The online university affordability rankings are based on a comprehensive, independent survey of 33 regionally-accredited management schools that offer 35 different online master’s in human resource career areas including training and development and human resources management. Both master’s of science or arts and online MBAs with human resource concentrations were reviewed and ranked for affordability.

Saint Leo University ranked #17 for their distance learning MBA / Human Resource Management. Saint Leo’s online HR degree program charges a low estimated cost of about $21,200 for online learners nationwide.

Average cost of an online business master’s in a human resources major area, according to GetEducated.com’s national review, which included 33 regionally accredited universities, is $22,087.

GetEducated.com’s national survey of online graduate degrees revealed that human resource professionals have a wide range of choice in both the type of online master’s degree they choose to earn and the type of online university they choose to attend.

“Online education removes geographical and time barriers, allowing working professionals access to continuing education according to their individual schedules,” says Vicky Phillips, GetEducated.com’s Chief Education Analyst, “but cost remains an inhibiting barrier. Saint Leo University offers quality, accredited degrees for online students nationwide at one low cost. Online students need to know that cost and quality can be found in one package. Saint Leo University’s online master’s degree programs offer evidence of that. ”

The MSW program is an innovative full-time graduate online program. Students should enter the program knowing that they will have to adjust their lives and make time commitments to meet the demands and expectations of the Saint Leo University MSW full-time online program.

The MSW program is completed over two years with a total of 62 credit hours. For students who have completed a BSW degree from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the last five years, a one year 32-credit hour advanced standing program will be offered.

Upon completing the Master of Social Work online degree program, students will be prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to be ethical and culturally competent social workers in an advanced social work practice, particularly with the increasing aging population, military personnel, and the workforce population.

The Master of Social Work program is currently undergoing the accreditation process with the CSWE. This takes approximately three years. Saint Leo University anticipates approval for candidacy status in June of 2010. If this happens, individuals who graduate from the MSW program will have graduated from a CSWE accredited MSW program. Program participants also will be eligible to take the clinical social work licensure exam and apply for jobs which require the MSW degree.

The undergraduate social work program has held continuous accreditation since 1983.

Students are responsible for checking with their state licensing board to see if the program meets the criteria for receiving a license in clinical social work within their state.

Master of Education Degree

Saint Leo University is offering the Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program online. This graduate studies program focuses on public school curriculum and instruction, organizational management and development, leadership skills, communication skills, technology, human resource management and development in education, educational law, and educational finance.

Saint Leo University’s strong commitment to core values is a fundamental part of their quality educational experience. These values are projected into the Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program, building today the educational leaders of tomorrow.

The online Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree is without license or certification. Students seeking state certification or licensure should consult their respective state certification or licensure agency to determine whether or not the program will meet that state’s requirements. Certification or licensure for education varies state-to-state. Students may be required to take certain courses at a local school in order to meet their state’s standards.

Saint Leo University offers generous financial aid plans to help support the prospective student that is interested in the Educational Leadership Program. Students may be eligible for up to $8,500 in subsidized Stafford loans and another $12,000 in unsubsidized Stafford loans for participating in a graduate program. Applications for financial aid can be done through the FAFSA. There is a special discount available for this program for educators.

Sign up to receive more information, or visit our Frequently Asked Questions.

Mayor Shirley Franklin

When Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin spoke on Saturday, June 6, at Saint Leo’s Atlanta-area commencement, she moved the audience at the Atlanta Civic Center with a call to action that was beautifully expressed, and well worth sharing.

The Mayor quoted from the words of noted African-American scholar and activist William E.B. DuBois, who once wrote that “today is the seed time” when we must plant the beginnings of a better future.

Then she carried the image of planting time forward for graduates with these hopeful words:

“Plant the seed of tolerance for an America that embraces the differences between people, cultures, traditions — as the basis of friendship and peace.

“Plant the seed of peace and friendship modeling the best of our American traditions –
let everyone among us pursue life, liberty and happiness. Plant the seed of creativity and vision — committing to do for those who will follow us.

