While just about any traditional university will allow students to take only a part-time course load, a traditional school will not always have class schedules that will work for students who need to take care of other responsibilities in addition to their schoolwork. If you need to work during the day and take care of your kids in the evening, you’re going to have a hard time finding a part-time college that offers classes during the night hours when you’re available. For this any many other reasons, many people who want to attend a part-time college have chosen an online school as a great option. There are many benefits of online colleges:

Flexibility

In an online college class, you are not required to be in the virtual college classroom at any specific time of the day. Instead, you simply involve yourself in the class discussion and do your schoolwork at any time that’s convenient to you, even if that means you’re typing away at the computer at three in the morning after you’ve gotten the kids off to bed. You can take as many or as few classes as you can handle. While there are still deadlines in an online class, the times you choose to devote to your work is entirely up to you.

Work Experience

Most college students find that it’s nearly impossible to go to school and work a full-time job. However, the flexibility of an online school can allow a student to work full-time and go to school part-time without all of the time restraints of having to be on a campus four times a week for three hours a day. This can lead to valuable work experience in your field that will set you ahead of traditional college students after you graduate. Because you’re able to go out and get a full-time job, you can pursue a career in your field even before you have your degree, and you won’t have to worry about your work and school schedules conflicting. This will make your degree much more marketable than it would be for someone with just a degree and no real world experience.

When you’re shopping for an online school, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind in order to find the best online college for you. Here are some tips on how to find the best online college:

Look for Schools with Accreditation

In the U.S., there are six main college accrediting agencies: Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western. When you looking for a school’s accreditation, make sure that they list one of these agencies or provide contact information for one that is not listed here. Some schools list fake accrediting agencies and even create websites for them. This is not good for you for two reasons: one, schools that are accredited by national accrediting agencies have been deemed competent to offer postsecondary education, and two, some employers and graduate schools will not accept degrees from non-accredited colleges. Therefore, it’s important to choose an accredited school.

Take Note of the Program Requirements

If you want to finish your online degree as soon as possible, then you’ll want to look for a program that allows students to take as many courses as they want each semester or quarter. If you want to take very few courses a semester, then you’ll want to choose a school that has a program that doesn’t have a graduation time limit. Furthermore, if you can’t commit to being online at a certain time each week, then you’ll want to make sure that the school you choose doesn’t have class times in which its students are required to be present in their classroom.

Consider the Student Amenities

The best online universities will offer online students the same amenities as campus-based students. This includes things like financial aid, professor office hours, a career services department, job placement services, an online bookstore, an email account, and access to an online library. Ideally, studying at an online college should not be much different than studying at a campus. If a school that you’re considering does not offer these amenities to their online students, then you may want to consider applying to one that does.

A scholarship is a form of financial aid that is awarded to a student based on certain qualities such as financial need, educational merit, involvement in community service, or membership in a certain group. However, each scholarship will have its own specific requirements. Scholarships vary in amount and do not have to be repaid. Often, students are required to submit certain things in order to be considered for a scholarship, including an application, FAFSA results, and an essay.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of scholarships out there, and many go unused year after year. This is because finding a scholarship requires a significant amount of time and research. This is true for online college scholarships as well as traditional college scholarships. Often, a student’s school will have a list of scholarships that are school or area specific, but these scholarships are generally difficult to obtain because of the school wide competition for such a limited number of scholarships.

However, there are many ways to find online college scholarships. First, students should check with their online school and find out if the financial aid department has a list of scholarships that are awarded solely to students of that school. This is a good way to investigate available scholarships because students know that they already meet one of the scholarship’s requirements. However, if you cannot find or receive a scholarship through this means, you’ll need to venture out into your community and the Internet.

Many websites offer scholarship databases where students simply fill out a few pages about themselves, their parents, and their program of study and career goals. The website will then compare their answers to the requirements of all of the scholarships in their database and display the scholarships that the student qualifies for. Generally, the same scholarships that are available to campus-based students will be available to online students. It’s best to check the organization’s website when you find a scholarship you’re interested in so that you get the most recent information.

Other places to find online college scholarships include through your employer, through individuals or organizations in your community, through your parent’s employer, or through any clubs or groups that you or your parents belong to. It may require a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the end when your online education is free.

Filling out an online college application is not so much different than filling out an application for a traditional college. You’ll need to include basic information such as your name, phone number, address, social security number, etc. You’ll also need to include the names and addresses of any other postsecondary schools you’re earned credits in as well as the name and address of your high school. Depending on your age, you may even need to offer some information about your parents.

You’ll need to obtain a copy of your high school diploma and transcripts or GED scores in most cases, though some career diploma schools don’t always require that their students be high school graduates. In some cases, you’ll need to send a copy of your high school writing portfolio. You’ll also need to send transcripts of the work you completed at any other college, even if it was just one college class you took while you were still in high school.

Some online college applications require that you submit an essay along with you application materials, though this is rare for a continuing education college. For financial aid purposes, you’ll probably have to fill out a FAFSA as well as any supporting documents that the college will need in order to process your financial aid awards. Some students may be required to send in copies of their tax returns for review by the financial aid committee.

