Friday, March 9, 2012

Nurture artistic skills at OCAC


Are you passionate in arts and crafts? Do you want to pursue a career in those fields? If your answer is a big YES, then, Oregon College of Art and Craft is right where you belong.

The College was established in 1907 when Arts and Crafts Society’s founder, Julia Hoffman shared her knowledge and educated the public in the field of arts as well as crafts. She also taught the people in her community about the importance of those fields in everyday living.

Now, OCAC has become independent and private college that is accredited to offer degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts, Post-graduate, Collaborative MFA Program, workshops and youth and adult art sessions.

BFA program with Craft major is primarily designed for students who want to acquire technical skills and knowledge through involvement in the arts activities of the community, studio practice preparation, and generating business from studio work.

The program includes learning on the following areas:
  • Book Arts
  • Photography
  • Drawing and Painting
  • Ceramics
  • Wood Fiber
  • Metals
  • Foundations and General Studies of Crafts

On the other hand, program in Certificate of Craft is intended for students who are interested to obtain in-depth focus of a certain medium. It runs for three years. Mainly, it centers on the field of studio art wherein students are provided with proficient lessons and discussions. Through this program’s comprehensive preparation, students are given the opportunity to really concentrate in one medium without the pre-requisite of general studies.

For interested enrollees, you may visit OCAC’s site.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Save up for an Oregon College


Planning to let your child study in Oregon for college? It is important to prepare for his/her future. And you can do this by saving for a college education through a college plan. Fortunately, Oregon 529 College Savings Network exists to put up your dreams within reach. The Network offers annual state tax deduction, tax-free growth, and investment choices.

The Network has two kinds of college savings plan, each of this plan has a set of unique investment options and programs which provide federal tax advantages. The first plan is called “Oregon College Savings Plan” which can be purchased directly without having to use a financial advisor.

The Oregon College Savings Plan is apparently administered by the State of Oregon. With this plan, contributions or earnings used to pay for qualified higher education expenses will be made free from any state income tax in Oregon and the federal.

But contributions to the Plan are only deductible up to an annual limit. A deduction limit is indexed every year for inflation. For the past year, the allowable annual tax deduction is $4,240. This comprises all contributions made by the taxpayer to all Network accounts which include accounts in the Plan.

But the plan will help reduce the taxable value of your estate. Contributions and gifts from the account owner to the beneficiary, will most probably qualify for an annual federal gift tax exclusion amounting to $13,000 per donor, per beneficiary.

The plan offers more flexible features. Anyone can apply for the plan. If you’re the parent, grandparent, relative, or even just a friend who is a US citizen or a resident alien, you may open an account as long as you are at least 18 years old. You need not be residing in Oregon State to contribute for the savings plan on behalf of a beneficiary. But then, you might as well consider your own state’s plan first to avail of the tax advantages they offer.


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Study and Have Faith in Oregon Colleges


The Oregon State has been renowned for its natural beauty. It is a house of diverse natural resources like beaches, volcanoes, farms, forests, river valleys, and all sorts of wonders. In fact, it is known to host the deepest lake in the United States- the Crater Lake. It has wineries and national monuments which people also visit to. Oregon is also a state who enjoys the success of their timber industry because of dam-generated low-cost electric power. This means the state’s economy is growing well into the future. Thus, certain employment fields require employees to have an education beyond high school.

Many colleges are available in Oregon State especially to those who want to obtain a degree while keeping their religious beliefs. One can secure their education by attending quality Christian universities and Bible Colleges like Southwestern Christian College, Mid-America Christian University, Ohio Christian University, Life Christian University, and Jarvis Christian College.

These schools offer different programs to obtain college education. But there are larger universities like George Fox University which provide a large selection of degree options which include majors in both traditional and religious courses. They also provide these in both undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas. But if you want a school which focuses intensely on religious training, smaller schools such as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary give this to their students.

You may search online the schools and the degrees they offer to ensure an education that you really desire founded in a Christian faith. Many of these schools also offer Scholarship grants to aide you in achieving your degree. 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Raising body awareness in UO


Looking for a good university in Oregon? The University of Oregon or OU offers a wide variety of courses students will be interested to enrol to. The town in which OU is located is known for its strengths in arts and outdoor activities. The UO does the same. A vast array of fun events is made for students to enjoy, from the Oregon Bach Festival to the Cinema Pacific Film Festival. 

The 295-acre campus holds different sports teams that compete in the NCAA division which draw a huge amount of fans, most especially in football and track and field. A significant portion of the student population is also involved in fraternities and sororities.

Not satisfied with a single course in UO? The university allows you to enrol another course in a local community college while enrolled in UO. Students’ resumes can also be boosted through Professional Distinct Programs which provides different internships, career workshops, and extra academic concentrations.

Graduate students can also pursue post-graduate courses like law school, business school, and other course which provide a Masters degree.

The university is also focused in community involvement. In fact, UO’s Healthy Campus Initiative is centred on “positive body image” in campaign to help the faculty, staff, and students of UO. The event will be a week-long celebration called “All Sizes Fit”. It features different displays, presentations, and activities made to promote acceptance of different body shapes by raising awareness on body dysmorphia and eating disorders.

According to the event organizers, people who have negative body images will more likely to develop eating disorders and other problems like depression, obsession, and low self-esteem which makes it more important to launch awareness programs like this. 

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Planning to go to Oregon in College?


Currently there are more than a hundred universities, colleges, technical institutions and community colleges found in the state of Oregon. University of Oregon in Eugene and Oregon State University in Corvallis are both ranked as the best colleges in the Western part of the state. As a matter of fact, University of Oregon made through the list of one of the best colleges, according to US News & World’s Report. The largest academic institution of the state is the University of Portland which is affiliated together with the Holy Cross’ Congregation. It primarily offers studies in Liberal Arts.

If you’re planning to pursue a career in the field of medicine, Oregon Health & Science University offers undergraduate as well as doctorate degrees in dentistry, medicine and nursing.

Based on the record of Campus Explorer, the top 10 Universities and Colleges for 4-Year Degree Courses in Oregon are: (1) Portland University, (2) University of Oregon, (3) Oregon State University in Corvallis, (4) Western Oregon University, (5) Southern Oregon University, (6) Eastern Oregon University, (7) Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, (8) University of Portland, (8) Lewis & Clark College, (9) Lewis & Clark College and (10) George Fox University.

If you’re not into 4-Year Courses and rather plan to take Certificate Programs and Diploma, Campus Explorer listed the top 5 Community Colleges: (1) Portland Community College in Sylvania, (2) Lane Community College, (3) Chemeketa Community College, (4) Mt Hood Community College in Gresham and (5) Clackamas Community College.

It is important that you must really think of what course to take in college because if you do not, you will waste your time and opportunities that will come your way. Think of courses that would lead to the career path you choose.