Distance learning, or online degree education programs are available that can prepare the student for a career in homeland security or law enforcement. A degree in criminal justice provided the educational background needed for careers in many areas, including homeland security, police work, police administration, private investigation, private security, forensic science, juvenile justice, financial crime and other areas. Positions in the government such as the FBI, the DEA, US Marshall, and Border Patrol require an education in criminal justice.

Accreditation is an important part in the selection of an online college degree program. Online or distance learning programs are accredited by the US Department of Education. There are six regional accrediting bodies, they are the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England Association of schools and colleges, the North Central Associations of Colleges and Schools, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Two other accrediting agencies are the Western Association's Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities and the North Centrals Higher Learning Commission. The student should make sure that the online school they attend is accredited by one of these agencies.

The average pay for a police officer is $45,000. Opportunities and salary increase as the student advances their degree from entry level to bachelors and master's degrees. Some law enforcement positions pay into the six-figures.

The need for well-trained and well-educated officer in homeland security is increasing. This is a field that is in its infancy and will only continue to grow. Getting a degree in criminal justice is the first step in securing a lucrative and exciting career.

Engineering students can expect to work in one of the highest paying careers for a new graduate. An affordable online engineering degree program is a way to start cashing in on the higher salary faster than if the degree was obtained through a more expensive traditional campus based university. Of the 17 engineering specialties, the five engineering degree programs that are expected to have a good outlook for employment in the future are chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering and industrial engineering.

Job growth for environmental engineers is expected to increase by 25% over the next decade according to the US Bureau of Labor. Increasing environmental regulations and proactive concern for the environment are influencing the expected growth in this field. The pay range for this specialty ranges from a low of $43,000 to a high of $106,000 with a median salary of $69,000. Schools such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute offer online masters of engineering programs in this field.

Industrial engineering positions are expected to increase by 20% over the next decade. Industrial engineers study the most effective way to affect production through the use of resources; people, material, and processes. Salaries range from a low of $44,000 to a high of $100,00, with the median being $68,000. Penn Foster College is an online college that offers this degree.

Civil engineering is another specialty that is expected to grow faster than average at a growth of 18% over the next decade. Civil engineers are needed to keep up with the demand of an increasing population in developing infrastructure. The salary range is a low of $44,000 to a high of $104,00, with the median being $68,000. Penn Foster College and Norwich University offer online civil engineering programs.

Chemical engineering positions are expected to grow at an average rate of 8%. Pharmaceutical companies are the most likely to need engineers. Also companies involved in biotechnology and nanotechnology. The salary range is a low of $50.000 to a high of $118,000 with the median being $78,000.

Job growth for mechanical engineers is expected to increase only 4%, but mechanical engineers will be able to enter other specialty areas because of their more broad background. Areas of nanotechnology, materials science, and biotechnology are areas where mechanical engineers can fill the bill. The salary range is a low of $45,000 to a high of $104,000 with the median being $69,000. The University of Delaware offers an online masters program in mechanical engineering.

The overall outlook for engineers of any specialty is good with an expected growth of 11%. Currently there are 1.5 million engineers working in a wide variety of specialties. Civil, mechanical, industrial, and electrical engineers hold the four top positions number of engineers employed.

Many schools such as Ashford, Drexel, University of Toledo, Polytechnic, Eastern Kentucky, Norwich, University of Delaware and Penn Foster College offer online engineering programs.

An online college and university website can provide information about the various programs, colleges and universities, costs, and financial aid. Advisors are available to answer questions, and you can send for information to read at your leisure.

An online engineering degree is an affordable way to earn your degree in mechanical, chemical, electrical, computer, biomedical or civil engineering. The average cost of a campus based bachelors degree can be $80,000. The same four year online degree may only cost $20,000. The average salary for an entry level engineer is $40,000. That means you get a return on your investment in the first year of employment with the online degree, and it will take you 2 years to recoup your expenses from a campus-based program!

The demand for engineers is continuing to increase and the future looks bright for future employment. Fifty percent of engineers earn between 58 and 93 thousand dollars. You can easily see that an investment of $20,000 is a good deal.

An online engineering degree program will allow you to have access to materials, lectures, assignments and resources 24/7. You will have access to fellow students through e-mail, blogs, streaming threads, or even VOIP technology. You can work on your own schedule around your other obligations. You will not have to give up your full time job to complete your degree. This means you may also be able to tap into a tuition reimbursement program through your employer to decrease the cost even more!

Programs for bachelors, masters and phD degrees are available from accredited schools across the nation. Geography does not have to be a barrier to obtaining your degree. An online college program website can provide you with the information you need about curriculum, accreditation, financial aid, classes, and technology. You will be able to compare programs to get the best value and most affordable accounting degree.

An online engineering degree can be your ticket to the future. The need for engineers is expected to increase until at least 2014. Now is the opportune time to start an entry-level bachelors engineering program or to advance your career with a masters or doctoral engineering degree online.

There is no longer any reason to have work or family responsibilities interfere with your ability to earn a degree in engineering. An online course can let you do your schoolwork around your schedule. You can read the material online, communicate with your professor via e-mail, join a classroom via VOIP technology, or talk with classmates in a chat room. Testing can occur online or at a proctored site. Internships can be arranged in your local area.

Online engineering degree programs are available for biomedical, computer, electrical, mechanical, chemical and civil engineering. Many accredited colleges and university around the country offer entry-level bachelors degrees or advanced masters and doctoral engineering online degrees. You are not limited geographically.

Starting salaries for in demand engineer’s start at $40,000 and for advanced degrees can go to $118,000. Fifty percent of engineers earn between 58 and 93 thousand dollars. The average bachelors prepared engineer earns 54K, masters prepared earn 68K and doctoral prepared earn 80K.

If you are interested in nanotechnology, communication, electronic goods, chemistry, planning and development, research, medicine, or governmental work in defense you may be interested in pursuing a lucrative career in engineering.