Some online colleges may also require that a student complete an entrance exam. Sometimes these exams are simply meant to assist the college in placing you in general education courses that are appropriate to your level of education, and sometimes they’re meant to determine if a student is educated enough to attend a college. Colleges that have a limited number of student slots available may use low placement test scores as an excuse to not accept a student into their program. These placement tests generally occur over the Internet and have a time limit.

While most of the forms you’ll need can be found and filed on the school’s website, you should plan to have to submit additional materials by postal mail. Make sure to read the application information section carefully on each of the websites of the schools that you are applying for because each will have different requirements.

Dr. Caroll Ryan, President of California Southern University joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at California Southern University.

CalSouthern has been offering degree programs since 1978. We have degrees in Behavioral Sciences, Law, and Business. All degrees are earned completely online with the help of our web-interactive platform and learner resources.

Specific degree programs include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA)
• Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)
• Master of Science in Psychology (MS)
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Science in Law (MSL)
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies (AALS)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

CalSouthern is unique! In addition to the numerous degrees that are approved for state licensure, we also offer every new student the opportunity to take single courses. If you are looking to take a few classes for personal growth or needing to take a few units to complete a degree or test the waters before committing to a degree-based program, our enrollment advisors will guide you to find the right classes.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Each degree program is different, based on state licensure and guidelines set by state boards. Bachelor’s degrees will take the average student four years to complete. Your MBA can be earned in as little as one year with learners completing one course per month, while the Master’s degrees in Psychology and Law can be completed in two to three years. The doctorate degree in Psychology and Business Administration can be realized in only three years with the Juris Doctor completed by our students in four years.

What would you say makes California Southern University programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

CalSouthern is committed to continuing our rich history of personalized attention and prompt service to every student. We realize that our online students expect a personal touch from enrollment through graduation and our goal of creating a community for you is accomplished through our online and interactive learner website.

Another point where we differ is in the cost of education. Affordable tuition is one of the most important factors when students are deciding on which university to attend. With tuition as low as $140 per unit, you are able to start earning your degree without tuition cost keeping you from realizing your dreams.

There is some debate as to whether or not online degrees are as worthwhile as traditional degrees. What steps does California Southern University take to ensure that online students are receiving the same education that they’d receive in a classroom?

You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between CalSouthern and a traditional brick and mortar facility when looking at different course syllabi and our list of approved textbooks. Our deans and faculty are highly respected leaders of the education community and many of our faculty members are professors and lecturers at the traditional universities as well. They are also working professional practitioners in their fields. Although brick and mortar has been the tradition in higher level education, major universities are now looking to us as a model to creating their own Distance Learning programs.

What would you say are some of the benefits of earning a degree online rather than in a traditional classroom?

Flexibility and personal attention are the top reasons to choose CalSouthern over a traditional institution or other distance learning universities. Flexibility is the basis of any online degree program and CalSouthern realizes that every learner is different when it comes to study time and staying in contact with Faculty Mentors and Advisors. As a student you can balance your study schedule around work responsibilities and family time by eliminating the need to commute to school, parking costs, and the time it takes to walk to classes. In addition, new classes start every month, so you don’t have to wait for the beginning of the semester.

Where CalSouthern differs from other online universities is that we pride ourselves in maintaining a high-level of communication with each and every student. Advisors, Faculty Mentors, and University Staff are available by phone and by email. Our Advisors are committed to helping you reach your degree goals.

Online universities can also be less expensive than traditional facilities and CalSouthern has proven to be one of the most affordable universities as compared to traditional and other online programs. Many of our students find the low cost of our programs as an added benefit and a major reason they choose CalSouthern.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

CalSouthern provides a number of payment options including interest-free monthly payments. In addition students are able to obtain financing from Sallie Mae. With the low cost of the tuition at California Southern University, students have found our options to be very attractive for their budgets.

Do you have any advice for students enrolling in online classes for the first time?

When enrolling in any online program, you want to make sure that you are receiving the kind of personal attention that will help guide you through your educational goals. The Enrollment Advisors and Academic Advisors are proud to represent CalSouthern as leaders in personal one-on-one attention with all students.

To Request more information about the distance learning programs available through CalSouthern, Go here to visit them online.

Thank you Dr. Ryan, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview!

Edward J. Latessa, Professor and Division Head at University of Cincinnati Divison of Criminal Justice.

Tell us about the distance learning Criminal Justice programs offered at University of Cincinnati.

UC began its online master’s program in criminal justice in 2001. This program is designed for working professionals; students take two courses per term, back-to-back so that they can focus on one class at a time, and complete the program in two years. 

A new one-year accelerated online program began in Fall 2007. This option enables highly-motivated students to take four courses per term and complete the program in half the time. It is intended for students who do not plan to work full-time while completing the program.

Both programs use the same curriculum: 16 courses covering theory, administration and policy, research, and special topics. Within the curriculum, students select four elective seminars, ranging from White-Collar Crime to Community Corrections. They also complete a demonstration research project, which serves as a capstone experience.

