Following our previous article on top Canadian universities, here is a look at other great universities in Canada. The following universities are divided in three categories – small, medium and large. Small universities usually offer mostly undergraduate studies while medium and large universities offer graduate degrees in a range of disciplines. Large universities also offer doctoral programs including professional medical and law degrees.

Mount Allison University

Located in Sackville, New Brunswick, Mount Allison University is one of the smallest universities in Canada. Its size and personalized approach allows students to feel like individuals and not just numbers on campus. Mount Allison focuses on the growth and education of its students allowing them to customize their own degrees. In fact, Mount Allison has been so successful with its approach that has been recognized as the #2 university in Canada among primarily undergraduate universities by Maclean’s, one of the leading publications in Canada. Academic programs abound and include bachelor’s degrees in arts, science, commerce, fine arts, and music. Mount Allison is home away from home to over 150 international students who come from over 40 countries including France, Germany, USA, Japan, China and more. There are plenty of exchange programs and study abroad opportunities with other universities in countries such as New Zealand, Denmark, China, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Germany, France and others.

Admissions

Admission requirements generally include a high school diploma, GCE, French BACCALAUREATE or its equivalent with courses in English, Mathematics, and other academic subjects. Graduates are strongly encouraged to submit SAT and International Baccalaureate scores. International students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores (213 on the computer-based test and 550 on the paper-based test are required), IELTS (6.5 score) or any other test approved by the university.

Tuition and General Fees*

Canadian Students: $6,720 Canadian Dollars (CAD) / academic year 
International Students: $13,440 CAD / academic year

Scholarships range from approximately $12,000 fully renewable for four years to $500. Most Mount Allison scholarships are renewable at varying rates, and are based on academic standing or a combination of academic standing and financial need. Students who have an admissions average of 90% or above are guaranteed a minimum $1,500 award. In addition, over 40% of students - including international students - work on campus.

Website: http://www.mta.ca/index.shtml

University of Waterloo

Located in Waterloo, Ontario, the University of Waterloo is recognized as one of the most innovative universities in Canada. In fact, it was one of the first universities to introduce co-operative education – a program that mixes classroom study and temporary jobs where students can apply the academic concepts they learn in the classroom. The University of Waterloo has approximately 25,000 students from 106 countries. International students are particularly attracted to its co-op program, which is the largest in the world. The university offers more than 100 academic programs in six faculties: Applied Health Sciences, Arts, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, and Science; and five professional schools: accounting, architecture, computer science, optometry and planning. The new school of Pharmacy will open in 2008. It’s also interesting to know that in October 2005, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said that, “most years, we hire more students out of Waterloo than any university in the world, typically 50 or even more.”

Admissions

A high school diploma or equivalent is necessary for undergraduate admission. Certain minimum requirements apply to citizens of specific countries. For example, US applicants are required to submit minimum SAT scores of 1100 or ACT score of 26, in addition to Advanced Placement examinations for certain academic programs. Prospective students are encouraged to submit International Baccalaureate diplomas, Advanced Placement or Advanced Level examinations. Consult the admissions website for further information.

Students whose native language is not English are required to provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting scores from a testing entity such as IELTS, TOEFL, MELAB or CAEL.

Graduate admission requirements depend on the specific graduate program. Minimum requirements include an honours undergraduate degree (75% overall standing) or equivalent degree plus letters of reference from academic referees. Certain programs may require additional items. Consult the graduate program website for further information.

Tuition Costs*

Tuition costs vary per academic program. The following estimates indicate a rough average of total tuition costs per academic year.

Undergraduate Canadian Students: $6,373 CAD 
Undergraduate International Students: $18,000 CAD

Graduate Canadian Students: $6,750 CAD 
Graduate International Students: $11,750 CAD

Scholarships are available to Canadian and International students. Merit-based scholarships range from $200 to $25,000 CAD. Successful applicants will have excellent academic records, high test scores (if applicable) as well as letters of reference. Some scholarships require a separate application.

Website: http://www.uwaterloo.ca/

McGill University

Recognized as one of the world’s top universities, McGill is an international university located in the charming, diverse and multicultural city of Montreal. McGill offers leading academics, plenty of culture, and an incomparable student life in the middle of downtown Montreal. The university offers courses in 300 areas of study and includes over 10 faculties: Agricultural and environmental sciences, arts, dentistry, education, engineering, law, management, medicine, music, religious studies, and science. McGill is home to 33,258 students, nearly 20 percent come from more than 150 countries. Exchange and study abroad programs abound at McGill, which is known for its global community and remarkable international alumni. Some of its most notorious members include three astronauts, four Nobel Prize recipients, seven Oscar winners and many other business, political, and scientific leaders.

Admissions

A high school diploma or equivalent is necessary for undergraduate admission. Certain minimum requirements apply to citizens of specific countries. For example, US applicants are required to submit SAT I and SAT II scores, and UK applicants are required to submit A-level examinations. Prospective students are encouraged to submit International Baccalaureate diplomas and Advanced Placement examinations. Consult the admissions website for further information.

