I Am A Lifelong Learner...
The Department of Education states: "The Web affords us a unique opportunity in the history of education to harness the energy expended...to educate adult learners and their teachers."
This could not be a truer statement. Online learning is remarkable, its impact broad and ever widening, and a momentous opportunity for those touched by it. It gives individuals, like myself, the chance to improve themselves through education, and to achieve the goal of earning a degree. More than ever education is showing its true importance, as more individuals return to school to improve their skills, make themselves stand out, and even start a new career. As Benjamin Franklin once said: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
I believe online distance education is the future of higher education, the one opportunity where we have the chance to educate all individuals no matter what their situation, and I hope I can be a part of that future growth and development.
This could not be a truer statement. Online learning is remarkable, its impact broad and ever widening, and a momentous opportunity for those touched by it. It gives individuals, like myself, the chance to improve themselves through education, and to achieve the goal of earning a degree. More than ever education is showing its true importance, as more individuals return to school to improve their skills, make themselves stand out, and even start a new career. As Benjamin Franklin once said: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
I believe online distance education is the future of higher education, the one opportunity where we have the chance to educate all individuals no matter what their situation, and I hope I can be a part of that future growth and development.
My Academic Life Thus Far...
My life has been filled with the notion of learning. My mother was a pivotal force in my love of education, specifically reading and writing. Soon both became a passion, as I began consuming one book after another. This passion for books fueled my imagination to write fictional stories, and as my library grew so did the notebooks filled with one short story after another.
Now, one would think with this strong passion of mine I would grow up to be a writer or an English teacher perhaps. And that my Bachelor degree would reflect such interest. Nope! You would be dead wrong, literally. As my undergraduate studies were in the form of criminal justice, with a vast interest in criminalistics and criminology. My mother always said I had a morbid sense of humor, so the idea of investigating a bloody crime scene or performing an autopsy were not lost ideas on me. I found all of it fascinating and I enjoyed every minute of it. But suddenly I found myself at a crossroads. Although I enjoyed the idea of investigating crimes, it wasn't something I could picture myself doing. So I directed my attention towards other ideas: Psychology and Law. I took every psychology and legal elective course I could. With a long term goal of pursuing my PhD in Clinical Psychology. I have since accomplished this goal by enrolling with Walden University in pursuit of my PhD in Clinical Psychology. The journey in reaching this point has been interesting and littered with a few detours, but my goal is unwavering and I have since accomplished the task set before me.
Now, one would think with this strong passion of mine I would grow up to be a writer or an English teacher perhaps. And that my Bachelor degree would reflect such interest. Nope! You would be dead wrong, literally. As my undergraduate studies were in the form of criminal justice, with a vast interest in criminalistics and criminology. My mother always said I had a morbid sense of humor, so the idea of investigating a bloody crime scene or performing an autopsy were not lost ideas on me. I found all of it fascinating and I enjoyed every minute of it. But suddenly I found myself at a crossroads. Although I enjoyed the idea of investigating crimes, it wasn't something I could picture myself doing. So I directed my attention towards other ideas: Psychology and Law. I took every psychology and legal elective course I could. With a long term goal of pursuing my PhD in Clinical Psychology. I have since accomplished this goal by enrolling with Walden University in pursuit of my PhD in Clinical Psychology. The journey in reaching this point has been interesting and littered with a few detours, but my goal is unwavering and I have since accomplished the task set before me.
Where I'm Headed...
Past
Kaplan University
Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice
Awarded 2006 with ABK Honors
Kaplan was my first venture into online education, it was exciting, at times frustrating (due to technical errors not because of educational content), and once Kaplan upgraded to their new platform in 2004 online life became a breeze. I cannot imagine learning in any other format. It is because of Kaplan I formed a passion for distance education. This passion led me to Maryland, albeit not directly, but enough that I decided to pursue the Distance Education Technology track as part of my Technology Management degree.
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University of Maryland University College (UMUC)
Masters of Science in Technology Management, Distance Education Technology
Awarded May 2010
The Masters in Distance Education gave me a behind the scenes view of what it's like being the teacher, rather than just a student. I was given the opportunity to design classrooms, create syllabi and course content, and mentor students. The experience further fueled my passion for distance education, and my desire to become a DE professor.
Present
Walden University
PhD in Psychology, Clinical Psychology Specialization
Start Date: June 2010
Expected Graduation: June 2016
Beginning June 2010 I embarked on another educational journey as I pursued my PhD in Clinical Psychology at Walden University. Psychology has been a lifelong interest of mine. This venture has brought about new challenges and triumphs as I accomplish my goal of becoming a practitioner in the field of psychology. I also hope to bring this new knowledge with me to the field of distance education.
The Clinical Psychology specialization prepares individuals to practice as licensed psychologists in health care settings, community mental health centers, group practice settings, inpatient psychiatric settings, and private practice. Clinical psychologists promote psychological well-being, engage in prevention and early intervention of psychological difficulties, and provide treatment to clients experiencing severe psychopathology.
