Distance Learning Center @ TestPrepReview.com

A distance learning program is an educational program that is delivered either partially or totally away from the college campus. The method of delivery of the coursework varies among distance learning programs. A distance learning program that is print based means that the student purchases a book, receives a syllabus, completes assignments, and submits the assignments through the mail or fax. An online distance learning program involves communication through the internet. Most colleges have a distance learning website where courses can be accessed and a virtual classroom is present. Assignments can be submitted through the websites and quizzes and tests can be accessed. A distance learning program that is videocassette or television based requires the student to either watch lectures or movies on a video that the college disperses or on a channel where the college broadcasts educational programs. A hybrid distance learning program mixes distance education with some face-to-face contact with a professor. The student may be required to go to campus several times throughout the semester to attend lectures, test reviews, or labs. Some courses require conference calls to communicate with the professor and other students. The distance learning program can require testing to be completed at the university campus with a facilitator.

A hybrid distance learning program has some advantages to a strictly online program. Although the student will have to travel to the university on one or more occasions, interaction with a professor can be helpful. Some coursework is easier to understand with a teacher explaining the material or walking the student through it. A student of a distance learning program can often feel disconnected from the college experience and attending the university throughout the semester can help alleviate that feeling. Many times the instructor will tell students what to expect on exams or have on campus review sessions which can be extremely helpful. Connecting with other students in a hybrid distance learning program can lead to the opportunity for discussions with classmates or the creation of peer study groups.

A distance learning PhD is a doctorate obtained through a college offering classes that can be completed away from a university classroom. Many colleges offer distance learning PhD programs in a variety of career fields including education, health services, and history. A distance learning PhD program should take 3-8 years to complete depending on how much time the student has to focus on the degree. Coursework, exams, both oral and written, and a dissertation must be completed. The dissertation in a distance learning PhD program is almost identical to an on campus doctoral program’s dissertation. The dissertation is highly individualized, lengthy and can be completed at the student’s own pace. Because the dissertation is a huge part of earning a doctorate and is written outside of the classroom setting, distance learning PhD programs are a popular avenue to earning the degree. It is possible to get help in completing the distance learning PhD. Potential students should look for universities that offer an extensive online library or access to the campus library. Students should find out how much attention and access they will have to a professor while completing the coursework and dissertation. Once the dissertation is complete, a committee from the college generally evaluates the written work to determine if the PhD will be given to the student. Before entering a distance learning PhD program, the student should verify how the evaluation of the dissertation system works and who will be completing the evaluation.

Distance learning online programs range from a high school diploma to a doctorate. Professional certifications and information on almost any subject can be received through distance learning online. Distance learning online is a fairly new trend because widespread use of the internet is less than 20 years old. Throughout history, society has become more mobile and global creating a need for an educational institution that could be accessed away from a traditional college setting. Distance learning online schools have provided the solution and now students can choose to earn an online degree from many schools all over the country and even overseas. Because the distance learning courses are online, out of state tuition rates do not apply making an online degree affordable.

Most distance learning online degree programs are conducted completely over the internet. Admission, registration, academic counseling and textbooks can all be purchased online. The courses are conducted in a virtual classroom with other online students and a professor. Chat rooms or discussion boards are typically present in the classroom where students are either encouraged or required to interact with one another. Some distance learning online colleges require students to work on virtual learning teams where they must complete team projects over the internet. Through online videos and podcasting, students can view previously taped lectures from instructors without ever entering a classroom. Online students can communicate with other students and their instructors through email. Web conferencing is another communication source where students can talk to their instructors or peer groups in real time if the students and the college have access to the technology.

Distance learning online programs offer flexibility but also require certain personality traits for successful completion. Attendance requires self-motivation and self-discipline. The online student has to be able to schedule time for each class to complete the coursework which requires time management skills. Computer literacy is very important. In a traditional classroom many students rely on somebody else to ask the instructor for clarification. The online student needs to be able to ask questions without fear to make sure he or she understands the class concepts.

Distance learning nursing degree programs were created to provide a flexible and convenient way for people wanting to enter the healthcare industry to become Registered Nurses, or RN’s. Distance learning nursing degrees range from associates to doctorates, and the career possibilities include nursing assistants, registered nurses, and perioperative or emergency room nurses. There are distance learning nursing programs where all the coursework can be completed away from the college and some programs are hybrid, requiring some coursework to be completed on campus and some off campus.

Distance learning nursing degree programs that are completed entirely online have come under some criticism in the healthcare field. Much of the criticism surrounds the fact that working as a nurse requires hands on interaction with patients. Learning how to properly interact with a variety of patients comes from experience generally gained through a traditional nursing program. In traditional programs, students are guided by a preceptor, or person who has worked in the nursing industry and can guide the students through real life examples. Some distance learning nursing programs provide access to preceptors who work alongside the students bringing them practical and up to date knowledge. Preceptors are especially important in perioperative distance learning nursing programs because operating room nurses see a wide variety of highly critical patients and must be able to continuously communicate with doctors. To counteract the critics of distance learning nursing programs, a distance learning nursing student may consider getting a part time position or volunteering in a clinical setting. This experience will provide the student with real world situational experience.

The American Association of Colleges and Nursing, or AACN, is the nationally recognized agency that researches educational facilities specializing in nursing. The AACN’s stance on distance learning nursing programs is that the programs must provide the same level of excellence and accreditation standards as a traditional nursing program. The AACN further states that the distance learning nursing program must provide social and clinical education for the nurses. The Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education or CCNE is both nationally recognized and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as the accreditation agency for nursing schools. When considering a distance learning nursing program, one should ensure it is accredited by the CCNE. The standards of the CCNE for distance learning nursing programs are the same as for traditional programs and if the school is accredited, the student will know he or she is getting a quality degree.

An MBA, or masters of business administration, is an advanced degree earned after a bachelor’s degree. A distance learning MBA can be completed mostly or entirely outside of a traditional classroom and typically online. A distance learning MBA provides working professionals the flexibility to continue their education. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB is a national accrediting agency that reviews business and accounting schools specifically. Before choosing where to complete a distance learning MBA, one should ensure the school is accredited with the AACBS. Another nationally recognized accreditation agency is the Association of MBA’s, or AMBA. When considering whether or not to pursue an MBA, the potential salary increase and the cost of tuition should be considered. AMBA members surveyed professionals with MBA’s and the average salary is $66,500. Most distance learning MBA programs take between 3 and 5 years to complete.   The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB is a national accrediting agency that reviews business and accounting schools specifically. Before choosing where to complete a distance learning MBA, one should ensure the school is accredited with the AACBS. Another nationally recognized accreditation agency is the Association of MBA’s, or AMBA.

There are other factors to consider when choosing the right distance learning MBA program. GetEducated.com is an online distance learning counseling center that researches and ranks distance learning colleges. According to GetEducated.com, the top 3 distance MBA programs come from East Carolina University, Oklahoma State University and Texas A & M University. All 3 MBA’s cost less than $11,000 and all 3 universities are AACBS accredited. The East Carolina distance learning MBA can be completed completely online or both online and on campus. There are no prerequisites, so a person with any bachelor’s degree can enter the East Carolina distance learning MBA program. AMBA suggests considering the reputation of the college within the workforce. Some MBA programs may be more preferable to employers than others and some employers may choose candidates based on where they earned their MBA’s.

Earning a distance learning master’s degree is an excellent way for working adults to increase their salary or change career fields. Most master’s degrees can be earned in 2 years and a distance learning masters program gives students the flexibility to complete the coursework online. Most distance learning departments of both traditional and private universities offer both a masters of arts and a masters of science degree in a variety of areas of study including business, information technology and health care.

Distance learning masters programs offer students the opportunity to earn degrees from other countries which is beneficial in a global marketplace. The coursework is administered through audio tapes, videotapes, and online. Some courses require in-person exams. Through the University of London’s distance education masters programs, these tests can be taken at the 150 testing locations nationwide. The University of London’s distance education masters programs include business administration, law, and human resource management.

Distance learning masters programs in the field of education are among the most popular distance learning degree programs. Distance learning makes it possible for teachers to work while going to school. Many teachers earn a distance learning master’s degree because they can do so after they are already employed. Teachers who have obtained a masters degree earn a higher salary that those with a bachelors. An advanced degree is one of the few ways a teacher can get a salary raise other than the standard district set annual raises. Coursework can be completed in 1-2 years and teachers can take a heavier course load in the summer when they have time off. The coursework can be counted towards the teachers’ occupational requirement to earn Continuing Education Credits.

Distance learning law degree programs are not as common as other distance learning degree programs because the American Bar Association will not accredit distance learning law schools. This does not mean that a distance learning law graduate can not become a lawyer. Each state has different requirements for taking the bar exam and has a board of examiners that reviews each applicant. A typical state requirement is a degree from an accredited law school and most states look to the American Bar Association for a list of their accredited law schools. This means that in most states a person who graduates from a distance learning law program will not be able to take the required bar exam. The only state currently allowing students who earn a distance learning law degree, or Juris Doctorate, to take the bar exam is California. Many students will attend a distance education college based in California, take the bar exam and practice in California. When one passes the bar exam, he or she is only permitted to practice law in the state where he or she passed the bar. Some state representatives are trying to pass legislation to allow people who have attended a distance learning law college, passed the bar and want to relocate to a different state to take the bar exam and practice in a different state. These attempts have so far been unsuccessful.

