The associates will promote to its members Saint Leo’s practitioner-based programs in criminal justice. Most of the courses can be completed online. Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice through the Center for Online Learning, for instance, and at a number of Saint Leo teaching locations. SLU is expanding graduate study options, too.

Saint Leo Orientation

The main campus just hosted another successful summer orientation session for traditional-age students enrolling in college or university for the first time. New-student orientation is held in July, and gives our incoming freshmen an even better sense of campus life than they have gained from previous visits. The students get to stay in dorms, get campus tours and briefings from student-volunteers, take academic placement tests, and learn about student activities. During our recent orientation, 401 students attended, about the same as last year. Interestingly, we had a healthy increase in the number of parents and family guests who accompanied the students: a happy crowd of 576 guests came, including parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles. A more accommodating weekend schedule, adopted this year, with a Saturday morning start time probably contributed to the number of family members who were able to attend. Parents and family members also get tours, sample the college dining experience, attend sessions on how to help their students become more self-sufficient, and receive briefings from financial aid and other important offices.

BA in Psychology

One of the most popular undergraduate majors at Saint Leo University’s main campus and Continuing Education Centers (as well as at colleges in general) can now be earned online. Saint Leo’s full-time psychology faculty members have completed the big job of taking the 13 most essential courses (required courses and most popular electives) they teach in traditional classrooms and creating online versions. At Saint Leo, that’s not simply a matter of posting a list of readings to a chat room. The professors work with instructional designers to decide how best to present lessons in an online platform. In this major, the online courses use tools including brief video clips, some animation, and different ways of creating interactions between the student and teacher, such as interview assignments. Students will see three different psychology courses offered online during Fall 1 semester.

Students on this track would earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, which people apply to a wide variety of fields including marketing, human services, communications, and other vocations. Some people are attracted to the BA in psychology because they need a bachelor’s degree in the field of their choosing to advance at work, and correctly think the psychology courses will help them better understand family dynamics while helping them in the workplace.

Students will learn about both the civilian and the military aspects of logistics management. In addition to courses on purchasing management, transportation, and inventory control, the specialization requires the study of related information technology and global issues. Interested students can ask for more information at the Continuing Education Center nearest them.

To apply, first-time-in-college students must complete an online application and submit their official high school transcripts, official SAT and/or ACT test scores, and a letter of recommendation a high school guidance counselor or teacher. Transfer students must also apply online and submit their official college transcripts from all institutions they have attended, as well as a letter of recommendation from the Dean of Students or an administrator in an  equivalent role.

Interested students may receive more information here. Questions may be directed to the Office of Admission by calling (800) 334-5532 or (352) 588-8283, or by sending an email to admission@saintleo.edu.

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.

Is an Online Program as effective as attending classes on campus?
Since the beginning of online education, institutions and researchers have conducted thousands of studies regarding the effectiveness of online education. The overwhelming findings of these studies indicate that online education is as effective as traditional classroom-based education. In fact, many of these studies have found that online education is more effective than classroom-based education.

For more information about this research, please visit . . . www.nosignificantdifference.org

What if I need help with my course work?
It’s easy to get help. You will have a close working relationship with your Professor at all times. When you are accepted into a program, you will be assigned your own Academic Advisor. You will be able to discuss your program progress and any questions you may have with that advisor. No other school provides you with this level of personal service.

Additionally, all students have access to an online tutoring service called “Smarthinking” which is available 24 hours a day and 365 days per year.

If I earn my degree online, may I attend the graduation ceremony on campus?
Yes. Saint Leo University welcomes you to take part in your graduation ceremonies on campus once you have successfully completed your degree. In fact, you have an open invitation to visit our main campus anytime you wish. Contact your Academic Advisor at the Center for Online Learning for the details and dates of your commencement.

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

Saint Leo University - Key West Center

Accreditation certifies a college for both the educational and professional world. Saint Leo University is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, one of six regional accreditors of the United States. The six regional accreditors have been approved by both the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education; they are considered the trustworthy evaluators of quality education. This means that a degree from Saint Leo University is not only considered a reputable asset to bring to the work force, but also qualifies for unit transfer to all other colleges within the six regional accreditors’ framework.

Saint Leo University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone (404) 679-4501 to award the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

Saint Leo University School of Business

Saint Leo University’s School of Business received initial accreditation by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) in September 1999.

Social Work Degree Program

Saint Leo University’s degree program in social work is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education (BSW level).

Undergraduate Sports Management Program

Saint Leo’s undergraduate sport management program is nationally ‘approved’ (accredited) by the Sport Management Program Review Council (SMPRC), which is the
nationally recognized body of academic sport management programs that grants approval to sport management programs at all levels.

Teacher Education Degree Program

Saint Leo University has Teacher Education Programs approval by the State of Florida Department of Education.

Saint Leo University holds membership in:

• American Council on Education (ACE)
• Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
• Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF)
• American Association of Adult and Continuing Education
• National Collegiate Honor Society
• National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
• University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)
• National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services (NAIMES)
• Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges
• National Catholic Education Association
• Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities