The Best Colleges

Privacy Policy

Site Administrator — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:09:02 +0000

The Best Colleges takes your privacy seriously. This privacy policy describes what personal information we collect and how we use it.

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Academy of Art University Online

Site Administrator — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:56:34 +0000

Coming soon…

University of Advancing Technology Online

Site Administrator — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:47:46 +0000

The University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a small, private, technology-oriented university in Tempe, Arizona. Originally founded in 1983 as a training school for engineers and architects using computer-aided design technology, the school has grown into a comprehensive university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of technical fields build around a strong liberal arts core. UAT’s combination of cutting-edge technology training and general education requirements help set it apart as a unique institution on the higher education landscape.

In addition to traditional on-campus degree programs, UAT currently offers a number of degree programs online, including online bachelor’s degrees in Virtual Modeling and Design, Game Art and Animation, Game Design, Advancing Computer Science, Game Programming, Network Security, and Technology Forensics. Online classes are intensive 5-week sessions taken one at a time in a predetermined order that allows students to build on knowledge gained from each of the prior classes. Students complete three such classes each semester. Accelerated degree options are also available.

UAT practices rolling admissions, allowing students to apply at anytime throughout the year. Admissions are competitive and students are encouraged to register early. Financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants and loans is available for students who qualify. Prospective students are advised to contact UAT directly for the latest and most accurate information on admissions, tuition, fees and financial aid.

The University of Advancing Technology is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a Member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The 35 Most Amazing Libraries In The World

Site Administrator — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:52:40 +0000

With education as our focus here at The Best Colleges, we obviously love libraries. College libraries, public libraries, private libraries, it doesn’t matter, we think they are all awesome. With that in mind we’ve done hours of research trying to find the most interesting libraries in the world, and come up with these 35 that we thought were especially noteworthy. We’ve tried to balance our list between architecturally interesting libraries and libraries with interesting collections, but most of these libraries are actually fascinating in both respects. We’d love to spend a day in any of these libraries, and we hope you’ll agree.

35. National Library, Minsk, Belarus

One of the most distinctive libraries on our list, the National Library of Belarus is shaped like a Rhombicuboctahedron (here’s what a rhombicuboctahedron is, just in case you’re not a mathematician.) The building is 22 stories tall, and was opened in 2006, although the library has been in operation since 1922. The Library is the copyright library of Belarus, and is an attraction in Minsk, featuring a public observation deck and public concerts on its lawn. The Library holds over 8 million items, and has the third largest collection of Russian works in the world.

34. University of Coimbra General Library, Coimbra, Portugal

The University of Coimbra General Library has been in operation since the early 16th century. Inventories for the library exist from the years 1513 and 1532, and show that the library at the time held more than 120 manuscripts. The The Library was definitely established in 1537, and today holds over a million books, with a separate building for pre-19th century books. This is the Biblioteca Joanina, and its architecture is done in majestic Baroque style. The Library is open every day to the public.

33. The National Library of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

The National Library of Singapore is located a 16 story tall building, recently built in 2005. The library has over 200,000 books and also has a performing arts center with a 615 seat theater. The building is adorned with multiple gardens that feature views of the city of Singapore.

32. Stockholm Public Library, Stockholm, Sweden

The Stockholm Public Library is one of Stockholm’s most notable buildings. The library was opened in 1928 and designed by Gunnar Asplund, one of Sweden’s most important modern architects. The interior of the main part of the building is a rotunda, giving visitors a visually pleasing view of many of the library’s shelves along the rotunda walls. The Stockholm Public Library holds more than 2 million volumes and over 2.4 million mixed media items.

31. Rijkmuseum Library, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Rijkmuseum Library is part of the Dutch National Museum located in Amsterdam. The library is focused on art history and holds over 350,000 volumes. Interestingly, the online catalog of the Rijkmuseum Library has on display over 140,000 monographs, 20,000 art sale catalogs, and 3,200 magazines. The library is open to the publicm and although books and magazines can’t be checked out, they can be viewed in the reading room.

30. José Vasconcelos Library, Mexico City, Mexico

The José Vasconcelos Library, located in Mexico City, unfortunately had some stumbling blocks in its construction that led to the library being closed for 22 months from 2007 until 2008, but the building is phenomenal, and I have to agree with former Mexican president Vicente Fox who called it one of the most advanced constructions of the 21st century. The library cost nearly $100 million to build, and was was the largest infrastructure investment for the Fox administration that spanned 2000-2006. The shelving of the library is visually impressive and complemented by several incredible sculptures including one by artist Gabriel Orozco called Ballena that is a painted genuine whale skeleton.

29. Herzog August Library, Wolfenbüttel, Germany

The Herzog August Library was founded in 1572 by a German Duke, and by the 17th century it was one of the largest libraries in Europe. The Library’s collection is over 900,000 books, more than a third of which were printed from the 15th to the 18th century. The Library is internationally known for its Middle Ages and Early modern Europe collection.

28. The Library of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt

The Library of Alexandria was the greatest library in antiquity, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The new Library of Alexandria is a memorial to that library, and an attempt at rebuilding. The Library cost $220 million to build and was completed in 2002. The Library doubles as a cultural center, and contains a planetarium, a manuscript restoration lab, art galleries and exhibition space, museums, a conference center, and niche libraries for children, young adults, and the blind. Currently the Library contains over 500,000 books, but there is shelf space for over 8 million, leaving plenty of room for addition.