The California based Concord Law School was founded in 1998 and was the first distance learning law school. Although it remains unaccredited by the American Bar Association and State Bar of California, the Committee of Bar examiners of the State Bar in California allows graduates of the Juris Doctor program to apply for admission to the State Bar of California and take the California bar exam. The entrance requirements to the Concord distance learning law school include a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, passing an entrance exam, and a review by a board of school representatives. Tuition is $8900 annually and the program is 4 years in length. A traditional law college generally charges $60,000 for a Juris Doctorate but the Concord school is almost half making it an affordable alternative. For those students who do not want to take the state bar exam but want more legal knowledge, Concord offers a distance learning law degree called an Executive Juris Doctor. The program is three years in length.

The popularity of distance learning has grown worldwide and has become a popular source for education in India. Many people living in rural parts of India do not have access to an elementary education and adults find it difficult to travel to a university to continue their education into college. In September of 2004, a satellite strictly used for education made distance learning India courses available to more people than ever before. This educational satellite is the first of its kind and is dedicated for the use of educational information.

Meeting the demands of technology to bring distance learning India programs to the public has been challenging, but the colleges in India are making great strides to meet the challenge. The largest distance learning India College is the Indira Gandhi National Open University. The university realizes that most people living in rural India do not have access to televisions. Televisions are the instrument through which many of the distance learning India courses are administered. The university solved the problem by sending satellite links of distance learning courses to 2,000 schools and learning centers all over the country. For those students who can not travel to one of these learning centers and do not have access to television, the university created 12 FM stations where classes can be accessed. Most can afford a radio and this delivery of curriculum will greatly increase the distance learning India programs accessibility.

Another example of a distance learning India College is the Amity School of Distance Learning. The Amity School has been ranked number 1 in India by the B-school ranking survey. The school offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in the business and information technology fields. The school is similar to the format of distance education colleges in America and markets to working professionals, military members, and mothers staying at home with their children.

Most universities offer a distance learning history degree program because it is a diverse degree that can be used in many career fields. Through a distance learning history program, a student can major or minor in history and can work towards a bachelors, masters or doctorate. Most people who do not plan on continuing their education beyond a bachelor’s degree in history use the degree to teach at the high school level. The history portion of the degree can be earned through a distance learning history program. The student will have to fulfill a student teaching requirement at a school to earn his or her teaching certification so that part of the degree plan can not be done through distance education. Student teaching requires a semester of full time work at a school and the distance learning history program will coordinate the student teaching.

Many people will earn a bachelor’s in history as a stepping stone to further their education. Distance learning history colleges offer masters programs in specialized areas such as art history and military history. With a master’s degree, the graduate can teach at the community college level. Pre-law students can earn a bachelor of arts in history on their path to entering law school. Distance learning history doctorate programs are a good choice for working professionals who want to continue their education. To teach at a major state university, a Ph.D. is required. Many community college professors will continue their education through a distance learning history program so they can reach the university level. Ph.D. programs vary based on the college, but many offer Ph.D.’s in United States History, Latin American History, and Philosophy.

The American Military University is an example of a college that offers distance learning history degree programs that can be completed entirely online. The university offers both bachelors and masters in history and military history. The university is regionally and nationally accredited by the North Central Association and the Distance Education and Training Council. The university caters to working adults by providing classes that begin every month and classes that do not require the student to login at specific dates or times.

A distance learning high school is a new choice for students who can not attend traditional high school. Some reasons for the inability to go to traditional high school include health problems, transportation problems for those in rural areas, and students who work. Some students with attention deficit disorder simply can not stay on task in a regular classroom environment. Before distance learning, home schooling was the only option for many students with challenges prohibiting them from attending traditional high school. Because many parents work full time, home schooling was not an option. Rather than dropping out of high school and earning a GED, it is now possible for those students to attend a distance learning high school and graduate with a traditionally recognized high school diploma.

Finding a distance learning high school can be challenging. Many states have attendance requirements for their public school systems so distance learning high schools are not widely available. Some states allow for public charter schools, and some of the charter schools offer distance learning high school programs. Although these schools are only available in a few states, they are funded by the government making the education free just like with a traditional public school. Minnesota Online High School is an online charter school where students can get a high school diploma. The school has enrollment limitations, so they take those applicants who apply first. The school is online and can be attended by anyone, anywhere in the state of Minnesota. Some distance learning high school programs are private. Being private means the high school charges tuition and these high schools do not have to comply with government regulations. Because of this freedom, the parent or potential student should ensure the school is regionally accredited so the diploma is of value. There are state universities, like Indiana State University for example, which offer distance learning high school programs. Indiana State is accredited by the North Central Association, a regional accrediting agency. The Indiana State distance learning high school program offers the student access to the University of Indiana’s library and offers Academic Honors Diplomas.