When students express interest in becoming multimedia artists, many will research topics such as the highest-paid animators, modelers, or designers. Knowing what to look forward to in regards to salary is undoubtedly useful potential. As shown by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average animator salary in the United States currently stands at approximately $72,500. This calculation is based on almost 74,000 animators as of 2016. Also, the industry is moving in a positive direction with an eight percent increase in the annual job outlook. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the market is expanding.

Nonetheless, every compensation analysis has to review different factors that could be impacting the results. For instance, while it is very unlikely that the data obtained from 74,000 people could be skewed with individual outliers, it might happen. So, how would one figure out why someone is the highest-paid animator?

An animator’s salary earned is based on several factors including things such as animators’ experiences, training, levels of responsibility, portfolios, and abilities to negotiate compensation.

Highly Experienced

According to a PayScale analysis, animators can expect to earn the most when they have about a decade worth of experience.

At this point, their starting salary will be raised by an extra $10,000 to $15,000. Several years of experience makes animators much more valuable compared to new graduates as their productions will often be more profitable. This is because having ten years of animating knowledge will be much more valuable than recent graduates can bring. Payscale also states animators who remain in the field for over two decades are very likely to see a rate of diminishing returns and therefore experience a decrease in their annual earnings.

Trained and Certified

Besides experience, highest-paid animators are usually the ones with the highest level of training and most valuable certifications.

While this relates to experience, it is analyzed as an individual factor because individuals could possess a high level of technical knowledge without major experience. An example of this is an animator who holds a master’s degree but lacks tangible experience outside of an internship or two.

Animators who decide to extend their area of expertise to include some administrative or management work will rapidly improve their annual compensation. In other words, the highest-paid professionals will usually be in charge of large departments and many employees. Only those who also carry an appropriate amount of experience and training will be eligible to take on leadership roles.

Outstanding Portfolio

Fortunately, not all of the reasons why a certain animator might have a mind-blowing salary are related. Having an outstanding portfolio may have nothing to do with experience, training, or even level of responsibilities. On the contrary, it simply deals with one having a solid list of prior engagements. Sometimes, people can build their portfolio to near-perfection by spending a lot of their college career working on successful projects. While this requires a lot of extracurricular effort, it is a much easier route to a high-paying position than waiting for a decade or longer and getting multi-certified.

High-Profile Projects

The nature of animators projects impacts their salary. For example, an animator with significant experience will have more opportunity than animators who mostly work on short commercials or video game trailers. While both of those types of ventures are great for building skills and getting to network within the market, those with several years of experience with typically generate more revenue. Consequently, the animators behind such lucrative projects are going to be in high demand in any industry they decide to enter.

Negotiate and Leverage Talents

In the end, all of the skills mentioned above will be futile absent one’s ability to leverage talents in exchange for a high salary. Employers looking to hire animators with the right combination of experience, training, leadership, and portfolio versatility, are often willing to negotiate contracts until both parties are satisfied. If the animator in question understands just how much their prior work history is worth, they will be able to easily recognize under-market offers that are unfair. Expectedly, the odds of them ultimately arriving at a very high salary that matches their talents is much greater. Thus, learning how to properly negotiate is a timeless skill that will allow animators to get closer to earning the highest salary in the business.

Most animation students will have to spend a significant amount of time in their career gaining experience and building their portfolio before reaching their dream compensation. This is true of all other fields as well and the animation market is no different. While it may be challenging to become the highest-paid animator right after attaining the necessary credentials, it is achievable given the right exposure, talents, hard work, and fruitful negotiations.

Related Resources:

What Degree Do I Need To Be An Animator?

What Can I Do With An Art Degree?

What is the Median Salary for an Animator?

What is a Typical Day in the Life of an Animator?

What Does an Animator Do?

Is it Easy to Work for Myself as an Animator?

Are Their Certain Parts of the Country Where It’s Easier to Find a Job as an Animator?

The post What Kind of Animator Makes the Highest Salary? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What is the GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is one step in the application process for admission used by many graduate schools. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and four universities introduced the test in 1936. The University of Wisconsin in 1938 was the first to require students to take the GRE.

A 2017 article published in PLOS, a non-profit Open Access research journal, concluded that the general GRE is ineffective as a predictive tool for assessing graduate students.

Initially, the GRE consisted of verbal and quantitative sections; analytics and logic were later additions. In 2002, the analytical writing assessment replaced these two. Later modifications occurred in 2007, 2008, and 2011, with the current score scale of 130-170 for the verbal and quantification segments. The analytical writing section has a 0-6 score in half-point increments.

Students with an undergraduate major in one of the following may need to take one of the GRE Subject Tests. The six disciplines are:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Literature in English
• Physics
• Psychology

Students considering applying to a graduate program in biology should check the school’s admission requirements. According to Varsity Tutors, the biology subject test covers genetics, DNA replication, cell biology, plant and animal biology, and molecular biology. Other topics include ecology, which tests your knowledge of community and population ecology, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more. Expect questions on lab techniques, namely chromatography, microscopy, DNA analysis, and immunochemistry. (See the Varsity Tutor site for free practice tests in biology)

Will I need the GRE?

Perhaps not! A May 2019 article in Science magazine stated that fewer graduate schools use the GRE. The main reason is that studies show that impressive GRE scores are not a valid indicator of success in master’s programs. The University of Michigan’s biomedical sciences graduate program dropped the GRE in 2018. As other schools joined Michigan, peer pressure accelerated the cancellation of the test requirement. Some colleges and universities were concerned that the test requirement may eliminate potential candidates for admission.

The Science article provides a link to a list of biomedical programs not requiring the GRE – compliments of the University of North Carolina biological science programs.

In 2020, Princeton University made the GRE optional for fourteen graduate programs. Two of these are Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Molecular Biology. Some of the school’s reasons are bias, the tests’ cost, and lack of validity.

The University of Central Florida’s Master of Science in Biology does not require the GRE for application. You need to submit one official transcript of your undergraduate grades, three letters of recommendation, a CV, and a personal statement. However, students applying for a UCF fellowship are encouraged to provide the GRE scores. There are annual stipends for master’s students.

Uncertain Times

As of this writing (February 2021), we are amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some schools have temporarily suspended the GRE test to facilitate the admission process by eliminating extraneous requirements. The University of Louisiana (UL) at Lafayette is one example of the GRE being eliminated for many graduate programs. The Master of Science in Biology is one. But these suspensions might be reinstituted at a later date (post-pandemic).

UL Lafayette stipulates that eight of its graduate programs still require GRE scores. These include business, accounting, computer science, education, informatics, and environmental resource science.

Entrance Requirement

Missouri State’s Master of Science in Biology states that the GRE General Test scores are mandatory, in addition to the other admission documents (GPA, three recommendation letters, and personal statement). Both the traditional master’s and the accelerated format require the GRE results. The school specifies that the GRE score must be commensurate with the advanced program.

It appears that the number of schools not requiring the GRE exceeds those needing it for admission consideration. Students who intend to apply to the Master of Science in Biology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, will need official GRE scores. The school uses a formula ( {[( 200*GPA) Averaged % ranking] > 300 ]}) that includes your GPA and GRE when considering graduate applicants. Those falling below the threshold of 300 have the possibility of admission on a probationary basis.

How Important?

As elaborated above, you need not stress about the desire to excel on the GRE tests. There are innumerable opportunities to find graduate programs in biology with no GRE requirement. At Skoolville, you can find a directory of universities in the United States that do not require the GRE. Peruse these and others, which support the premise that the GRE is waning in its necessity.

Additional Resources:

Top 50 Highest Paying Master’s Degrees

Are there programs where I take my Master’s and Ph.D. in Biology simultaneously? 

What does an Epidemiologist do daily?

Do American schools accept the IELTS for international graduate students in biology? 

Do people planning to attend Med School often have a Master’s in Biology?

Is there a reason for me to take the GRE Biology test?

If I am an international student, how much should I score on my TOEFL to get into a competitive Biology Master’s program? 

The post How important are GRE scores for a Master’s in Biology? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

“I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington

What comes to mind when you think of agriculture? 

When you think of the term ‘agriculture’ you probably conjure up certain images, such as that of a field-bound farmer toiling away in the broiling heat of a midday sun. Conversely, you probably do not imagine highly lucrative agriculture careers with highly diverse, specialized skill sets. 

As you will soon discover in this article, long-gone are the days where a profession in agriculture equated to long days of manual labor in the outdoor heat. In today’s world, agriculture science is no longer limited to farmwork, and can act as a bridge into many seemingly unrelated careers. Basically any industry that depends on products harvested from the natural world will have roots in agricultural science. And what’s more–not only has the professional job market of agriculture evolved immensely, but so too has the potential for highly rewarding professions–both in terms of available career opportunities as well as career trajectory for specific careers.

What Does this Mean to You? 

Well, simply put it means that there has never been a better time to consider a profession in agriculture. Moreover there has never been more entry-points into the most rewarding sectors of the job market. While a degree in agriculture will not pigeonhole you into a career of outdoor labor, it can open the door to some of the best outdoor jobs available. 

Few careers offer such impressive diversity. A background in agriculture can lead to a career in petroleum engineering or environmental engineering, or crop and soil science. These careers in turn offer vastly different work environments–from research work in labs, to golf course management, to engineering or construction work on oil field operations. 

As with any career with such diverse professional paths however, it is crucial for prospective professionals to determine both their chosen entry-point into their career–be it advanced education or work experience–and the desired end point of their efforts. For instance, if you want to manage or develop golf courses it might take years of building experience in tangential fields to build up the necessary experience. 

Review our Agriculture Degree FAQs Before We Delve Deeper into Careers 

• What can I do with an agriculture degree?
• What classes will I have to take for a degree in agriculture?
• Why do I need a degree to become an agricultural manager?
• What degree will I need to become an agricultural engineer?
• What is the difference between an agricultural engineer and an environmental engineer? 
• How do I become an organic farmer?
• What degree is needed to become an organic chemist?
• What Jobs Can I Get With a Biology Degree?
• What Degree Do I Need to Be a Genetic Engineer?
• Top 10 green-career for nature lovers  
• Top degrees for animal lovers 
• What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Questions to consider to determine if an agriculture degree is for you

• Do you prefer working in a solo or independent environment? Or do you prefer working in a team or group setting? 
  • Answering this question will help you decide between the various agricultural careers defined by more independent research and responsibilities, as well as the more social career paths such as those in the corporate environment. 

• Do you want to work outdoors, indoors, or in a mixture of both? 
  • A background in agriculture will open many doors to outdoor professions, so it is important to decide whether this is something you value. 
  • It is important to note here that the flexibility inherent in agriculture’s robust career paths and opportunities means that you should be able to find the perfect match for you–whether that means working outside for every billable hour or if it means working indoors without exception. 

• Do you prefer theory and research or do you prefer working where rubber meets road where theories become action?
  • Available agriculture careers offer a number of research heavy, laboratory-type opportunities, as well as ‘boots on the ground’ professions where you will be heavily involved in the action. 
  • Do you lean towards one or the other? Or perhaps your ideal career lies somewhere in the middle. 

• Do you want to teach eventually? 
  • While this question may be harder to answer earlier in your career, and work as a teacher can be pursued at any time, the qualifications to land upper-tier teaching gigs are steep. 
  • To become a professor of agriculture for instance requires a stout background in research in combination with an advanced degree. For most professionals this will require long-term planning, and so even if you think you may want to consider it in the future, there will be some necessary steps to take and benchmarks to hit. 

• What is your desired entry-point into your chosen career? 
  • When deciding on how best to prepare for entering the job market, at some point you will inevitably have to choose between building work experience and pursuing advanced education. While pursuing both at the same time is certainly possible, doing so will require careful planning and consideration. 

• • When answering this question you will need to have a clear conception of your goals, as well as how to meet these goals within the context of your chosen profession. 

In order to fully answer these questions you will need a strong understanding of the various career opportunities available to you, as well as the requirements for maximizing these opportunities. So let’s review some of the most profitable careers in agriculture and what education or work history is required for each, so that you can make an informed decision. 

Most Common Agriculture Careers

Before we delve into the upper echelon of professions let’s go over the most commonly held job types with a degree in agriculture. While these jobs may not be the most profitable, they are important to be aware of since they represent the majority of opportunities within the agricultural job market. On the other hand, positions like that of the agronomist offer highly impressive high-end salaires. And much like any profession, the pay of these jobs can be multiplied when you push into upper tier opportunities with greater experience and specialization. 

• Farm Manager
• Average Salary: $60,000
  • A farm manager is a role self-explained by its title. Farm managers oversee farming operations in all shapes and sizes. 
  • As such their responsibilities run the gambit of tasks involved in farm upkeep and oversight, and they are not afraid to get to work in the mud if needed. 

• Agronomist
• Average Salary: $84,000
  • An agronomist acts as the bridge between farming operations and crop researchers. 
  • The agronomist is often dubbed “the crop doctor,” because their responsibility is in monitoring the health of crops, and employing strategies to ensure a successful yield.

• Agriculture Educator
• Average Salary: $47,365
  • An agriculture educator works in a variety of educational environments to explore and pass on knowledge of farming, agriculture, and the complex dynamics of harvesting and preserving natural resources. 
  • These educators work within programs at all levels of education in a range of settings from middle school classrooms to non-profit consultancy organizations, to doctoral programs at high-end universities around the world.  

• Agricultural Consultant
• Average Salary: $64,803
  • An agricultural consultant assumes the role of educating clients within the context of a specific subject or desired result. 
  • For instance, agricultural consultants often work closely with golf courses or golf teams to ensure the quality of a golf course. They might also work closely with construction groups to advise on the structural integrity of the ground, or they might advise farmers on how to employ various new technologies to improve the yield of their harvests. 

• Soil Scientist
• Average Salary: $63,280
  • A soil scientist is a master of–you guessed it–soil. Do not be deceived by this simplistic description however, soil science is a vast and complex field that works to push environmental science innovation forward. 
  • A soil scientist studies the newest research and collects data on the most effective ways to preserve soil health in order to facilitate successful farming operations, human health, as well as land conservation. As such they are often at the forefront of large scale conservation efforts. 

How to Find the Highest-Paying Degrees and Careers in Agriculture

When considering the best payoff for a career in agriculture there are some ‘universals’ to consider when choosing a degree. 

• Firstly, while there are some exceptions, a more advanced degree will typically result in higher salary potentials. Similarly, the majority of well-paying jobs in the agricultural job market are those that lean into either engineering or specialized data analysis, so if your career path leans into those skill sets, you are likely going to see impressive salaries.
• Secondly, work experience also acts as a multiplier on one’s salary. So in many cases it might be worth it to build experience in a job that’s less profitable at face-value in order to unlock the higher salaries that come with seniority, rather than jumping over to a career path with higher salary averages. A minor point here, too, is that if you are not finding the salaries you want for a certain job in your area, you may need to branch out your search to other parts of the country, since agriculture jobs more than other jobs are subject to strong regional influence on pricing and compensation.
• The third and perhaps most important point is to lean into your strengths. You will be much more successful in a career that you enjoy and are able to be passionate about year-in and year-out. And it goes without saying that the greater your success in your career, the greater financial opportunities you will enjoy. 

Requirements for high earnings in agriculture

• Before we explore these there are a few points to consider. While these professions may not have the highest end-point salaries in the industry, we believe it is unhelpful to prospective students and professionals to report a salary that represents an enigma, or an exceedingly rare level of compensation that would be extremely unlikely for anyone to obtain, not to mention those just starting their careers. 
• So to organize this list, we took into account both the career’s average salary in combination with the earnings of the lower 10% and the higher 10% in order to determine their spot within this list.  
• There are certainly other agricultural professions that are highly profitable, however the following careers are those that are both common and reasonably accessible to prospective professionals and students alike.

• The salary stats below were gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale, and Salary.com 

The Most Lucrative Jobs in Agriculture

Agricultural Operations Manager

Average Salary: $67,950 

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s in Agricultural Management, Master’s or MBA helpful  

An agricultural operations manager represents a promotion from the traditional farm manager position. While a farm manager might oversee a single farm, an operations manager will specialize in a subset of specific farming operations, oftentimes spread out over many farming operations in an area. In today’s economy for instance, a highly demanded agricultural operations manager position is one where the manager oversees all the industrial hemp operations for farming operations with many locations. 