What would you say makes University of Cincinnati Criminal Justice programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

The reputation of the program sets us apart from others. The University of Cincinnati’s Division of Criminal Justice is one of the premier criminal justice schools in the world, currently ranked #3 among all Ph.D.-granting criminal justice universities by U.S. News & World Report. No other top-10 criminal justice school has a fully-online program. Additionally, our faculty are #1 among criminal justice faculty in publication of research, according to a study in The Journal of Criminal Justice.

How important would you say accreditation is when choosing an online college?

Accreditation is a critical consideration when researching and selecting any higher education program, whether online or on campus. Regional accreditation is the most widely-accepted form of institutional accreditation, and our admission standards reflect this fact. An applicant to any graduate program at the University of Cincinnati must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. The key here is that accreditation ensures standards. Universities, employers, and students recognize the value of regional accreditation.

There is some debate as to whether or not online degrees are as worthwhile as traditional degrees. What steps does University of Cincinnati take to ensure that online students are receiving the same education that they’d receive in a classroom?

Most importantly, our on-campus and online programs have the same faculty. Some programs hire adjunct professors to teach online students, while their full-time faculty teach campus students. Because UC’s faculty teach in both programs, they ensure that the educational experience is comparable.

UC is committed to ensuring that online and on-campus students experience the same learning outcomes. In fact, the degree earned online is identical to the degree earned on-campus, and every year we welcome online students to our graduation ceremonies. For most distance learning students, graduation is the first time they visit the UC campus. But their connections to their fellow students, facilitators, faculty, and support staff during the program are as substantial as their on-campus counterparts.

What would you say are some of the benefits of earning a degree online rather than in a traditional classroom?

Results from surveys of our students indicate that the three most important benefits of UC’s online MCJ program are flexible scheduling, the prestige of the institution, and the length of the program. The Blackboard learning management system enables students to interact with classmates, facilitators, and faculty at any time. We have students in every U.S. time zone, and even some living abroad, and the learning platform ensures that they can balance their studies with their work and personal responsibilities.

Additionally, UC’s reputation as a leader in applied research in criminology and corrections helps students and graduates to open doors to new professional opportunities. And the flexibility of one- and two-year options enable students to achieve their educational goals while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

Does University of Cincinnati offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

The two-year program is designed for working professionals, most of whom already work in some capacity in criminal justice or protective services fields. UC does not provide formal job placement services for students in their distance learning programs. But it is worth noting that the programs provide opportunities to network with peers, facilitators, and faculty. And the university’s reputation in criminal justice is also a strong “door-opener” for graduates seeking to change jobs or enter a new field.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

The program is eligible for all forms of Title IV federal financial aid, including the Federal Stafford Loan and Perkins Loan. The program cost is reasonable, so federal loan programs usually cover students’ program costs. Many of our students also receive tuition reimbursement from their employers.

Do you have any advice for students enrolling in online classes for the first time?

It is important for students to understand that graduate-level work, in any program, should focus on honing students’ critical thinking skills. So it can be very different from undergraduate work. Along with critical thinking skills, students should be prepared to hone their writing skills.

One additional piece of advice for online students is to look for opportunities to apply your newly-acquired knowledge in your workplace. Students note that they often learned a new concept or framework over the weekend and used it to solve problems in their jobs the next week.

What do you enjoy most about your position in the University of Cincinnati?

I enjoy working with students, both in the campus and online programs, and continuing my research. My staff and I have assessed over 450 correctional programs at facilities across the country, which enables me to bridge the gap between theory and practice. We have a robust doctoral program on campus as well, and it is good to watch our graduates earn teaching appointments at other institutions. So I enjoy the variety of my work.

To request more information on this Criminal Justice program at University of Cincinnati, go here to visit them online. 

Thank you Edward, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview!  

About Edward J. Latessa
Edward J. Latessa, PhD, is Professor and Division Head for the Division of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Latessa has published over 110 works in the area of criminal justice, corrections, and juvenile justice. He is co-author of seven books, including Corrections in the Community, which is now in its fourth edition, and  Corrections in America which is in its 11th edition.. Dr. Latessa teaches the Corrections in the Community course online and on campus.

Larry Gould, Provost/VP for Academic Affairs at Fort Hays State University joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Fort Hays State University.

Currently, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) offers one associate’s degree, 14 bachelor’s degrees, 9 master’s degrees, and nearly 20 undergraduate and graduate certificate programs, all available completely on line.  One of our most popular undergraduate programs is the Bachelor’s of General Studies, which is designed to be a degree completion program for the adult learner who needs a baccalaureate degree for career advancement.  Students find this program to be a highly flexible option, particularly if they have already completed several years of college.  Currently, FHSU offers nine different concentration areas, but students may also work with an advisor to build a custom program of study.

Several of FHSU’s online programs have been designated as a “best buy” in distance education by GetEducated.com, including the BBA in Management, MBA in Leadership, BS in Justice Studies, the Masters of Liberal Studies-Justice Studies emphasis and the BA in Sociology.

Detailed information about each program can be found here.    

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?
 
