Abstract
Community colleges traditionally offer two-year degrees. This paper explores the possibility, costs, advantages and disadvantages of these same colleges offering four-year degrees as well. It discusses accreditation, student make-up and college classification.

From the Paper
"Recently, the post-secondary educational market has seen many changes. Recent years have seen the advent of on-line schools, distance learning and a variety of two-year and community colleges have appeared on the market place. Many two-year community colleges currently offer transfer programs into four-year degree programs. Attending a two-year community college to complete the general requirements of a four-year degree program is quite cost effective. There are also several pitfalls, such as accreditation differences between the two programs. As a result, many times students waste valuable time and money in having to repeat work already completed at the two-year program because the four-year program will not accept the credits. For many students the idea of attending a four-year program is not possible because of cost restraints, yet they still wish the benefits afforded by a four-year degree. This raises an important question, should community colleges offer four-year degrees?"

Tags:education, program, university, course, institution

Abstract
This paper takes a look a the various qualifications and degrees awarded to nurses following their training. First, it considers the nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing who has attended a four-year program and is generally a Registered Nurse.Then it describes a nurse with a Masters in Nursing Science, who has been trained in a specialized field and has the expertise to treat patients in that field, prescribe medications and supervise a staff of professionals. The paper concludes by stating that a baccalaureate program provides the nurse with basic knowledge associated with nursing, while the graduate degree program allows the nurse to become specialized in a particular field of medicine and gain expertise in that area.

From the Paper
"A nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing has attended a four-year program and is generally a Registered Nurse. A nurse with a Masters in Nursing Science, however, has been trained in a specialized field and has the expertise to treat patients in that field, prescribe medications and supervise a staff of professionals. Therefore, a baccalaureate program provides the nurse with basic knowledge associated with nursing, while the graduate degree program allows the nurse to become specialized in a particular field of medicine and gain expertise in that area. The training that the nursing candidate receives is significant because of the need of..."

Tags:nursing, health, care

Abstract
This paper explains that the rapidly changing healthcare environment requires various levels of nursing educational preparation, which involve advanced levels of competence. The author points out that the scope of practice becomes wider as advanced degrees create an impressive variety of practice settings. The paper describes many types of advanced nursing, which can be completed at a university or online. The author stresses that nurses have an ethical demand to pursue advanced practices because of the professional principle of beneficence, which refers to doing well and working in the best interests of the patient and because of the more salient principle of autonomy. The author summarizes that an advanced level of nursing practice maximizes the use of in-depth nursing knowledge and skill for meeting the needs of the individual patient, family and the community.

From the Paper
"The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four-year baccalaureate degree program for non-nurses which leads to RN licensure. The baccalaureate degree is the minimum requirement for entry into professional nursing practice. This requirement resulted from the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) position paper requesting the baccalaureate degree as the minimum preparation for practice. The basis for that degree was the observation by the ANA of significant changes in the practice of nursing, which included important theoretical formulations, scientific discoveries, technological advances, and the development of new treatments."

Tags:competence, online, ethical, autonomy, practitioners

Abstract
This paper is a review of an article by Jonathon Alter, "Degrees of Discomfort - Is Homophobia Equivalent to Racism". Newsweek. March 12, 1990. The essay discusses the article and assesses the validity of Alter's arguments.

Abstract
This paper explains that, although many experts believe an online degree is simply not as effective as a traditional degree, studies consistently show there is little difference in the outcomes between online and traditional learning. The author points out that most experts agree that, for meaningful online education, there must be student-to-student interaction and well-timed, student-to-teacher feedback. The paper stresses that, to succeed in online education, students must be motivated to complete the course on their own, be comfortable in an insulated environment where they do not have face-to-face contact with other students and their instructor, and must be extremely comfortable with computers and technology; procrastinators will not survive many online courses.

From the Paper
"While many more schools are jumping on the distance education bandwagon, the question remains, how effective is distance education versus traditional in-class education? Many educators believe there are many positive outcomes from distance education, as one expert notes, "Contrary to intuition, current Web-based online college courses are not an alienating, mass-produced product. They are a labor-intensive, highly text-based, intellectually challenging forum which elicits deeper thinking on the part of the students and which presents, for better or worse, more equality between instructor and student". However, much of the business community is still quite hesitant to recognize online education as a viable alternative to the traditional degree process."

