How Accelerated University Programs Can Promote Green Education

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vancouverfilmschool-student-documentaryHow Accelerated University Programs Promote Green Education

by Jennifer Smith

How Accelerated Programs Promote Green Education

Education technology has evolved much during the last few years and there is a strong need to opt for cost effective options. Green education within the U.S. is not merely about eco-awareness, but also about the ways that the process can be economized.

A recent study reports that the average student debt in the U.S. stands at $29,400, which is a worrying 63% high in a decade. With state budget cuts, tuition fees are at a record high. To add insult to injury, the job market is also getting highly competitive. This holds importance for those who wish to earn a higher qualification to get a job, but are deterred by cost and time.

Education in the technophile era

The provision of education in the U.S. can be determined through three factors: accessibility, availability and affordability. A modern reality is that we are living in a technology driven era. Educational paradigms are increasingly making use of technology, as can be seen with the adoption of iPads in Los Angeles public schools.

Getting access to such tools and devices is a good development, but affordability would be the deciding factor for success at the end of the day.

The inexpensive models that are being pursued are the usage of e-books or less consumption of print items, indicating eco-conservation. Some states, such as California, have made special provisions to purchase digital texts with state money.

The most important aspect that helps evaluating the progress of education is the availability of cost effective options. While not being large scale, measures are present in the status quo that indicate a positive trend.

Increasing qualification through accelerated programs

The major trend is the adoption of accelerated degrees within the educational model of the U.S. Not only is it a viable, but also one of the few models that ensure all three: availability, accessibility and affordability.

Accelerated degree programs are being adopted at state level to shorten the time for getting a degree. Initially, this trend was mostly towards California, New York, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, but now it has spread to Iowa and Drake. Recently, Iowa passed legislation for universities to offer such programs.

Philadelphia, among the first places to allow this program has good examples of universities offering such degrees. Interested individuals can learn more at www.gmc.edu, which has a well-established accelerated degree program. Students can complete their Bachelors or Master’s degree in this format, taking advantage of the money-saving option.

Now, the accelerated degree program can be taken as a ‘greener’ option within the education industry in the U.S. It effectively uses the presence of on-site and off-site tools to offer affordable education.

Due to the availability of such programs, individuals do not have to worry about making a choice to either leave their job or drop out of college.

In terms of career making, this is a preferable option as well. An additional degree has an economic benefit in the sense that it increases the chances of landing a better job. In this case, a degree can be obtained in a reduced time period, along with the immediate reward of a better job.

Another study indicates that the completion rate within the accelerated degree program is high, which means it’s a successful model.

The accelerated degree program can allow students to pursue such avenues at moderate costs without having to dabble into excessively high student debts, or increase their carbon footprint.