According to the BLS in 2018 the median wage for farm and ranch managers was $67,950 while the lowest 10% of earners made less than $35,440, and the highest 10% brought home more than $136,940. This is a profession that was in a dire shortage just a few years ago, so the compensation packages have improved drastically and evidently become very impressive at the upper levels, however the BLS reports that overall growth will be little due to the consolidation of smaller farming operations into larger ones. This does represent a unique albeit highly competitive route for promotion and professional advancement. 

Animal Geneticist 

Average Salary: $68,840

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science, Advanced Degrees and Specialization in Genetics or Bioinformatics Helpful

Animal geneticists within the agricultural sector are masters of bioinformatics. They employ advanced mathematics, computing techniques, and laboratory technology in order to map out the genetic factors involved in the various components of animal life, such as overall health, success rates of reproduction, and resistance to disease. Because of this specialty, animal geneticists are at the forefront of many large scale production operations, as well as conservation efforts. 

This career path is one that is heavily influenced by one’s educational background with work history coming in close-second. For this reason, a professional will achieve a salary that multiplies the average when they enter the job market with an advanced degree such as a PhD in Genetics or Genetical Engineering.

Food Scientist 

Average Salary: $71,990 

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s in Agriculture, Degree in Food Science Helpful

A food scientist employs a deep knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and engineering in order to master the various dynamics of food processing–whether that be through actually cooking food, or through working in the industry on the industrial production side. Food scientists are charged with employing various strategies to monitor food degradation and to prevent it entirely where possible. Much like an animal geneticist, the highly specialized knowledge and skill sets involved in food science make it a career where advanced education is appreciated and rewarded.

Reflecting this reality is 2018 data from the BLS. The lowest 10% of food scientists earned less than $38,740 annually, while the highest 10% of earners made more than $116,740 While the BLS predicts no impressive growth, it is clear that overall employment of agricultural and food scientists will have grown by 7% between 2016 and 2026. This growth is near the average for all occupational growth in the United States.

Agricultural Engineer

Average Salary: $74,480 

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s in Agricultural Engineering, Master’s or PhD Helpful

An agricultural engineer is a sort of ‘jack of all trades’ who is the ultimate problem solver of agricultural operations. They manage any power supply issues, strategize what farming technology to use and how to use it, all while prioritizing the highest level of space, time, and energy management. That is, they are charged with ensuring that a farming operation is an efficient operation. Because of the experiential knowledge involved, education level seems equally balanced with work history in terms of scaling salaries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), agricultural engineers earned a median salary of $77,110 in May 2018 which has jumped to $80,720 as of 2019. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,500 in 2018 to $47,330 in 2019, and the highest 10% earned more than $116,850 in 2018 to $160,950 in 2019. The BLS estimates that employment of agricultural engineers will have grown by 5% between 2018 and 2028 – slightly smaller growth than the average growth for all occupations. While job growth may be slow, the rise in salaries over the past few years demonstrates a highly profitable job market.

Agronomy Sales Manager 

Average Salary: $76,470

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science, MBA or Sales Specialization Helpful

Agronomy sales managers are the ‘shot callers’ of the farming industry. They typically manage a team of salespeople and fly all over the country to educate farmers on how to properly manage their operation while simultaneously promoting their products, which primarily take the form of fertilizer, seed, farm equipment, or anti-pest chemicals. Because of their role in sales, sales experience or a sales degree might even outweigh the importance of an agriculture degree.

That is not to say you do not need one, but if you don’t, you may be able to compensate with a strong work history in sales. Likewise, if you want to pursue the upper-end salaries as an agronomy sales manager, you should look to develop sales experience in conjunction with an advanced degree in agricultural science or agricultural engineering. This will help you achieve the high-end salaries reported to be in the low six-figures, or as high as $200,000 annually in senior management positions.

Agricultural Commodities Broker and Trader 

Average Salary: $78,214

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s of Agriculture, Agribusiness; Master’s of Agribusiness, MBA, or Sales Specialization helpful

Agricultural commodities brokers are investment-traders that specialize in the agricultural market. Oftentimes these brokers will specialize in a particular crop such as corn, rice, or coffee beans. They will then monitor the market for these crops, set trade values, and execute trades respectively. Throughout this process the broker develops client relationships in order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of commodity trading. 

As such it represents a highly social job type with highly promising salary indexes. According to Payscale the bottom 10% of these professionals earn an average of $49,000 annually, or less. The top 10% of brokers report earning around $138,000 or more. Given the social nature of this profession and the importance of managing relationships, higher salaries seem strongly weighted towards those with the most working experience in the industry–while an advanced degree in agriculture or sales will certainly speed up the process.

Agricultural Hydrologist 

Average Salary: $79,370

Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s in Hydrology, Master’s in Agricultural Science

Water is the lifeblood of any agricultural operation, and it is similarly crucial to any environmental conservation efforts. Thus at the center of the agriculture industry is the hydrologist. The hydrologist specializes in knowledge concerning water chemistry, groundwater behavior, as well as hydration demands of certain crops or farming strategies. Success in this field requires at least a bachelor’s in agricultural science with a specialization in hydrology. Advanced agricultural degrees often include sufficient hydrology coursework, however as with any highly specialized career path, the more education the better.

According to the BLS, hydrologists earned an average of $79,370 in 2018, which has jumped to $81,270 in 2019. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,820 in 2018 to $51,220 in 2019. The top 10% of highest earning hydrologists brought in more than $122,890 in 2018 and $127,400. The BLS expects employment for hydrologists to have expanded by 7% between 2018 and 2028 – just slightly faster than the average for all occupations in the US. Thus the field of hydrology is growing fast, and not only that, but the salary indexes are jumping nicely year after year–with upper end employment bringing in solid six-figure salaries.

Check out the top 20 non-law firm jobs with a law degree.

Agricultural Economist 

Average Salary: $104,920

Degree Requirements: Double Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science and Economics, Advanced Degrees Helpful

An agricultural economist is the statistician behind commodities trading and brokering, the mathematician behind the agronomist’s price-setting. Agricultural economists have a highly specialized knowledge base, so advanced education takes priority over work history. 

According to the BLS, economist jobs are fairly lucrative in general with agricultural economics ranking around the middle for economy job salaries overall. Professionals with more advanced degrees such as a Master’s or PhD in Agricultural Economics should be able to pull in salaries that nearly double that of the average. To obtain these positions however, will require an impressive pedigree of research achievements as well as a robust background in advanced education.

Agricultural Lawyer 

Average Salary: $115,820

Degree Requirements: Law Degree; Agricultural Science Specialization (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Law Specialization)

When you think of legal professions, agricultural lawyers are probably not the first type to come to mind. Agricultural lawyers are in extremely high demand, and are some of the most well-paid legal professionals overall. This is because the agriculture industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries on the planet, while also representing one of the largest industries on the planet. For these two reasons, agricultural lawyers are crucial for small farmers and multimillion dollar agricultural operations to navigate the legal environment. 

These lawyers have an immense task of understanding not only local and regional regulations, but also federal law and regulations, as well as international trade regulations. For this reason, advanced agricultural lawyers who demonstrate success in these arenas earn astronomical salaries of mid to high six figures. These types of salaries however, represent the end-goal for agricultural lawyers and may only be achieved after decades of success. Regardless of this fact, average salaries remain some of the highest in the industry, and represent a lucrative specialization for any aspiring lawyers as well. 

Agricultural Purchasing Manager 

Average Salary: $118,940

Degree Requirements: Bachelors in Agribusiness, Master’s or PhD in Agribusiness, MBA or Sales Specialization Helpful 

Agricultural purchasing managers work at the upper-end of the agronomist’s market, expanding their scope of business beyond that of the agronomist to include the acquisitions of entire farming operations. These managers oversee groups of purchasing agents to monitor market trends in order to swoop-in at advantageous times to acquire agricultural infrastructure. These purchasing managers have earned a somewhat negative reputation–at least where local farmers are concerned–because these purchasing managers are the ones who often offer failing farmers a deal they cannot resist. 

While this may lead to a negative connotation from farmers, the purchasing manager is a position of seniority and prestige. These professionals are trusted by large organizations to oversee high-end investments and the management of million-dollar budgets. To excel in this field, you will need to master the ins and outs of the agriculture business, while demonstrating stellar sales instincts and abilities. The BLS reports that high-end purchasing managers pull in around $200,000 annually. 

Fast Facts About Lucrative Agriculture Jobs

• The most profitable degrees in agriculture seem to be those that either involve highly specialized knowledge, or those that involve high-end business maneuvering. 
• These two different approaches can be divided in this way: Agribusiness Degrees, and Advanced Science Degrees. 
• Agribusiness degrees can be maximized by pursuing a business degree or law degree in conjunction and lead to by far the most profitable careers in the industry. 
• To maximize your earning potential in advanced science careers of agriculture, it is important to pursue the absolute highest degree you can, that is, the most specialized degree in your chosen field. This path leads to professions like the Agricultural Hydrologist, Food Scientist, or Agricultural Geneticist. 
• Of course, the final pointer here is to not let these linear paths described above dissuade you from pursuing your passions. Maybe you dislike having to choose between agribusiness and advanced science careers.
• For instance, consider this question: are you interested in the intersection between agribusiness and advanced science? If so, then you may be able to carve a path that incorporates the most lucrative aspects of both. 
• In short, do not settle for anything less than your highest aspirations. 

The post Highest Paying Degrees in Agriculture – Majors and Careers appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Leaders Aren’t Always Managers, and Vice Versa

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay, public domain

In a perfect world, all managers would be good leaders. In reality, that’s far from the truth. Only 18 percent of managers in the U.S. actually “demonstrate a high level of talent for managing others,” according to a 2016 Gallop poll cited by Forbes. This lack of leadership skills is a real problem, costing companies an estimated $550 billion each year.

Almost every worker has known some managers who flounder when it comes to leading people. They may be good at other aspects of management, like planning projects or coordinating logistics, but they miss the mark as personnel leadership is concerned. Perhaps they were promoted based on seniority, availability or knowing the right people. Whatever the case, they may have solid skills in managing operations and projects, but that doesn’t make them leaders.

You may also know great leaders who don’t work in a management capacity. They may have no formal supervisory duties, but their way of interacting with others always brings out the best in people and the projects they work on. Sometimes leaders who work outside of management are just waiting for the chance to break into a manager role, but other times, they prefer actually doing the work over handling planning and administration aspects of a project.

If you’re considering a master’s degree program in organizational leadership, there’s a good chance that you want to find that sweet spot of being both a leader and a manager. Given how difficult it is, statistically speaking, to find a manager with great leadership skills, the good news is that employers are eager to hire someone with the set of skills you’re intentionally working to cultivate. While management is a physician that emphasizes directing processes, leadership is a behavior, and its biggest impact is on relationships and the people involved in them.

General management has more to do with the daily operations work of organization, planning and directing, while organizational leadership encompasses higher-level tasks like creating the organization’s vision, navigating change and developing the human workforce.

Similarities and Differences Between Leadership and Management Curricula

How does this distinction between leadership and management matter when choosing a graduate school program? Master’s degree programs exist in both organizational leadership and organizational management. At first glance, there will likely seem to be a lot of overlap between the curriculum of a master’s in organizational leadership program and a master’s in organizational management program. In both degree programs, students should expect to encounter coursework in leadership theories and strategies. Topics like communications, ethics and the legal environment of a business or organization are also common in both types of graduate degree programs.

The distinctions between these programs are often subtle. While a program that culminates in a master’s in organizational leadership may include classes like leadership decision-making, a degree in organizational management may instead cover financial decision-making. An organizational leadership program might delve deeper into topics through classes devoted to conflict resolution, while an organizational management program is more likely to bundle this topic into broader subject matter areas like human resources management. You’re more likely to find coursework in the management of marketing, advertising, public relations and finances in a master’s degree program in organizational management than one in organizational leadership.

Still, organizational management master’s degree programs can prepare you to become a great leader, especially if you go into the program recognizing the differences between leadership and management. Many programs allow students to customize their education to some degree through electives and concentration options. Choosing classes that pertain more to the area of organizational leadership – or even a concentration in organizational leadership – can help you cultivate leadership skills while still fleshing out your knowledge of management more generally.

Students should be aware that a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a bit farther removed from a master’s in organizational leadership degree than a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in organizational management. M.A. and M.S. degrees tend to have a narrower focus on the subject of leadership than MBA programs, which encompass all aspects of business administration.

Conversely, M.A. and M.S. programs apply to a broader range of career opportunities outside the corporate world, including leadership in nonprofits and schools, than MBA programs, which emphasize the strategies and practices specific to business applications.

Additional Resources

What Is the Difference Between an MBA and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership Degree?

Is a Degree in Organizational Leadership a Good Precursor to a Career in Politics?

What Are the Positives of Organizational Leadership?

The post What Is the Difference Between Organizational Leadership and Organizational Management? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

The term refers to the goods and services a business supplies to another. Therefore, the function of industrial distributors involves an array of jobs to service a client. The task might be the sale of a piece of equipment that will boost production in a manufacturing facility. The supplier may not become involved until a problem arises. For example, a plant that bottles pasta sauce experiences a breakdown in a conveyor belt. As the distributor, you don’t need to know how to bottle sauce, but you do need to know which conveyor belt the customer requires to resolve the interruption.

The ultimate goal of the pasta bottling facility is to move their product to the consumer; this is known as consumer distribution. In contrast, I.D. is a cog in the supply chain that allows one business or manufacturing entity to maintain the movement of goods. The manufacturer outsources certain aspects of the production process to companies that can best serve its needs – either to fix a problem, increase production, expansion, or update equipment.

Here is a glimpse at some of the potential jobs in the field of industrial distribution:

Outside Sales

Sales can have many components. For example, a sales representative or manager confers with a newly formed company about to launch its first products. The sales distributor meets with the client to assess what they need to begin operations. At the introductory phase, the rep wants to ensure that a trusting relationship forms at the outset, knowing this will lead to future sales as the company expands. As the rapport develops, the rep should maintain frequent contact with the client to address any concerns. Even a no-sale can go a long way toward showing that the rep has an interest in the success of the company. The success of which precedes the salesperson’s desire to sell.

Marketing

A company may seek the assistance of an I.D. to increase its market share. If sales begin to lag, the client wants to know why and what it can do to regain and grow their presence in the respective market for its products. Enter the services of a marketing professional whose task it is to examine competitors, historical sales, market share, and other criteria to gain an overall picture of the situation.

Using statistics, the marketing representative scrutinizes data to ascertain why sales dropped and where there are avenues for growth. In this endeavor, the marketing team may consult with sales and operations personnel for their thoughts.

Software Support

Computer software is another job title engaged in industrial distribution. With the preponderance of computers involved in manufacturing, sales, and analytics, this is a vast field. Many facilities use robotics in their operations; order revenue for 2019 amounted to $1.681 billion in robotic orders. Much of the demand comes from the automotive O.E.M. (original equipment manufacturer) industry that experienced a 50.5% increase in requests for 2019.

Computer software is the brains behind robotics. Therefore, software technicians must meet the customers’ needs to maintain and resolve computer glitches. A software (or hardware) problem could seriously hamper production resulting in lost time and sales.

Consultant

The qualifications for this position typically require an M.B.A. Firms such as L.E.K. Consulting provide a full-service for a variety of industries through their 1,600+ professionals. According to its website, selected undergraduates become a Summer Associate working with a management consulting team. The next step is the invitation for exemplary M.B.A. students to work as a Summer Consultant for 8 to 10 weeks. The role may land you on a business services team that analyzes business models for clients in the assessment of new markets, for example.

Another job in the consulting arena is a warehouse consultant. The duties in this job exceed the confines of storing and moving pallets of goods. Warehousing is one spoke in the supply chain, as the efficiency in storage can facilitate distribution. A smooth warehouse operation reduces time searching and transferring products for shipment. To accomplish this objective, the warehouse consultant appraises the space, its usage, accessibility of goods, handling practices, logistics, the labor force, and more. These factors have a bearing on the profitability of the company.

Logistician

Logistics is one phase in the distribution process that covers every stage of the supply chain from the purchase of raw materials to the transportation of the product to the buyer or consumer. The position may start by looking at the big picture, which is the entire manufacturing operation. From there, the logistician narrows the focus to the details per the above stages. The individual requires an analytical approach and a keen sense of organization. Upon the conclusion of his/her findings, a presentation to management is likely. Therefore, effective oral and written communications are crucial to the job.

The above jobs only scratch the surface of possible careers in the field of Industrial Distribution. With the diversity of positions comes a variance in the degrees that qualify one to work in the profession. Some of these include logistics, supply chain management, statistics, management, sales, marketing, and business administration.