27. Phillips Exeter Academy Library, Exeter, New Hampshire

The Phillips Exeter Academy Library is the largest secondary school library in the world. This is one of the most impressive libraries on our list, in a way, since it’s merely a part of a prep school (albeit one of the most wealthy prep schools in the world.) The architect of the Library was Louis Kahn, and the the structure has won numerous architectural awards, including a Twenty-five Year Award by the American Institute of Architects (given to no more than one building a year). The Library was commemorated on a US Postal Service stamp in 2005 as one of the Postal Services twelve Masterworks of Modern American Architecture.

26. George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland

The George Peabody Library is the research library of Johns Hopkins University, and was originally the Peabody Institute Library, an institution that was meant to be a cultural center for Baltimore. The Library was a part of the Institute from 1878 until 1967 when it became owned by the city of Baltimore, eventually passing to Johns Hopkins in 1982 where it now holds the University’s special collections. Many of the collection’s titles date to the 19th century and the library has one of the world’s foremost collections of Don Quixote editions. The building was described by the first Peabody provost as a “cathedral of books.” The interior features a 61 foot high atrium, a beautiful black and white marble floor, and many balconies and golden columns. The library is open to browsers.

25. Wiblingen Monastery Library, Ulm, Germany

The Wiblingen Monastery was founded in 1093, and remodeled in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The Library is notable to art historians because of it’s rich ornamentation and beautiful fresco ceiling. Before entering the Library visitors see the inscription “In quo omnes thesauri sapientiae et scientiae” which means “In which are stored all treasures of knowledge and science”, a perfect quote for any library. The Library imagery is full of knowledge related imagery, both Pagan and Christian. The Library is open to the public and guided tours are available.

24. Chateau de Chantilly Library, Chantilly, France

Another library on our list with a Gutenberg bible, the Chateau de Chantilly library is part of a French estate that also includes one of France’s most important art galleries. The main part of the estate (Grand Chateau) was built in 1528-1531 with the other attached building (Petit Chateu) being built in 1560. The Grand Chateau was destroyed during the French Revolution and later entirely rebuilt from 1875-1881. The library of the estate contains over 1300 manuscripts and 12,500 printed works, including the aforementioned Gutenberg Bible (one of more than 700 incunabula), and roughly 200 medieval manuscripts. The library is often open to the public for guided tours.

23. State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

The State Library of Victoria was founded in 1854, and now holds over 1.5 million books, and has special collections dealing with chess, the arts, the diaries of Melbourne’s founders, and the folios of Captain James Cook. The centerpiece of the library is the LaTrobe Reading Room, a soaring octagonal space that has room for over 1 million books and 500 researchers or readers. At the time of completion, the LaTrobe Reading Room was the largest dome in the world.

22. Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake City, Utah

The Salt Lake City Public Library’s main library is a unique building built in 2003 that features a beautiful five story curved glass wall that ends in a 20,000 sq ft skylight, following the architect’s commitment to focusing on natural lighting. The top of the building is also in use with a rooftop garden planted with trees and flowers. The Library holds more than 500,000 books, and has a large collection of zines.

21. Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic

The Strahov Monastery Library, located in Prague, is contained within the Strahov Monastery that was founded in 1149. The main portions of the library are the Theological Hall, built in 1679, and the Philosopical Hall completed in 1779. The monastery was occupied by the communist government starting in 1950, and was transformed into the Museum of National Literature. When the Communist regime fell out of power in 1989 the monastery and Library were returned to the Premonstratesian order, who set about restoring the Library, leading to the impressive structure that can be seen today. The Library holds more than 110,000 volumes, over 1200 of which are incunabula.

20. Melk Monastery Library, Melk, Austria

The Melk Abbey was founded in 1089, and shortly thereafter a school was founded which led to the library’s formation in the 12th century. The Melk Library quickly became one of the largest manuscript holders in the world, and was also majorly involved in the production of manuscripts. The Library features a high ceiling adorned with beautiful frescos painted by Paul Troger. Today the Library is still renowned for its collection of medieval manuscripts and also has a prominent collection of musical manuscripts.

19. Danish Royal Library, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish Royal Library is the national library of Denmark and was founded in 1648 by King Frederik III. The library holds all works that have been printed in Denmark since the 17th century, and nearly every Danish book ever written resides in the library, back to the first Danish book that was printed in 1482. The Danish Royal Library is the largest library in the Nordic countries. Many significant works are held here, including the correspondence of Hans Christian Anderson, historical maps of the Polar Region, and the Arnamagnæan Manuscript Collection, named for the Icelandic scholar Arnas Magnæus who spent much of his life building a collection of manuscripts from Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden until his death in 1730.

18. Trinity College Library (“The Long Room”), Dublin, Ireland

The Trinity College Library in Dublin is the largest library in Dublin, and fulfills many of the same functions for Ireland that the Library of Congress fulfills for the United States. The Library actually consists of four separate buildings, but we are concerned here with the old Trinity College Library, built in 1732. The “Long Room” in the Old Library is one of Ireland’s biggest tourist draws and houses the Book of Kells (a beautiful Gospel book created by Celtic monks roughly around 800) and many other very early works.

