Florida Tech Becomes First Nationally Ranked University to Offer an MBA With a Specialization in Internet Marketing 100% Online

Florida Tech and Bisk Education Continue Their Dedication to Adult Online Learners With a New World-Class Specialized MBA

TAMPA, Fla., June 25 -- Florida Tech University Online (Florida Institute of Technology) and Bisk Education have affirmed their commitment to online education with an innovative new business degree. The MBA with a specialization in Internet Marketing provides vital knowledge of today's most in-demand business strategies and tactics and is the first of its kind to be awarded from a nationally ranked university 100% online. This authoritative new degree program is expected to reshape the playing field in Internet marketing - a discipline that has virtually revolutionized modern-day business.

The new master's degree program will be made available through Florida Tech's Nathan M. Bisk College of Business. The college has grown considerably over the past few years to become one of the largest private business colleges in the nation, with over 5,000 students. Robert Niebuhr, dean of Florida Tech's College of Business, said, "This program directly accomplishes our goal of better preparing students to compete in a dynamic job market. The curriculum uncovers the unique impact of social media techniques, interactive communication methodologies and data mining/search engine processes on corporate performance. We're proud to arm professionals with the tools to develop and execute strategies necessary to excel in a digital environment that is continually changing and shaping the complex global markets of tomorrow."

Bisk Education's University Alliance division provides the multimedia, video-based e-learning system, enrollment support and marketing that make the program possible. Adrian Marrullier, Executive Vice President of Student Services from University Alliance, said, "Now more than ever, we can't underestimate the role of higher education in career success and working adults' need for a convenient, flexible solution. Offering an MBA in Internet Marketing, from a nationally ranked university, is particularly exciting as knowledge of emerging technologies is increasingly critical to meeting business initiatives in today's interactive marketplace."

Admission is on a rolling basis. Prospective students are encouraged to apply today to prepare to lead in the rapidly growing Internet marketing revolution. Additional online master's degree programs from Florida Tech's Nathan M. Bisk College of Business are expected to be announced soon. For more information about Florida Tech University Online, visit http://www.floridatechonline.com/.

About Florida Tech

Florida Tech is a regionally accredited university that is world renowned for its distinguished faculty, comprehensive curriculum and unyielding innovation. Regional accreditation is the highest form of accreditation a college or university can obtain. Florida Tech continues to be ranked a Best National University by U.S. News & World Report. It is also rated by the Fiske Guide to Colleges and named a best buy in Barron's Best Buys in College Education. Founded in 1958, Florida Tech has more than 50,000 alumni. Its main campus is located on 130 subtropical acres in Melbourne, Florida, on the state's famous Space Coast.

Florida Tech, with the assistance of Bisk Education's University Alliance division, has one of the largest nationally ranked online programs in the nation with more than 38 of the most sought-after associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs.

Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, education specialist and doctoral degrees.

About Bisk Education
Nathan M. Bisk JD, CPA (FL) founded Bisk Education in 1971 to provide continuing education programs for working professionals. Since its inception, Bisk Education has grown to become the nation's largest exclusive facilitator of online degree and certificate programs from the nation's leading universities, offering end-to-end, lifelong-learning solutions that allow working adults to reach their personal and professional goals through education. Bisk Education's University Alliance (UA) division, of which Florida Tech is a member, facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, our university partners have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments - making UA the largest exclusive facilitator of e-learning in the nation. For more information, visit http://bisk.com/.

Contact:
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Florida Tech University Online/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.floridatechonline.com

Jacksonville University Introduces World-Class Master of Science in Nursing Programs Online

JU’s School of Nursing Empowers Working RNs to Earn an MSN Degree With the Convenience of a 100% Online Classroom

TAMPA, Fla., June 3, 2010 – Jacksonville University is revolutionizing nursing education by bringing its acclaimed Master of Science in Nursing degrees to RNs nationwide via a 100% online classroom. This development introduces an unprecedented level of convenience to JU’s renowned MSN degree programs, which include specializations in Nursing Education and Nursing Administration. RNs seeking a Master of Science in Nursing can now complete a degree on their own schedule while fulfilling family and work obligations. Both online MSN degree specializations are taught by the same doctoral-trained professors who teach on campus at JU, a university consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Colleges” among master’s-level universities in the South.

A Master of Science in Nursing degree will enable nurses to enjoy greater control, prestige and compensation in their career. According to Payscale.com, nurses who hold an MSN degree can take home an annual salary of over $94,000 as a Director of Nursing. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show abundant opportunities for nurses to move into more advanced positions, as employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow 16% between 2008 and 2018, and employment for nursing educators by 15% during the same period.