Additional Resources:

• 15 Top Degrees for the Highest-Paying Business Careers
• Top 50 Online Business Degrees
• Top 10 Undergraduate Business Schools
• 30 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees

The post What are some typical job titles for a recent graduate of Industrial Distribution? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

There is no question that the most common bachelor’s degree achieved for one desiring a sports medicine profession is a sports medicine degree. Sports medicine degree programs prepare their students for a variety of careers in both athletics and medicine. Common careers for sports medicine degree program graduates include athletic trainer, personal fitness trainer, physical therapy clinic trainer, rehabilitation specialist, or an athletic coach.

Sports Medicine Bachelor’s Degree(s)

Program Overview

Sports medicine degree programs champion their interdisciplinary education. The field is broad, encompassing everything from athletic training to exercise science and nutrition. A sports medicine degree should give its students the skills needed to work with both individuals and communities, working to improve both individual and social health.

It is common for sports medicine degree programs to offer a specialization. Typical specializations or concentrations include exercise science, health sciences or rehabilitative science. If you have found or are looking at a bachelor’s degree specifically in sports medicine but without offered specializations, it will likely still be impacted by whether it is offered by the department of medicine, physical education, physical therapy, or kinesiology.

It is important to understand that there are many bachelors’ degrees that may be referred to as sports medicine degrees. This includes degrees like a BS in Health Education and Behavior, a BS in Health Science, a BA in Healthy Lifestyle Management, and a BS in Exercise Science. The following discussion of sports medicine degree programs is not specific to one bachelor’s program, but instead is meant to display general knowledge about all sports medicine program details and goals.

Program Location

Sports medicine bachelor’s degree programs are available on campuses across the country. Sports medicine degrees online are also a readily available option for qualified students.

Length of Program

Sports medicine degree programs are similar to other undergraduate programs. A student who stays on track can expect to finish their bachelor’s in four years. The first two years of education are often filled with general requirement courses and electives, while the final two years of education are specific to the bachelor’s program chosen. Sports medicine degrees online are usually going to have a similar timeframe, though it is not uncommon for them to offer greater schedule flexibility and/or the potential for a slower pace. Should a student transfer into a sports medicine degree program (on-campus or online) or already have existing transferrable credits, it may take as little as two years to complete a sports medicine major.

Expected Courses and Education

Generally, sports medicine programs seek to give their students a strong foundation in both health sciences and behavioral sciences. This will include fundamental knowledge surrounding exercise and fitness as they relate to human physiology, as well as a particular emphasis placed on the ability to recognize, prevent, evaluate, and treat fitness related injuries and poor practices.

Please note that the following list is neither exhaustive nor conclusive. Specific courses are going to depend on what sports medicine bachelor’s degree you have chosen to pursue, what department offers the degree, and what your chosen specialization (if you have one) is.

The courses listed below are typically taken in addition to (or after the completion of) general elective course and requirements (like math, English, humanities and/or foreign language(s)).

Potential Courses

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Kinesiology
• Nutrition
• Fitness and Culture
• Emergency Assessment and Care
• Biomechanics
• Principles of Sports Medicine
• Theories of Sports Medicine
• Injury Evaluation and Treatment
• Therapeutic Modalities

Clinical Practicum Experience

Depending on one’s specific bachelor’s degree chosen or area of specialization, a clinical practicum experience or internship may be required. These experiences are often completed in the student’s final quarter or semester (15-20 credits) and are typically full-time supervised work experiences.

Master’s Degree Potential

While many may choose to gain employment immediately after graduation from their bachelor’s degree program, other students choose to continue in pursuit of a master’s or professional degree. This choice to continue is often made in order to open up the door to a career as a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a nutritionist, a nurse, or a physician.

How Do I Choose a Program?

There are so many options available to today’s student that it can make it extra difficult to know how to make your choice. As you consider bachelor’s programs, pay attention to the things that matter specifically to you. Is tuition a big deal? Then pay attention to costs/credit and whether or not there is flexibility in the student schedule for part-time work. Do you already know what you want your professional career to be? Then apply to programs that offer a specialization that focuses on that area. Lastly, though there are specific sports medicine degree programs, don’t forget to look at degrees in health sciences, exercise science, or healthy lifestyle management, as those too will set you up well for a career in sports medicine.

Laura Mansfield

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) | Sacred Heart University

Associate’s Degree of Nursing (ADN) | North Seattle Community College

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Marketing, Sales | University of Washington (Seattle)

January 2020

More Articles of Interest:

• What Can I do With a Degree in Sports Medicine?
• What Does a Sports Psychologist do?
• What Can I Do With a Degree in Sports Science?

The post What is the Best Bachelor’s Degree to Get if You Want to Get Into Sports Medicine? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

You may be contemplating moving towards a career in graphic design. As a consequence, you undoubtedly have a good number of questions about becoming a graphic designer. A primary question might be whether or not you are likely to be hired as a graphic designer without a degree if you’re a strong portfolio. As is the case with so many things in like, this question doesn’t result in a clear black and white answer.

A College Degree, a Portfolio, and a Freelance Graphic Designer

A significant percentage of graphic designers are freelancers, independent contractors working on their own. While the benefits of obtaining a degree in graphics design or an associated area of study cannot be underestimated, you can succeed in this profession if you lack a college degree but have a strong portfolio.

The reality is that a prospective client is not highly likely to focus on a freelance graphic designer’s academic career when considering engaging that professional for services. The prospective client is nearly certain to focus most if not all attention on a graphic designer’s portfolio.

Another reality is that an individual, business, or organization interested in engaging the services of a graphic designer will be considering more than one design professional at the same time. In other words, if you’re being considered for a gig, you’re not alone. For this reason, you need as many arrows in your quiver as possible to set yourself apart from what might be a pack. Yes, a strong portfolio is key. Nonetheless, if you are among fellow professionals with a good portfolio, a prospective client may dig deeper. If that occurs, education might become a focus of that due diligence.

Graphic Designer in a Firm

A considerable segment of graphic designers work as part of firms, according to Forbes. If you’re interested in seeking employment in graphic design, marketing, or similar type of firm, a degree may be important or even required, even if you have a strong portfolio.

Many firms have set minimum requirements for employment that very well may include education. While a smaller firm may be more inclined to bend certain requirements if a person has a particularly strong portfolio, you cannot expect that to happen. Bending requirements is not as likely to occur with larger firms.

Graphic Designer on the Team of a Corporation or Business

If you’re interested in obtaining a position as a graphic designer with a corporation or business, a degree may be required. This may be the case even if you have a commanding portfolio. In a situation in which a corporation or business is interested in your work, but you’re lacking a degree, you can attempt to pitch them on the benefits of engaging you as an independent contractor. In some isolated cases, when a prospective employee doesn’t meet education requirements, a corporation or business may consider utilizing that individual’s services in a freelance arrangement. Bear in mind if you go that route, you’ll not be able to obtain some benefits that might be available to an employee of a corporation or business. These benefits, including health insurance, might be a primary attractive feature in the first instance.

In the final analysis, you need to ascertain how you want to go about pursuing a career as a graphic designer, including as a freelancer, with a firm, or with a corporation or business. Once that decision is made, you’ll be in a better position to determine what you must have in your overall resume.

Related Resources:

What is The Best Way to Prepare For Applying To Undergraduate Programs in Graphic Design?

What Can I Do with a Graphic Design Degree?

The post Am I Likely to Be Hired as a Graphic Designer Without a Degree if My Portfolio is Good? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

As one of the ever-growing sub-fields of animation, motion capture is slowly taking the lead when it comes to modernization and advancement. Just consider, for instance, the fact that even some of the most renovated, 3D software is starting to take a backseat to simple, motion-capture-based programs. This boils down to the credibility of the deliverable, which is almost incomparable between these two alternatives.

If you are one of the many individuals that want to enter this sector, you will soon learn that the level of competition is extremely high. To build a lucrative career as an editor, producer, animator, or any other professional who handles motion capture, you will need to stand out from the crowd. To do so, consider following the next few steps as you advance through your basic studies and enter your first job.

Study Visual and Media Artistry

To get into the over-arching industry where motion capture exists, you will have to study visual and media artistry. More precisely, you must complete some formal training in animation, editing, character rigging, or similar. Doing so will help you learn the ins and outs of the creative process that goes into making multimedia deliverables from scratch.

Also, contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be an expert in everything that is animation-related. This is because motion capture is very narrow in focus and relies on your ability to learn as you go. Therefore, while knowing how to use a plethora of editing programs is a great thing to include on your resume, it will have very little practical utility when you begin capturing motions with software that the company employs.

Start Building a Portfolio

As you are completing your degree or training, regardless of which subfield of animation it is in, you should start building a versatile portfolio. That means that you have to find time to work on your projects and make a diverse catalog that offers a glance into your well-rounded skillset. Doing so will increase the odds of getting a job interview or an offer letter from a company that is willing to let you become their motion capture specialist.

Unfortunately, given that these will be the years when you have to do a lot of studying while potentially juggling a part- or full-time job, finding availability to make and edit your animations could seem impossible. If that is the case, consider prioritizing and eliminating all activities that are not pertinent to your long-term success in this area. That could translate to less sleep, a weaker social life, and maybe even a drop in income. As a consequence, however, you will get the much-needed time that can be used to optimize or polish your portfolio.

Network With People

Even though you should network with people from the moment that you start your education, beware of the sequence in which you do things. For example, if you start networking long before you have a tangible portfolio, you may run into issues with credibility. Most employers or corporate representatives want to see examples of your work, and they use that evidence as a factor that drives their decision to interview or hire you.

If you are networking with a dozen recruiters and have nothing to give them as a demonstration of your talents, your application will fall behind all the other candidates that already built their portfolios.

Apply for Jobs Across the Industry

Regardless of your success with networking, you should start applying for jobs from the moment that you become eligible. If you have a few companies that you would prefer working for, simply put them as the frontrunners on the list of all organizations that do motion capture. Further remember that, according to Intel, there are a variety of industries that rely on motion capture. In other words, animation should not be the only sector that you pursue.

Additionally, a common rule-of-thumb that you should always keep in mind during this part of the process is that saying no to multiple offers is much better than not being able to say yes to anyone. While over-applying for jobs could result in a lot of offers that you have to decline, this is much more favorable than only applying for a few jobs and not getting any offers.

If your opportunities are few and far between, think about expanding your search both location- and skill-wise. The fact that you want to work in Los Angeles should not prevent you from applying for a motion capture position in Sacramento. Similarly, just because you want to do motion capture should not prevent you from starting as a general animator. On the contrary, keeping your criteria as broad as can be will maximize the likelihood that you enter this field fast, which increases the odds of you working in motion capture eventually.

Attend On-the-Job Training

Albeit one of the important learning stages of your life, the vast majority of your education will not roll into your daily tasks. Instead, you will have to rely on your job-related training to succeed. Luckily, this means that you can finally get some exposure to hands-on, motion-capture-based work that you have been looking forward to. Hence why you should do everything in your power to learn as much as you can as quickly as possible.

That way, you can become a valuable asset to your employer’s motion capture team and begin building a career close to that department. If you are unable to grasp the concepts, you may get transferred to another sub-field of animation, the likes of which include 2D or 3D projects, and your exposure to motion capture might fall.

Finally, do not forget to have fun as you are working hard toward your dream. Being a motion capture specialist in an industry that will soon be worth over $270 billion, as per BusinessWire, is certainly a difficult feat to achieve. If you cannot afford to have some fun and excitement, things will only get harder.

Related Resources:

What is a Typical Salary for a Graphic Designer?

Which Schools Have the Best Animation Programs?

How Much Math Should I Study if I Want to Become an Animator?

What High School Classes Can I Take That Will Help Prepare Me for a Degree in Animation?

Are There Online Programs That I Can Get a Degree in Animation?

Are There Degrees in Criminal Justice Programs That Use Animation?

The post What Can I Do to Get Into the Field of Motion Capture? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

The Value of Letters of Recommendation From Business Associates

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay, public domain

Some MBA programs specifically require that applicants submit a letter of recommendation from their direct supervisor or, if that’s not possible, from another business associate. It makes sense to give some preference to candidates whose recommendations come from established business professionals who know them well.

After all, a Master of Business Administration program emphasizes real-world business skills, not just academic and theoretical knowledge. A supervisor in the corporate world can speak to your aptitudes, experience and personality. They can tell specific, though concise, stories that illustrate your professionalism, your business acumen, your ambitions and your personality. These stories are much more convincing than a vague list of the qualities you possess.

Your current direct supervisor isn’t the only business associate who is qualified to write you a letter of recommendation, although having a recommendation from this person is ideal. You might also consider asking for a letter of recommendation from any business associate who knows you well enough to be able to speak to your strengths and potential confidently and in detail.

If you’re a recent graduate, you might reach out to a professional connection you made while completing an internship. If you recently changed jobs or began working with a new supervisor, it doesn’t make sense to request a letter of recommendation from someone who does not know you well. Instead, you may be better off turning to an indirect supervisor who knows you better or asking your former supervisor to recommend you.

Self-employed MBA applicants can’t exactly write themselves a letter of recommendation, but they may consider asking for a recommendation from a longstanding client, a business partner or a member of their company’s board of directors.

Some MBA program admissions teams prefer for all letters of recommendation to come from business associates, while others are more flexible, including contacts you have made through involvement in your community.

Asking for Letters of Recommendation From a College Professor

Although most MBA programs prefer letters of recommendation from business associates, there are exceptions, especially when you must provide multiple letters of recommendation. A letter from a former college professor might make sense when you’re a recent graduate or a current student finishing your undergraduate degree, and you’re applying to an MBA program that doesn’t require a great deal of professional work experience.

Why might a business school be interested in a letter of recommendation from an applicant’s former college professor? Well, although MBA programs are meant to prepare students for professional roles in business administration, the curriculum still consists of graduate-level coursework. A professor who is familiar with your successes in the classroom is more qualified than a business associate to speak to your capacity for handling rigorous academic demands in their letter of recommendation for an MBA program.

If you end up seeking a letter of recommendation from a professor, you want to do everything you can to make sure this recommendation is as relevant to your MBA program as possible. Generally, you should choose a professor who teaches business courses or another subject that is relevant to your MBA specialization. Consider communicating to the letter writer that you feel they would be the best choice to provide insights into your academic performance and aptitudes. Don’t be afraid to let the letter writer know of any particular aspects of your interests, career plans or academic and professional history that you would appreciate them emphasizing if they feel comfortable doing so.

Since many MBA programs require or expect applicants to have professional experience already, it may have been some time since you last took a course with your former professor. It may help to remind this letter writer which courses you took with them and what you liked about their classes.

Additional Resources

What Should You Know About Getting Into an MBA Program?

Schools Used to Want MBA Applicants to Work Before Applying, But I Hear That Has Changed. Is That True?

What Constitutes Work Experience for an MBA or Ph.D. Program in Business Administration? Internships?

The post Should I Get My MBA Letters of Recommendation From Professors or Business Associates? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Sometimes fiction fascinates more than fact. A short story or novella penned by E.M. Forster (1879-1970) in 1909, titled – The Machine Stops, predicted the technology age. This science-fiction work tells the story of humanity that must live underground because humans lost the ability to survive on the earth’s surface. A global, omnipotent Machine provides their bodily and spiritual needs. It also conveys communication via video conferencing and a type of instant messaging (sound familiar?). This novella is one of a long list of publications that include five novels; his novel, A Passage to India (1924), resulted in a Nobel Prize for Literature nomination.

In general and surgical hospitals, technology has changed how they operate; technology is indispensable to a hospital’s objectives. Health information management links the clinical, operational, and administrative functions. The healthcare system must maintain accurate patient medical records, which ultimately reduces procedural errors, lowers costs, and improves patient care. Students earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health information management, technology, or systems in this endeavor. A career in this field requires all the same skills as health administration: problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, technology, and analytical skills.

Undergraduate degrees highlight the importance of technology; for example, Grand Canyon’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration includes a Health Information Technology and Management course. The material covers data management, information systems, and how these relate to patient confidentiality and security.

Purdue University Global also offers a B.S. in Health Care Administration with a class in Information Technology and Systems for Health Care. Students learn about database architecture and design, administrative reports, health security, and technology management.

There are many hats to wear in healthcare administration, particularly in a hospital environment. A large metropolitan general hospital could have over two thousand beds, namely New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Florida Hospital in Orlando. A March 2020 article in U.S. News reported that there were 728,000 medical and surgical beds available in 2018, according to Blavin’s report. Without the burden of COVID-19, there is an average of one out of three beds empty across the nation. These statistics create a multitude of patient records to document. The hospital administrator should be aware of all phases of the hospital’s operation, including the technology.