17. Jay Walker’s Private Library

Jay Walker is an American inventor and entrepreneur who has used his wealth to develop a notable private library. Walker has dubbed his Library “The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination.” The Library is located in his Connecticut home and contains more than 50,000 books including many early works and museum worthy items. The architecture is a multi-level design inspired by the surreal works of M.C. Escher. Wired called the library “the most amazing library in the world” and Walker has discussed the library in a TED talk. Unfortunately, the library is not open to the public, but Walker has been known to host notable public figures.

16. The Morgan Library & Museum, NY, NY, USA

The Morgan Library & Museum was formed in 1906 to hold the private collection of banking magnate J.P. Morgan. The library housed his collection of manuscripts, printed books, prints, and drawings. The library has many illumninated manuscripts, incunabula, and many original manuscripts, including works by Sir Walter Scott and de Balzac. There are also notable drawings of many notable artists, including Leonardo, Raphael, Picasso, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. Other interestings holdings of the Morgan Library include scraps of paper that Bob Dylan used to write down “Blowin’ in the Wind”, concept drawings for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, and a Charles Dickens manuscript of A Christmas Carol.

15. Library of the Benedictine Monastery, Admont, Austria

The Library of the Benedictine Monastery is the largest monastery library in the world. The Library holds 70,000 volumes, including 1,400 manuscripts and 900 incunables. Some of the manuscripts were gifted by the Monastery’s founder Archbishop Gebhard, who founded the Monastery in 1074. The ceiling of the Library is made of seven cupolas, all decorated with elaborate frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte that display the progression of human knowledge. The design of the Library is heavily influenced by the Enlightenment.

14. National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden

The National Library of Sweden is responsible for preserving all Swedish printed and A/V material and holds more than 20 million objects. There has been some form of National Library in Sweden since the 1500s and was expanded early on by purchases of collections from Swedish monasteries that were dissolved in the Reformation and later via war spoils from the Thirty Years War. The Library obtained the library of Würzburg and the royal library of Prague during this war, and notably also obtained a 13th century copy of the “Devil’s Bible” (which can be viewed online here.)

13. Austrian National Library, Vienna, Austria

Much like the Library of Congress, the Austrian National Library is responsible for the collection of all publications that appear in Austria. The Library has many important works including the world’s foremost Globe collection, rare books dating from the 4th century, including a UNESCO Memory of the World Programme item (the Vienna Dioscurides, a 6th century illuminated manuscript that deals with medicine and healing), and a map collection that includes maps dating as far back as the 16th century. The library is currently housed in the Hofburg Palace and the baroque Palais Mollard-Clary, and was originally housed in the Prunksaal, a magnificent building with beautiful frescoes.

12. Abbey Library of Saint Gall, St. Gallen, Switzerland

The Abbey Library of Saint Gall is the oldest library in Switzerland and holds about 160,000 volumes. The library was founded by Saint Othmar, who founded the Abbey of St. Gall in 719. This is one of the oldest monastery libraries in the world, and holds manuscripts from as far back as the 8th century. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization named the library a World Heritage site in 1983, calling it a “a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery”. Many of the rare manuscripts that the library holds can be accessed through this website, and the public is welcome to use the library, although pre-1900 books must be read on site.

11. Seattle Central Library, Seattle, WA

The Seattle Central Library opened in 2004 and features a beautiful glass and steel modern design created by architects Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus of OMA/LMN. The goal of the design was to make an inviting open and airy space, avoiding the popular perception of libraries as dark and stuffy. The library can hold up to 1.45 million books and materials, and serves over 2 million patrons a year.

10. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Toronto, Canada

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book library is the largest rare book collection in Canada. The library is affiliated with the University of Toronto. The collection includes numerous notable works, including Newton’s Principia (1687), Shakespeare’s First Folio, the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493), and a Babylonian cueniform tablet that dates to 1789 BC. The library also contains a large and notable collection donated by a man named Robert S. Kenny, who was a Communist Party of Canada member. The collection is made up of over 25,000 items dealing with labor movements worldwide, with a particular emphasis on Canada.

9. New York Public Library, New York, New York

The New York Public Library is awe inspiring in its scope and breadth. It is the the third largest library in North America, has over 50 million items in its collection, and consists of 87 libraries serving 3.5 million people. The Rose Main Reading Room features grand windows and chandaliers, as well as a beautiful gilded and painted ceiling. The Library special collections include the first Gutenberg Bible to come to America, and a special emphasis on Americana. The Library is one of the most recognizable on our list, with multiple appearances in feature films, with its inclusion as a key setting in the film “The Day After Tomorrow” and as the setting of a significant portion of the movie “Ghostbusters”.

8. Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada

The Library of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada is a Canadian landmark, so much so that it adorns the back of the Canadian ten dollar bill. The building was inspired by the British Museum Reading Room. The walls of the Library are supported by 16 flying buttresses, and the main reading room has a vaulted ceiling complementing the walls and stacks which featured white pine paneling with beautifully detailed carvings of flowers, masks, textures, and mythical creatures. The collection of the Library consists of over 600,000 items, curated by a staff of 300. Access to the facility is generally restricted to Canadian parliamentary business, but tours are often made available.