Students whose native language is not English are required to provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting scores from a testing entity such as IELTS (6.5 score or better), TOEFL (Paper: 550-600, CBT: 213-250, iBT: 79-100 depending on the academic program), or MELAB.

Graduate admission requirements depend on the specific graduate program. Minimum requirements include an undergraduate degree or equivalent degree plus letters of reference from academic referees. Certain programs may require additional items such as GMAT scores for the MBA program. Consult the graduate program website for further information.

Tuition Costs*

Tuition costs vary per academic program. The following estimates indicate a rough average of total tuition costs per academic year.

Undergraduate Quebec Students: $1,700 CAD

Undergraduate Canadian Students: $5,000 CAD 

Undergraduate International Students: $13,000 – 15,000 CAD

Graduate Quebec Students: $1,768 CAD

Graduate Canadian Students: $5,140 CAD 

Graduate International Students: $11,886 CAD

If you are enrolled in certain eligible French degree programs or courses, or if you are a citizen of France or certain other countries, your tuition will be reduced.

Fees for the MBA (International students), the Master’s in Manufacturing Management, and the International Master’s Program for Practicing Managers are higher than those shown. McGill has an extensive program of scholarships and awards. Entrance scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $10,000 renewable each year. A separate application is required for major scholarships ($5,000 and over).

Website: http://www.mcgill.ca/

* Costs do not include university fees, housing or living expenses

Submited by : http://www.SEMbook.co.in

Ways to limit borrowing of funds required to study a BSBA include finding a degree course that balances quality with economy. Do a little bit of research and you will be surprised what you will find.

Top 8 tips:

1. Go for a DETC accredited university or community college without fail.

2. Choose a degree course at a university or community college where points can be transferred to other universities that may carry extra prestige, and save you a sizeable amount of money.

3. Try CLEP (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html) and DANTES testing (www.dantes.doded.mil/) in order to meet some of the requirements

4. Don’t study a course that offers a degree within 2 weeks or 5 days or 3 months. This simply cannot be done so fast and is evidence enough that the degree pretty worthless.

5. Make sure the online degree you want to study, such as the BSBA, is at least a 40 course program with testing at the end of each course. The course will usually be spread over 3 semesters.

6. Take a free online FEMA course in emergency management. This course is transcribed by Frederick Community College for $60 per credit. Exams are open book and you may be able to transfer up to 1 year’s worth of credits.

7. Study at Clovis Community College for $37 per credit-hour. This is an in-state or out-of-state course with online exams and no proctor/proctor fee. This is regionally accredited too.

8. Mix and match courses across several universities. Often universities partner up and cross-promote courses, allowing students to take advantage of better deals and study periods often reduced in length when points are transferred.

Try this for a solution:

If you are starting with no credits you can earn a regionally accredited/AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through the University of Wyoming.

1. Review the BSBA curriculum sheet here: http://business.uwyo.edu/AAO/CurriculumSheet/BSAD%20(4).pdf

2. You’ll require 60 lower-level semester hours in certain classes. Check out Arizona Western College (2 courses for $258 per semester) and Clovis Community College (2 courses at $324 per semester). The most expensive would be around $3,300 from a community college for the first couple of years. Take two courses from each semester from Arizona Western and Clovis.

3. Two interesting statements from the document in item 1 above.

“Minimum of 48 semester hours of junior-senior-level courses. 30 of the 48 hours must be earned from UW.”

“50% of the business credit hours must be from the University of Wyoming.”

Based on 120 semester hours, that works out at 30 semester hours. So we have the backend covered for $4,050. Ten classes from University of Wyoming at $135 per semester hour (this includes fees) for 30 semester hours = $4,050. Our total now is at $7,350.

4. Take 10 classes at Louisiana State University, totaling approx. $2,300. Select only classes numbered 3000 and above for the upper-level credit. Apply to the degree plan. You must also pay proctoring fees for examinations.

You can study a BSBA for around $10,000 but the name of the game is to transfer.

Do your homework and you will be surprised what deals and surprises you will find.

Are you considering advanced education, but are a little apprehensive of online education? Below are the top ten myths about online degree programs- disproved! After reading this, you won’t want to wait to find the best online program that’s right for you.

Myth #1 They’re the same as a textbook

Online degree programs tend to be more comprehensive than a textbook. Most textbooks are usually written by one or two professionals, and are not always updated each year. With online degree programs, you have the opportunity to work with professors, many of whom are still working in the field as well as teaching. A textbook course only provides one point of view and expects the student to accept that view as the correct one.

Fact: Online professors offer variety of viewpoints on the subject, and are able to communicate with you on these topics through e-mails and papers submitted online.

Myth #2 They require constant attachment to your computer

Online programs require quite the opposite! In fact, once you have enrolled in a program, you are able to work at your own pace - unlike a campus university where class schedules are predetermined by the professor and availability of a classroom. When learning through online programs, your classroom can be wherever you are - home, work, vacation, it’s up to you!

Fact: You no longer need to stick to a set schedule; log on whenever you have time!

Myth #3 Employers won’t accept online degrees

According to Careerbuilder.com, “This may once have been the case, but online degree programs are now rightly perceived to be topical, challenging and highly relevant. They are designed with the needs of working adult learners in mind and are developed in consultation with experienced professionals in industry and business to ensure that students learn concepts and methods that are immediately applicable in their work environment.”

Fact: A study conducted by Vault.com says 61% of employers accept online degrees.

Myth #4 Online = faster, easier & less credible

Online degrees can be faster to earn, but for the most part, they take almost as much time as on-campus degrees; when you factor in the work schedules of most students, this prevents students from devoting the entire day towards their online degree. This in no way makes an online degree less credible than an on-campus degree.

Fact: Careerbuilder.com says, “Employers are impressed by the initiative, ambition and self-motivation demonstrated by an employee who takes advantage of the Internet to develop their knowledge and their career.”

Myth #5 All accredited schools are created equal

It may seem that all online schools have been accredited or are accredited equally. But beware; it’s important to ensure that the online school you are enrolled in has been accredited by a proper institution. LearnSource.com reveals if your school has been accredited. Though accreditation process is difficult and costly, most schools will cough up the dough because it classifies a school on a higher tier than non-accredited institutions.

Fact: Be sure that you’ve chosen a school with proper credentials to ensure your hard work towards a degree is not wasted.

Myth #6 No personal attention in the virtual classroom

Just because you’re not in a classroom with other students and a teacher, it does not mean that you have to sacrifice personal attention. Many teachers of online courses leave a questions and comments section at the end of a lesson and provide their email addresses for students to contact them.

Fact: Virtual classrooms provide quicker, more direct communication and eliminate noisy distractions.

Myth #7 Credits don’t transfer to traditional colleges

Every on-campus college and university has its own policies regarding credit transfers. If you are planning to transfer to a traditional school after completing an online degree program, be sure to contact administration officials before beginning the course to ensure that all of your new credits will transfer.

Fact: Be sure to send your official transcript to the desired school for approval of credits.

Myth #8 Online is always cheaper

Online programs may be less expensive than a private institution, especially one that’s located in another state or country than the once in which you reside. But not all schools are created equal. Some online schools may cost more than others, or may include hidden fees. Be sure to select a school that fits your budget.

Fact: Research multiples schools and their costs to ensure you’ve found the best, most affordable program.

Myth #9: No supplementary resources for the online student

Online courses don’t always depend on the internet; some online schools will include textbooks as additional resources. If you are looking for additional information, be sure to ask the professor or school for extra information, books and resources that will help you in your studies.

Fact: Before you spend, check your local library for relevant resources.

Myth #10: You must be computer-savvy

Online courses do not require previous technical knowledge, or be able to understand how a computer works (unless, of course, that’s your degree!). In fact, most schools generally only require the ability to access the internet, your email, and additionally resources that you’d like to use throughout the courses.

Aside from earning a degree, online programs help the student to become more comfortable with many computer programs and emerging technologies.

Fact: Daily online use will only increase your familiarity with the computers and their capabilities.

Now that we’ve uncovered the truth about online colleges and degree programs, enroll in an online degree today!

A typical undergraduate program in North America requires four years for completion and includes a selection of electives as well as required core classes relevant to the field of study. While this path does provide a solid education, some students may prefer a different approach in working toward their undergraduate degree. Australia and New Zealand both offer viable alternatives well worth consideration. With their unique approach to curriculum structure and focus, New Zealand and Australia undergraduate programs deliver an outstanding education and an ideal alternative for students that prefer such flexibility.

Making the Most of Your Time

North American universities typically require four years of work to earn a bachelor degree. Australia and New Zealand universities, however, offer many undergraduate programs that only require three years to complete. At first glance, one may wonder how it is possible to receive a comparable education in less time at these colleges. Because there are considerable differences in the curriculum focus and structure between a North America and New Zealand or Australia undergraduate program, it is in fact quite possible.

Australia and New Zealand undergraduate programs are highly specialized. Rather than require the completion of a set number of electives unrelated to the core field of study, these programs instead require students to focus entirely upon classes in their discipline. As a result, students have a greater amount of time to become immersed in their selected field of study, yet need less time to meet the requirements of an undergraduate degree. New Zealand and Australian universities, as a result, prepare students for real world application of their studies more expediently.

It should be noted, however, that some specialized and professional degree programs do require a fourth year, an example would be an engineering undergraduate degree. New Zealand and Australia colleges also offer 4th year program called a Bachelor of Honors. This involves a research-focused year and is made available to students who performed well in their undergraduate programs. Students typically apply for this extended program upon completion of their Australia or New Zealand undergraduate degree.

How Do the Programs Compare?

While they offer appealing time requirements for a bachelor degree, Australia and New Zealand universities also offer unparalleled academic programs. In fact, these institutions are recognized around the world for excellence in teaching methods, curriculum standards and implementation of degree programs. Students can feel absolute confidence in the value and quality of their studies when earning an undergraduate degree in Australia or New Zealand.