“The advanced education that our programs provide will empower nurses with the ability to compete for more rewarding jobs in their chosen specialization,” said Dr. Judith M. Erickson, Dean of Jacksonville University’s School of Nursing. “A Master of Science in Nursing can open a lot of doors. We’re happy to now be able to provide busy nurses with the opportunity to earn their MSN degrees in a flexible online program.”

Graduates from JU’s online MSN degree programs will possess enhanced expertise in leveraging technology to foster greater success for their organization, forming health policy and evaluating the health of specific populations. All will garner a valuable credential that will enable them to enter a more fulfilling new phase of their professional life.

JU’s online MSN degrees are open to graduates of an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited BSN nursing program. The MSN in Nursing Education is designed for registered nurses who want to combine clinical expertise and a passion for teaching into a prominent role such as Clinical Nurse Educator or Assistant Professor, while the MSN in Nursing Administration is for those who wish to manage nurses and institutions, and influence policies related to both, as a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or Nurse Administrator. These online programs are ideal for nurses whose schedule, location or other limitations have prevented them from pursuing their higher education goals.

Visit www.jacksonvilleu.com to learn more about the online MSN degree programs offered worldwide through the JU School of Nursing.

About Jacksonville University
Founded more than 75 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville University has more than 18,000 alumni. Recognized as one of the nation's foremost teaching institutions, JU offers one of the largest online RN to BSN degree programs in the country. To meet the needs of those seeking the advanced opportunities of a postgraduate education, JU also offers two convenient online Master of Science in Nursing degrees. The School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). JU was named one of "America's Best Colleges" for the sixth consecutive year in 2010 by U.S. News & World Report.

Contact:
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Jacksonville University Online/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.jacksonvilleu.com

With Major CPA Exam Changes Looming, Candidates Have Increased Urgency to Pass the CPA Examination in 2010

Students Nationwide Turn to Bisk CPA Review to Prepare for and Pass the CPA Exam as Time Is Running Out to Reap Benefits From Existing Study Preparation

TAMPA, Fla., June 02, 2010 – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) will be rolling out a new Uniform CPA Examination in January 2011, sending many candidates racing to pass the CPA exam as soon as possible. Industry experts concur with this strategy.

“Candidates should take as many sections as feasible during the next two CPA exam windows, as the new version will include structural adjustments and added content to comprehend” said Bob Monette, a CPA and longtime exam review instructor. “Given that most have already invested time and money into exam prep for the current version, completing the sections for which they’ve already prepared should be top priority.”

In addition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) being tested, portions of all four Exam sections will change. These changes are not only significant and copious — in effect a “new CPA exam” according to AICPA — they are all scheduled to go into effect at the same time. Some of the most notable changes include:

• New Content and Skill Specifications (CSOs/SSOs), including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Changes in the scoring percentage value of examination components.
• Replacing the two long simulations in the current format with several short Task-Based Simulations (TBS) in Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG).
• Deleting the written communication testing from AUD, FAR, and REG.
• Adding written communication testing to the Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) section.
• Reducing the scoring weight of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in AUD, FAR, and REG by 10% and reducing the weight of MCQ in BEC by 15%.
• Doubling the simulations in AUD, FAR, and REG.

“The extensive changes debuting in the 2011 Uniform CPA Examination have given preparation a renewed priority among students,” said Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services for Bisk Education. “Bisk CPA Review has a remarkable record of helping CPA candidates pass the CPA exam and we continue to set the standard for quality and convenience in CPA exam prep.”

Passing the CPA exam is far less challenging for candidates who have a solid plan of attack. Bisk CPA Review recommends the following steps when preparing for the exam:

• Create a study plan. Candidates should examine their daily routine to identify the times they won’t be able to study, and then block out an hour a day of personal time. With the remaining time, they should be able to find 10 to 14 hours of study time per week.
• Practice, practice, practice. Take CPA practice exams to determine any weak areas and refocus study efforts on them.
• Develop an exam strategy. Become familiar with the format of the CPA exam and know exactly what to do when entering the testing room. Planning in advance will save time and confusion on exam day.
• Choose suitable study materials. When selecting CPA exam study materials, candidates should look for those that match their learning style. Some students need the guidance of an instructor, some prefer to work alone and other students learn best through video, audio or books.

Choosing the Right CPA Review Provider
One way candidates select the best CPA review provider, is asking CPAs who’ve already passed the exam for recommendations. Another is to research providers with multiple review formats. Companies like Bisk Education offer options such as video, audio, online, textbooks and live sessions, bringing convenience and choice to students and professionals whose schedules make finding study time difficult.

For complete information on Bisk CPA Review’s courses, different formats and products, visit http://www.cpaexam.com or call 800-404-7231.