7. Boston Public Library

Photo

The Boston Public Library is the first publicly supported library in the US. It was established in 1848 and has since grown to its present collection size of 22 million items, which makes it the second largest library in the United States. The Central Library consists of two buildings, the Johnson Building and the beautiful McKim Building. The McKim building houses the library’s research collection and exhibitions. It was built in 1895 and contains many beautiful murals, including Edward Abbey’s most famous that depicts the legend of the Holy Grail. The main room of the McKim building is Bates Hall which has an amazing coffered ceiling. The research collection at McKim is made up of over 1.7 million rareties, including many medieval manuscripts, incunabula, early Shakespeare that includes a First Folio, colonial Boston records, a major Daniel Defoe collection, and the libraries of many famous men of history including John Adams, William Lloyd Garrison, and Nathaniel Bowditch.

6. National Library of St. Mark’s, Venice, Italy

The National Library of St. Mark’s is a Renaissance building and is home to one of the most important classical texts collection on earth. The Library was built over a lengthy period of time and began in 1537, but the collection began as early as 1468 when Cardinal Bessarion gifted his collection of 250 manuscripts and 750 codices. Beginning in 1603 a law was created that required one copy of all books printed in Venice to be housed at the National Library. The Library today holds more than a million books, over 13,000 manuscripts, 2883 incunabula, and more than 24,000 16th century works.

5. Vatican Library, Vatican City, Rome

The Vatican Library is the library of the Holy See and one of the oldest libraries in the world. It was established in 1475, but existed in early forms roughly since the beginning of the Catholic Church. The library has added to its collection over the years primarily through bequests and gifts. The Vatican Library currently holds over 1.1 million books, 75,000 manuscripts, and over 8,500 incunabula. The library owns the oldest complete manuscript of the Bible and many other important medieval works.

4. Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New Haven, CT

The Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is the largest building in the world that has the express purpose of preserving rare books and manuscripts. The library’s holdings are incredible and include special collections of numerous important writers including Rudyard Kipling, D.H. Lawrence, Sinclair Lewis, and Joseph Conrad. The central shelving area of Beinecke is a beautiful structure with glass walls and soft lighting that protect the works from direct light. The library is accessible to the public and it’s exhibition hall displays many of the library’s rare works, including an original Gutenberg Bible, one of only 48 copies.

3. Reading Room at the British Museum, London, England

The Reading Room at the British Museum is found in the center of the Great Court of the British Museum. The structure has a domed roof, and the ceiling is made of a kind of papier-mâché. For much of the Room’s history, access was only granted to registered researches, and during this period many notable figures studied at the Library, including Karl Marx, Oscar Wilde, Mahatma Ghandi, Rudyard Kipling, George Orwell, Mark Twain, Lenin, and H.G. Wells. The Library’s collection was moved to the new British Library in 2000 and the Reading Room now houses an information center and a curated collection of books relating to history, art, travel and other subjects relevant to the collection’s of the British Museum. Right now, and since 2006, the Reading Room has been housing a temporary exhibition centered around China’s famous Terracotta Army

2. Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK

The Bodleian Library is the library of the University of Oxford. It was established in 1602, making it one of the oldest libraries in Europe. The Library has over 11 million items, and many, many items of historical import, including four copies of the Magna Carta, a Gutenberg Bible, and Shakespeare’s First Folio (from 1623.) The Library consists of multiple buildings, perhaps the most visually interesting of which is Radcliffe Camera, built in 1737-1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library. It’s the earliest circular library in England, and has appeared in multiple films, including “Young Sherlock Holmes”, “The Saint”, “The Red Violin”, and “The Golden Compass”.

1. Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

The Library of Congress is essentially the national library of the United States and the oldest federal cultural institution in the US. The library consists of three different buildings and is the largest library in the world as measured by shelf space and number of volumes. The library is open to the public, but as the research institution of Congress only members of Congress (and Supreme Court justices and certain other government officials) may check out books. Interestingly, the library serves a function as the “library of last resort” in the US, making certain items available to other United States libraries if they are not available via other means. The holdings of the library are impressive and varied, and include over 32 million books, more than 61 million manuscripts, a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, a perfect vellum copy of the Gutenberg Bible (one of only four in the world), over 1 million newspapers from the last three centuries, over 5 million maps, 6 million pieces of sheet music, and more than 14 millions photos and prints.

Thunderbird School of Global Management

Site Administrator — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:35:25 +0000

More information coming soon…

Top 50 Statistics Blogs of 2011

Site Administrator — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:52:00 +0000

Statistics is a branch of mathematics that deals with the interpretation of data. Statisticians work in a wide variety of fields in both the private and the public sectors. They are teachers, consultants, watchdogs, journalists, designers, programmers, and by in large, ordinary people like you and me. And some of them blog.

In searching for the top statistics blogs on the web we only considered blogs that have been active in 2011. In deciding which ones to include in our (admittedly unscientific) list of the 50 best statistics blogs we considered a range of factors, including visual appeal/aesthetics, frequency of posts, and accessibility to non-specialists. Our goal is to highlight blogs that students and prospective students will find useful and interesting in their exploration of the field.

AnnMaria’s Blog
The blog of Dr. AnnMaria De Mars, president of the online statistics education company The Julia Group, is attractively designed and frequently updated. Interesting, well written, and generally accessible reflections on statistics, mathematics, technology and other related topics are the norm.

Bad Science
Dr. Ben Goldacre, an epidemiologist by day, uses good statistics (among other things) to debunk bad science at night (and probably some during the day as well). The posts at Bad Science, which shares a name with a best-selling book by Dr. Goldacre, are always interesting and usually fun, as is the blog’s design.

