Distance Learning Center @ TestPrepReview.com

Seminary distance learning programs offer people who want to enter the field of ministry an off campus alternative to receiving their education. Seminary distance learning programs offer associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate programs for people who are not able to attend a traditional biblical college. As with any distance learning program, accreditation is important in choosing a college offering a seminary distance learning program.  The U.S. Department of Education and the Council of Higher Education have approved the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accrediting agency which is called the ATS Commission on Accrediting. The ATS accredits graduate programs for Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox religious schools. Seminary distance learning masters of arts and masters of divinity programs require a year long residency so the ATS has not accredited any completely distance education programs. Some accredited universities may offer distance learning courses needed in earning a bachelors or masters degree. The ATS has not approved any distance learning courses needed towards a doctorate. Through the ATS website, accredited seminary distance learning programs can be accessed.

When determining which seminary distance learning college to choose from, the student should consider the accreditation and degrees offered by the different institutions. Western Theological Seminary offers a Masters of Divinity Seminary Distance Learning Degree. The degree can be completed completely online except for a 2 week seminar that must be attended by all distance learning students. The Western Theological Seminary distance learning courses are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. The Biblical Life College and Seminary School offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate distance learning degrees that have no residency requirements. The college is accredited by the American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions and Accrediting Commission International but not by the ATS. Degrees from the college may not be as widely accepted by the professional community.

PhD distance learning programs provide students with the highest degree possible which is a doctorate or PhD degree. Students are required to have a bachelors and masters and several years of work experience to be admitted into a PhD distance learning program. PhD distance learning programs are available in many fields of study including education, management, business administration and health management. Many educators want to earn a PhD because it is a requirement to become a college professor. PhD distance learning education programs provide educators with time and flexibility to complete the required coursework while working in the field. PhD distance learning programs can be costly. Many universities offer graduate assistantship programs where the PhD student can work for the university in return for a reduced tuition rate and sometimes a stipend or small salary for work. The assistantship gives the student additional experience in the field of study and is positive work experience on a resume. Another benefit of a graduate assistantship is that the college will know the person is a full time student. The college may be more flexible with the students work schedule and the college may allow for study time during work hours. The assistantship has to be completed at the university campus but the PhD can still be earned through the universities PhD distance learning program.

A graduate distance learning program offers the ability for students who hold a bachelors degree to continue their education without having to spend time in a structured classroom. The most popular distance learning graduate degrees are the masters of arts, masters of sciences and masters of business administration. Graduate distance learning programs are a new and popular choice for students who have graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree and have entered the workforce but want to change career fields or earn more money in their current career field. Graduate distance learning courses are flexible in their delivery so a student can work full time while continuing his or her education. A graduate distance learning degree typically takes 2 years to complete if the student is participating full-time.

Many traditional state colleges offer graduate distance learning degrees but the entrance requirements to these degree programs may be more difficult than if one chooses a graduate distance learning program through a private university. The private university graduate distance learning programs are typically delivered online so there is no limit to the number of students a private university can accept. This allows for more leniencies in admissions selections. At a traditional state college, standardized tests results are evaluated for admittance into any graduate program. These tests include the Graduate Record Examination, Graduate Management Admission Tests, or The Law School Admission Test. The appropriate test to take depends on what type of graduate program the student is entering. Private schools may still require these tests scores but they may not be as important for admissions as letters of recommendation or the student’s grade point average.

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.

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.

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.

Earning a graduate degree is time consuming and intellectually difficult. A distance learning graduate degree provides an opportunity for students to earn the degree at their own pace, giving flexibility to the time constraints. Distance learning graduate degrees include both masters, which generally take 2 years to complete, and doctorates, which generally take 5-6 years to complete. There are many areas of study available through distance learning graduate programs. Most graduate students will either choose a specialized area of study in the career field they are working in or they will choose a general area of study leading to a different career path.

There are many factors to consider when contemplating a distance learning graduate degree. Masters and doctorate programs generally cost more than bachelor degrees. The potential student should determine if earning the degree will increase his or her earning potential more than the monetary cost of the education. Distance learning graduate programs generally cost the same as traditional graduate programs. The students who choose a distance learning format generally does so because they have scheduling conflicts with traditional schools like career or family. The potential student should investigate how the curriculum is delivered at each university and determine what program will fit best with his or her lifestyle. Some distance learning graduate degree programs offer the courses purely online, but most have residency requirements. There are distance learning graduate programs which require face to face classroom hours and require the completion of field work.

Distance learning education degree programs offer a wide range of career possibilities. A bachelors or masters degree in education can be earned through a distance learning education program which will prepare the student to teach at the kindergarten through 8th grade level in most states. To teach high school, a student would need a bachelors or masters in a subject area like Math, Science, English or History which can be earned through a distance learning education program. There are many private universities offering online distance learning education programs. Private colleges like Grand Canyon University Online, Western Governors University, and Ottawa University offer elementary and secondary education programs. Most state universities offer many of the courses required towards a bachelor’s degree through distance learning. The exception is that most require lab science and speech courses which have to be conducted on campus. Whether attending a private or public college, student teaching is a requirement of earning a bachelors degree in education. Student teaching must be conducted at a school and can not be done through distance education. Private and public universities will set up the student teaching for the student at a local school.

For people who have already earned a bachelors degree through an accredited university and wish to teach, alternative teaching certifications are available through distance learning education programs. Many community colleges offer 2 year programs through which a teaching certification can be earned. Some states will allow a person with a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to teach and earn a salary without a certification while completing the distance learning education certification program. A person with a bachelor’s degree in any area of study that wants to teach can choose to earn a masters in education. The masters in education can be earned through a distance learning education program and a teacher with a master’s degree earns a higher salary than a teacher with a bachelors.

Distance learning degrees are associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees earned outside of a traditional classroom.  Distance learning degrees can be earned from community colleges and state universities. The coursework required from students earning distance learning degrees and those students earning traditional degrees at state universities and community colleges is exactly the same. If a lab is required for a class, it will be required whether the course is taken online or at the school campus. The benefit of distance learning degrees from state universities or community colleges is that they hold the same equivalency as traditional degrees when entering the workforce. If a person earns a bachelors degree in history from the University of Houston and completes most of the coursework online, the degree is exactly the same as someone earning the same degree in a classroom. The downside to a public university is there are few degree programs that can be completed completely online because exams or labs may be required which are conducted on campus.

Distance learning degrees can be earned at private universities. There are some differences between private distance learning programs and state distance learning programs. Private universities are different because they can vary in the classes required for a degree. Traditional lab science credits, for example, are not necessary at many private universities so all of the coursework can be completed entirely online. Distance learning degrees from private universities may not be as widely accepted as degrees from state universities by employers. The student needs to make sure the private university is nationally accredited.