About Bisk Education, Inc.
Founded in 1971 by Nathan M. Bisk, JD, CPA (FL), Bisk Education is the world’s largest exclusive provider of professional education online. With its CPA Review (http://www.CPAExam.com), CPE (http://www.CPEasy.com), and University Alliance (http://www.UniversityAlliance.com) divisions, Bisk Education has more than 450,000 enrollments, has awarded more than 12 million credit hours, and has helped more than 140,000 candidates pass the CPA exam.

Contact:

Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Bisk Education
9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33619
813-621-6200

Microsoft Information Technology Group (MSIT)

Microsoft Increases Developer Productivity by 40 Percent with Workflow Modeling Tools

Since 2003, the Microsoft Information Technology Group (MSIT) has developed and maintained Order Management, an online transaction processing (OLTP) application that makes it possible for customers in more than 200 countries to purchase Microsoft® products over the Internet. In 2007, MSIT discovered that 90 percent of the code defects in Order Management were caused by functional requirements being mistranslated into C# code. To reduce errors and speed development, the group decided to incorporate workflow models into its development process. MSIT implemented a solution based on Windows® Workflow Foundation in the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0. As a result, the productivity of developers has increased by 40 percent, functional code defects have decreased by 90 percent, and the performance of the OLTP application has been maintained.

Source - http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?CaseStudyID=4000003498

Florida Tech University Online Response

As companies increasingly face both vital technology and management decisions, demand for management professionals with master's degrees is expected to continue to grow. Florida Tech’s Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) is an innovative, nationally recognized master’s program carefully constructed to prepare you for the unique challenges of today’s dynamic information technology environment.

Is the Gulf Oil Spill Headed for Florida and North Carolina?

The weather changed yesterday and kept the Gulf of Mexico oil spill off the Louisiana coast for at least another day. But while we previously reported on the damage that oil could do if it makes landfall, there could also be disastrous consequences if the oil heads too far in the other direction, out to sea. Not far south of the oil slick’s present location lies the Gulf loop current, which heads north from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, makes a sharp turn in the middle of the Gulf and then heads for the tip of Florida. Eventually, water caught in the current can get pushed around to Florida and then connect to the Gulf Stream current.

Oceanographer George Maul worries that the current could push the oil slick right through the Florida Keys and its 6,000 coral reefs.

“I looked at some recent satellite imagery and it looks like some of the oil may be shifted to the south,” said Maul, a professor at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT.edu), which is a world-respected regionally accredited university in Melbourne, Fla. “If it gets entrained in the loop, it could spread throughout much of the Atlantic” [Discovery News].

If that happens, the oil could spread as far as Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, Discovery News reports.

Meanwhile, news about the efforts to stop the spill hasn’t improved. Yesterday BP announced it had begun to drill a relief well, one of the last available options to stop the leak created when the company’s leased oil rig, the Deepwater Horizon, exploded and sank. The idea is that the new well would intercept the one Deepwater Horizon had tapped and plug it to stop the flow of oil, but it won’t be completed for at least 60 to 90 days.
Investigators also must figure out what went wrong with the blowout preventer (BOP), which should have prevented this entire incident. The device is intended to shut off the flow of oil if an out-of-control surge begins to ascend the pipe, but both its automatic and manual switches failed this time.

Deepwater Horizon is the second such accident in less than a year. Just eight months ago, the BOP failed on a deep-water well in the Timor Sea, north-west of Australia. After five attempts and 10 weeks a relief well was drilled and the flow – much smaller than Deepwater Horizon – was stemmed [New Scientist].

The Gulf oil spill has had political reverberations throughout the country, too. President Obama backed off a plan to allow more offshore drilling after the extent of the spill became clear, and now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has done the same. Previously, Schwarzenegger proposed new drilling off the California coast to raise the money needed to save state parks from California’s budget crisis. But after seen the pictures of oil spreading over miles and miles of ocean, the governor changed his mind.

“It will not happen here in California,” Schwarzenegger said at a news conference. “If I have a choice between the $100 million and what I see in the Gulf of Mexico, I’d rather just figure out how to make up for that $100 million” [San Jose Mercury News].

Previous Gulf Oil Spill Stories:
80beats: Gulf Oil Spill: Fisheries Closed; Louisiana Wetlands Now in Jeopardy
80beats: Gulf Oil Spill Reaches U.S. Coast; New Orleans Reeks of “Pungent Fuel Smell”
80beats: Uh-Oh: Gulf Oil Spill May Be 5 Times Worse Than Previously Thought
80beats: Coast Guard’s New Plan To Contain Gulf Oil Spill: Light It on Fire
80beats: Sunken Oil Rig Now Leaking Crude; Robots Head to the Rescue
80beats: Ships Race To Contain the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Image: NASA

May 4th, 2010 9:44 AM Tags: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill, ocean, oil & gas, oil spill, pollution
by Andrew Moseman in Environment | 4 comments | RSS feed | MSIT Online