Duration of any program depends on the individual student’s enthusiasm, the time available for study and course status.  Some students begin with a significant number of credit hours and need only 30 hours to complete a bachelor’s degree.  Some students come in with very few credit hours.  Most fall somewhere in between.  Also, students may choose to enroll on a part-time basis, while others enroll full-time.  Some students may enroll for a semester or two, but then need to sit out due to family or work obligations.  Others are able to complete their degrees uninterrupted.

FHSU believes it is important to offer students great flexibility in completing a degree.  On the other hand, it is important to understand there are some time limits on the validity of course work and programs.  We do not set a minimum number of hours or classes per semester to remain in good standing.  We do require acceptable grade point averages each semester to continue in a program.   Time limitations are liberal and can be found in the university catalog. We know that for the majority of online learners, earning an undergraduate or graduate degree requires a significant investment of time and effort.  Our goal is to enable students to complete their degree on their time schedule, not ours.  This is why we offer extra online tutoring and writing assistance that other institutions do not offer. 

What would you say makes Fort Hays State University programs different and better than other comparable online programs?
 
First of all, unlike a lot of online programs, all degree-seeking Virtual College students have an academic advisor in their program of study.  In addition, all non-degree seeking students have the option of working with an advisor if they feel it would benefit them.  Advising happens at the departmental level, often by faculty who also teach online.  They understand the academic needs of students, but they also know what it takes to be an online learner. 

Second, the majority of our online courses are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus.  Many are tenured or tenure-track faculty whose main focus is student learning – not research, not their “day job” in corporate America.  We think that’s really important to ensure online students a comparable experience online to what they’d get in a traditional campus.

Third, for its 105 year history as a regional, state-supported institution, Fort Hays State University’s mission has been to provide students access to a high quality, affordable education, and it has always been dedicated to meeting the educational needs of first-generation college students.  We believe a well educated citizenry is important to democracy.  As technology made higher education available to almost all who seek it, we have maintained our mission of keeping education affordable and accessible to all, including the online learner in Kansas or anywhere in the world.  We believe you will be hard-pressed to find a more affordable tuition and fees price-point that what we offer at FHSU. 

Finally, we stay with you personally, professionally, for a lifetime when it comes to job placement and the need for new credentials.  We help you find not only your first job, but the second, third and so on.   We know you want to advance in your career and we want to be a part of that lifelong learning process.

How important would you say accreditation is when choosing an online college?
 
Accreditation is absolutely critical.  Not only does it guarantee students some minimum standard of quality, as determined by an accrediting agency, but it’s also important to employers.  FHSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, one of the premier regional accrediting organizations in the country.  Within the HLC accreditation options, FHSU has selected the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) track.  This quality management accreditation track has been recommended by the US Department of Education.   As one of the seven regional accrediting associations in the US, HLC accreditation means your coursework will transfer to other institutions with almost no difficulty compared to national or other distance learning accreditation agencies.  
 
There is some debate as to whether or not online degrees are as worthwhile as traditional degrees. What steps does Fort Hays State University take to ensure that online students are receiving the same education that they’d receive in a classroom?

FHSU believes we offer better education in many cases than what is offered in the classroom. That’s because we start with a carefully thought out course development process that is reinforced by a nationally recognized quality assurance rubric known as Quality Matters.  Add to this specially constructed course development process the fact that FHSU ensures that a majority of the classes we offer online are taught by the same faculty who teach traditional, face-to-face courses on our Hays (KS) campus.  We reinforce 0ur faculty with the best technology and course management systems and allow every student to express his or her satisfaction with our services.  Student satisfaction is important to us because the feedback provided helps us to improve and change. 

What would you say are some of the benefits of earning a degree online rather than in a traditional classroom?

First and foremost, an online degree gives students ultimate flexibility and convenience. Asynchronous learning (different time, different place), which primarily happens through Blackboard, the university’s course management system, enables students to study and interact with their classmates at times that best suit their schedule.  Most, if not all, distance degree programs will tout this feature, but its importance cannot be understated.  

Furthermore, place bound students have great choice in the marketplace today for what degree program they select and where they choose to enroll.  For a student located in a rural community, with no two or four-year institutions close-by, it means access to higher education that has never existed in the history of higher ed.

Another benefit is that online learning is geared for the adult learner, which means that learning isn’t nearly so instruction based.  Through online discussions, students learn from one another, and the instructor can serve as more of a facilitator or mentor.  The goal of much online learning is to bring the student into the experience in a way that can’t always be done in the classroom. 

If a student enrolled in one of your programs was interested in finding an internship in their field in their area, do you have any means of assisting them in acquiring an internship position?

That is a fabulous question.  Because the majority of our students are non-traditional, meaning they are at least 25 years old and already in the workforce, most enroll for career enhancement or progression within their current field.  However, students enrolled through the Virtual College can take full advantage of the resources available through our Career Services office.  Because many students are place bound in distant parts of the country, it can be more difficult to help them find internship experiences.  However, our professional staff is always eager to assist Virtual College students over the phone, by email and through the web site.  Also, Virtual College students can also work closely with their program advisor, whether in business or INT or sociology, to find or create an internship experience.  Several of our online degrees actually require an internship and, often, faculty will encourage students to find an internship with or without the university’s help because of the valuable work experience acquired.