Poorly managed health information can have life-threatening consequences. It can also pose a legal problem when inadequate medical record-keeping contributes to a patient’s death or severe illness. Archaic paper records are too cumbersome and slow to access. Up to the minute medical information is critical, so hospital administrators need to have the latest software and hardware. Also, cybersecurity is vital to the security of patient information. Lack of security measures can lead to exposure, such as the one at Rush System for Health in January 2019 at their Chicago hospitals and clinics. During that security breach, roughly 45,000 personal information and Social Security numbers were obtained. This event occurred at the A 2017 article in Health IT Security stated that larger facilities and teaching hospitals had a greater risk of a data breach.

There is a marriage of technology and federal policies in hospitals that is incumbent on administrators to address. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996 implemented administrative safeguards for healthcare organizations. Managers need to ensure that hospital staff has the requisite training to handle security issues to mitigate patient medical records’ breaches. Despite the most advanced hospital technology, studies found that human error was the number one cause of data security problems, according to the Baker Hostetler law firm.

The use of technology affects software vendors, medical supplies, consultants, hardware installers, and business associates. All of whom could be a potential threat, which will eventually fall into the administrators’ lap.

Looking at examples of hospital administrator jobs on employment sites, you see many duties dependent on digital technology. For example:

• Allocation of staffing resources, workflow management, and performance monitoring
• Manage and develop budgets
• Create and maintain a high-performance learning environment
• Knowledge of fiscal management
• Keeps current with advances in business methods, technological changes, and economic trends

Additional Resources:

Top 50 Highest Paying Master’s Degrees

Are there professional organizations that will benefit my career in Health Administration?

How do I become a Health Administrator? 

What makes a good Health Administrator?

What kind of jobs would I look for in Health Administration? 

Which areas of the country pay the best for jobs in Health Administration? 

What certifications are there in Health Administration to help with getting a job in this field? 

What are the key responsibilities of a Health Administrator?

The post How is technology changing the business of Health Administration in hospitals?  appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What Editors in Upper Management Roles Do

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay, public domain

Upper management roles in newspapers and magazines are often editorial roles. Some of the job titles you will commonly encounter in newspaper and magazine management include managing editor, executive editor and editor-in-chief.

Generally, editor-in-chief or executive editor is the most senior-level editorial role in a publication. The person in this role serves as the chief executive of the newspaper or magazine and handles big-picture responsibilities such as guiding the overall editorial direction of the publication and handling matters of strategic planning and budgeting, according to The Houston Chronicle.

In contrast, managing editors are more concerned with the details and logistics of getting the newspaper or magazine to publication. A managing editor’s job duties may include identifying story ideas, assigning stories to staff and freelance reporters and coordinating writing and editing work so that the story is ready for publication on schedule.

Managing editors may also oversee editorial assistants, associate editors and department editors.

Preparing for Upper Management Roles in Newspapers and Magazines

If you want to work as an editor-in-chief, executive editor or managing editor, a master’s in journalism is a good place to start. Another option, especially if you’re eyeing an executive editor role, is to pursue an MBA in media management. However, since good journalism is about more than just a financial bottom line – about, for example, ethics and integrity in investigative storytelling – it’s important that aspiring leaders of newspapers and magazines understand the laws, ethics and practices of honest, reliable journalism just as much as they understand matters of strategic business planning and financial planning.

While MBAs have a place in the management of enterprises that include news publications, having a background and graduate education that embraces the principles of journalism more thoroughly may be an asset for some newspapers and magazines. A master’s degree in journalism prepares you to perform the full scope of work involved in reporting and editing a news story.

Throughout your graduate studies, you will develop skills in finding news story ideas, cultivating a network of sources, undertaking investigative research, conducting interviews, fact-checking information and composing and editing articles. Master’s in journalism classes often involve workshops in which students critique each others’ work to improve and polish stories for maximum accuracy, writing quality and rhetorical effect. Often, graduate journalism students take classes in different types of journalistic content creation, including news reporting, investigative reporting, feature writing, long-form narrative writing and audio and multimedia storytelling.

You don’t necessarily need a master’s degree to become an editor. O*NET reported that a bachelor’s degree is the most common education for this career path, accounting for 80 percent of the profession. However, 17 percent of editors report having a master’s degree.  

Editor Job Requirements Beyond the Master’s Degree

Education alone won’t land you the upper management job you’re seeking. Before you can work in high-level newspaper and magazine roles like managing editor, executive editor and editor-in-chief, you usually need some journalism experience. Experience working in a position like reporter, writer or editorial assistant can put you on the path to a management role as editor, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While the BLS reported that you can become an editor with less than five years of experience, reaching upper management editorial roles can take longer.

If you’re already working in the journalism industry, your graduate education may be the last missing piece to complete your qualifications for upper management positions. However, if you’re using your master’s degree to make a career change, a graduate-level internship opportunity – especially one with a major newspaper, magazine, or broadcast news channel – can help you begin acquiring the experience needed for management work.

Education and experience matter for upper management roles in journalism, but the skills you bring to a newsroom are even more important. The classes you take in a master’s in journalism program help you develop editing skills as well as writing and reporting skills.

Additional Resources

What Kind of Careers, Other Than a Writer, Can I Look for With a Master’s in Journalism?

Where Can I Work with a Journalism Degree?

What Jobs Can I Get With a Degree in Journalism?

The post Will a Master’s in Journalism Help Me Get a Position in Upper Management at a Paper or Magazine? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

A Complete Sequence of Calculus

Although there are differences between the fields of mathematics and statistics, you will need a strong foundation in math to succeed in a graduate statistics program. Calculus is the branch of math that is concerned with change, such as the velocity of a moving object or the rate of bacteria growth in a sample specimen. In statistics, understanding the theoretical aspects of calculus, as well as the equations used in calculus, can help you analyze data to make sound, data-backed business decisions.

In preparation for a master’s degree program in statistics, you should expect to take a series of calculus courses, from the college-level introductory course Calculus I to a class in multivariate calculus. 

Coursework in Linear Algebra

Another common math prerequisite for a master’s in statistics class is linear algebra. Linear algebra is important because it equips students with the skills to organize data into linear equations that can be solved in predictable ways. Most students take their linear algebra course relatively early on in their undergraduate career, as a freshman or sophomore. Although you may need to have some degree of academic background in physics and introductory calculus to succeed in a linear algebra course, you will likely have to complete this class before attempting any upper-division coursework in math or statistics.

Students in a college linear algebra course study vectors, matrices and systems of linear equations.

Coursework in Statistics and Probability

At the undergraduate level, statistics and probability is probably the first statistics course you will take. This introductory class covers the foundations of statistics, including probability distributions, random variables, linear regression and confidence intervals. This may all sound a little complicated, but the course typically doesn’t require any prior background knowledge of statistics. However, many students first become familiar with the basic concepts of statistics and probability in high school, where this course is usually offered as an optional math class, sometimes for Advanced Placement (AP) credit.

A Statistical Methods Class

Before you undertake graduate study in statistics, it’s wise to study the methods and applications used for working in statistics. Although specific topics of study in a statistical methods course may vary from one school to another, students may learn about establishing acceptable sample sizes, testing research hypotheses, performing analyses of data. Since application is an important part of the field of statistics, students will ideally learn to apply the methods of statistics to hands-on work with real-world data.

Statistics is about more than performing calculations. It’s also about making meaning from data, which is why statistical methods courses often include coursework in expressing information through the use of descriptive statistics and methods of graphical presentation.

A Programming Class

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay, public domain

In the field of applied statistics, you need to be able to efficiently perform complex statistical analyses of data. Today’s statistics professionals do these calculations using computer programming languages. There are hundreds of computer programming languages, so choosing the programming languages most relevant to statistics is important. For a prospective graduate student in the field of statistics, some of the best programming languages to study are the general programming language C++ and the object-oriented programming language Java.

Statisticians also use computer programming languages like R, Python, and PowerBuilder, according to O*NET.

Your General Education Courses

Although it may sound like math and statistics coursework are the only undergraduate classes that matter for students of a graduate program in statistics, that’s not the case. Some of the most important qualities for statisticians and mathematicians are communication skills, problem-solving skills and analytical skills, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The general education courses that you take as an undergraduate student, such as classes in English and composition, literature, history and laboratory science, can help you develop these skills.

Presenting statistical and nonstatistical findings is an important part of work in statistics, according to O*NET. Good statistics professionals need to be able to communicate their results to people with or without a math background.

Additional Resources

What Are Some of the Sub-Topics I Will Study in a Master’s Program for Statistics?

What Personality Skills Are Best Suited for a Career in Statistics?

What Kind of Things Should I Look for in a Graduate Program in Statistics?

The post Which Undergrad Classes Are Vital to Being a Successful Grad Student in Statistics? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Russia is enormous, both geographically and in terms of population and economy. Russia is politically influential, both historically and currently. The Russian language has historically had a massive role in the classical literature of the Western world, and today makes up a massive part of the world wide web. Russia is complex, with a political and cultural makeup that presents a real challenge for foreigners to understand. When the rest of Eastern Europe is taken into account alongside Russia, you’re looking at a region of incredible scale, complexity, power, and influence.

In today’s political world, the demand for professionals who understand the Russian language and the culture, history, and political science of Eastern Europe is greater than ever. Eastern Europe has undergone massive changes over the past few decades, and will likely remain an area of great and often turbulent development and change. That means a degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies can open the door to a number of careers doing important work in everything from human rights to international business.

Another compelling reason to study Russian is academic and literary. Great thinkers and creators, including painters, composers, philosophers, poets, and novelists, have emerged from Eastern Europe and written in the Russian language. If you’re utterly fascinated by the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alexander Pushkin, Igor Stravinsky, Nikolai Gogol, Andrei Bely, Leo Tolstoy, or Wassily Kandinsky, you may want to dive deeper into the language and culture behind these classics. A degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies provides an in-depth understanding of Russian language, art, and thought.

A degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies can satisfy a deep-seated interest in the language and world of Russia and Eastern Europe, but it’s not the right choice for every student. If you’re considering pursuing this degree, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the scope f study involved, the classes you’re likely to take, the degrees that are offered, and the career options that will likely be open to you. Read on to learn the fundamentals of degrees in Russian and East European Studies.

Jump To:

• What is Russian?
• Where is Russian Spoken?
• What is East European Studies?
• What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Russian?
• Will I Study Abroad for a Degree in Russian?
• What Can I do with an Associate’s in Russian?
• What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in Russian?
• What Can I do with a Master’s in Russian?
• What Can I do with a PhD in Russian?

What is Russian?

If you’ve ever heard Russian spoken aloud or seen the language written, you’ve no doubt noticed that this language is drastically different from English. As expected, the two languages have very different origins, and it turns out that they have almost no vocabulary in common, apart from adopted words like “cosmonaut” and “vodka.” Russian is part of the Indo-European family of languages, and is one of the four still-living members of the East Slavic language group (the others being Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Rusyn). Written samples of Old East Slavonic (AKA old Russian) are attested from the 10th century onward.

Since the adoption of Christianity, Russian has used the 33-character Cyrillic alphabet as its written form. Today, the widespread international use of English alphabet based keyboards and restrictions related to computing have promoted its Latinization, meaning that Russian words are also often transliterated using the same characters as English.

Between the differences in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and in the written language, Russian presents a real challenge for English speakers. Consider the following ranking of language difficulty for native English speakers, developed by researchers at theDefense Language Institute (DLI)

DLI-ranked Language Difficulty for English Speakers

• Level 1: Spanish, French
• Level 2: German
• Level 3: Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Lithuanian, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech etc.
• Level 4: Arabic, Chinese

Russian and other East European languages are designated as “Level 3” in terms of difficulty for native English speakers to learn. This means it is likely to take you about 1,100 hours of full-immersion instruction to gain intermediate level fluency, on par with languages like Malaysian and Indonesian.

Where is Russian Spoken?

Russia isn’t just a huge and populous country, it’s also an influential one, both historically and currently. All that adds up to a very high number of Russian speakers. In fact, Russian is the most common native language in Europe and has the widest geographic distribution of Eurasia. Some 260 million people worldwide speak Russian. Of these, 137 million live in Russia and are native speakers, while a full 110 million speak Russian as a second langauge. For many years, Russian was the de facto language of the USSR until its dissolved in 1991. Thanks to the influence of the former USSR, the Russian language has a wide distribution in neighboring countries. For this reason, Russian is commonly used as a “lingua franca” (shared language) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Russian is the official language of:

• Russia
• Belarus
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan

Russian is also a recognized regional language in:

• Georgia
• Moldova
• Ukraine

What is Eastern European Studies?

Beyond the Russian language, a degree in Russian usually incorporates Eastern European Studies, also called Slavic Studies. Alongside language courses like Russian, Polish and Czech, an Eastern European Studies/Slavic Studies program will provide students with an understanding of the culture, history, and literature of Eastern Europe. This means students will study the background of a broad region, whose citizens make up no less than a fifth of the world population. These include:

• Ukraine
• Russia
• Belarus
• The Caucasus
• Central Asia
• Hungary
• Poland
• The Czech Republic
• The Slovak Republic
• Serbia
• Croatia
• Montenegro
• Slovenia
• The Balkans

In Eastern European Studies classes, you may learn about the cinema and music of various Slavic nations, study the impact of the historical events like unification and the Cold War, learn about folk customs and religious traditions, and even read Eastern European literature in its original language.

What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Russian and East European Studies?

All schools offering this degree have the same goal: prepare students to speak Russian and to understand the history and culture of the greater region of Eastern Europe. Yet the curriculum for individual schools offering a degree in Russian and East European Studies can be surprisingly different. To an extent, this reflects the different course titles applied to classes with comparable content, but another big part of the overall difference in curriculums is a matter of focus. Some schools place more emphasis on the study of Russian language and history, for instance, while other schools look more broadly at the whole eastern European region. Some schools focus more on teaching students language, while others spent a greater amount of time on culture and literature.

In general, you can expect to see Russian Language and Culture class offerings with titles such as:

• Elementary Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian
• Intro to Hungarian
• Intro to Polish
• Elementary Ukrainian
• Oral and Written Russian
• Russian Literature
• Russian for Business
• Classical and Modern Russian Thought
• Putin’s Russia: After Communism
• Cinema and Socialism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
• Intermediate Russian
• Yiddish Literature and Culture
• Modern Russian Grammar and Syntax

Will I Study Abroad for a Degree in Russian?

Almost everyone wants to study abroad, whether they major in a foreign language or a totally unrelated field. According to the American Council on Education about 75% of US undergraduates say they are interested in studying abroad. But according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, only about 10% of students actually study abroad. Those that don’t study abroad usually say cost is their reason for opting out; the International Institute of Educationhas found that the average cost of studying abroad is $18,000 per semester, or $36,000 per academic year. Of course, the price tag is significantly lower in countries with low cost-of-living like Poland and Russia versus notoriously expensive countries like Italy and Japan. But the expense associated with studying abroad can still be a barrier for many students, so degree programs in Russian and East European Studies tend to make studying abroad a strong recommendation instead of a requirement.

While it’s possible to earn a degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies without going abroad for your studies, doing so is a great idea for a number of reasons. First, the experience of full language immersion can speed up your rate of learning tremendously. This is especially important in the case of challenging languages like Russian and other Eastern European languages, which can take years to learn in a classroom setting within an English speaking country. You’ll also learn and practice the everyday language real people use to communicate in a variety of settings, and gain practical communication experience.

Another reason to study abroad is cultural exposure. By living among citizens of Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, or another Eastern European nation, you’ll learn about their society, customs, beliefs, and values firsthand. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit historic sites, museums, concerts, celebrations, and other settings of cultural importance. This authentic experience is impossible to replicate in a classroom setting, and can give you a deep sense of the region’s character. In today’s global marketplace and political climate, being able to demonstrate your intercultural competence and personal adaptability is an important asset.

Eastern Europe is a large region made up of many countries, and during a study abroad semester or year, you will likely be able to visit multiple cities in multiple countries, as well as exploring smaller villages in more rustic and remote areas. This can enhance your understanding of different parts of the region, as well as the relationship between these different but interconnected places.

What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in Russian?

