Online Education

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ONLINE EDUCATION PROFILE

California’s public schools face one of their biggest challenges ever as a generation of teachers are retiring or leaving to raise their own families. The state mandate to reduce class size will create a need for an estimated 300,000 new teachers desperately needed to fill these vacancies.

According to the National Education Association Fund, California teachers are being wooed by an annual salary, (ten months) which is the ninth highest in the nation and the legislature has proposed raising teacher’s salaries an average of $3,000 annually in the 1999-2000 budget.

Because the Los Angeles school districts employ over 9,000 teachers with an emergency teaching credentials, one school — National University, already a leader in online education, has designed new programs specifically intended to help teachers complete their education requirements. Teachers can update their skills and earning power at the speed of the Internet, thanks to programs offered by National University.

Multiple and Single Subject (CLAD) Credential Programs as well as Crosscultural Language Academic Development (CLAD) certification programs are available online by simply logging on. CLAD certification, which enhances sensitivity to language acquisition and diversity, is important in California’s multi-cultural classrooms where students come from as many as 200 language backgrounds.

For time-starved teachers, National’s new online programs offer a convenient means to obtain new skills on a more flexible schedule. Programs can be accessed at any time, from any computer – even in the middle of the night if a student chooses. Currently, 17 teacher credential and certificate programs are offered. National’s new online teacher programs provide a new option for a population of individuals who can not participate in programs at traditional times or at specific locations.

In a recent survey, Los Angeles ranked No. 15 in the country for employing more high-tech individuals. California statistics continue to boast that 60,000 new information technology jobs were created in the last three years. Nationally, one million new jobs in the high-tech industry were added in the past six years. The average wage was nearly $63,000 in 1997, 90 percent higher than employees in other industries. And, the average wage increased six percent or $3,700, adjusted for inflation.

Addressing California’s need for highly qualified information technologists, National is meeting the demands of the future workforce. Women make up almost 40 percent of total IT employees. Nationally, there are currently 190,000 job openings in the field of information technology, with an average of only seven candidates per 10 openings.

Lack of career development was stated as the major frustration and reason for employee turnover.

National University, renown for its distinctive and innovative one-course-per-month format in an accelerated timeframe, allows lifelong learners to achieve their career goals. All projections are that the fields of computer science, technology management, information technology and software engineering will continue to expand at an incredible pace into the new century.

Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered. A Bachelor of Science with a Major in Computer Science or Information Technology is in high demand and offered through National. Students wishing to enhance their careers may enroll in any of the advanced degrees earning either a Master of Science or an MBA. Master of Science degrees are available in Software Engineering, Electronic Commerce, as well as Telecommunications Systems Management. A Master of Business Administration with a Specialization in Electronic Commerce, Environmental Management, Technology Management or Telecommunications Systems Management offer a variety of state-of-the-art programs.

Certificate programs in Electronic Commerce, Environmental Management, and Information Technology offer students an alternative option in meeting today_,s demands.

The Curriculum is designed to prepare students to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving technological fields. Programs are balanced to incorporate both managerial and technical areas of expertise. Faculty members, who have worked in the business arena, anticipate the demands of each field and equip students with the knowledge, skill and necessary flexibility to meet both current and future challenges.

Recent studies indicate that for a student to be a successful online learner, self-discipline, a high level of personal motivation and family support are essential. National is introducing four new online programs including a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Electronic Commerce and a Master of Science in Nursing.

With the exponential growth in technology, the LAX Learning Center is expanding and adding an additional 11 classrooms to accommodate projected growth of 400 new students. A state-of-the-art computer lab with 35 high-speed computers will be available to all students.

For more information or to enroll in any of the new degree programs, please call Maggie Yadegar at 1-800-NAT-UNIV (628-8648) ext. 6606.

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