Distance Learning Center @ TestPrepReview.com

The number of distance learning universities has increased drastically to meet the demands of adults who want to continue their education outside of a traditional classroom. According to a U.S. Department of Education study in 2000, 89-90% of public 2-and 4-year colleges offered distance learning courses. Private distance learning universities are abundant and continue to grow. Deciding among the hundreds of distance learning universities available can be challenging and frustrating. Searching the internet for accredited distance learning universities will produce pages of universities offering distance learning programs. These claims can be deceiving because some distance learning universities are accredited but not by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education (CHEA). When sorting through all the available distance learning universities, a potential student should first determine what mode of instruction he or she is most comfortable with and find a university that offers courses delivered in the preferred manner. Some students may learn better with online courses while others may prefer to learn from a videocassette. The student should determine how if he or she has the ability to travel to campus at any time during the program. State and community colleges typically require exams and labs to be conducted on campus. Private universities are the best option for those students who want to take all courses away from campus. The student should check the costs of the available universities and make sure the private universities are accredited by an agency approved by the USDE or CHEA. Federal financial aid will not be available for students who attend unaccredited distance learning universities. An advisor at any university can answer any other questions a potential student may have.

A distance learning university will offer all coursework required for a bachelors, masters or doctorate away from campus. Most traditional state universities and community colleges offer distance learning courses but few have programs that can be completed entirely through distance learning. Because of this distinction, a distance learning university will typically be private, for-profit university and the tuition rates may be higher than a public university. A distance learning university will offer many methods of coursework delivery. Many distance learning universities use online technology and the internet to deliver the coursework. The internet provides students the ability to interact with the instructor and other students through message boards and email. A distance learning university may use other methods of instruction such as textbooks, videocassettes, and closed circuit television. Through these types of course delivery, the communication is one way and there is very little two-way communication.

A distance learning university may not be a good choice for every student. Because there is no classroom time, a learner who needs to hear information to retain it will have a hard time in a distance learning program. The coursework at a distance learning university is typically writing intensive so a potential student should enjoy writing and responding to emails and discussion boards. Exams at a distance learning university are typically administered online with a time limit attached. Even with a time limit, students have their textbooks to look up answers during the tests. Because of the problem that every test is open book and many students can collaborate with each other to take an online test, many professors at distance learning universities have made the courses even more writing intensive and based on fewer exams. A distance learning university is a non-traditional form of education so a person considering a distance program should make sure the degree will be accepted by whatever profession he or she desires.

Distance learning courses are classes taken through a process other than spending hours in a classroom setting with an instructor teaching lessons. Distance learning courses can be taken online, through the mail, print-based, via teleconferencing, via television, or via videocassette. Because the courses are not in a classroom, the students must be self-motivated and possess technical skills. Distance learning courses can be taken either one at a time, or several at a time. Some universities offer distance learning courses that are particular to their university and will not transfer to another college. They count for college credit towards a degree from the university the course is taken at, but will not transfer to another school. If the student plans to ever finish his or her degree elsewhere, he or she should make sure the courses will either transfer or not take them.

Although typically thought of as college level courses, high school distance learning courses can be taken to earn a high school diploma. Key Stone National High School is a distance learning program that offers high school diplomas and has 20,000 students attending. To attend distance learning courses through Key Stone National High School, tuition has to be paid, which covers access to certified teachers and new textbooks. High school distance learning courses require paid tuition. Advanced Placement and Honors distance learning courses can be taken through distance learning high schools. For high school aged students in rural areas, distance learning courses are a good option. Because of the rural locations of these students few elective choices are available, such as foreign languages. Few rural teachers are bilingual in multiple languages such as Russian, French, or German. Enrollment in high school distance learning courses can be year round. Most courses must be completed within a specific time frame.

Distance learning colleges are popular and relevant in today’s culture. High school graduates want to get an education, but for many, earning an income is equally important. Due to the high cost of living, people are entering the job marketplace and supporting themselves rather than going away to college after high school. People in the military are constantly moving, so a traditional degree program is not possible. Some stay at home moms can not afford to pay for daycare while they attend traditional class time. Distance learning colleges have provided an opportunity for people to remove obstacles to earning a degree and have provided a solution for many busy people. Many degrees can be earned at an accelerated pace because students can attend school year round, and take as many classes as they can handle. The actual period of time the student schedules to complete the coursework is completely flexible because distance learning colleges offer classes can be accessed anytime during the day or night.

Distance learning colleges are numerous in number and diverse in possibilities. Some, like many community colleges and state universities, offer online and traditional classrooms, and offer traditional semesters as well as summer courses through the distance learning format. Devry and University of Phoenix can be attended online year round. University of Phoenix starts all their online courses every Tuesday, so a person can begin taking a class almost immediately. The Baker’s Guide offers a list of Christian Distance Learning Colleges, if faith is a factor in ones college of choice. The directory provides a list of roughly 160 faith based distance learning colleges to choose from. There are distance learning colleges that provide education for nurses, like Excelsior College. Almost every degree and every college course is offered through distance learning colleges.

A person searching for distance learning colleges should be aware of scams. Diploma mill is a term applied to universities who are not accredited, thus providing a worthless degree. They may have similar names to distinguished universities such as Columbia State University, rather than the real Columbia University, so the student thinks he or she is attending an accredited university. To make sure distance learning colleges are accredited, one should check the following nationally recognized accreditation agencies: Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and School, or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.