to reliable standards.

In addition, every school that takes advantage of federal funding must be accredited, and a school has to be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its students. Not only is there an academic advantage to maintaining accreditation, but there’s a financial one as well. Accrediting boards review universities and programs periodically to make sure that they’re still adhering to the standards. Any program or school that needs work will be placed on review and may lose accreditation if they don’t meet the guidelines.

Accrediting Agencies in the U.S.

According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or CHEA, there are 60 accrediting boards for individual programs and 19 institutional accrediting organizations in the United States. Institutional accrediting bodies are organized into the following categories: regional, national faith-related and national career-related. Regional accreditation includes organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission as well as the New England Association of Colleges and Schools. Faith-based universities might hold accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation while a career-based institution might receive accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Many programs also maintain accreditation, including those in audiology, construction education, teaching, massage therapy, and computer science. Not all accrediting bodies are recognized by both the CHEA and the Department of Education. The CHEA offers a complete list of recognized accrediting boards.

How to Check Accreditation

Universities typically provide a statement regarding their accreditation status on their websites because this is an important fact to know when choosing a college. Some schools list all of their accreditations on one convenient page, but some universities list accreditation by degree on individual program sites. If you can’t find information about accreditation on your program’s website, then contact that program’s coordinator to check if your school maintains accreditation.

You can also find out information about accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. Keep in mind that the federal government does not accredit schools personally, but it does maintain a list for interested students. If you want to know if a degree program is accredited, then all you need to do is enter your program into the database to see if it maintains active accreditation status.

More people than ever are enrolling in online MBA degree programs.

In fact, in the past year alone, the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business boosted enrollment in its online MBA program by 151% to 369 students from only 147 a year ago. The University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School saw a 78% jump in enrollment to 1,862 students from 1,047 a year earlier.

When U.S. News published its ranking of online MBA programs last month, it ranked nearly 270 different online MBA programs, up from 180 in 2017. And that doesn’t include all the online MBA programs available in the world. The result: Though a rapidly growing segment of the management education market, the online MBA category has already become crowded and commoditized.

And yet, more options are appearing monthly.  In July of this year, Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business will welcome the first cohort in an online MBA program it is launching with 2U, a publicly traded online education provider. UC-Davis’ Graduate School of Management will be next. The school signed a contract with 2U in November and hopes to get its online option off the ground next year. Davis’ new program will be the first online MBA degree offered in the 10-campus University of California system.

What’s behind their popularity? For one thing, you don’t have to quit a job you already have to get your MBA. An online option provides maximum flexibility for a student. If you are a road warrior, who is often traveling for work, you can do your classwork and assignments from anywhere, including an airplane equipped with Wifi or a hotel room.

For another, most online MBA programs can be completed in an accelerated fashion in as little as 18 months or you can spread out the work over a number of years. That flexibility allows a student to work around both personal and professional commitments. If you are on a challenging assignment at work or about to have a newborn baby, you can ease up on your studies for a certain period of time.

Unlike part-time MBA programs that often require you to sit in a class for a couple of nights a week, you don’t have to commute to an actual location and be physically present anywhere. For years, part-timers have had to grind through classes after work loaded up on caffeine to stay alert.  They are also more likely to waive a standardized test requirement such as the GMAT or GRE. And finally, because you are already employed, you may be able to take advantage of a company plan to pay at least part of your education.

“More people are doing online programs because they don’t want to stop their careers and quit their jobs,” says Ramesh Venkataraman, chair of Indiana University’s Kelley Direct MBA & MS programs. “They are doing perfectly fine and like their companies. So the quality of students in these programs is quite high. These programs are here to stay and they are actually going to be a very viable alternative to the full-time programs.”

What’s more, the satisfaction levels of online MBA programs are quite high. Poetsand Quants recently surveyed graduates of these programs and asked them whether they would recommend the program they completed to friends or relatives. On a scale of one to ten, with ten reflecting the most enthusiastic recommendation possible, graduates gave their programs an average score of 9.22. Carnegie Mellon’s blended online MBA program had a perfect score of 10.0, while the programs at Ohio University, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Indiana Kelley and Lehigh University all scored between 9.8 and 9.7.

Homeland security professionals have the weight of the nation on their shoulders. They are tasked with protecting the U.S. from threats ranging from hurricanes to terrorist attacks by anticipating potential problems and preparing plans to manage them. Careers available in the field are diverse, including positions as computer specialists, law enforcement officers and first responders.

“It’s a challenging field,” Dave Gilmore, a security consultant, told the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “You have plans to deal with the more likely problems, but you can’t prepare for every eventuality. You also need to be able to react.”

An online bachelor’s degree in homeland security can help students develop the critical thinking, management and problem-solving skills they will need to succeed in a demanding, unpredictable field.

Students who earn a homeland security degree online can pursue employment in the private sector or with federal, state and local governments. The Department of Homeland Security is one of the largest federal employers – around 170,000 people work for the agency – according to the BLS.

Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in homeland security can also go on to earn an online master’s degree in homeland security. These programs generally do not require any previous homeland security coursework.

How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s in homeland security online?

Completing an undergraduate homeland security degree online typically requires between 120 and 124 credits, which students can complete in four years of full-time study.

How much does a bachelor’s in homeland security cost?

The cost of a homeland security degree online depends on several factors. State residency is an important consideration, since many colleges and universities charge higher tuition for out-of-state students. However, some schools charge flat tuition for online students regardless of state residency. Technology fees are another key factor; these fees often apply to online students but not their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

Per-credit costs for a homeland security degree online typically range from about $200 to $475. Students should expect to pay between $43,000 and $55,000 in total tuition for one of these programs.

Choosing an accredited online homeland security degree program

Accreditation status is one of the most important considerations for prospective students. Colleges and universities in the U.S. receive accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; the accreditation process involves an extensive review of a school’s educational programs and student services.

A school’s accreditation impacts course credit transferability, as well as student eligibility for federal financial aid, so students should ensure the school offering the program has earned national or regional accreditation.