Beyond the Box Score
Sabermetrics is the use of statistics and mathematics to analyze the game of baseball. Billing itself as a “saber-slanted” baseball community, this group blog offers crisp writing and informative analysis, but all of the ads can be annoying.

Blog About Stats
A blog where professional statisticians from around the globe gather to share information, discuss new developments, and help each other find better ways to disseminate statistical information to the public. Most of the posts focus on data visualization, which means lots of interesting statistics related graphics.

bLog-Normal Distribution
The co-founder of SAS, a leading business analytics software company, offers lessons in analytics and observations on various statistical and company related items of note. While the analytic lessons will be over the head of the uninitiated, there’s a good mix of more accessible posts to choose from, especially for those interested in the business side of statistics.

By the Numbers
This blog by New York Times visual Op-Ed columnist Charles Blow analyzes and discusses the visual expression of statistical information in the news. High quality, enlightening stuff accessible to the non-specialist.

Dataists
A very nice group blog on stats, data, visualization and more from a group of academic and private sector dataheads. Generally fun, occasionally irreverent, usually accessible, and always smart.

Data Mining
Text mining, visualization and social media from the technologist Matthew Hurst. Frequently updated with most posts containing some kind of visual for those who get lost in the words and numbers.

Empirical Legal Studies Blog
A collaborative blog by several law and political science professors, brings an empirically and statistically based perspective to legal studies. Posts typically discuss new research in empirical legal scholarship and empirical claims in the news and politics in a broadly accessible way. Especially of interest to those curious aboutthe intersection of stats and the law.

Error Statistics Philosophy
Virginia Tech statistical philosopher Deborah G. Mayo probes the foundations of statistical reasoning from a “frequentist” perspective. Pretty tough going for the non-philosopher, but offers an interesting angle on the discipline for those interested in intellectual deep-sea diving.

Fishing in the Bay
University of Melbourne Professor of Management (Statistics) Chris Lloyd offers “Statistical musings from an Antipodean perspective” that are typically fresh and interesting, even to the non-specialist. Check out “Is statistics science’s dirty little secret?” for an excellent defense of the discipline.

FiveThirtyEight
Nate Silver’s NYT blog (named after the number of electors in the U.S. electoral college) uses statistics to analyze everything from politics to science to sports. The blog focuses mainly on stats in politics and Silver is well known for his highly accurate election forecast models.

Flowing Data
A super cool site dedicated to exploring how designers, statisticians, and computer scientists use data to understand society. Data visualization is the focus of the majority of posts, which are frequent and very accessible. Check out “5 misconceptions about visualization” for a good introduction to what data visualization is and isn’t.

Freakonometrics
Unless you know French, you will have to use Google Translate to read Arthur Charpentier’s blog, but it’s well worth the extra effort. Charpentier, a professor of mathematics, offers a nice mix of generally accessible and more challenging posts on statistics related subjects, all with a good sense of humor.

Hilary Mason
A data scientist and self-described hacker, Mason is also the founder of the Dataist blog (another top 50 selection), chief scientist at bit.ly, and co-founder of the New York hacker federation HackNY. Generally a pretty random mix of instruction, self-promotion and whatever is on the authors mind at the moment, but definitely worth checking out.

Information is Beautiful
Independent data journalist and information designer David McCandless is interested in ways data visualization can help people understand the world and its hidden connections. Posts are always interesting and go a long way towards proving the claim of the blog’s title.

Information Aesthetics
The blog “where form follows data” is authored by a university professor in Belgium. Frequent posts explore the intersection between creative design and statistical information with flair and outstanding visual design.

Lies and Stats
A really excellent, cleanly designed blog devoted to helping unmask the bad and dishonest use of statistics. The site is authored by data analyst Luk Arbuckle, who promises readers he won’t ever bore them with equations. Check out “Misleading Americans about public healthcare” for a representative sample.

Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
The blog of Dirk Singer, head of a “social media ideas agency” called Rabbit and a self-avowed statistics geek, takes a data-oriented approach to social media, advertising, branding and PR. Singer’s writing is fun and engaging, with most posts revolving around an infographic of some sort.

Log Base 2
Nick Barrowman is a philosophically minded statistical scientist working in medical research. Barrowman provides typically interesting and often profound commentary on a wide variety of philosophical, scientific and cultural topics, with an occasional statistics post thrown in as well.

Mathematics & Statistics at Williams College A group blog by students and faculty at Williams College. Posts are generally thoughtful and well written, with a good mix of math, stats and education focused pieces.

Messy Matters
A wide ranging blog on the intersection of statistics and social theory written by one current and one former research scientist at Yahoo!. Posts are always thoughtful and interesting, and frequently include original illustrations.

Numbers Rule Your World
Like his book by the same name, the blog of Sirius XM statistician and NYU professor Kaiser Fung explores the myriad of ways that stats and probability influence the world around us. Fascinating and accessible.

Observational Epidemiology
A college professor and a statistical consultant offer their reflections on applied statistics, higher education and epidemiology, among other things. Posts are frequent and generally accessible, but vary widely in quality and depth.

OkTrends
Brings original research and insights from the online dating service OKCupid. Utilizes data derived from the more than 7 million OKCupid members to generate interesting stats and infographics on sex, dating and relationships. Don’t miss “10 Charts About Sex”.