Does Fort Hays State University offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

Certainly!  FHSU invites online students to use any and all of the services available through Career Services. The Career Services web site serves as the primary resource for students, including sample resumes, cover letters, interviewing tips, and an interview video that can be used for both internships and full-time employment, and job search sites.   Also, online students are eligible to register with our new Careers for Tigers program, which gives them access to job postings.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?
 
Yes, financial aid is available to Virtual College students as long as they are admitted as degree-seeking students or are admitted to our Teacher Licensure program.  Students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours to qualify, which is the federal requirement. A high percentage of students who apply for federal aid qualify because almost all students are able to borrow through the loan programs.  Since many online students have careers and are working, they tend to qualify for less Pell Grants but, unlike loans can be awarded to less than half-time students.  Even so, 30 percent of the undergraduate Virtual College students qualify for Pell Grants. 

Because the Virtual College student population is so diverse, it would be difficult to provide any meaningful averages as to dollar amount a student should expect to receive.  Because of this, we think it best for a student to apply for aid and make financial decisions based on the circumstances specific to them.  While the aid side of the question is very important, it’s also important to emphasize that FHSU has worked hard on the other side of the financial equation–costs.  FHSU has succeeded in keeping tuition prices down in the first place, making the aid a student receives go much farther and keeping loan debt manageable.

Do you have any advice for students enrolling in online classes for the first time?
 
Absolutely!  Online learning (when it’s done right) isn’t a quick and easy way to a degree.  As you transition back into the world of higher education, you need to be sure to plan your time carefully.  In that first semester, it may take longer than you might have expected to get your work done – partly because you might have been out of college for a while, but often because life happens.  As an online learner, you’ll be entirely responsible for ensuring that you keep up on the readings, review the online lectures, participate in discussions, and turn in assignments.  It’s important to set a schedule and keep to it.  We have a quick quiz on the Virtual College web site to “test” your disposition toward online learning and a list of frequently asked questions to help you after you begin your class work.   We also recommend you learn about our online tutoring services, our fantastic library assistance and the many other academic support services available to get you through that first semester or year. 

What do you enjoy most about your position at Fort Hays State University?

The friendliness and caring FHSU faculty and staff is what makes my job so enjoyable.   I’m surrounded by people who care and believe in constantly improving what we do.   This attitude is contagious and is carried over into the online and campus learning environments in a way you will not find at other institutions.   As a chief academic officer, it’s important to have the “right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats on the bus.”  Believe me, at FHSU, we’re all about great customer service and people helping people.  It’s a joy to come to work in the morning when you’re surrounded by staff and faculty who truly believe that education is the most important path to the American Dream.  

To Request more information about the distance learning programs available through Fort Hays State University, Go here to visit them online.

Thank you Larry, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview! 

Marla J. Solomon, Ed.D., Dean of Graduate Programs at the School for International Training joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at the School for International Training.

Our approach is actually to combine face-to-face with distance learning components in many variations throughout our programs.  The purpose of this hybrid format is to build a strong learning community face-to-face which can stay strong throughout the distance learning process, bringing into our programs the best of both components. 

Our newest degree program format is our most distance-oriented.  The International Education Low Residency Master’s degree and Graduate Certificate programs are designed for working professionals who would like to obtain a graduate degree while continuing their careers. Professionals in fields such as education abroad, international advising and training, citizen exchange, and program development benefit from knowledge and skills that they can apply directly to their work, rather than having to wait for an internship or graduation. They receive course credit for documenting the integration of their knowledge and skills in a professional context while remaining engaged with faculty and other students.

There are a variety of other ways we incorporate distance learning into our programs.  All of our programs include a field-based practical component through which our participants apply theoretical knowledge and analytical frameworks in a professional career setting outside of the classroom.  This can be considered a form of distance learning as well. Depending on the program and specific learning objectives of the participant, this practice phase could involve experiences such as researching health needs in a community in Uganda, conducting teacher-training in Romania or coordinating an international exchange program in San Francisco.  Participants are supervised by faculty advisors who are practicing professionals in addition to being accomplished scholars who write and publish in their fields.  They help facilitate the participants’ full integration of theory, analysis and. practice through interaction on a course management website, email communications or in some cases, field visits.

For nearly 25 years our Summer Masters of Arts in Teaching (SMAT) program has provided a unique format for working language teachers to keep their jobs while working on a master’s degree. The participants devote two summer semesters of on-campus coursework to acquire the theoretical knowledge and develop the professional competencies that they will apply in their own classrooms during their Interim Year Teaching Practicum. During this practicum, an SIT faculty member observes their classes, wherever they are in the world, for a week. The rest of the year is spent reflecting on and writing a series of reports about different aspects of their teaching as they learn how to better monitor themselves and make their teaching more effective.

Another program for teachers that incorporates distance learning is the Teacher Training and Professional Development Institute, which provides professional development courses and workshops for teachers involved or interested in teacher training and supervision. Some Institute courses are taught on the School for International Training campus in Brattleboro, Vermont while others are taught entirely online and can be taken from anywhere in the world.