Russian and Eastern European Studies is a fascinating but challenging major; the language is tricky for English speakers to learn and the region’s culture and history are complex. So while some language majors like Spanish or French are offered in the US as associates degrees, you won’t find degrees in Russian and Eastern European Studies offered at the associate’s level. To learn the fundamentals of language and culture for this part of the world, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s in Russian and Eastern European Studies.

This undergraduate degree takes four years to earn and usually consists of 120 credits total, which works out to about 40 courses. Foreign languages like Russian are considered liberal arts disciplines, which means that an associate’s in Russian and Eastern European Studies is awarded as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree instead of a Bachelor of Science (BS). BS degrees are professional degrees, in which all or nearly all classes are in the student’s major. A BA, on the other hand, includes a large number of general education requirements. The goal of a general education core is to produce well-rounded graduates, and core classes are spread throughout a range of disciplines like Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities. About half the credits of a typical BA are general education core classes, with the remainder in the major. This means you can expect to take general ed courses like Developmental Psych and Geology alongside Slavic Studies courses like Modern Russian Literature and Intro to Polish.

After four years of studying Russian, you may not have full language fluency, especially considering how challenging this language is for native English speakers to learn. But you’ll have enough Russian conversation, reading, and writing skills for everyday communication, as well as strong cultural competency. These foundational language skills should be enough to allow you to live and work abroad, doing work like teaching English to native speakers of Russian or other Eastern European languages. Other options include:

• International business
• Global development
• Education
• Diplomacy
• The nonprofit sector
• Hospitality

Many people also earn a bachelor’s in Russian and Eastern European Studies before pursuing an advanced degree in a field like Law or Business. With the critical role this region plays in world affairs, Russian and Eastern European studies also pairs well with other ares of study as a double major or as a minor. You may wish to consider pairing studies in this subject with studies in a subject like:

• Cybersecurity
• Business
• Global Affairs
• Journalism
• Political Science

What Can I do with a Master’s in Russian?

A master’s in Russian and Eastern European Studies can prepare you for more advanced careers in international fields or a future in academia. A master’s in Russian and East European Studies is a multidisciplinary degree that weaves together courses on the complex cultural, economic, social, political and historical aspects of the region, alongside advanced classes in Russian and other Eastern European languages.

Students at the graduate level typically work with an advisor to develop their own course of study tailored to their interests that meets their school’s degree requirements, though some schools do follow a more structured format. In a flexible graduate degree program, you may choose to focus on an area like Polish Language and Literature, Czech Language and Cinema, or Russian Language and History.

Students do not need to hold a bachelor’s in Russian and East European Studios to earn a master’s in this field, but will need to demonstrate language competency through testing and satisfy program prerequisites. If you hold a bachelor’s in a different discipline, such as comparative literature, history, or linguistics, you’ll probably need to take additional classes in Russian language, literature, and history before beginning a master’s program in this field. A master’s degree traditionally takes two years to complete on a full-time basis, and usually consists of 36 credits. Most master’s degree programs require students to complete a capstone course and research-based or project-based thesis. The goal of the capstone and thesis is to integrate all of a student’s prior learning into a culminating academic project. In many schools, students must also present their thesis before a panel of student peers and department faculty before graduating.

A master’s in Russian can open the door to higher-level careers in international fields, from private businesses, to nonprofit agencies, to journalism, to government. Graduates can have an impact in areas like immigration, foreign relations, human rights, and development, as well as performing translation for literature or publications. A master’s in Russian and East European Studies can also form the basis for careers in translation, research and education. Those who want to teach Russian can do so at the college level with a master’s degree in Russian and East European studies as an associate professor. However, most post-secondary schools give preference to job candidates with a PhD, so students who are interested in professorship may wish to continue in their studies after earning their master’s.

What Can I do with a PhD in Russian?

If you’re interested in deeply understanding an area of East European Language or Slavic Studies, a postgraduate doctoral degree is the way to go. As we’ve noted, a PhD in Russian and East European Studies is the best degree for those interested in a future in research and academia, or who wish to become top experts in a particular aspect of East European linguistics, philology, literature, sociology, history, or politics.

Very few people in America hold a PhD in Russian and East European Studies. PhDs are generally long, difficult, and expensive degrees, and this particular subject is one of the less common disciplines in which to earn one. According to census data, about 2% of Americans have a PhD, and only a very small percentage of these hold a PhD in Russian and East European Studies. This means that those who do opt to earn a PhD in Russian and East European Studies will be among a small and elite group of experts who are uniquely qualified to conduct research, provide high-level instruction, give insights into current affairs, and contribute to progress in international issues.

To earn a PhD in Russian, you’ll need to complete an original thesis in a particular aspect of Russian or East European Studies which offers a significant new contribution to the body of knowledge in that particular subject. This will necessarily be a highly specific niche area of research, which you will select with input from a department thesis advisor provided by your graduate school. You’ll conduct a literature review, surveying the current scholarship in your thesis area, then spend several years conducting research in this field, and analyzing your results. Next, you’ll write a scholarly thesis to present your findings, submit it as a dissertation, and defend your dissertation before an expert panel. The entire process can take between two and seven years, though some people take as many as nine. When you’ve completed your PhD, you’ll have earned a terminal degree, and achieved the highest possible level of education in the field.

A PhD in Russian and East European Studies can lead to high-level careers in any of the fields discussed above, such as foreign policy, literature translation, or international business. But it is more common for those with a PhD to find work in academia. With a PhD in Russian and Eastern European Studies, you’ll be able to apply for full professorship in a college or university, including tenure-track positions. You can expect to teach classes, conduct and publish research, and perform duties within a school’s department of Slavic Studies. You may also become involved in Eastern Europe study abroad programming. Such positions tend to be few and far between, however, and you may need to be prepared to take a different job, such as associate professor or translator, while waiting for one to open up. It will also help your job prospects if you’re willing to relocate. Those who do become professors tend to find their jobs highly rewarding. Positions such as Professor of Russian allow a high level of personal satisfaction and intellectual freedom; you’ll be able to study and teach on your topics of greatest interest and act as a mentor to students.

Further Reading:

• Where Are the Best Places to Study Abroad While Earning a Bachelor’s Degree?
• Can I Study Abroad While Earning My Master’s Degree?
• Top 50 Free International Universities for U.S. Students
• What Degree do I Need to Become a Translator?
• What Can I Do With an English Degree?
• Top 15 Liberal Arts Schools in America
• What Degree Programs Can I Major in at a Liberal Arts School?
• The Top 15 Schools for Studying Abroad
• 50 Best Online Degrees for 2019
• 20 Best Degree Programs for Undergraduates
• 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
• Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees

The post What Can I Do With a Russian & East European Languages Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What You Need to Be a Licensed Bounty Hunter

The first thing you must do if you want to be a bounty hunter is find out what, if any, laws pertain to bounty hunting in your state. Regulations vary widely, with some states outlawing bounty hunting completely and others having no regulations or restrictions whatsoever. Many states fall somewhere in between, establishing a licensing or certification process for those who wish to work as bounty hunters.

Often, states that required bounty hunters to be licensed set a minimum age for applicants, which can be as low as 18 or as high as 25. In applying for a bounty hunter license, you will undergo a background check. As a bounty hunter, you won’t work for the government directly but instead are employed by a bail bonds agency or, more commonly, self-employed. You don’t necessarily need the same spotless record you must possess to be employed as a sworn law enforcement officer, but a criminal history of serious or repeated offenses may end your bounty hunter career before it even begins.

In some states, you must meet a minimum experience requirement in a position such as law enforcement officer or licensed private investigator. Other states have no such requirement, allowing candidates of any employment background to pursue the career path. States that have a minimum education requirement often look for only a high school diploma or a GED, rather than formal postsecondary education.

Once you are confident that you meet all eligibility requirements to become a bounty hunter, you must submit the application and required paperwork to your state agency in charge of licensing bounty hunters. You must pay an application fee to attain your initial bounty hunter license and, often, an additional fee to renew your license periodically. Often, but not always, getting your bounty hunter license requires the completion of some sort of training program. Once your license application is processed and approved, you may also have to wear a uniform while engaged in your professional duties as a bounty hunter, again depending on your state’s requirements.

If you want to carry a gun as a bounty hunter, you must follow your state’s requirements to do so legally, which may include firearms safety training courses and a background check. Unlike law enforcement officers, bounty hunters are not assigned or required to carry a firearm.

The Best Career Preparation for Bounty Hunters

Just because you don’t need a formal degree to qualify for a bounty hunter license doesn’t mean a college education isn’t valuable in this line of work. Your success as a bounty hunter – not to mention, your income – hinges on your ability to get results. Any skills you can develop that can help you do so are worth adding to your repertoire, including technical and computer skills, security skills, investigative skills, observation and deductive reasoning skills, communication skills and negotiation skills.

A college education may be one way to cultivate these skills, but you have a lot of freedom to choose how you want to learn. You might major in criminal justice, law enforcement, computer science or any number of other programs of study. Maybe you decide to earn a certificate rather than a full degree or to take a variety of courses as a non-degree student. In this path, you can choose the perfect blend of classes to advance your skills – like philosophy courses in logic and reasoning and psychology and sociology courses that help you better persuade a fugitive to come into custody. Since you don’t necessarily need a degree, you may decide to pursue these studies through free non-credit online courses.

You can also prepare for a bounty hunter career by building a mentorship relationship with an established bounty hunter in the field. When you network with existing bounty hunters, you may have the opportunity to ask questions about breaking into the field or even shadow them as they work.

Keep in mind that any education or training you decide to go through to improve your skills must be done in addition to any classes your state may require for licensing or certification. Having a degree or college credit does not waive state licensing requirements.

Additional Resources

What Is a Bounty Hunter?

Is Being a Bounty Hunter Really How It Looks on TV?

How Do I Become a Private Detective?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Private Investigator?

What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

The post How Do I Get Licensed to Become a Bounty Hunter? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

The Intersection Between Society and Crime

A single perpetrator may commit a crime without an accomplice, but that doesn’t mean he or she wasn’t influenced by external factors, especially social ones. When these problematic social factors are allowed to persist, the impact is, unfortunately, a greater potential for future crimes. Social issues can contribute to criminal activities in many ways, but the reverse is also true.

Criminalizing crimes like drug use, rather than treating those offenses as health conditions requiring rehabilitation, often means incarcerating people for nonviolent crimes and removing them from the families, communities and economies of which they are a part. Even if the incarcerated individual gets treatment within a correctional facility and undergoes rehabilitation, the effects of that absence on the community – may be profound.

Children may grow up without a crucial parental figure. Families could lose stable homes due to the loss of a paycheck. Small businesses could flounder because an owner, manager or longtime employee is gone. All of these changes affect society, especially when they occur on a grand scale, and may drive even more criminal behavior from others affected by the original crime or incarceration. When an incarcerated individual gets released from prison, it is often difficult to find gainful employment or readjust to a family unit that has changed drastically – which only serves to increase the likelihood that the individual will commit repeat offenses.

By gathering empirical data and formulating evidence-backed theories about the relationship between social issues and crime, those who have studied criminology can develop strategies and programs that address these social issues. Altering the factors that influence crimes, rather than merely increasing the severity of sentences, may more effectively reduce rates of criminal activities.

There’s a tendency to look at psychological factors on criminal behavior in the general sense of considering a suspect’s thought processes or, more specifically, whether mental health issues played a role. Social factors are equally important, especially for prevention.

What Criminologists Do

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) categorizes criminologist as a specialized type of sociologist, or a type of social scientist whose area of expertise is society and social groups. Many people with a job title of criminologist work in social science research, conducting quantitative and qualitative research and collecting and analyzing data to understand crime on a social, rather than individual, level. Instead of looking at the possible motives of an individual criminal, criminologists tend to emphasize larger societal issues and explore both how these matters impact crime and how crime affects these issues in turn. For example, a criminologist may explore correlations between crime rates and unemployment rates to understand how poor economies contribute to increases in crime. Criminologists who perform research at colleges and universities often have teaching duties, as well.

Some criminologists focus less on academic and research pursuits and more on the practical application of their knowledge to criminal justice situations. In consulting roles, criminologists may help law enforcement officers solve crimes and government entities develop more effective corrections and crime prevention programs.

Criminologist isn’t the only career path you can pursue when you study criminology. The program of study is relevant to virtually any criminal justice career, especially since most roles in law enforcement, corrections and criminal intelligence require some form of academy training or on-the-job training to learn procedures. With a criminologist background, you can become a police officer, a criminal investigator, a federal agent, a private detective, a probations officer or a corrections officer.

Studying criminology doesn’t mean limiting your career prospects to research, teaching at the college level or occasional consulting. It means approaching any position in the criminal justice system from this global perspective of how outside forces drive criminal behavior.

What to Expect When You Study Criminology

Studying criminology means drawing from the concepts, principles and practices used in both sociology and criminal justice and synthesizing those findings to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Focusing on this field of study means you will complete classes in sociological principles and social problems along with courses in the legal process, criminal justice principles and criminal procedure.

Coursework in statistical analysis, psychology, anthropology, philosophical issues, political science, economics and American history round out the curriculum of this truly interdisciplinary field of social science inquiry.

Additional Resources

What Can I Do With a Criminology Degree?

What Kind of Jobs Does Someone With a Criminology Degree Look For?

What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Private Investigator?

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post What Does It Mean to Study Criminology? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

While high profile inventors and entrepreneurs have brought about many of our most recognizable consumer goods, millions of individuals have helped to make these realities stick. Many of these individuals work in industrial technology-related jobs.

Industrial technology degrees are multidisciplinary degrees that prepare individuals to work in roles that optimize how goods are made. This can include the working, augmentation, and creation of devices and processes that aid in the creation of goods. If you’ve seen any commercials recently that show modern warehouses or assembly lines, you’ve seen a good bit of what industrial technologists help to facilitate

At it’s heart, industrial technologists are focused on three aims that include making production:

• Faster
• Simpler
• More Efficient

Individuals working in industrial technology are routinely creative and technically savvy, and many got their start in the field by obtaining a degree in industrial technology. In this guide we’ll take a look at some of the most commonly searched questions about industrial technology degrees, including the following:

Table of Contents

• What Industrial Technology Degrees Are Available?
• Can I Gain an Industrial Technology Degree Online?
• How do I Gain Admission to an Industrial Technology Program?
• What Can I Do With an Industrial Technology Degree?

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Here at DegreeQuery we have one of the largest repositories of coverage on choosing degrees and careers online. Peruse some of our related guides below:

• What Can I Do With a Materials Technology Degree?
• Where Can I Work With a Degree in Industrial Design?
• What’s the Difference Between Industrial Design and Design Engineering?
• What is the Difference Between a Degree in Mechanical and Industrial Engineer?
• What Can I Do With an Engineering Degree?
• What Can I Do With an Occupational Studies Degree?
• The Best Online Degree Programs Presented by DegreeQuery

What Industrial Technology Degrees Are Available?

Industrial technology degrees are available at the associates through doctoral levels, with the widest range of programs available at the undergraduate levels. Below we’ll work through each of these degree levels to explain the differences, requirements, and specializations that may be endeavored upon by individuals pursuing said degrees.

At the associates level, industrial technology degrees tend to focus on preparing students to continue their education at the bachelor’s level, as well as applied use of industrial technology tools and frameworks.

As with nearly any associates-level degree, industrial technology associates tend to requite around 60 credit hours for completion, and require between 1.5 and 3 years for completion. The average time for completion of an associates degree is 2 years of full-time study. Students often begin their study with “gen ed” (general education) requirements. These requirements are meant to ensure that students are well-rounded thinkers, can communicate clearly, can argue logically, and are math and data literate.

Types of courses that are typically required for general education requirements include:

• Social Science Courses
• Humanities Courses
• Natural Science Courses
• Mathematics Courses
• Ethics, Philosophy or Religion Courses
• Fine Arts Courses
• Data Literacy or Computing Courses
• Physical Education
• Among Others

Once students have progressed to courses within their major course of study, they are likely to take some selection of the following.

• Computer-Aided Manufacturing
• Industrial Robotics
• Technical Illustration
• Production Planning and Control
• Among Others

With this said, many industrial technology degree programs may cater to the particular needs of a given region or industry. This may prevent you from taking some of the courses above (though is likely a good thing for getting an industrial technology job within your city or region).

Additionally, some associates in industrial technology offer concentrations. Some of the most common concentrations within the field of study include:

• Construction Technology
• Design and Engineering Draft Technology
• Supervision and Management of Industrial Technology
• Occupational Safety and Health

At the bachelor’s level, students can begin to truly future-proof and gain an in-depth understanding of both the managerial and computing principles and practices that power modern industrial technology.