Overcoming Bias
The personal blog of polymath economist and futurist Robin Hanson challenges readers to recognize and overcome their biases. While not strictly about statistics, Hanson frequently utilizes statistical analysis in reflections on honesty, signaling, disagreement, forecasting and the far future.

Permutations
A group blog devoted to using math and statistics to understand society. This is the official blog of the Mathematical Sociology Section of the American Sociological Society. Interesting, smart and often fun.

Probability and Statistics Blog
From Matt Asher, statistics grad student at the University of Toronto, comes this opinionated blog on all things statistical. Unfortunately, the blog has not been updated in a while, but there’s some great stuff in the archives. Check out Asher’s Statistics Manifesto.

Radford Neal’s Blog
Neal is a Professors of Statistics and Computer Science at the University of Toronto. Most posts are directly concerned with statistics, with the occasional foray into more general and personal topics. Lots of good stuff for people interested in R programming as well.

Radical Statistics
A left-leaning UK group blog on the uses of statistics in society. The official blog of the Radical Statistics Group, which is devoted to using statistics to support movements for progressive social change. Includes many interesting critiques of the use and abuse of stats by government and corporate officials.

Realizations in Biostatistics
A professional biostatistician discusses biostatistics, clinical trial design, critical thinking about drugs and healthcare, skepticism, and the scientific process. Posts vary widely in length, complexity and accessibility. Check out this post on the need for statistical leadership for an accessible introduction.

Revolutions
Promising news about R, statistics and open source, this is a group blog from the staff at Revolution Analytics. Most posts are about some aspect of R, but there are also interesting posts on more general topics like “Data Science: a literature review”.

Robin Ryder’s Blog
A professor at Universite Paris Dauphine, Ryder blogs on “statistics and other stuff”, but mainly about statistics. Postings are not very frequent, but usually include interesting questions or insights regarding the statistical world.

Sabermetric Research
Don’t let the title throw you off. There’s a lot more than just baseball stats here. Phil Burnbaum takes on everything (and everyone) from Warren Buffet, to the stock market, to sports predictors and subjects them to a rigorous statistical analysis.

Significance
A blog and magazine sponsored by the American Statistical Association and the Royal Statistical Society. Updated daily with articles helping people understand the significance of data and statistics for every area of life and society. An excellent resource.

StatChat
The founder and president of The Analysis Factor, a statistics consulting company, tackles issues in applied statistics and data analysis on her blog. Complex statistical concepts and analysis are explained with clarity, though some background in stats is needed to understand most posts.

Statisfaction
A blog by some PhD students at an economics and statistics research center in Paris, France. Stats and math, as well as sports, art and other random subjects are addressed with humor and wit. There’s even a How To on doing a statistics PhD in France. They should know!

Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science
A group blog with some heavy-hitting sponsors and two Columbia University professors as contributors offers statistically informed opinions on a wide variety of subjects. Posts generally exhibit more humor than the name would suggest. They are also usually more accessible than one might expect.

Statistical Sage Blog
A group blog about the role of statistics in the behavioral sciences. Written by current and retired academics, many of the posts are directed towards explaining difficult statistical concepts to students. An excellent resource for newcomers to the statistical world.

Stats Make Me Cry
Jeremy Taylor is a statistics consultant who wants to make sure you never shed a tear over stats again. Taylor’s series on the Top Ten Confusing Stats Terms Explained in “Plain English” is invaluable for those just learning about statistics or in need of a refresher course.

Stats With Cats
Who can resist statistical analysis mixed with adorable felines? Hasn’t been updated in a while, but some really excellent posts explaining basic statistics in an engaging and understandable way. Consider starting with “Five Things You Should Know Before Taking Statistics 101″.

Straight Statistics
The blog of Straight Statistics, a UK watchdog organization dedicated to detecting and exposing the public misuse and abuse of stats, and identifying those responsible. Governments, media, advertisement agencies, corporations, science and medicine journals all come under scrutiny. Regularly updated and well worth checking out.

The Endeavour
A blog by John. D Cook, statistician, mathematician, consultant, manager and professor. While not all posts are directly concerned with statistics, they are all typically engaging and worthwhile. Warm up with “Wine, Beer and Statistics” before moving on to “Comparing Three Methods of Computing Standard Deviation”.

The LoveStats Blog
A blog at the intersection of market research, data analysis and statistics. Written by a market research methodologist and consultant, posts are generally well written and accessible, dealing with the numbers and surveys side of product marketing. The author claims to keep market research “real, current, and fun”, and for the most part succeeds.

The Numbers Guy
A fun Wall Street Journal blog (now how often do you ever see those five words together in that order?) in which Carl Bialik brings readers the stories behind the stats and examines the way numbers are used and abused in public. Check out “Sorry, Wrong Number” about the consequences of statistical errors and their failure to be eliminated even in the computer age.

The Stats Blog
A fascinating group blog exposing the abuse and misuse of statistical information in the media. Operated by the non-partisan, non-profit Statistical Assessment Service affiliated with George Mason University, most posts dissect the statistical inaccuracy of recent media reports or publications. You will come away much more skeptical of what you see and hear after spending time on this blog.

Three Toed-Sloth
A blog as strange and intriguing as its namesake. Cosma Shalizi is a statistics professor at Carnegie Mellon who blogs about statistics, books, politics, food and whatever he else he damn well pleases. You can learn a lot from Prof. Shalizi’s regularly posted lecture notes to his Introduction to Statistical Computing class.