Although we do not offer programs that are totally delivered at a distance with no residential component, we have been moving more toward enhancing our field –based studies through technology, using online course management systems and other social interaction tools such as wikis, sharing of case analyses through discussion forums, podcasting, etc.. For example, our Conflict Transformation Across Cultures (CONTACT) Certificate program combines short-term residential sessions with online learning to minimize time away from jobs and families for peacebuilding professionals engaged in their communities around the world. The Graduate Certificate is a one-year, part-time, 14-credit graduate and professional development program.

Both CONTACT and the International Education Low Residency programs begin with a residential session in June at the School for International Training. This session provides a program orientation and some initial coursework as well as an opportunity for community building before leaving campus for the online component. The International Education Low Residency program also offers options to take elective courses in multiple locations, formats and times, including an intensive residential Intercultural Communication course offered at an overseas location or at our campus in Vermont.

We also have online courses such as Fundraising Principles that are offered for elective credit.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Our low-residency programs follow a more structured sequence as students complete the online coursework and reflective practice through their current jobs.  Graduate Certificate students should complete their program in one year, while Master’s degree students continue with another year of coursework for a total of 24 months. Individual courses are completed in a mini-term or a semester.

What would you say makes the School for International Training programs different than other comparable online programs?

We are known for our unique educational approach that integrates interdisciplinary learning, intercultural interaction and rigorous practice in real world settings to develop strong change leaders with intercultural competence and real world problem-solving skills.  Our online offerings, whether delivered through customized courses or low-residency graduate degree programs, allow professionals to access our programs without leaving the important work they are doing in communities around the world.  Our online offerings also emphasize collaborative experiential learning as do all of our programs. 

How important would you say accreditation is when choosing a college with online courses?

It is absolutely important and all of our programs are accredited. Before we launched the International Education Low Residency program, we sought and received approval from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Inc. (NEASC) through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

There is some debate as to whether or not online courses are as worthwhile as traditional courses. What steps does the School for International Training take to ensure that online students are receiving the same education that they’d receive in a classroom?

The courses and faculty for the online and on-campus programs are the same, but in some cases a few adjustments were made in the sequencing and structure to adapt to an online format.  The development of the International Education Low Residency program was done in a highly participatory manner to ensure that the services such as career counseling, library, financial aid, participation in governance, etc. offered to those in the low-residency programs are the same as what the on-campus students receive.  Our library serves about 2,000 students a year at off-site locations around the world, enrolled in both our Graduate and Professional Programs and our undergraduate Study Abroad programs.  As a result, we have built and continue to grow our online accessibility, resources, and search tools with this idea of a global virtual campus in mind. 

What would you say are some of the benefits of learning online rather than in a traditional classroom?

A huge benefit is that students can continue working and remain connected to their families, careers and communities. They also continue to earn an income so that the financial burden of studies is not as great.

In terms of learning, many students thrive in an environment where they can read, reflect and interact with others who are experiencing similar situations but in varied socio-cultural, political or geographic contexts.  In our programs, we also utilize the online format to bring students together from and working in a variety of contexts and countries; the online environment gives them access to learning from and with each other while not located together. 

Do you have any advice for students enrolling in online classes for the first time?

It is important for online program applicants to do a self-inventory to determine if this format would work with their learning style, schedule and resources.  We ask our program applicants to reflect on whether they manage their time effectively and independently and if they have access to and are comfortable with using various technology tools. Applicants are also asked to document their experience and familiarity with instructional technology or distance learning and how the setting (work and other) will contribute to their own and the learning of others in their cohort.

If a student enrolled in one of your programs was interested in finding an internship in their field in their area, do you have any means of assisting them in acquiring an internship position?

SIT’s career center is an important resource for the career guidance, job searching, networking and professional development needs of students and alumni. Our students in low-residency programs will have the same access to resources as other students, including the Organization Resource Bank, an online collection of profiles of over 800 organizations and institutions worldwide.

Is financial aid available to online students?

Yes, since our programs are fully accredited, financial aid and counseling are available to students.

Can you tell us more about the School for International Training?

The School for International Training (SIT) is World Learning’s accredited institution of higher education.  World Learning is a 75-year-old nonprofit international organization with four divisions: the School for International Training, which includes SIT Study Abroad and the Graduate and Professional Programs; World Learning for International Development, and The Experiment in International Living.

SIT is committed to ensuring that its students are effective in cross-cultural settings and that they understand their citizenship responsibilities transcend local and national boundaries.  SIT Study Abroad provides undergraduate students with a distinctive international education in over 45 countries worldwide — including more opportunities in the developing world than any other program of its kind.  SIT awards master’s degrees in Teaching; International Education; Sustainable Development; Conflict Transformation; Social Justice in Intercultural Relations; Management; and Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management.

If you would like to request more information about the programs available through the School for International Training, please visit our website: go here or contact one of our admissions staff go here.

What do you enjoy most about your position at the School for International Training?

The School for International Training has provided me a place to grow and learn professionally for the last several years.  Our students are committed, passionate, and dedicated to making the world a better place.  It’s exciting to work with them and to try to build programs that help them get the education they need to meet their goals.