Students within bachelor’s degrees in industrial technology should expect to take general education requirements similar to those listed above in the associates-degree section. The primary differences between a bachelor’s and associate’s degree in industrial technology are that bachelor’s degrees are the entry-level degree within some management positions, and bachelor’s degrees typically require around twice as long to acquire.

Most bachelor’s degree programs are around 120 credit hours, and traditionally take around 4 years of full-time study to complete.

• Supply Chain Management
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma Management
• Engineering of Automated Systems
• Database Design for Engineering
• Safety Engineering Developments
• Project Management
• Robotics
• Among Others

Within bachelor’s-level industrial technology programs, a wider range of specializations than an associates degree programs can also be undertaken. Some of the most common bachelor’s-level concentrations within industrial technology include:

• Facilities Management
• Construction Technology
• Manufacturing Technology
• Supply Chain Management
• Robotics
• Sustainability Within Industry
• Health and Safety Within Industry
• Project Management

At the bachelor’s level students can begin to prepare themselves for climbing up the corporate ladder and may perform some original research within industrial technology. A greater proportion of master’s degrees in industrial technology than other degree levels are presented in formats that are tailored to individuals working full time.

Typically master’s degrees in industrial technology take 1.5-2 years for completion. Though many allow students to attend in accelerated or part-time courses of study.

Industrial technology degrees may also be pursued at the master’s level within programs that are more centered on computing, management, and human resources.

Within master’s in industrial technology degree programs, some of the following courses are often available:

• Economics of Engineering
• Management of Operations
• Engineering and Management Research Design and Methodology
• Managerial Marketing
• Theory of Networks
• Case Studies Within Manufacturing
• Robotics
• Human Resources
• Project Management
• Production and Inventory Management
• Properties of Materials Used in Manufacturing
• Logistics Management
• Master’s Applied Project
• A Master’s Thesis

At the doctoral level, students may pursue one of the following courses of study:

• A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Industrial Technology
• A Doctor of Industrial Technology (D.I.T)
• Or a Doctor of Technology (D.T.) in Industrial Technology

While all three may lead to many of the same applications, one of the major differences between the three is that one is a research doctorate, one is always an applied doctorate, and one is sometimes applied and sometimes a research doctorate.

You’re likely wondering what this means. They’re all doctorates, are they not?

Research doctorates such as the Ph.D. (and sometimes the Doctor of Technology degree) are centered around preparing the next generation of researchers and educators within a field. As such, a large portion of the course of study is directed towards original research that will be presented in the form of a dissertation. Dissertations are several hundred page research documents that contribute original research within the field of study.

Another central focus within a research document is to prepare the next generation of educators within a field of study. To this end, many Ph.D. programs are in-person and require students to teach some undergraduate courses while they are pursuing their Ph.D.

Contrarily, applied doctorates focus on preparing individuals for jobs within an industry corresponding with their degree. This does not mean that individuals do not partake of individual research while pursuing an applied doctorate, just that it is not as central an element within the degree program.

Applied doctorates may opt to replace a doctoral thesis with a capstone project and/or internship. But in many cases applied doctorates may prepare individuals for academic careers just as well as research doctorates.

There are many areas one can focus within a doctorate. And oftentimes individuals will perform original research into one industry vertical that utilizes industrial technology, including:

• Textiles
• Petroleum
• Construction
• Engineering
• Pharmaceutical
• Chemicals
• Aeronautical
• Consumer Goods

Can I Gain an Industrial Technology Degree Online?

Industrial Technology degrees typically combine management, business, and engineering courses, which are three types of courses most readily offered online. This is to say that there are many online industrial technology degrees. One exception to this rule is for associates-level degrees that tend to teach individuals how to use industrial machinery. Many of these instances may need to occur in-person or in the form of an internship.

Just because industrial technology degrees are offered online doesn’t mean that that’s the right format for you. There are a variety of pros and cons when comparing online and traditional course delivery.

Here at DegreeQuery we’ve informed thousands of future higher-ed attainers, and have uncovered a variety of trends in what makes online education work (or not work) for various students. Some of the most commonly mentioned positives and negatives of online degrees are listed below:

Positive of Online Education

• You don’t need to quit your job
• You don’t need to move
• Many programs are built for working adults
• You get the same degree as in-person programs
• Growing number of support programs
• Growing number of employers view degrees as the same
• Access to top-notch schools not in your area

Negatives of Online Education

• Not as much of “the feel” of attending higher education
• Harder to get to know professors, classmates, or community members
• Not as many support services as on-campus offerings
• You need to be more of a self starter with studying
• Lack of access to networking events and on-campus job fairs

Neither the pros nor cons are meant to entice or “run you away” from online education. There are obviously many factors that go into choosing a degree program that works for you. And for many students who work full time, an ability to keep their job while studying is perhaps the largest factor. For others, getting full access to networking and the “feel” of a traditional higher ed program may be beneficial.

How do I Gain Admission to an Industrial Technology Program?

Admissions to industrial technology programs depend on the degree level you’re hoping to pursue, and are similar to most other engineering, business, or technology degree programs of the same levels.

At the associates level, students pursuing a degree at a community college may find themselves with the opportunity to work through open admissions. Open admissions aren’t truly 100% open. But they typically allow any in-district, city, or state (depending on the service area of the college) who has graduated from high school with above a certain GPA automatic admission. Once students have gained admission to the broader college they are afforded the opportunity to choose industrial technology as their major.

For students seeking admission to associates and bachelor’s degree programs that aren’t open admission similar requirements are needed. Students should expect to take a standardized test such as the ACT or SAT, should be able to provide a transcript from high school study, letters or recommendation, a statement of purpose, and potentially other essays or even interviews. The range of admission requirements regarding GPA as well as standardized test scores varies widely between institutions. Many of the most competitive schools in the country require nearly perfect scores in each, while the vast majority of schools have lower admission standards.

Within master’s degree programs, industrial technology degrees require similar admissions processes to other technology degrees. Some programs require students to submit GRE standardized test scores, while others may let students with some years of experience substitute a resume or letters of recommendation. Students should have finished or plan to finish their undergraduate study by the start of the program.

Within doctoral programs, students may apply either directly out of undergraduate study or after the completion of a master’s. For students applying directly out of undergraduate study, they will endeavor upon gaining a master’s degree “en route” to their doctoral degree. Essentially these students are entering dual master’s and doctorate degree programs.

For students entering doctoral degree programs, they should reach out to ensure that there are faculty members pursuing in-depth study within areas that interest them. In the event you pursue a research doctorate (Ph.D.) it is important to reach out to faculty members who may be able to be your research mentor before starting the program, as many research supervisors only take on a handful of students to supervise.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Here at DegreeQuery we have one of the largest repositories of coverage on choosing degrees and careers online. Peruse some of our related guides below:

• What Can I Do With a Materials Technology Degree?
• Where Can I Work With a Degree in Industrial Design?
• What’s the Difference Between Industrial Design and Design Engineering?
• What is the Difference Between a Degree in Mechanical and Industrial Engineer?
• What Can I Do With an Engineering Degree?
• What Can I Do With an Occupational Studies Degree?
• The Best Online Degree Programs Presented by DegreeQuery

What Can I Do With an Industrial Technology Degree?

Industrial technology is at the heart of nearly all manufacturing endeavors. And nearly everything we consume is manufactured in some way. That gives you an idea of the massive scope of opportunities for someone with an industrial technology degree.

Additionally, the opportunity to pursue industrial technology coursework from the associates through doctoral levels means that there’s always more room to specialize and that there are industry applications for knowledge in industrial technology from knowledge of how to run industrial technology systems, to knowledge of how to create them.

While there are many, many jobs within industrial technology settings that you can become prepared for with an industrial technology degree, some of the most common include the following.
Manufacturing engineers work to hone, research, and create manufacturing systems. This includes software, hardware, and processes that help to lower the price of the production of a good, enhance the quality of the production of a good, or increase the rate at which a good can be created.

Job outlooks are good for manufacturing engineers, with expected position growth of 9% from 2016-2026. The average salary for these positions can range to above $100,000 for experienced engineers.

Operations managers oversee the daily operations of facilities or manufacturing centers. For individuals who have some experience or education in both industrial technology as well as logistics, management, and business know-how, operations management can be a top-tier job within manufacturing.

Operations is a nebulous term, and can mean many, many different things depending on the setting in which you’re working. Within industrial technology this could involve everything from overseeing a shipping warehouse, to overseeing a high-tech factory that makes electronics or medical equipment. As one may expect, earnings can be quite high depending on what an operations manager is in charge of. Most salaries for this job within manufacturing settings start at over $100,000 a year.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Here at DegreeQuery we have one of the largest repositories of coverage on choosing degrees and careers online. Peruse some of our related guides below:

• What Can I Do With a Materials Technology Degree?
• Where Can I Work With a Degree in Industrial Design?
• What’s the Difference Between Industrial Design and Design Engineering?
• What is the Difference Between a Degree in Mechanical and Industrial Engineer?
• What Can I Do With an Engineering Degree?
• What Can I Do With an Occupational Studies Degree?
• The Best Online Degree Programs Presented by DegreeQuery

The post What Can I Do With an Industrial Technology Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Why Analysts Should Consider Earning a Master’s in Finance Degree

At first glance, earning a master’s degree in preparation for a financial analyst role might seem like overkill. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a bachelor’s degree as the level of education required to start working as a financial analyst. However, if you have the drive to excel in a demanding field like finance, there’s a good chance that you will want to advance beyond entry-level financial analysis roles.

To get to more senior-level analyst roles, you’re going to need to surpass expectations at work and continue to build your resumé outside of your accomplishments in the office. Often, analysts and aspiring analysts do this by going to graduate school. In fact, 65 percent of financial quantitative analysts – close to two-thirds of the occupation – report a master’s degree as their highest level of education, according to O*NET.

Many financial analysts who go for a master’s in finance degree want to advance beyond the analyst role. Often, earning a master’s degree is a step on the path toward a career as a fund manager or portfolio manager, according to the BLS. Even if you’re not eyeing management job titles specifically, you may need a master’s degree if you want to work in any senior-level financial analyst role. Without a graduate degree, you may find yourself passed over for promotions and see your career plateau.

Besides going to graduate school, you can improve your job opportunities by earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential. You can enroll in the CFA program with only a bachelor’s degree – just prepare to spend 300 hours preparing for the CFA exams. 

What Financial Analysts Learn in Graduate School

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay, public domain

In a master’s in finance degree program, you will study corporate finance, financial analytics and financial markets at an advanced level well above what you studied as an undergraduate finance major. Master’s in finance programs cover both theoretical and practical coursework, so the classes you take in these degree programs will not only give you a deeper understanding of the theory underlying financial analysis but also equip you with the skills that apply to the real-world practice of financial analysis. All of these core courses fit neatly into the wheelhouse of a financial analyst and provide a strong foundation for the more specialized skills and knowledge a master’s in finance student can learn through concentration tracks and electives.

Some of the possible concentrations you may find in a master’s in finance program include investments, real estate finance, corporate finance, financial technology, financial management and financial engineering. You could also opt not to select a concentration and instead use your elective coursework to take an assortment of specialized classes that fit your interests.

If you work for a global firm, taking elective courses in international finance markets could be a wise decision. Analysts involved in growing companies might benefit from coursework in mergers and acquisitions. The field of finance is full of specializations ranging from healthcare finance to asset management and retirement savings, so analysts going back to school for a master’s in finance are sure to find graduate courses that are relevant to their area of expertise. If you want to put yourself on the path to management, you might benefit from taking a class in strategic finance. Often, master’s in finance programs are hands-on, including some sort of practicum or real-world finance work experience conducted in a school’s finance lab.

A master’s in finance is a great choice for financial analysts looking to do more with their careers, but you have other options. You can also consider earning a master’s in accounting degree or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a finance concentration.

Additional Resources

Can a Master of Finance get you a job as a Comptroller?

Is a Finance Master’s a good start to becoming a CFO?

What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Finance?

The post Is a Master’s in Finance a Good Way to Go If I Want to Be an Analyst? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Digital art is pervasive in TV ads, animated movies, TV shows, video games, websites, mobile apps, and more. DegreeQuery highlighted some of these in the article titled: Which Jobs in Animation command the most money? With most positions, salaries vary considerably by geographical location, company stature, and elevation within an organization. This post won’t reiterate the best paying areas, but we will explore some of the possibilities regarding wages.

For example, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, and Walt Disney Animation Studios may pay more than a smaller animation studio. Many may not have heard of Illumination Entertainment, which started in 2007; however, most will be familiar with their successes. Names like Despicable Me, Minions, Robots, and The Secret Life of Pets.

Candidates starting their careers in animation often wonder what salary they can expect from their first animation job. Salaries can vary from one position to another and from one company to the next. While entry-level positions typically pay the lowest wages, animators do have the potential to earn a livable wage even if it is their first job. So many factors can come into play when determining the salary potential in animation, even at the entry-level.

What Factors Determine Wages

A person fresh out of college with an animation degree can research the average wages for this position. Still, they may not accurately portray the individual’s compensation at their first animation job because many factors influence earnings and benefits.

Training and Education

Before embarking on a search on – what and where will I earn a decent salary, you need to be selective in your college. The internet affords several rankings of the best animation programs with a range of tuition. One of the top-ranked schools is the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film/Animation/Video. Students may concentrate on animation, live-action, or open media with courses in animation preproduction, 3D animation, stop-motion animation, digital effects, and puppet animation. Unfortunately, a prestigious program carries exorbitant tuition of $55,220 per school year. In contrast, the BFA in Animation at Sam Houston State University will cost approximately $7,400 per school year for in-state students.

Although animators typically have a bachelor’s degree, someone with an associate degree may have sufficient experience to work in this field. Some animators also have master’s degrees, which is the terminal educational requirement in animation.

One notable institution is the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, resulting from two Los Angeles art and music schools merging in 1961 by Roy and Walt Disney. By 1971, the name changed to CalArts, which offers art, design, film, theater, dance, and film degrees. The school has a three-year Master of Fine Arts in Experimental Animation that emphasizes technique and theory.

Typically, the higher the degree the individual has, the higher the starting wage. However, the additional years of studies can create further debt (tuition) and detract from the years you could be gaining experience. Undoubtedly, the master’s degree in your portfolio would open more doors. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on your career aspirations—individuals whose self-study and grasp of animation techniques may not require a graduate degree. Either way, most employers will want to see examples of your work from school projects or work experience.

Experience – Experience is essential when applying for any job, and more is better. An animator with minimal experience might require supervision, training, and mentoring, which could deter some employers. Furthermore, animation has different areas of expertise, each with its own salary scale:

3D Animators:  Requires immense creativity, artistry, and technical skills. According to Payscale, the median base salary is $54,385, with first-time employees closer to $36,00 per year. Computer Careers lists the junior level for 2022 at $38,666 and a senior position at $114,580.

Medical Animator:  Demands courses in anatomy and physiology. Glassdoor reports the average salary at $53,433 with a high of $83,000 for years of experience. Salary.com disagrees, as their average salary is $66,483, ranging from $54,637 to $80,164.

Special Effects Artists and Animators:  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS) states the median pay for the profession at $77,700 with a bachelor’s degree and a projected 16% growth through 2030. This position covers the gambit of creative effects used in various media and entertainment forms.

Video Game Animator:  Much of video game animation involves 3D; therefore, the jobs require this skill and the minimum of an undergraduate degree. According to Zippia, Career Experts, about 14% of video game animators have a graduate degree. They report the average pay at $74,795; however, entry-level jobs could be considerably less (<$30K/annually). The top dollars are in California, namely, San Mateo, Berkeley, Daly City, Richmond, and Irvine (Zippia).

Industry

Different companies and industries have dissimilar pay ranges. Across most sectors, larger companies usually pay higher salaries. The BLS states that most of the Special Effects Artists work in the Motion Picture and Video Industries (2.59%). That seems like a small percentage, except the second spot goes to Software Publishers with 1.09% of the animation workforce.

The Motion Picture category also has the highest annual mean wage at $105,670. The second-highest wage is in Employment Services, with only 320 employees and an average salary of $95,330 (BLS 2020).

Location – This probably plays the most significant part in determining animator salaries. Wages vary from state to state and city to city.

Location is critical when determining the salary an individual can earn at their first job in animation. Here are the five states where multimedia artists and animators earn the highest wages, followed by those with the lowest wages according to the BLS.