Understanding Uncertainty
A group blog from Cambridge University dedicated to helping “improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining!”. Posts, which usually consist of comments or critiques of recent news events, are usually accessible and fun to read.

Xi’an’s Og
A French university professor blogs about statistics (mostly of the computational and Bayesian variety), climbing, travel, running, books, and fatherhood. Occasionally reviews books on statistics as well. Definitely worth checking out.

Zero Intelligence Agents
Drew Conway is a political science PhD student at NYU. His blog revolves around the question “How can the social sciences, mathematics and computer science combine to affect national security?” A fascinating window into yet another world in which statistics plays a vital role.

Top 10 Online Master’s in Counseling Degree Programs of 2011-2012

Site Administrator — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:00:31 +0000

Counselors are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for licensed professional counselors in every area of specialty are expected to grow at a faster than average rate over the next several years as job openings exceed the number of students graduating from counseling degree programs. Opportunities in certain counseling specialties such as substance abuse and behavioral disorders are expected to grow at a much higher than average rate.

The Value of a Masters in Counseling Degree

A masters degree in counseling is a prerequisite for becoming a licensed counselor in almost every case. An accredited masters in counseling degree will prepare students to sit for the necessary licensing exams and provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the field.

Advantages of Online Masters in Counseling Degree Programs

Online counseling degree programs are currently among the most popular online degree programs according to the latest online education statistics. Prospective students seeking an accredited online masters in counseling degree program now have several high quality options to choose from. A number of the top counseling programs in the country are now offered online. Among the advantages of earning a degree from a top online masters in counseling program is that students can maintain their employment and/or family responsibilities while earning their degree. Many of the best online masters in counseling degree programs can be completed entirely online, with practicums and internships arranged in the student’s home community.

How We Rank Online Masters in Counseling Degree Programs

Online colleges and online masters in counseling degree programs vary widely in terms of quality, name recognition, and value. To assist those looking for quality, accredited online masters in counseling programs we’ve put together this ranking of what we consider to be the very best online schools offering masters in counseling degrees online in 2011-2012. Our rankings of the top online schools offering masters in counseling degrees are based on publicly available data evaluated according to several different criteria, including market reputation, accreditation, student satisfaction, ratio of students to instructors, and tuition. All schools in our rankings are regionally accredited, the highest form of accreditation a school can achieve. You can read more about our rankings philosophy and find a list of our other top college and degree rankings on our rankings page.

#1. Walden University Online

Assessment – A private university with an award-winning online division and a reputation for social justice oriented degree programs offers prospective students multiple online masters in counseling programs to choose from.

Program: Walden University offers a 70 quarter credit hour online Master of Science in Career Counseling, as well as 90 quarter credit hour online Master of Science degrees in Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. Further specializations are also available for some of the degree programs. All of the degrees require two 6-day residencies, practicums and an internship in which students learn how to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to learn more about online degree programs at Walden University

#2. University of the Southwest Online

Assessment – This small, private New Mexico school offers an affordable online masters in counseling with intimate class sizes and a faith-oriented perspective.

Program: University of the Southwest’s online Master of Science in Education Mental Health Counseling is a 48 credit hour degree program designed for students interested in pursuing a career as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). Students will develop a thorough knowledge of basic counseling theories and techniques and how to apply them with a diverse range of clients and settings. Practicums and an internship are required and can be completed in a variety of mental health systems as arranged by the student with the approval of the school.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to learn more about online degree programs at University of the Southwest

#3. UMass Online

Assessment – This award-winning online degree program at one of America’s top public university systems offers multiple online master’s in counseling degrees to choose from at a very affordable rate.

Program: UMassOnline offers four 60 credit hour online master’s in counseling to choose from: the online Master of Education in School Counseling, the online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling, the online Master of Science in Family Therapy, and the online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. All of the programs work on a cohort model and require a two-week on-campus summer clinical residency. The rest of the work can be completed entirely online.

Regional Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#4. Seton Hall University Online

Assessment – One of the nation’s premier Catholic universities, Seton Hall is especially well known for its health related degrees and offers those seeking preparation for a career in mental health counseling one of the best online masters in counseling degree programs anywhere.

Program: Seton Hall’s online Master’s in Counseling is a combined Master’s and Education Specialist program. The 60 credit hour online degree program will prepare students with the background, knowledge and clinical experience they need for careers as professional mental health counselors. Two on-campus residencies are required for the completion of the program, allowing students the opportunity to meet and network with their professors and peers.

Regional Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#5. Sacred Heart University Online

Assessment – Recognized as one of the top master’s level universities in the U.S., this private Catholic school offers a rigorous online masters in psychology with a concentration for those interested in counseling and rehabilitation.

Program: Sacred Heart University’s online Master of Science in Applied Psychology with a Concentration in Community Psychology is a 38 credit hour program designed to prepare students for careers in therapy and counseling or future doctoral work. The program is built on a research-driven core curriculum and takes a scientist-practitioner learning model. All courses are completed entirely online in a part-time format. Students are required to complete a Capstone Experience prior to graduation, composed either of a comprehensive exam or a final research project. No campus visits are required.

Regional Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

#6. University of North Dakota Online

Assessment – For those interested in becoming professional school counselors, this established public university with an international reputation offers one of the best and most affordable online masters degree in counseling with a school counseling emphasis.