To learn more about the program click here: http://www.waldenu.edu/Degree-Programs/Doctorate/18013.htm
Future
Clinical Psychopharmacology Postdoctoral MS Program
The program prepares licensed psychologists to prescribe safely and effectively in Federal Jurisdictions and States where they have legalized or authorized prescriptive authority. This program has recently become a passion of mine thanks in part to my participation within Walden's Clinical Psychopharmacology program. Much of this interest was fostered by the programs professor. He inspired me to advocate and fight for the health of my future patients. I strongly believe in order do so I will need the information gained from Clinical Psychopharmacology post-doc. Psychotropic medication related issues is a serious area of study, practice, and professional concern. It is with great enthusiasm that I plan to pursue this postdoctoral tract in the very near future! Thank You Dr. B for your inspired lectures!
Parting Comments: Whether I pursue any further schooling beyond the above post-doc is up to the universe to decide. However, one thing is for certain. I will continue to heed the sage advice my Great-Grandfather (100 yrs old) gave me: "Stay in school while you are young, you'll be more likely to fulfill all of your future goals and dreams!" That is precisely what I plan to do, and I will always be a Life Long Learner.
Affiliations
Walden University Alumni
Current Member
http://www.mywaldenalumni.com/s/1277/start.aspx
Walden University Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology
Active Member
http://www.psichi.org/
UMUC Alumni Association
Active Member
http://www.umucalumni.org/
Kaplan Alumni/Mentor
Active Member
http://alumni.kaplan.edu/
Alpha Beta Kappa
Active Member: Delta Zeta
Kaplan University
Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice
Awarded 2006 with ABK Honors
Kaplan was my first venture into online education, it was exciting, at times frustrating (due to technical errors not because of educational content), and once Kaplan upgraded to their new platform in 2004 online life became a breeze. I cannot imagine learning in any other format. It is because of Kaplan I formed a passion for distance education. This passion led me to Maryland, albeit not directly, but enough that I decided to pursue the Distance Education Technology track as part of my Technology Management degree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
University of Maryland University College (UMUC)
Masters of Science in Technology Management, Distance Education Technology
Awarded May 2010
The Masters in Distance Education gave me a behind the scenes view of what it's like being the teacher, rather than just a student. I was given the opportunity to design classrooms, create syllabi and course content, and mentor students. The experience further fueled my passion for distance education, and my desire to become a DE professor.
Present
Walden University
PhD in Psychology, Clinical Psychology Specialization
Start Date: June 2010
Expected Graduation: June 2016
Beginning June 2010 I embarked on another educational journey as I pursued my PhD in Clinical Psychology at Walden University. Psychology has been a lifelong interest of mine. This venture has brought about new challenges and triumphs as I accomplish my goal of becoming a practitioner in the field of psychology. I also hope to bring this new knowledge with me to the field of distance education.
The Clinical Psychology specialization prepares individuals to practice as licensed psychologists in health care settings, community mental health centers, group practice settings, inpatient psychiatric settings, and private practice. Clinical psychologists promote psychological well-being, engage in prevention and early intervention of psychological difficulties, and provide treatment to clients experiencing severe psychopathology.
To learn more about the program click here: http://www.waldenu.edu/Degree-Programs/Doctorate/18013.htm
Future
Clinical Psychopharmacology Postdoctoral MS Program
The program prepares licensed psychologists to prescribe safely and effectively in Federal Jurisdictions and States where they have legalized or authorized prescriptive authority. This program has recently become a passion of mine thanks in part to my participation within Walden's Clinical Psychopharmacology program. Much of this interest was fostered by the programs professor. He inspired me to advocate and fight for the health of my future patients. I strongly believe in order do so I will need the information gained from Clinical Psychopharmacology post-doc. Psychotropic medication related issues is a serious area of study, practice, and professional concern. It is with great enthusiasm that I plan to pursue this postdoctoral tract in the very near future! Thank You Dr. B for your inspired lectures!
Parting Comments: Whether I pursue any further schooling beyond the above post-doc is up to the universe to decide. However, one thing is for certain. I will continue to heed the sage advice my Great-Grandfather (100 yrs old) gave me: "Stay in school while you are young, you'll be more likely to fulfill all of your future goals and dreams!" That is precisely what I plan to do, and I will always be a Life Long Learner.
Affiliations
Walden University Alumni
Current Member
http://www.mywaldenalumni.com/s/1277/start.aspx
Walden University Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology
Active Member
http://www.psichi.org/
UMUC Alumni Association
Active Member
http://www.umucalumni.org/
Kaplan Alumni/Mentor
Active Member
http://alumni.kaplan.edu/
Alpha Beta Kappa
Active Member: Delta Zeta