“Plant a seed of prosperity for the 2 billion people who live in poverty without hope and access to health care, education, fair treatment and whose prospects are limited by poverty and hatred.

“BE BOLD…DREAM BIG.

“Listen to your inner voice. When you are on your true path, your talents, interests and spiritual inclinations are in accord. Dare to do it your way.

“Take a leap of Faith.”

The MSW program’s mission is to prepare students with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to be culturally competent and ethical social workers in advanced social work practice.

The MSW program is a two year 62 credit hour program. A one year 32 credit hour advanced standing program will be offered to those who have completed a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program within the last five years.

The first year of the program is the 30 credit hour foundation year. The second year is the concentration year and it is 32 credit hours. We offer two areas of concentration; the advanced clinical practice concentration and the management concentration. The advanced standing students will complete only the concentration year curriculum.

Graduates are prepared to be leaders in management and advanced clinical social work practice serving all areas of the population, in particular the increasing aging population, military personnel and the workforce population.

The program is undergoing the accreditation process with the CSWE which will take approximately 3 years. We hope to be approved for candidacy status in June, 2010. If we receive candidacy in June, 2010, anyone who graduates from the MSW program will be considered having graduated from a CSWE accredited MSW program, including those who enter in Fall, 2009. Those who enter the program during candidacy are eligible to take the clinical social work licensure exam and apply for jobs which require the MSW degree. Each student is responsible for checking with his/her state licensing board to see if this program meets the criteria for receiving a license in clinical social work in that state.

Our undergraduate Social Work Program has been continuously accredited since 1983.

Mr. Thomas O'Brien Speaks at Saint Leo

Mr. Thomas E. O’Brien, president & CEO of AAA Auto Club South, recently spoke to Saint Leo University MBA students and faculty at a Lunch and Learn session at the university’s main campus.  The discussion was simulcast to students enrolled at Saint Leo’s Chesapeake, Virginia, and suburban Atlanta teaching locations.

Sharing lessons from his experience as a leading executive in the tourism industry—lessons that can be applied to any business sector—Mr. O’Brien focused on the fundamentals required of leaders, especially during a troubled economy.

“Management involves understanding processes and financial ratios.  Leadership is about inspiring others to act,” he said.  “Seeking input through ‘management by walking around’ gains respect and builds a level of trust for when less popular and difficult decisions have to be made.  A successful leader will work ‘hands on’ and inspire staff to lead a company back to prosperity,” added Mr. O’Brien.

Mr. O’Brien’s Top 10 List

1. Be true to your core values, your commitment to customers, commitment to employees, honesty, integrity, and protect the brand.
2. Create and act with a sense of urgency, not panic.
3. Focus only on priority initiatives, making certain operating and capital budgets are aligned to support priorities.
4. Establish and maintain a positive attitude.
5. Make the tough decisions now, not later.
6. Communicate with employees as often as necessary to keep them informed.
7. Make expense reductions as soon as it is apparent the budget may not be working.
8. Work as hard at revenue growth as you do at expense reduction.
9. Try not to cut too deep into your core, to be in a position to have strong performance once turbulence has passed.
10. Build a strong balance sheet, especially your liquidity position—be as diligent managing the balance sheet as you are the profit and loss statement.

Homeland Security Training in Israel

A training seminar for security professionals hosted by Saint Leo University and SSI Security Solutions International global leaders in security training and solutions.

Course Description:

This training seminar in Israel is based on what U.S. Homeland Security professionals need to know, focusing on the most important areas of Homeland Security:

• Public safety: large scale events, shopping and retail, public transportation
• Transportation: ports, airports, train and bus stations
• Critical infrastructure
• Schools
• Government buildings

In addition, participants will learn from Israeli experts on subjects such as:

• Krav Maga (Israeli Martial Arts)
• Suicide terror and vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs)
• Protecting dignitaries against terror
• Much, much more.

Numerous case studies on past attacks including buses, shopping malls, and other targets are also included.