• Connecticut – $115,660
• California – $105,480
• New York – $98,770
• Oregon – $96,350
• Washington – $90,130

At the lowest end of the scale is:

• South Carolina – $38,050
• South Dakota – $49,890
• New Mexico – $50,360
• Ohio – $54,410
• Iowa – $57,090

As can be seen, by the numbers, there is a substantial difference between the wages earned in Connecticut and the wages earned in South Carolina. This difference will usually also be there for entry-level positions in animation.

Additionally, states with less desirable wages likely do not employ many special effects and animation.

Cities play a role in determining where an animator sits on the salary chart. As expected, the best paying cities are in California, New York, and Washington. Typically, as in most professions, a higher cost of living generates better income to offset these costs and attract talented employees. Higher median wages generally translate to more enticing entry salaries as a novice animator.

These are the top cities, per the BLS 2020 data:

• Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim:  $110,370
• San Francisco-Oakland:  $102,560
• San Jose-Sunnyvale:  $100,510
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue:  $90,910
• New York-Newark-Jersey City:  $97,000

The site, Comparably, contains an information treasure trove posting entry-level salaries for animators in various locales. Founded by three highly accomplished business people and entrepreneurs, the site also tells you the average rent in a particular city. These statistics allow the job seeker to weigh the housing cost against the starting average salary.

Comparably reports the entry-level wage at $51,482 in Winston Salem, North Carolina; in contrast, the BLS data for the state is at $73,730. Regardless, the average rent in that city is $2,506 for a two-bedroom, which would consume 72.66% of the animator’s take-home pay.

Unexpectedly, in Long Beach, Comparably reports the average salary at $51,534 or about the same as Winston Salem. More importantly, the average two-bedroom apartment in Long Beach is $1,939 per month! Presuming the data are correct, the job in Long Beach is the better choice. From checking on Apartments.com, the rents are almost double the $1,939 figure ($3,797).

In fairness, Comparably took the rent stats from Apartmentlist.com, and this site does have a two-bedroom in Long Beach at an average of $1,939. Why the disparity? Further research is necessary to confirm data before leaving one’s current residence.

What Kind of Work Animation Involves

When we hear the term animation, we often think of these cute little animated characters we see on the television or movie screen. The exciting fact about animation is that it’s used in so many more ways than just cartoon characters. An individual with a degree in animation may work in the motion picture industry, advertising, or help solve crimes as a forensic animator. The starting salary for a job in animation will vary by industry or position.

In addition to the above two job sectors, the following three for employment are:

• Computer Systems Design and Related Services
• Advertising, Public Relations, and Related
• Specialized Design Services

Here are the top four sectors with the highest number of multimedia artists and animators employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What about Wage When Starting?

In summary, according to the BLS, wages for multimedia artists and animators ranged from $42,390 to $142,750 in May 2020. The former salary is the lowest 10 percent, and the latter is the highest 10 percent. An individual just starting at their first job in animation will typically begin at the lower end, especially if the applicant is working for a smaller market. Some may start as low as $30,000 per year until they’ve obtained some work experience. Those working in the motion picture industry typically earn higher wages than those working in the gaming or design industries.

How do you reach these wages?

With little or no experience, a degree in fine arts specializing in animation, visual effects, or motion graphics, or a degree in computer graphics. These programs require artistic talent in drawing, painting, sculpture, film, or graphics. Communication is paramount as most settings entail working as a team toward a common goal – either the game or related visual medium.

Technical skills, primarily computer proficiency, are paramount in the animation business. Employers look for candidates with the ability to use:

• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe AfterEffects
• Adobe Illustrator
• Motion Graphics
• Computer Animation

Individuals pursuing a career in video game design may see names like:

• Unity – a real-time platform
• GameMaker – Studio 2 is a powerful game development tool
• Unreal Engine – a suite of tools for game developers, designers, and builders
• Maya – 3D computer animation, simulation, and modeling software

Future animators can increase their chances of breaching the lower wage threshold by participating in an internship during their college years. Employment sites, like Indeed, post these openings at various companies scattered across the nation. Here are some examples, as of 2022:

Creative Animation/VFX Intern at General Motors in Warren, Michigan, seeks candidates working toward a degree in visual effects, animation, or entertainment design. They must have good interpersonal skills, comfort with Maya, and creativity.

Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California, has an undergraduate intern program for students familiar with 3D digital art, such as Maya or Blender, and coding projects using Python or C++, including computer graphics. Candidates’ educational paths can be digital art, computer graphics, art, or related fields.

Other Qualifications

To progress in animation and, along with it, a higher salary, there are specific qualities for success. The University of Silicon Valley has offered bachelor’s and master’s degrees in various technological and creative specialties for over 130 years. Examples are game art, game engineering, and software development. The school stresses these attributes for success in 3D animation:

• Attention to detail as the profession requires combing through frame by frame
• Exemplary organization as animation projects might involve hundreds of small files
• Thrive on challenges as the job demands creating something new and powerful that audiences or gamers will love
• An excellent memory is an asset to remember the myriad of details in the creation and the appropriate software for the job.

Graduates of an animation degree are well on their way to earning a good salary and doing work that can be fun and interesting. Even working at their first job in animation doesn’t deter their ability to make a good salary because this field offers so many career possibilities.

However, keep in mind that approximately 62,400 working as special effects artists and animators in the United States (BLS); therefore, this will be a highly competitive industry to find viable employment. As stated above, the 16% growth or job turnover looks impressive, but that translates to 9,900 positions over ten years – meaning only 990 each year. Compare those statistics to Software Developers, which the BLS projects a turnover of 409,500 jobs from 2020 to 2030 or 40,950 openings per year.

Related Resources:

What is a Typical Salary for a Graphic Designer?

Which Schools Have the Best Animation Programs?

How Much Math Should I Study if I Want to Become an Animator?

What High School Classes Can I Take That Will Help Prepare Me for a Degree in Animation?

Are There Online Programs That I Can Get a Degree in Animation?

Are There Degrees in Criminal Justice Programs That Use Animation?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Forensic Artist?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Exciting Jobs: The Top 15 Jobs for Adrenaline Seekers

The post What Salary Can I Expect at My First Job in Animation? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Where the CIA Recruits Officers and Agents

You may expect the CIA to focus primarily on recruiting new talent at the most prestigious and well-connected schools in the nation. In fact, some such colleges – like Harvard University – have been known for permitting the controversial practice of undercover enrollment of CIA agents into the school to scout out new talent, Inside Higher Ed reported.

However, it’s not only the ultra-exclusive – and expensive – Ivy League universities that CIA recruiters visit. Nowadays, the CIA also sends recruiters to less influential local colleges, CNBC News reported. Technical schools host informational events like presentations, question-and-answer sessions and opportunities for one-on-one career advice from current CIA agents. Even community colleges host CIA recruitments events.

If you think the CIA is only interested in recruiting recent college graduates, you might be surprised. As many as 20 percent of newly recruited CIA officers and agents are mid-career professionals, often with special skills, National Public Radio (NPR) reported.

Changes in CIA College Recruiting Efforts

Although CIA recruitment on college campuses is common and widespread today, that wasn’t always the case. At one time, most CIA recruitment at schools was done discreetly, NPR reported. In fact, there was a time in the 1970s when a CIA recruiter’s campus visit would have been likely to prompt student protests, according to NPR.

Since that time, things have changed considerably. By the mid-1980s, student protests were rarer and interest in a CIA career was much more prevalent, according to the agency. The CIA is also much more diverse today, in terms of both the officers and agents who work for the agency and the variety of career fields and academic backgrounds from which they come.

Although degrees in criminal justice, information technology and foreign language are still assets to the CIA, the agency also looks for recruits with backgrounds in business, accounting, finance, economics, science, technology and even communications.

What Students Should Know About Working for the CIA

Working for the CIA isn’t just another job. For one thing, you will need to get a security clearance – a process that can take months and require a polygraph, or “lie detector,” test. Opportunities for the CIA often require relocation, especially to the Washington, D.C. area, or domestic or international travel. You also have to undergo a background investigation by the United States government. Factors such as any drug use in the past year or a history of criminal activity may bar you from employment, temporarily or permanently, by the CIA. To some degree, depending on your role at the CIA, there work you do for the agency will need to be kept confidential.

Despite the challenges, there are many benefits of working for the CIA, from serving your country to the generous compensation and benefits packages.

What If the CIA Doesn’t Recruit From Your School?

If you have asked around your college’s career center only to find that no CIA recruitment events are planned, that doesn’t mean you’ll never get the opportunity to work for the CIA. The agency offers numerous student opportunities that you can apply for even if the agency is not actively recruiting at your school. Through internships with the CIA, you can gain college credits toward your degree while acquiring valuable work experience and connections within the agency. You could also apply for the CIA scholarship programs for undergraduate or graduate students. These opportunities require you to complete a summer of paid work in your field for the CIA and provide tuition assistance up to $18,000 for one calendar year.

Receiving a CIA scholarship effectively guarantees you a job with the CIA after graduation, because as part of the terms of the scholarship, students agree to work for the agency for 1.5 years per every year the scholarship was received.

Additional Resources

What Degree Should I Get to Join the CIA?

How Do I Apply to the CIA?

Can I Get Into Law Enforcement If I Have a Felony on My Record?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

The post What Schools Does the CIA Recruit From the Most? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Physics

The area of study most closely related to your astronomy major is physics. Although students are encouraged to earn a bachelor’s degree in either astronomy or physics before applying to a master’s in astronomy program, having a minor in physics can be enough to satisfy graduate school prerequisites. Some of the classes you might take for a minor in physics could include introductory coursework in mechanics, electricity and magnetism and thermodynamics, fluids, waves and optics. Don’t be surprised if your minor curriculum also encompasses one course or a sequence of courses in modern or contemporary physics.

While a physics minor is certain to be relevant to your astronomy graduate studies and career, not all schools allow astronomy majors to minor in physics because the coursework is too similar.

Math or Statistics

In fields like physics and astronomy, you may find that you need to do a lot of mathematical calculations. It’s never a bad idea to build up your math skills when you want to work in the sciences.

If you minor in mathematics, you can expect to take a full sequence of calculus courses. This requirement may not change your curriculum too much, since astronomy majors often have to take Calculus I, II and III courses anyway. Your further minor coursework might fit into branches of mathematics such as number theory, linear algebra, abstract algebra and general algebra.

Alternatively, you might opt to minor in statistics, the branch of mathematical science that applies quantitative methods to analyzing and interpreting data that pertains to real-world problems. Minoring in statistics might mean taking introductory coursework in probability and statistics and a series of classes in statistical methods for data analysis, as well as elective courses in probability and numerical analysis.

Statistical analyses are often performed with the help of computer software, so if you plan to minor in statistics, you should be comfortable working with computers and, potentially, taking a course in computer coding using a language like R, SQL and Python.

Chemistry or Biology

You know you’re comfortable in the study of science, but you want to expand your horizons. A minor in chemistry or biology, two other major natural sciences, might do the trick. Chemistry is the branch of science that is concerned with chemical matter, properties, interactions and processes. Biology is the scientific study of living organisms.

Minoring in chemistry might encompass taking coursework in general chemistry, biochemistry and elective chemistry topics. A biology minor will likely include classes in genetics and microbial science, as well as electives drawn from areas like animal biology, plant biology, cellular biology, population biology, clinical biology and interdisciplinary biology topics.

In specializations like astrochemistry and astrobiology, astronomers can combine the study of astronomy with one of these other science disciplines.

An Area of Interest

If you’re already majoring in astronomy, you don’t necessarily need a specific minor to make sure that you’re set up for graduate study. Your major coursework should provide you with enough knowledge of astronomy and physics concepts and practices to succeed in earning your master’s degree. Don’t be afraid to use your elective courses to pursue a minor in a field that interests you, even if it doesn’t relate directly to astronomy.

There’s no harm in choosing a minor purely for your own personal growth and interests, especially if your major is already in a field that will help you with your career. In some cases, pursuing a minor that doesn’t have obvious connections to astronomy can be valuable in your professional career, as well.

You might develop your reading and writing skills by majoring in English, literature or creative writing. Studying business can be an asset if you pursue industry work rather than academic research. Minoring in a foreign language to become bilingual can expand your employment prospects and allow you to communicate with fellow scientists from other nations. Through a minor in psychology, sociology or anthropology, you can better understand people – as individuals, in groups or as entire cultures – and learn how to effectively respond to their thoughts, fears and behaviors. Whether you’re applying for an industry role or writing a grant proposal, this knowledge of people is valuable in a career as an astronomer as well as in your personal life.

You may think that soft skills like communication, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, teamwork and leadership skills are less important for scientists than technical skills, but successful scientists have these skills, too, the American Chemical Society reported.

Additional Resources

Will I Be Considered for a Master’s in Astronomy If My Undergraduate Wasn’t in Astronomy?

Other Than Astronomy, What Are Majors That Will Help Prepare Me for a Master’s in Astronomy Program?

When Applying for a Masters in Astronomy, Is It Better to Have a B.A. or a B.S.?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Astrobiologist?

What Degree Do You Need to Be an Astrophysicist?

The post What Are Some Good Minors When Thinking About Further Study in Astronomy? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Today there are a wide range of master’s degrees available completely online in physical education, recreation, tourism, athletics, training, and coaching. While this may seem like a wide range of degree types, we decided to pull them into the same ranking as there are often multiple degree types you can use to become involved with a recreation-related activity that you love as a career.

For example, if you’re into professional baseball, you could work on tourism related tasks for the city of a pro team. You could work your way up in the training staff. You could take an organizational perspective and move up within the business ranks of an athletic organization. And of course there are many jobs in physical education in K-12 schools as well as in coaching at the youth and collegiate levels.

For all you individuals who want to make your favorite sport or recreational location your career, we’re here to tell you that there are options galore. Here at DegreeQuery, we’ve helped 10,000’s of students find their dream degree (and afterwards, career). We’ve applied our expertise to recreation, tourism, and coaching degrees below.

How Did We Rank These Programs?

Here at DegreeQuery we use our years of experience researching higher education to inform our picks for “the best” programs of a given type. While we understand that no one program is going to be the best for every student. We try to weight factors that many online students particularly care about highly in our rankings. In the case of this ranking we looked at a number of factors including the affordability of the program, the accreditation level, the range of flexibility for adult or non-traditional learners, and the prestige of the program in question. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. And in the meantime, we hope you find your dream degree below!

1. North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University provides the top-ranked program in DegreeQuery’s annual ranking of athletic, coaching, and recreational management master’s degree programs. North Dakota State University is known as a public research university with a main campus in Fargo, North Dakota, as well as a range of online degree options. Originally an agriculture and technology college, the University still pulls from these roots to offer many hands-on and applied degrees. With a 57% graduation rate, NDSU is a top-notch public school that offers in-person and online degrees.

One program North Dakota State University offers fully online is that of their master’s in health, nutrition, and exercise science. We like this program because it offers the ability to tackle many health, fitness, and recreation specialty areas within the same degree. The degree also offers two tracks, one that centers around the creation of a master’s-level thesis, and another that allows students to develop a paper or portfolio of projects of their choosing. As the fourth most affordable program surveyed in this year’s ranking, there’s also not much to loose from trying the program out. If you’re looking for an innovative and interdisciplinary online program related to coaching, recreation, or health, NDSU’s may be the one!

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2. Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University is a medium-sized public university with a main campus located in Cookeville, Tennessee. The university is known for a range of subjects including engineering-related degrees, as well as education and coaching. Unlike many universities — at least at the bachelor’s-level — health and physical education degrees are actually the fourth most popular degree type for students to take at the university. With close to 10,000 students, Tennessee Tech is large enough to be able to provide many of the opportunities available at large schools, while not being overwhelmingly large.

Our second pick for the best online master’s in exercise, recreation, or coaching can be seen in Tennessee Tech’s master of arts in exercise science. We like this degree program as it provides some of the widest range of options among competing degrees. Students in the program may select from a range of specializations, including elementary and middle school physical education, adaptive physical education, K-12 licensure in physical education, fitness and lifetime wellness, and sports management. Additionally, the program is one of the most affordable that we’ve surveyed for this year’s ranking, coming in as the 9th most affordable degree program we’ve looked at.

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3. University of Florida

The University of Florida is known for excellence in a wide range of disciplines, one of which is athletics. This carries over into their coaching and physical fitness offerings at the university level, which are routinely ranked as some of the strongest in the nation. The University of Florida is also known for being an academic powerhouse overall, with land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant designations marking the school as a center of research into agriculture, aerospace, and the natural sciences. With close to 50,000 students an an annual budget of over $6 billion, you can be sure that the University of Florida offers all of the support services and opportunities you need to complete your sports science, recreation, or physical education degree program.

