University Alliance Helps Americans Tap Into the Billions of Education Dollars Pledged by President Obama

University Alliance is easing the financial burden by offering exclusive savings on a broad selection of online certificate programs from the nation’s leading universities

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 17, 2009 -- This year's University Alliance catalog titled Online Executive Education features exclusive savings on more than 50 in-demand online certificate programs from nationally recognized universities including Villanova, Notre Dame, Tulane and the University of San Francisco. These professional courses are offered 100% online and include must-have training in popular fields such as Project Management, Supply Chain Management and Leadership.

“The course offerings are comprehensive, to say the least,” said Adrian Marrullier, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of University Alliance Online, which provides world-class training from America's leading universities. “These programs were designed with today's professionals and executives in mind, who are constantly expanding their skill sets in order to adapt to a changing economic climate.”

The publication also provides insight on the economic stimulus package, known as the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), which includes billions of dollars for education and job training. That's good news for individuals looking to advance in their current position, change jobs or rebound after a layoff.

President Barack Obama is counting on the new ARRA funding to help make education more affordable and accessible to every American. "In a global economy, where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity. It is a prerequisite," said President Obama, who has challenged each American to commit to at least one year of higher education or career training.

With the nation’s unemployment rate recently reaching 10.2%, the need for professional development has never been more urgent. Despite the economic challenges, the University Alliance remains optimistic and committed to the President’s mission of restoring American leadership in higher education.

Some of the most popular career-building offerings are the specialized Six Sigma Master Certificate programs from Villanova University, the worldwide leader in professional education online. The certificate courses – Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt – are taught by experts including best-selling Six Sigma author and consultant George Eckes.

In addition, Villanova’s Lean Master Black Belt certification is the industry’s only program offered 100% online. According to a recent iSixSigma Global Salary Survey, Six Sigma Black Belts earn an average of $104,083 a year and Six Sigma Master Black Belts earn an average of $134,779 a year.

In another industry first, the University of San Francisco has created the only end-to-end Internet marketing certificate program offered 100% online - and it's available through the catalog.

To learn more about these programs and many others, view the new University Alliance catalog at http://www.universityalliance.com/info1/UA_PDFs/UA_Catalog/UA_Cat_Fall2009.pdf. 

About University Alliance Online
The University Alliance (UA) 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, its university partners have surpassed 300,000 online enrollments - making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University Alliance partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, the University of San Francisco, Florida Institute of Technology, The University of Scranton, Dominican University and Jacksonville University.

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CPE Reporting Deadline Looms for Accounting Professionals

New CPEasy Catalog Features Hundreds of CPE Courses That Deliver Timely and Relevant Information on Today’s Must-Know Topics 

TAMPA, Fla., November 5, 2009 – With the December 31 CPE deadline fast approaching, accountants nationwide face a twofold challenge: finding timely and relevant continuing education courses to meet their state board requirements, and earning those CPE credits with minimal disruption to their pressing work responsibilities. Bisk Education’s CPEasy product line offers an ideal solution, with hundreds of CPE courses covering the critical issues today’s CPAs need to know. Topics include the latest rules and regulations pertaining to foreclosures, bankruptcy, ARA benefits, stock losses, tax issues and credits, and more.

“As a CPA myself, I understand just how difficult it can be to find time for continuing professional education – necessary though it may be – given the equally important demands of one’s job, clients or organization,” noted Nathan M. Bisk, Founder and Chairman of Bisk Education. “In fact, that challenge was the inspiration behind my company. I wanted to make it easy for accountants to get the information they need to successfully fulfill their work responsibilities, while earning the CPE credits they need to maintain their certification. CPE should enhance job performance, not distract from it. With CPEasy, you don’t have to worry about where to find useful, high-quality CPE courses and how to get them completed and reported on time. We provide the latest news and expert analysis all in one place, making it easy to conquer even the most complex topics.”

All CPEasy programs are NASBA- and QAS-approved, and offer anywhere between 1 and 40 credit hours per course. Suitable for both individuals and firms, CPEasy courses are available online as well as via CD-ROM software, textbooks, audio CDs, video DVDs, and expert-led webcasts with live interactive question-and-answer sessions. Course topics include taxation, accounting and auditing, ethics, consulting services, management and specialized knowledge.

Accounting, tax and other finance professionals can learn more about CPEasy’s offerings – including course descriptions, credit hours, available formats and prices – in Bisk’s 2009–2010 CPEasy Catalog. The new catalog also features free trial offers and special discounts on unlimited online CPE. To obtain a FREE copy of the current CPEasy catalog, visit http://www.CPEasy.com/09F or call 800-404-7436. 
 
About Bisk Education

Founded in 1971 by Nathan M. Bisk, JD, CPA (FL), Bisk Education is the world’s largest exclusive provider of professional education online. Bisk CPEasy, which has awarded over 14 million CPE credit hours since 1971, currently offers over 300 multimedia continuing professional education programs in a variety of multimedia formats. To learn more, visit http://www.cpeasy.com. 

Contact: 

Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services 
Bisk Education CPEasy 
9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL  33619 
http://www.cpeasy.com/CorpNews.aspx?ID=56  
813-621-6200

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Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Offers Exceptional New Education Benefits

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 5 /Online Learning News/ -- Earlier this year the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill went into effect, changing and expanding the education benefits available to veterans who have served since September 10, 2001. As Veteran's Day approaches, U.S. News University Directory encourages those who qualify to take advantage of this program - none are more worthy of an opportunity to achieve the American dream.

