Rasmussen College Expands Online Accelerated Bachelor Completer Programs In Florida

TAMPA, Fla., July 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen College today announced the expansion of its online AcceleratED(SM) Bachelor's Degree Completion Program in Florida to help students with previous college credit earn a degree in one of seven programs in as few as 18 months. Designed for adult students looking to advance their careers, these exclusive e-learning programs offer a seamless credit transfer process, accelerated course completion and convenient online access from anywhere at an affordable tuition rate of just $260 per credit.

"Our AcceleratED program has already helped hundreds of students save time and money in completing their degree while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which is so important for today's busy professionals," said Kristi Waite, Rasmussen College President. "We are thrilled to make this unique opportunity available to students in Florida with exciting new offerings to meet growing market demand."

AcceleratED programs are now available at Rasmussen College's campuses in Ocala, Fort Myers, Tampa/Brandon, Land O'Lakes/East Pasco and New Port Richey/West Pasco campuses in seven high-demand fields: Marketing, Human Resources/Organizational Leadership,  International Business, Business Systems Analysis, Finance, Entrepreneurship and Criminal Justice with a specialization in Leadership and Management.

Students in Rasmussen College's AcceleratED programs benefit from the College's proven instructional methodologies, top-notch faculty and demonstrated success in serving the adult learner, all within an accelerated program that offers a rapid time to completion. Each course offers a workplace-relevant, career-focused curriculum delivered by highly engaged professional faculty using state-of-the-art online teaching tools. Each course lasts just six weeks, and students take two courses each term, enabling them to complete a degree in just a year and a half.

Nationwide, demand for college-educated workers is expected to grow 16 percent over the next seven years, while demand for non-degreed workers will remain flat according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. By 2018, nearly two-thirds of the nation's jobs will require some postsecondary education or training, which makes earning a degree critical for jobseekers in the current employment market, as well as an important factor in achieving key national economic goals.

The state of Florida, which had been hit hard by job losses related to the recession, posted the third largest drop in unemployment over the past year, dropping almost two percent to 8.7 percent. And, the state ranks 6^th in the nation in the number of new jobs added between April 2011 and April 2012. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, demand for accountants and auditors in Florida is expected to surge as high as 17 percent through 2018—encouraging news especially for prospective students considering a Rasmussen AcceleratED program degree in Finance.

"By all accounts, the job market in Florida and around the country is starting to improve, which means competition for the best jobs is starting to heat up," Waite said. "This is the perfect time to invest in an education that will give you a competitive edge. And, with our AcceleratED program, your degree could be just 18 months away, putting you on the path to a promising new career opportunity much quicker than a traditional program."  

To be eligible, prospective AcceleratED students must already possess an Associate's degree or have successfully completed at least 40 semester credits. Additional credits may be granted for prior learning experiences. To help students get started quickly, applicants will receive an estimate of their allowable credit transfers within one business day and each student will be presented with a customized degree plan detailing their path and time to graduation. The program is open to students nationwide with all courses delivered entirely online.

For more information, or to apply for Rasmussen College's AcceleratED Bachelor's Degree Completion program, visit www.Rasmussen.edu/AcceleratED.

To view this release in full, visit: http://www.rasmussen.edu/press-release/2012-07-27/rasmussen-college-expands-online-accelerated-bachelor-completer-programs-in-florida/.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
An innovator of higher education, Rasmussen College is a regionally-accredited, private college that specializes in offering the most in-demand degree programs in a highly supportive, student-centered educational environment.  Rasmussen College offers market-relevant programs from the certificate and diploma level through the associate's and bachelor's level online and across its 22 campuses in the Midwest and Florida to more than 15,000 students. By combining its expertise in career development with high academic standards and with unparalleled student support services, graduates of Rasmussen College leave with the most up-to-date knowledge, the skills that employers look for, and the tools to succeed in their chosen field.  Since 1900, the primary focus at Rasmussen College has remained constant: student achievement is of the upmost importance, the employer who hires its students continues to be a valued partner, and Rasmussen College is dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

SOURCE Rasmussen College