To request more information on distance learning programs at School for International Training, go here to visit them online. 

Thank you Marla, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview!  

Dawn Drake, Executive Director for Alternative Delivery Systems at University of Wisconsin - Platville joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

UW-Platteville offers 3 graduate programs (Criminal Justice, Engineering, and Project Management) and 2 undergraduate programs (Business Administration and Criminal Justice) completely online.  In addition, there are several online certificate programs available and students can also take individual classes  to transfer into another program or for professional development.  For a complete listing of our programs and courses, visit our Website.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Our individual courses are set up on a typical semester basis (16 weeks in fall and spring and 10 weeks in the summer).  Most of the students in our programs are taking classes on a part-time basis, while working full time, so the duration of the programs is completely determined by the individual student.  We do not require students to take classes in a cohort basis, so each student can determine the amount of credits they want to take and in which semesters, to best fit their individual needs.

What would you say makes University of Wisconsin-Platteville program different and better than other comparable online programs?

Our online programs are an extension of the successful programs that we have available on our campus, which has a great educational history of nearly 150 years.  All students have an academic advisor, classes with an average enrollment of 22, and access to all academic and administrative services in a centralized Distance Learning Center.  The level of interaction that occurs between students and with the instructors of the courses is very high.  In addition, the student body is very diverse.  We have had students from all 50 states and 42 countries during the past 5 years.  Since most of our students are non-traditional in nature, they bring a wonderful combination of work and life experiences to the classes and share this wealth of experience in their discussions and group projects.   Distance education is a distinct part of the university’s mission statement and is incorporated into all aspects of campus reports and activities.  Selected students and alumni from the programs serve on a Student Advisory Board and Alumni Advisory Board that focuses on distance education topics and initiatives. 

How important would you say accreditation is when choosing an online college?

Given the high standards of becoming accredited, I believe it is very important to know the accreditation status of an institution when choosing an online program.  Since students are not part of an on-campus environment, it is difficult to determine the quality and operations of the institution.  Accreditation provides an opportunity for students to be reassured that the institution must maintain a certain level of quality and standards throughout their operations.  University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently completed their accreditation process and received a full 10-year reaccreditation.  The following statement regarding distance education was part of the final report submitted by the accreditation team:

“The Distance Learning Center provides outstanding support to students and  faculty engaged in distance learning.  The Center provides a single point of access  for student learners where they receive administrative and technical support, and  access to student services, library resources, and course materials.  The Center  assures that best distance education practices are implemented across the curricula  it supports and seeks to constantly improve the e-learning environment for  students.”

There is some debate as to whether or not online degrees are as worthwhile as traditional degrees.  What steps does University of Wisconsin-Platteville take to ensure that online students are receiving the same education that they’d receive in a classroom?

The curriculum for the programs is developed and approved through the same process that is followed for our on-campus programs.  There is a large system of checks and balances that exist to make sure that the quality of the online programs is very high.  In addition, there is required training that all faculty participate in who will be developing and/or teaching online classes.  There is also an established minimum set of quality criteria that must be included in each online course.  If these elements are not present before the semester begins, the course is canceled.  Appropriate educational assistance and resources are also made available to all online students.

What would you say are some of the benefits of earning a degree online, rather than in a traditional classroom?

Based on student feedback, the two biggest benefits of earning a degree online is the flexibility and convenience associated with the programs.  Students do not need to relocate, quit jobs, or defer participation in family activities to continue their education.  Since all of our programs are offered in an asynchronous format, students can log on to the classes when it is convenient for them during the day or night.  The other big benefit is the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of people in classes and the ability for that interaction to occur beyond the classroom.  In a traditional on-campus setting, a conversation gets cut short due to limited time in the classroom.  The online classroom is open 24/7, which encourages fuller, deeper, and higher levels of discussion and interaction.

If a student enrolled in one of your programs was interested in finding an internship in their field in their area, do you have a means of assisting them in acquiring an internship position?

Since the vast majority of our online students (over 97%) are non-traditional in nature, they are already working full or part-time and are not in need of internships.  However, we have had a handful of traditional age students who have approached other class members to ask if they had internships available in their companies and a few have been set up in this informal format.  If traditional students become a larger portion of our student body, we would take this issue into consideration.

Does University of Wisconsin-Platteville off any job placement services to your students and graduates?

As mentioned above, most of our students and alumni are already employed.  However, the campus career services office does offer an online career and placement service for current students and alumni who are interested in participating.  Students and alumni are able to receive career counseling, resume evaluations, and job search techniques online.  In addition, they can post a resume to the online system for employers to review and access all job postings.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Both state and federal financial aid opportunities exist for students in the online programs.  In addition, a large number of students receive tuition reimbursement from their companies.  A limited amount of scholarships are also available for online students.

Do you have any advice for students enrolling in online classes for the first time?