Veterans who have an honorable discharge and at least 90 days of aggregate service since September 10, 2001 can qualify for:

* Up to 100% of tuition and fee costs, depending on length of service
* A monthly housing allowance*
* A books and supplies stipend*
* College fund (or "kicker" payment), depending on rate of pursuit
* Rural benefit payment, depending on residence

Furthermore, tuition and fee payments are made by the government directly to the veteran's college or university. This is generally considered a big improvement over the Montgomery G.I. Bill, which required the student to pay tuition up front and then receive reimbursement at a later date.

The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill covers associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees, but all training programs must be offered by a degree-granting institution of higher learning. This means that some vocational, technical and preparatory programs do not qualify. However, other G.I. education benefits (such as the Montgomery G.I. Bill) do cover programs not offered by degree-granting institutions, and veterans who are eligible for these and the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and can make a choice of which to receive. It is important to note that once this choice is made, it cannot be changed.

The Yellow Ribbon Program

Government tuition and fee payment in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is capped at the rate charged by the most expensive undergraduate public institution in the veteran's state of residence. This means that post-9/11 veterans attending graduate school, an out-of-state school or a private college will probably not have all of their tuition covered by their benefits.

The Yellow Ribbon Program - officially known as the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program - is a provision of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill that allows degree-granting colleges and universities to help veterans pay tuition costs exceeding the usual cap. Under this arrangement, educational institutions can volunteer to pay up to 50% of the additional tuition and fees, and the Department of Veterans Affairs will match them dollar-for-dollar. So attending a private or out-of-state school that participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program means up to 100% of the tuition can be covered, even though that tuition is greater than the cap set by the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

Not all veterans are eligible. Only those who are entitled to the maximum G.I. Bill benefit rate qualify, which means that:

* They must have served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10th, 2001 of at least 36 months
* Or they must have been honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and have served 30 continuous days after September 10th, 2001

Dependents of a veteran can be eligible for a Transfer of Entitlement if the veteran's service meets the criteria listed above.

Of course, not all colleges and universities participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. When deciding on where they want to apply, eligible veterans should research both the U.S. News University Directory sponsor schools that are taking part as well as the complete list of participating institutions.

*Active duty military personnel are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance or books and supplies stipend.

Contact:

Matthew Speer, Director, Sales and Marketing
U.S. News University Connection
866-442-6587
http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/post-911-gi-bill.aspx

SOURCE U.S. News University Connection

The University of Scranton to Award More Than $63,000 in Graduate School Scholarship Funds

Financial Incentive Will Benefit Teachers Earning Advanced Degrees Online

TAMPA, Fla., November 2, 2009 – The University of Scranton and Bisk Education, Inc., are currently taking applications for the Bisk Foundation Scholarship, which recognizes and rewards teachers who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to social justice. This prestigious education scholarship for teachers awards financial support to master’s degree students enrolled in the Scranton Education Online (SEOL) program.

Up to eight students per year will receive the scholarship – four in the Special Fall Part A session and four in the Special Spring Part A session – for a total of $63,744 in financial support. Within each session, two graduate scholarships for teachers are available for individuals entering the Curriculum and Instruction program and two for those entering the Educational Administration program.

Each Master of Science in Education degree scholarship will continue through future sessions as long as the recipient remains a qualified SEOL student in good standing. Equivalent to one-quarter of the total tuition costs, the education scholarship for teachers is currently valued at $3,825 for Curriculum and Instruction and $4,143 for Educational Administration, and will be adjusted to reflect any future tuition increases.

“We are proud to partner with The University of Scranton in helping advance the professional development of some of our nation’s most accomplished teachers,” said Nathan M. Bisk, founder and chairman of Bisk Education.

“In addition to possessing an outstanding academic record, each scholarship recipient must demonstrate how he or she has made a positive impact on the lives of others in the classroom,” noted Mr. Bisk. “Our winners represent the very best of their field; they are committed to making a real difference in the world, and we’re honored to be able to help them in their journey.”

Scholarship Candidates Encouraged to Apply Now for Upcoming Sessions
The University of Scranton is now accepting applications for the Special Spring 2010 Part A session graduate school scholarship for teachers. All applicants must complete and submit a Bisk Foundation Scholarship form by the program deadline, which is December 1, 2009, for the Special Spring 2010 Part A session, or August 2, 2010, for the Special Fall 2010 Part A session.

Eligible applicants must be accepted as a first-time SEOL student in the Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Administration program, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better from a regionally accredited undergraduate or graduate university. Applicants must also submit a presentation on how they have made a positive difference in the lives of others. This presentation may either be written or submitted as a video or audio recording, and may also include supporting documentation such as newspaper clippings or testimonials.

Log on to http://www.uscranton.com/graduate-scholarshiphttp://www.uscranton.com/graduate-scholarships-teachers.asps-teachers.asp for more information and to download an application form.

About The University of Scranton javascript:void(0)
Nestled in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, The University of Scranton was founded in 1888 and has been educating students in the Jesuit tradition since 1942. It is consistently ranked among the top 10 Master’s Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Scranton is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as well as the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Graduate and Continuing Education is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

About Bisk Education, Inc.
Founded in 1971, Bisk Education is the world’s leading provider of professional education online. The University Alliance (UA), a division of Bisk, 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 300,000 online enrollments – making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country.

Contact:

Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
The University of Scranton/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.uscranton.com

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