In this year’s ranking of online degrees in coaching, physical education, and recreation, we would be remiss not to include the University of Florida. With what is routinely regarded as one of the very top sports management schools in the nation, the fact that University of Florida offers online degrees makes this program a great opportunity for many aspiring sports managers. Unique specializations in the program include sports law, athletic development, and high-performance coaching. Practicums, internships, and a final hands-on capstone project help students to hone real world skills throughout their course of study.

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4. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a large-sized public university particularly well known for their engineering, life sciences, and agricultural programs. The university is a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution and one of three institutions that anchor the well-thought of “research triangle” of universities and cities. With over 35,000 students, North Carolina State University is the largest university in the Carolinas, and among the largest in the United States. This is great for students seeking a broad alumni network and wide ranging support services that are often only present at larger and well-funded schools.

We like North Carolina State University’s online parks, recreation, and tourism management degree for a range of reasons. The online and accelerated format is a great selling point for many individuals already working full time. The emphasis on a strong foundation of managerial courses is unique in programs we surveyed. Additionally, the subject matter of the degree as a whole centered on tourism and recreation location is unique. Additional program features include the fact that applicants do not need to submit a GRE score to apply, and that students are admitted and study in cohorts, increasing the chances of meaningful exchanges and relationships that can be carried beyond the degree program.

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5. University of Illinois

The University of Illinois is a public flagship and land-grant, space-grant, and sea-grant institution with a main campus located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. The school is home to some 51,000 students making it one of the largest in the region as well as the nation. UI holds an R1 very high research level designation and is known for graduate-level programs in a wide variety of fields. Particularly noteworthy fields of study at the University include computer science, engineering, information science, business, accounting, and education. The University of Illinois is also known to have the second largest library collection of any school in the United States.

The fully Online Master of Science in Recreation, Sport & Tourism offered by the University of Illinois is one of our top picks for sports, recreation, and coaching degrees this year for a host of reasons. The program is accelerated, allowing students to complete the program in as little as 18 months. Students may select from a range of specialization areas through certificate programs that just require 3 eight-week courses for completion. Additionally, students may join cohorts with three entry points per year.

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6. University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi is one of the largest online degree providers within the southeastern United States. This mid-sized public research university is home to close to 15,000 students and has a main campus located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Bachelor’s through doctoral degrees are available at the university which is classified as an R1 very high research activity institution. Particularly well-known degree programs at the school include psychology, nursing, business, and education.

For this year’s ranking of recreation, athletics, and coaching degrees we would be remiss for not including the University of Southern Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi is unique in our ranking in that they offer two fully-online degrees that meet the bill for our ranking. First is a fully-online master of science in sport coaching education. Secondly, a fully-online master of science in kinesiology with a physical education emphasis. Additionally Southern Mississippi has one of the longer standing online programs of this type in the nation, meaning there’s a strong alumni base, adding to the networking possibilities.

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7. Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is a public research university with a main campus located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school is home to some 22,000 students, making it one of the larger in the region, though still much smaller than the largest state schools. Well-known programs of study include a college of flight, offering one of the most prestigious flight science programs in the nation. Additionally, Western Michigan is known for one of the largest business schools (undergraduate and graduate) of any university in the nation. In 2008, a $100 million gift was given to the University to begin construction on a medical school.

We like Western Michigan University’s fully online master’s in coaching sport performance for a range of reasons. It’s one of only a handful of coaching programs with a level five accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education. Additionally, the program doesn’t require a GRE for acceptance, and provides one of the best “bang for your buck” among comparable programs nationally. If you’re looking for a program with proven success to preparing the next generation of elite coaches, at the youth, collegiate, or professional levels, look no further than the program at Western Michigan University.

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8. University of Nebraska at Kearney

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized public research university that is part of the University of Nebraska System. This university, originally started as an educational college (or “Normal school”) for the state of Nebraska, today offers a wide range of degrees to over 6,000 students. In recent years, the university has made a sustained push into online as well as blended (online mixed with in-person meet up) delivery methods for degrees. The University of Nebraska at Kearney has been ranked the 9th best public school in the region, as well as the 35th best public university for online study in the nation by a variety of publications.

We like the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s fully online Master’s in Physical Education for a variety of reasons. It’s one of only a few fully-online physical education programs to make it on our list, offers a range of specialization options, and draws from the history and strength of the university as a historical teacher’s college. The two specializations that students may endeavor upon include an online pedagogy route as well as a special populations emphasis. Additionally, the program is one of the most affordable within our list. Of note is that successful applicants should already hold a bachelor’s degree as well as a teaching license as this is not a licensure program for physical education.

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9. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University is a public comprehensive university that has a main campus in Portales, New Mexico. Home to over 6,000 students, the University is the largest comprehensive university (offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees without a heavy research component) in the region. Eastern New Mexico University is the first designated Hispanic-serving institution on our list, and has been featured in rankings about social mobility-produciving universities. Many of the most popular majors and degrees at the school are applied and career centered.

We wanted to include Eastern New Mexico University’s fully online degree program in Online Master of Science in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Administration in this year’s ranking due to a number of factors. First, the program is one of the most affordable we surveyed within online coaching, recreation, and related degrees this year. Secondly, students may choose between two versatile focus areas within the degree program, including a coaching emphasis and a sport administration emphasis. Additionally, electives allow students to further tailor their already flexible course of study.

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10. Clemson University

Clemson University is a public land- and sea-grant research university with a main campus located in Clemson, South Carolina. With close to 25,000 students, Clemson is one of the larger universities in the Carolinas, and is well known for a range of fields of study. Some particularly noteworthy fields studied at the university include economics, automotive research, historic restoration, and education. Overall the university is often ranked as one of the 25 best public universities in the nation.

Our tenth favorite pick for this year’s ranking is Clemson’s fully online master’s in parks, recreation, and tourism management. Besides the general prestige of the university and their solid track record with online education, one of our favorite elements of this program is the range of concentrations. Current program concentrations that individuals can pursue include parks and conservation areas management, travel and tourism management, community recreation management, and recreational therapy. Additionally, courses are offered in adult learner-friendly, 6-week increments.

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11. Valdosta State University

Valdosta State is located in Valdosta, Georgia just minutes away from the Florida state line. Valdosta State started as a normal school and over the years evolved into the university it is today. This unique comprehensive university offers in-state tuition to Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In addition to associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees Valdosta State offers professional certifications and online courses. Among their online offerings is the Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• A Minimum of a Master’s Degree
• 3.0 GPA
• Physical Education Teaching Certification in Georgia or a reciprocal state

The program is 27 credits hours and taught online and offers a potential T-6 certification. Students undergoing this program can expect to study the following courses:

• Coaching Pedagogy
• Coaching Pedagogy Research Methods
• History of Sport
• Sport Coaching Pedagogy
• Communication Skills for Coaches

It is assumed that those enrolled in this online course will already be involved in a coaching program as this course does include professional development. The Ed.S from Valdosta State is known for its affordable programming.

• No GRE Required
• Degree is 100% Online

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12. University of Arkansas Global Campus

The University of Arkansas (UArk) is a public university located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The U.S. News and World Report ranks UArk as one of the top 100 public schools in the US. The university was founded in 1871 and currently awards undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and specialist degrees as well as graduate certification programs. UArk has innovated over the years and currently boasts some of the best online programming in the nation according to U.S. News. Among their online degree offerings is the online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Physical Education.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• An Undergraduate Degree in Kinesiology or a Related Field
• 3.0 GPA

The program of study is 33 credit hours and may be completed in as little as two years. To graduate with this degree students must have a 3.0 or higher and pass a culminating written comprehensive exam. Students enrolled will have the opportunity to study the following courses:

• The Physical Education Curriculum
• Risk Management in Physical Education and Athletics
• Scientific Principles of Movement and Performance
• Sport Psychology
• Professional Issues in Physical Education and Sport

One of the flexible aspects of this degree is that students may enter into the program at any time. To complete this degree in 2 years expect to study full-time.

• GRE May Be Required
• Degree is 100% online

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13. Ohio University

Ohio University was founded in 1804 just one year after Ohio officially became a state. In 1808 Ohio University opened its doors it had 3 students and one faculty member. Today Ohio University enrolls nearly 30,000 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. Ohio is the home to Fulbright Scholars and Pulitzer Prize winners. Some of the most impressive accolades include 77th most innovative schools, 122nd best value school and 32nd best online master’s in engineering programs according to U.S. News. It’s no wonder their online programming ranks among the top in the nation. Ohio strives to create academic programming that is unique and accessible. One such program is their online Master’s in Coaching Education.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• A Minimum of Three Years Experience Coaching
• 2.75 GPA or and Above
• An Undergraduate Degree

The Master’s in Coaching has been newly revamped for 2020. It is 30 credit hours in length and consists of 8 core courses and 2 elective classes. Let’s take a closer look at a few of their core requirements:

• Dynamics of Skill Acquisition
• Foundations of Coaching
• Injury Prevention & Risk Management
• Ethics and Diversity in Athletic Coaching

The elective courses give you a unique opportunity to study according to your areas of interest. This online degree is designed with the busy professional in mind.

• GRE Not Required
• Degree is 100% online

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14. Xavier University

Xavier is a private Jesuit Catholic university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1831. Currently, Xavier offers over 90 undergraduate programs. This is a comprehensive university that offers a full range of academic degrees and certifications. It is military-friendly and currently ranks as the 5th best regional school in the Midwest. Some of its other accolades include the ranking 4th in the region as one of the best colleges for veterans, 18th for best undergraduate teaching, and 8th for most innovative schools. Part of what makes Xavier innovative is its online academic offerings and are currently offering nearly 20 online degrees in the fields of business and education including their online Master of Education in Coaching Education and Athlete Development (CEAD).

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• A Degree from a Regionally Accredited University
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or Higher
• Coaching Experience

The CEAD program may be completed in 24 months and requires 33 credit hours for completion. The course material aligns with the NASPE and the NCAE. Like with many on-campus graduate programs this online degree is taught a cohort. You should expect the study the following courses among others:

• Psycho-social Aspects of Coaching
• Coaching Ehics and Phylosophy
• Sport Leadership and Team Building
• Sports Safety, Risk Management and Injury Prevention
• The Science of Performance

For professional development, students will complete a residency. This program has a unique focus on long-term athlete development and includes 2 courses in the second year with this focus. Students will also complete a research project in the field of coaching.

• GRE Required
• Degree is 100% online

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15. State University of New York – Cortland

SUNY Cortland is a public university located in Cortland, New York that was established in 1868. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as post-master’s certifications. SUNY Cortland is regionally accredited and ranked 63rd in the North. Their academic offerings include a number of career-ready degrees in fields like education, social sciences, public administration and more. They also offer a number of standard student services like academic counseling as well as career counseling. This is a great option for New York residents seeking an affordable degree. Their Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) in physical education. This program is unique as it has two core concentrations: one in adapted physical education and another in coaching pedagogy.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• Completed a Bachelor’s Degree
• Documentation of Initial Certification in Physical Education
• Professional Experience

The course material differs depending on your area of concentration and each course requires 30 credits for completion. Some of the unique courses include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and Education (Adaptive)
• Inclusive Coaching Methods (coaching/inclusive)
• Lifespan Motor Development
• Comprehensive Examination Seminar
• Research in Adaptive Physical Activity

Individuals looking to make a difference in the lives of differently-abled individuals or investigate fresh ways to inspire youth in schools are going to love this program.

• GRE Required
• This program is a hybrid

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16. Jackson State University

Jackson State University is a public institution located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1877 Jackson State was originally known as Natchez Seminary. From there the university grew and changed to adapt to the changing times and became a teacher’s college then Jackson State in 1952. Today Carnegie ranks Jackson State as an R:1 institution for having the “highest research activity.” The university currently offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Their academic programs reflect their history with a number of their degree offerings in the field of education. Their online Master of Science aims to equip individuals for a position as manager in the field of sports.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• An Undergraduate Degree from an Accredited Institution
• Completed the GRE

This online degree requires 36 credit hours to complete. The online concentration focuses on sports management with a strong emphasis on ethics and finance. You can expect to take classes like these:

• Sport Psychology & Sociology
• Sport Administration & Organization
• Sport Finance
• Ethics of Sport
• Research Methods

All students will complete a culminating exam.

• GRE Required
• This program is fully online

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17. Drexel University

Drexel University is one of the top 100 universities in the US. This private research university is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a global research university, Drexel shines when it comes to innovation and is in fact ranked 23rd in the nation for their information according to U.S. News. Drexel ranks highly as a value school, college for veterans and for its undergraduate teaching programming. There are currently 24,190 students enrolled at Drexel and 4,669 of them are online students. Their online degree offerings continue to expand and include several impressive programs may that rank among the top 10 in the nation. Their online MS in Sport Coaching Leadership is a fantastic option for any individual looking to focus on either rowing or Lacross- two unique concentration options offered at Drexel.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• An Undergraduate Degree from an Accredited Institution
• 3.0 or higher GPA

Drexel Online uses 10-week quarters so that students can complete this program at an accelerated pace. To complete the program you must earn 45 quarter credits. Some of the courses include:

• Ethics in Coaching
• Coaching Theory and Principles
• Biomechanics in Rowing
• Lacrosse Safety and Risk Management
• Managing Coaches & Teams

Another added perk to this program is that you have the freedom to design your own curriculum using a wide range of courses from either concentration.

• GRE Required
• This program is fully online

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18. Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University (GS) was established in 1906 and has its flagship campus is in Statesboro, Georgia. This comprehensive university boasts one of the largest enrollments in the state currently enrolling over 26,000 students. GS offers a wide range of academic programs and its most robust programs are in the fields of business, education, and health. This includes their online programming. Prospective students who are working professionals living in Georgia will find the best value with in-state tuition. GS currently offers over 30 online degrees and professional certifications. If you are looking to “become a better coach” then look no further than the online Master of Science in Kinesiology and Coaching Education Concentration. This online degree is a great option for working coaches who are looking to take their career to the next level.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Institution
• 2.75 or higher GPA
• Professional Experience

This online degree is 36 credit hours long and may be completed in as little as 14 months. Of the 12 courses admitted students will study:

• Sport Coaching Pedagogy
• Psychology of Sport & Exercise Performance
• Prevention, Recognition, & Care of Athletic Injuries
• Sociocultural Foundations of Sport Coaching
• Team Dynamics

If you are looking for an accelerated online master’s degree that will help you catapult your career certainly check out GS.

• GRE Required
• This program is fully online

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19. University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a public 4-year university ranked nationally by the US News and World Report and is located in Greeley, Colorado. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees- both professional and research degrees. Their online master’s in education programs are ranked 35th in the nation and their online bachelor’s programs are ranked 66th. There are currently nearly 13,000 students enrolled and 91% of which are full-time students. The student-to-faculty is 17:1. UNC is a nationally ranked institution. Their online Master’s Degree in Applied Sport Coaching is a great option for anyone looking to take their game to the next level.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Institution
• 3.0 or higher GPA
• Professional Experience

This innovative degree focuses on cutting edge advancements in kinesiology and is a great fit for working coaches. You will study:

• Sport Pedagogy (Teaching)
• Sport Psychology
• International Coaching Perspectives
• Injury Prevention
• Training and Conditioning Principles

This program is accredited by the NCACE. The program is 36 credits in length and culminates with a final exam.

• No GRE Required
• This program is fully online

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20. Ball State University

Ball State University is a nationally ranked university located in Muncie, Indiana. US News ranks Ball State as the 192nd best school in the nation, 95th best public school, 29th best school for online bachelor’s programs, and 35th for best online master’s in education programs among several others. When it comes to innovation, Ball State shines where online education is concerned and currently has 10 online degrees ranks among the top 20 in the nation. Their online degree in Coaching is no different. So if you are hoping to pursue an advanced degree in kinesiology then why not try the Master of Arts Degree in Athletic Coaching at Ball State.

The ideal candidate for this program will have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Institution
• 2.75 or higher GPA
• Professional Experience As a Coach

Ball State utilizes a cohort style of learning and works well busy professionals as the entirety of this program is offered online. Take a glance at a few of their online courses:

• Sport Pedagogy (Teaching)
• Sport Psychology
• International Coaching Perspectives
• Injury Prevention
• Training and Conditioning Principles

This 36 credit hour program may be completed in just 5 semesters.

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