Course Fees:

The $3,000 fee per student includes round trip flights from Newark, NJ, to Israel, hotel, meals, security, tours, and all transfers. Fees are payable to SSI.

Registration and Tuition:

Students can earn three (3) undergraduate credit hours, three (3) graduate credit hours, or a certification of completion for the course.

Certificate of completion $400
Undergraduate credit $711
Graduate credit $1107

For registration information, please contact Ms. Ashlee Castle at (352) 467-0106 or at ashlee.castle@saintleo.edu or Professor Barry Glover at (813) 310-4365 or profglover@aol.com.

Itinerary:

Click here for a sample itinerary for the program. Please note that agenda is subject to change due to security considerations, availability, and weather conditions.

1. Transferability to Dependents

The Post 9/11 GI Bill allows a member of the military to transfer up to half of their benefits to a spouse or child if they have been part of the military for a minimum of six years and agree to serve for another four years. The Department of Defense (DoD) has the final word of approval on this eligibility.

This transfer of benefits is meant to have a positive impact on recruitment and retention. Those that have already served for ten years and cannot serve for an additional four years due to disability may also qualify for transferring benefits. Another temporary ruling has been put into effect (until 2013) where if the military personnel was already scheduled for retirement before the four years are up in 2012, they may be eligible to transfer benefits provided they serve until their retirement date (more).

None of this is considered final yet because the rulings have not been officially signed (more).

Addressing these nitty-gritty aspects of eligibilty was likely brought up by several stories of specific issues that came up in an article released today on Navy Times. Two members of the military that served for 20+ years were faced with their benefits potentially not being available to their children due to injury and already-scheduled retirement. This is obviously a great injustice to someone that has served the country for several decades; the DoD and VA realize these kinds of issues need to be addressed.

2. Housing Stipends for Distance Learners

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bob Filner is currently trying to pass an amendment to the Post 9/11 GI Bill prior to the benefits beginning in August that allows distance learners to receive a living stipend. While this originally was discussed back in February, it was brought up again only a couple of days ago during the rush of May Post 9/11 GI Bill concerns.

Unfortunately, as it stands now, the final ruling (stated yesterday) was that distance learners will not be getting the living stipend. This has a large impact on online education and is one of many reasons why some people might still be applying for the older Montgomery GI Bill. Which leads into the next topic…

3. Post 9/11 GI Bill vs Montgomery GI Bill

Several issues have caused people to weigh the the benefits of the Post 9/11 GI Bill versus the older Montgomery GI Bill.

As an example, distance learners do not benefit from the living stipend, so if they are attending a distance learning program with low tuition costs (such as a community college), the flat fee provided by the Montgomery GI Bill (currently $1,321/month) might yield more than the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Another case are military students attending college in California. Due to the fact that California has declared their tuition costs are zero to in-state students, the Post 9/11 GI Bill provides no tuition benefits to a California student. The flat fee for the Montgomery GI Bill could therefore be more beneficial if given the right circumstances (more).

4. GI Bill Eligibility and Tuition Rates

People are still looking for information regarding whether they qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill and what tuition is being offered by state. The following are some excellent resources that are from May 2009 for further reading:

• Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition Benefits by State
• Find Your New GI Bill Fee and Tuition Rate
• GI Bill Official Website

USA Today reported how applications for the fall 2009 were more affected this year by the economy that previous annual studies. Students were not only worried about the cost of tuition, but the cost of going to a college out-of-state. Stress levels among students have increased from 61% to 68%.

On the other side of this spectrum, employers are hiring based upon a person’s background education–one of the only deciding factors left when there’s so many potential employees shifting about the market. With unemployment at it’s all time high for the current generations, education is almost a necessity to get your foot in the door of a rewarding career.

It’s more important than ever to learn about all the possibilities of postsecondary education and select the college that will right for you financially; skipping out on college, and skipping out on that much-needed investment into yourself, is not the best financial answer.

Financial Aid Information
Undergraduate Program Information
Graduate Program Information