Tags:effective, research, employment, feedback, interaction

Abstract
The paper looks at the issue of security in a day and age when so much of our information is being stored electronically - or even online. The paper focuses on the troubling proliferation of "degree mills" and outright fraud within the IT sector and discusses how more and more people appear keen on passing themselves off as something they are not in an effort to secure high-paying and highly prestigious jobs with the government - or with the private sector. The paper looks at three internet news sources - two of which look at a troubling case of fraud involving a former high-ranking bureaucrat within the US government, while the other one looks at what schools are doing to prepare and produce legitimately-qualified computer systems analysts and technicians capable of securing the nation's networks from attack. The paper concludes that while the "system" is not fool-proof, at least it is showing signs of moving towards a comprehensive, systematic approach for giving the IT sector the people it needs - as opposed to individuals who are only interested in advancing their own personal agendas.

From the Paper
"The following paper will present some critical thinking on current events as they pertain to computer information systems. Specifically, the paper will look at the issue of security in a day and age when so much of our information is being stored electronically - or even online. However, where this paper will diverge from most essays on this subject is that the focus of attention will not be upon fire-walls or hacker-resistant codes or security protocols for tightly controlling access to a database, but upon the troubling proliferation of "degree mills" and outright fraud within the IT sector. Put simply, more and more people appear keen on..."

Tags:digital, age, security

Abstract
This paper explains that the feminist article by Charlotte is simply written and effective in its clarity. The author states the reader is encouraged to know that feminist theoretical material is not just philosophical but should promote greater interest and knowledge of the exterior world including varieties of women's experience and problems, which otherwise might not be known or considered..

Abstract
This paper relates that, although seeking an online graduate degree may seem to be advantageous, the expense most likely is greater because there are no scholarships, work-study programs nor paid research opportunities. Next, the author underscores the online education problems of missing interaction and emotional support from other students and of the need to be able to maintain the discipline required with a personal study schedule. The paper stresses that a graduate degree from an online school is not as well accepted in the workplace or overseas.

From the Paper
"There is also the issue of emotional support of other students. Often, even in a traditional university context, graduate study can feel isolating and lonely. A student must commit him or herself to a long-term research project and spend long hours in the library. Hearing other student's voices in class and discussing ideas with fellow students can be profoundly motivating. Granted, online classes usually have Blackboards, message boards, and even chat rooms that provide student interaction, even on a daily basis. But now brick and mortar institutions offer the same options, with the added advantages of real life discussion and interaction with professors."

Tags:discipline opportunities, real life discussion, connections schedule

Abstract
This paper gives an in-depth analysis of the present and vital need for various levels of nursing educational preparatio. The paper notes that this is because of a rapidly changing health care environment. Nursing degrees constitute a highly relevant issue for the nursing profession as they involve advanced levels of competence. Additionally, the paper cites advanced degrees as significant on a personal and professional level because they form a major aspect of continuing learning for nurses.

From the Paper
"At the present time, there is a vital need for various levels of nursing educational preparation because of a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Nursing degrees constitute a highly relvant issue for the nurisng profession as they involve advanced levels of competence. Advanced degrees are significant on a personal and profesional level because they form a major aspect of continuing learning for nurses. Ongoing learning is essential in order to keep pace with a health care system that is in a state of flux. A second point about advanced degrees is that the scope of practice becomes wider and an impressive variety of practice settings is..."

Tags:bsn, phd, value

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that in the study, "Driven and No Regrets: A Qualitative Analysis of Students Earning Baccalaureate Degrees in Three Years," authors Michael Firmin and Krista Merrick Gilson illuminate the motivations and causes of a student pursuing an undergraduate degree in three years. The writer details the goals, the methods and the results of the analysis, as well as provides subjective opinion on the subject itself, the study and the larger questions raised. The writer concludes that the idea of a three year baccalaureate degree is not only a sound fiscal decision; it is an idea that should be perpetuated throughout the curriculum of high schools nationwide as a viable option for students.

Outline:
Type of Research
Purpose of Research
Research Design
Instrumentation/Observation
Description of Sample
Recruiting Method
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Results
Conclusion

From the Paper
" The purpose of the study is to discover themes and patterns in the decision to take on a baccalaureate degree in three years. In this sense, the authors set out to discover what motivations were present in the decision-making process, what sorts of backgrounds the students were coming from, and what determining criterion were present. In a broader sense, the authors recognized the ever-increasing cost of secondary education in the United States, and, especially when one in three students are earning a degree, the need for a more cost-effective undergraduate education. By choosing a three-year program, these authors hope to tap into the minds of the students to discover motivating factors, and personality characteristics that led to a decision to graduate in three years."

Tags:undergraduate, student, academic, motivation