Program: The University of North Dakota’s online Master of Arts in Counseling with a K-12 School Emphasis is a 48-50 credit hour degree program designed for working people interested in becoming licensed school counselors. Students will learn through both theoretical inquiry and practical hands-on experience. The degree can be completed entirely online through live web classes offered on evenings and weekends. Two 4-day campus visits are required each summer (a total of four visits).

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#7. Grace College Online

Assessment – This small evangelical Christian school offers believing students a hybrid online master’s in counseling degree that integrates a biblical worldview with contemporary psychology.

Program: Grace College’s hybrid online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health is a 62 credit hour program designed to be completed in three years. The program is very strongly religious in outlook with the goal of producing graduates who are scripturally grounded, clinically skilled, inter-personally competent and prepared to work in any number of secular and religious mental health environments. Though most coursework takes place online, some campus visits and an internship are required.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#8. University at Buffalo Online

Assessment – One of the top public universities in the northeast offers an academically rigorous online master’s in rehabilitation counseling program with small class sizes and competitive pricing.

Program: The University at Buffalo’s online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling is a 48 credit hour program designed for working professionals and those seeking a career change. Graduates are prepared to work with people disabled by physical, mental, emotional, or social conditions to alleviate their psychological, social, vocational, and educational problems. Taking only two courses are semester, students can complete the program in less than three years. Practica, fieldwork and and an internship are required but can be completed in a student’s home community.

Regional Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#9. LeTourneau University Online

Assessment – An up and coming interdenominational Christian university in Texas offers a quality online master’s in counseling with small class sizes and a dual-track option.

Program: LeTourneau University’s online Master of Arts in Counseling is a 45-48 credit hour program designed to prepare working students to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and/or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Students will learn how to think about and practice counseling and therapy from an explicitly Christian perspective. A practicum is required and can be completed in a student’s home community.

Regional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#10. Bellevue University Online

Assessment – A leading Midwestern university for adult education provides multiple opportunities for hands-on learning and experience through its affordable online master in counseling program.

Program: Bellevue University’s online Master of Science in Clinical Counseling is a 60 credit hour degree program designed for student’s interested in obtaining their Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) or Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) licensure. At least 6 credits in behavioral sciences and 3 credits in statistics are required as prerequisites. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, requiring students to complete two practicums and two internships prior to graduation.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

University at Buffalo Online

Site Administrator — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:23:30 +0000

University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (a.k.a. University at Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo) is a public research university in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1846, it one of the flagship universities of the State University of New York System.

The University at Buffalo offers a small number of online degree programs, including online master’s degrees in Library & Information Science, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Education.

Students interested in learning more about the SUNY Buffalo’s online degree programs are encouraged to contact the school directly for more information.

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Top 10 Online Video Game Design Degree Programs of 2011-2012

The Value of a Video Game Design Degree

The Advantages of an Online Video Game Design Degree

How We Ranked Online Video Game Design Degree Programs

#1. International Academy of Design and Technology

#2. DeVry University

#3. Post University

#4. Westwood College

#5. Full Sail University

#6. University of Advancing Technology

#7. Southern New Hampshire University

#8. Academy of Art University

#9. Rasmussen College

#10. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Top 40 Video Game Design Blogs of 2011

Academy of Art University Online

University of Advancing Technology Online

The 35 Most Amazing Libraries In The World

35. National Library, Minsk, Belarus

34. University of Coimbra General Library, Coimbra, Portugal

33. The National Library of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

32. Stockholm Public Library, Stockholm, Sweden

31. Rijkmuseum Library, Amsterdam, Netherlands

30. José Vasconcelos Library, Mexico City, Mexico

29. Herzog August Library, Wolfenbüttel, Germany

28. The Library of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt

27. Phillips Exeter Academy Library, Exeter, New Hampshire

26. George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland

25. Wiblingen Monastery Library, Ulm, Germany

24. Chateau de Chantilly Library, Chantilly, France

23. State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

22. Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake City, Utah

21. Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic

20. Melk Monastery Library, Melk, Austria

19. Danish Royal Library, Copenhagen, Denmark

18. Trinity College Library (“The Long Room”), Dublin, Ireland

17. Jay Walker’s Private Library

16. The Morgan Library & Museum, NY, NY, USA

15. Library of the Benedictine Monastery, Admont, Austria

14. National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden

13. Austrian National Library, Vienna, Austria

12. Abbey Library of Saint Gall, St. Gallen, Switzerland

11. Seattle Central Library, Seattle, WA

10. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Toronto, Canada

9. New York Public Library, New York, New York

8. Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada

7. Boston Public Library

6. National Library of St. Mark’s, Venice, Italy

5. Vatican Library, Vatican City, Rome

4. Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New Haven, CT

3. Reading Room at the British Museum, London, England

2. Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK

1. Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

Thunderbird School of Global Management

Top 50 Statistics Blogs of 2011

Top 10 Online Master’s in Counseling Degree Programs of 2011-2012

The Value of a Masters in Counseling Degree

Advantages of Online Masters in Counseling Degree Programs

How We Rank Online Masters in Counseling Degree Programs

#1. Walden University Online

#2. University of the Southwest Online

#3. UMass Online

#4. Seton Hall University Online

#5. Sacred Heart University Online

#6. University of North Dakota Online

#7. Grace College Online

#8. University at Buffalo Online

#9. LeTourneau University Online

#10. Bellevue University Online

University at Buffalo Online