There are three pieces of advice that I would give students who are enrolling for their first online class:

a. Take advantage of the services that are provided by the institution.  UW-Platteville has a wide array of academic and support services available to help students be successful in their online courses.  If you have questions, ask—don’t ignore problems you are having.

b. Do not get behind in your classes.  Just because you do not have to attend an on-campus class, does not mean there are no deadlines.  Carefully review the assignment deadlines and establish a schedule for studying and submitting your work. 

c. Develop a support system with your family, friends, and work colleagues.  Since the majority of our students are trying to combine their educational goals with all of these other people and activities, it is important that you have a good support system set up to help keep you motivated to complete your assignments, courses, and degrees.

What do you enjoy most about your position at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville? 

The most rewarding part of my position at UW-Platteville is knowing that I am helping students continue their education.  For many of our students, there would be no other opportunity for them to earn their degree, if it was not available online.  Understanding the importance of higher education, it is extremely fulfilling to know that our programs have made such a big impact on our students’ lives.  We continually hear these comments from our students and alumni.  This is also an industry in which there are continual changes.  So, personally I always feel that I’m being challenged professionally to stay updated with all of the current distance education information.

To Request more information about the distance learning programs available through University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Go here to visit them online.

Thank you Dawn, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview! 

Dr. Gary A. Massey, Associate Dean for Adult Higher Education and Online Campus for Columbia College joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Columbia College.

Columbia College currently offers 16 online degrees and more than 500 online classes plus an online MBA. The college also will launch an online Master’s in Criminal Justice in January 2008. Students also have the option of taking online and on campus classes at our 32 Nationwide Campuses. The college was founded in 1851 and launched the Online Campus in 2000.
 
What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Eight-week classes are offered five sessions a year starting in January, March, June, August and October. Students may attend all five sessions a year or just one.
 
What would you say makes Columbia College programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

First, Columbia College is consistently ranked among America’s Best Colleges by U.S.News & World Report. We also have been named a Best Midwestern College by Princeton Review.

We believe in academic quality. Our online faculty are practicing professionals who have at least a master’s degree in their field. They also undergo the same screening process as our full-time faculty. They are reviewed and approved by the appropriate department chairs and the dean for Academic Affairs. All course syllabi also are approved by the appropriate department chairs and the dean for Academic Affairs.

Our admissions process is extremely simple. Students fill out a one-page application and submit a one time non-refundable application fee of $35. That’s it.

Our tuition is among the most affordable when compared with other institutions who have attained the same level of accreditation.

Plus we cap the number of students in our online classes at 25. Our online classes are intentionally small to allow our instructors to provide more feedback and contact. Some institutions allow 100 to 200 students to take an online class. We believe a more intimate setting contributes to greater learning.
 
How important would you say accreditation is when choosing an online college?

Just about every online school says it is accredited, but not all accreditations are created equal. It’s important for students to understand what the different accreditations mean. Students may learn more about accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/.

Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, a federally approved organization that accredits 8,500 public and private schools.

Our online degree programs meet the same accreditation standards as our on-campus degree programs.

There is some debate as to whether or not online degrees are as worthwhile as traditional degrees. What steps does Columbia College take to ensure that online students are receiving the same education that they’d receive in a classroom?

It is healthy for us as a society to debate this issue because ultimately it will serve the students better. As for Columbia College, we assess what our students learn through the
“Major Field Test,” which is a test that measures a student’s overall body of knowledge when a student is nearing the completion of a degree program. We have found there is no discernable difference in the average scores of the Major Field Test between students who earned their degree on campus or online.
 
What would you say are some of the benefits of earning a degree online rather than in a traditional classroom?

The obvious benefit is the flexibility provided by online learning. It makes a higher education available to so many individuals who otherwise would never have access to earning a college degree. While it’s true there is a loss of face-to-face interaction between a student and a professor, online students actually may have greater access to their instructors and other students through frequent e-mail, chat rooms and highly intensive discussion boards. Equally important, online learning engages all students in a class. Every student participates in discussions, not just those who are outspoken.
 
Does Columbia College offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

Columbia College online students have access to the Career Services Center by phone, e-mail and in person if they live near Columbia, Mo. They also have access to important career resources online.
 
Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Yes, federal financial aid is available to online students who qualify, plus online students can apply for institutional scholarships available through the Online Campus.

Do you have any advice for students enrolling in online classes for the first time?

As the associate dean of the Online Campus at Columbia College, and an online instructor, my advice to first-time online students is to not underestimate the amount of time it will take to be successful in an online class. Some students have the mistaken idea that online classes may be less rigorous than on campus classes. This just isn’t true. To be a successful online student, you need to have self-discipline. If you procrastinate at all, you may not be able to catch up due to the accelerated class format. 

What do you enjoy most about your position at Columbia College?

I enjoy working for Columbia College because of its size. We are still small enough to know every faculty and staff member by name, yet we are large enough that we have the resources we need available to us. We are limited only by our creativity and imagination in this rapidly changing industry.

Spearheading the online efforts at the college is challenging and exciting because we are a growing program. More than 12,000 students take online classes with us. We are continually adding new online degrees, including graduate degrees. We just launched an online MBA in January 2007 and we are launching a master of science in criminal justice degree in January 2008.

To Request more information about the distance learning programs available through Columbia College, Go here to visit them online.

Thank you Dr. Massey, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview!