Management Qualifications - An Overview

This article is designed to set the scene, by outlining the range of courses that are available to managers at the different stages of their development.

Let’s start with the foundation, introductory, courses, suitable for those who are taking a first step into the world of management, whether it is as an employee in an organisation, or as a budding entrepreneur.

In this band there are a large number of options, including individual short courses, focusing on skills needed in areas such as teamwork, basic budgeting, project management, decision making and quality. Many organisations run in-house courses in these areas, but it there are also many providers who offer them as
full qualifications that are stand-alone but also the first step on the management ladder, include the Higher National Certificate and then the Diploma, the HNC and HND, highly regarded national and internationally recognised qualifications, usually taking 2 academic years if studied at college, or 18 months if by distance learning. These, relative to management, include the HNC / HND in Business and Management, Finance, Marketing, Law and Human Resources.

NVQs (national vocational qualifications) in Management are competence based which means, in essence, that the student must show evidence, must prove that she/he is competent in management at the level, and to the criteria, described in that particular NVQ. These are banded at, Level 3: introductory / newcomer to management, Level 4: suitable for reasonably experienced junior to middle managers, Level 5: aimed at experienced, knowledgeable managers at middle to senior level and Level 7: aimed at strategic managers. NVQs are popular with large, bureucratic organisations, that need to be certain that their managers at all levels are, provably, competent.

Another group is the professional development awards including: Professional Development Certificate in Management and Professional Development Diploma in Management and Advanced Professional Development Diploma in Management. These are also banded at Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, and Level 7 in similar fashion to the NVQs, because these qualifications are accepted as being in the national qualifications framework or NQF. Some providers offer variations of these, with the CMS Certificate in Management Studies and the DMS Diploma in Management Studies being the most popular.

The Diploma in Management Studies is the UK’s most widely recognised management qualification the manager’s management qualification and is the qualification that most organisations expect their middle to senior managers, and professional specialists, to hold. In case you’re thinking what about the MBA, for every MBA holder in the UK there is 100 with a DMS and 99% of those will not go on to, will not need to go on to, an MBA.

Masters, MA, Msc, MBA these are the next band, and are the highest management qualifications, not only in the UK but also in most countries around the world but, there are thousands of variations in content available, and considerable variation in quality and relevance, so choosing a suitable, appropriate quality, one of these is fraught with difficulty.

If you are thinking what about PhDs, doctorates, yes, they are higher level, but they don’t in my view, truly fit into management courses because they are, and meant to be, academic in nature and not designed to improve the individual’s management skills.

Distance Education Tips

With the advent of information technology, more and more people are getting the full benefits from distance learning. In fact, people who were not able to finish their college courses due to some unavoidable circumstances can now get their college degree without having to resign or give up their current job. Distance learning is a new way of acquiring college and even doctorate degrees without having to attend formal schooling. People can get through the subjects needed to get the degree that they want just by getting brochures and learning materials through mail or through electronic methods. Fully completing a distance learning program, however, is not that easy and requires the same dogged determination and persistence, as with any schooling program. Therefore, for people who would like to earn their degree through distance learning easily and without too much hassle, here are some tips to guide you through:

1. Decide And Assess Yourself

- Distance learning is not for everyone who wishes to avail of its services
- In many cases, it can provide flexibility and ease of obtaining the much-needed degree
- But for some, it could mean boring methods and procedures and wearisome learning
- Ideal for those who can study independently in a self-directed manner
- Good for those who do not like interacting with a professor

2. Check Your Mailbox Daily, Electronic Or Otherwise

Distance learning is a continuous learning process. This means that the learning materials that you will need and your assignments or projects will be sent through mails, electronically or through snail mail. So it is best if you always check your mailbox every single day or even multiple times per day. There may be instances where missing a single day of checking your mailbox could mean tons of missed projects or work.

3. Flexibility Should Never Be Equaled With Laxness

Getting flexible schedule does not mean that you have to be lax on your studies. Being flexible on your class schedule would mean that it is up to you how or when you will study. Therefore, in order to succeed and finish your degree as soon as possible, it is best that you organize your schedule, those that concern your work, your family (if any), and your class schedule. It is just a matter of time management. Keep in mind that it is best if you will always set a regular time for your study. In this way, you will never have to worry about getting all things mixed up.

4. Find A Quiet Place To Study

Because you will be entirely on your own when getting a degree through distance learning, it is best that you find a quiet place to do your homework or review your lessons. In this way, you will be able to ponder on things that needed more attention without having to worry about any distractions.

5. Reading Is Comprehension, Not Memorizing

When you read, it would be better to understand the text and subject matter thoroughly instead of memorizing them. In distance learning, memorization is a useless technique. What matters most in distance learning is that you understand the subject matter thoroughly and that you can easily grasp the meaning of the text given to you.

6. Improve Your Communication Skills

There are people who are having more difficulty in talking to other people through the microphone or the conference call than speaking in public. They contend that not seeing the other person is more difficult to deal with than talking to them face to face. These people insist that they could not see whether the other person is satisfied with the answers or not. In distance learning, corrections can be made for people who are having difficulty regarding this matter. Just keep in mind to pay attention to the instructions given and to listen attentively. Try to incorporate some, if not all, of these tips and you will surely finish your degree in a breeze. Just remember that distance learning is not an easy alternative of studying or getting a degree. It is just an option for those who do not have time to go to formal school.

College - Helping Your Child Prepare

Education is something that continues from the day we are born until the day we die. In some cases, it's formal, with definite starting and finishing times and a specific course of study. In the United States, most people attend elementary, middle and high school.

The schools have the responsibility of teaching us specific subjects like language, math, science, etc. In addition, though, our schools teach us social skills and the other life skills we need. In school, we learn how to schedule our time and how to make decisions.

After high school, some children go on to university, college, community college, or a technical school. Oftentimes, that's our children's first experience with true independence, which is a completely different kind of education. And, in addition to the formal subjects, schools of higher education also offer learning in social skills and other life skills.

The freshman year offers the potential for pitfalls, and students show their ability or lack of ability to handle independence quickly.

Food, money, recreation and study habits are the four most common problem areas in the freshman year. You can help your child succeed by talking with them about this ahead of time and helping them set specific goals in each of these areas.

Food: With the multiple choices in the school cafeteria, and no one monitoring their intake, children may choose based on taste rather than nutrition. The infamous 'freshman fifteen' weight gain comes from this.

Money: Unprepared students are likely to run into disastrous problems when they are suddenly expected to make payments for books, housing and tuition.

Recreation: Without supervision and a curfew, freshmen can get caught up in the excitement of seemingly unlimited time to play. Sometimes their dorm mates are of legal drinking age, leading to the temptation to party all the time when that seems to be the only opportunity for fun and socializing.

Study habits: Regular studying rather than last minute cramming is essential. Being a full time student is equivalent to having a full time job, and freshmen are often surprised by how much time they need to study in addition to the time spent in class.

You can help your college-bound child prepare for school by talking with her about these potential problem areas, and helping her set realistic goals. During the senior year in high school, you can help your teenager prepare for college by giving her the chance to practice more independence while still living at home.

You can give your teenager the opportunity to schedule his own time, to choose his own food, to budget his money and time, within some limits. It's important to be balanced, giving him some freedom yet not too much.

The danger for teenagers who have had no choices at home is that they tend to go out of control when they first get to college and have complete freedom. Setting goals and achieving them, making wise decisions, and learning self- discipline are all habits that are learned over time, not overnight.

Of course, some students are better off taking some time between high school and college, or attending a community college and continuing to live at home. This gives your teenager the opportunity to learn important life skills before going on to formal education. As a parent, you can help your child to evaluate and decide the best route. If your student needs more time to develop maturity and life skills, you are wise to give them the time rather than pushing them before they are ready.

Whether your teenager goes directly from high school to college or takes a break, you can help them make choices and develop skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

The Benefits Of Online Forensic Nursing Education Programs

There are a few different ways to get certified in forensic nursing. One of these ways is to enroll in an online distance learning program from one of several colleges around the country, but if you can find one close to you, it could work to your advantage. These programs are becoming very popular and would give you a great opportunity to get certified at your convenience.

Forensic nursing offers exclusive challenges to registered nurses looking for exciting health care careers. Many colleges offer online nursing certification courses that help nurses earn the qualifications they need for a rewarding career in forensic nursing.

These programs are becoming more and more popular because you can study at your convenience and not miss any time away from your present job or other responsibilities you may have.

The internet is helping improve the availability and attractiveness of distance learning programs. There are over two million students involved in online programs with over 80% of all colleges offering a form of distance education programs.

While you should consider the popularity and effectiveness in your decision, the particulars about the online classroom experience may surprise you. It actually works in the same way that traditional classrooms work. You will have lectures although not in person. You’ll have assignments although you won’t be handing them in. And, of course, you’ll have exams although you won’t be using a pencil or paper.

Classes begin at certain times, but you won’t have to attend in person. You’ll be communicating with an instructor via email, bulletin boards, instant messenger , and chat rooms. Special software programs simulate your classroom and you’ll have the ability of having virtual workgroups with other students in the program and also work individually with quizzes that may be assigned.

The software gives you access to text files as well as chat functions and bulletin boards. Either streaming audio or recorded video gives you access to the lectures. Most instructors will respond to email on a regular basis usually within 48 hours and offer live class sessions or prerecorded sessions.

With this type of computer assisted environment, these programs are highly effective.

The simple convenience of this type of environment will no doubt make these programs more popular. While weighing your decision about how to get certified, you should keep this option in mind.