DegreeFinders
occasionally gets mail asking about the possibility of earning a high
school diploma by distance learning. These quality programs are welcome
news.
Indiana University High School Diploma Program.
Indiana University has recently introduced a new educational
opportunity: Indiana University High School (IUHS). IUHS enables
students to take courses and earn their high school diploma entirely at
a distance.Indiana University's School of Continuing Studies Office of
Academic Programs offers an award-winning selection of distance
education courses through its Independent Study Program. The
school brings the resources of Indiana University to people who cannot
take advantage of traditional programs at fixed campus locations. A
fully accredited high school diploma, as well as associate and
bachelor's degrees in general studies are available.
University of Nebraska Class.com
says they deliver high school course offerings from the University of
Nebraska, through their Independent Study High School. This high
school, founded in 1929, is fully accredited and offers more than 150
courses. In its 70 year history, the school has received numerous
awards for the development and design excellence. Recently,
curriculum and support specialists have revamped the courses to take
advantage of high speed delivery and support made possible by the
Internet.
The Independent Study High School
has been fully accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education since
1968 and by the North Central Association Commission on Schools since
1978, meaning their diploma and credits are recognized nationwide.
Online students fare better
Contradicting the beliefs of distance learning naysayers, a 1997 study
at California State University, Northridge found that distance learning
students outperformed traditional classroom students.
Distance Education and Training Council
Excellent source of general information about distance education and
distance learning. To quote the site: "The Distance Education and
Training Council (formerly the National Home Study Council) is a
nonprofit educational association located in Washington, D.C. DETC
serves as a clearinghouse of information about the distance
study/correspondence field and sponsors a nationally recognized
accrediting agency called the Accrediting Commission of the Distance
Education and Training Council.
The DETC was
founded in 1926 under the cooperative leadership of the Carnegie
Corporation of New York and the National Better Business Bureau. The
Council's goal is to promote sound educational standards and ethical
business practices within the distance study field.
The independent seven member Accrediting Commission of the DETC
was established in 1955; shortly thereafter it gained the approval of
the U.S. Department of Education as the "nationally recognized
accrediting agency" under the terms of Public Law. The Accrediting
Commission is also recognized as a national accrediting agency by the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The procedures and
standards have been continuously refined and improved over the past
three decades. Today, more than 3 million Americans are enrolled in
DETC accredited institutions. DETC currently accredits distance study
from the vocational diploma through the Master's degree and is
trying a pilot program for first and professional doctorates. Doctoral
accreditation does not have final approval from USDA or CHEA yet.
Greg Kearsley's Guide to Online Education
(new URL address). In his own words: "The purpose of this Guide is to
introduce some of the basic characteristics of online education. It is
intended for students or teachers who are new to this domain and
looking for some suggestions and advice about how to make it a more
enjoyable and worthwhile endeavor. The views expressed are based on
about 20 years worth of personal experience across many different
systems and settings, plus constant reading of the literature."
The Distance Learning "Getting Started" Book list Rita Laws'
Recommended Reading for people who are "Getting Started" in DL. Rita also maintains the Official alt.education FAQ v7.0 below.
The Official alt.education FAQ v7.0
This is an outstanding site for general information on distance
learning. In her own words: "This document offers answers to the most
Frequently Asked Questions regarding distance learning, also known as
distance education, or non-traditional education. Distance learning
most commonly involves the earning of post-secondary credits via
non-traditional means, i.e., correspondence courses, and college
courses via the Internet, TV, radio, satellite, etc."
TEACHNOLOGY & WEBAGOGY (Technology In Support Of Higher Education Teaching & Learning) A treasure trove of links to distance education subjects of all kinds.
University of Idaho Engineering Outreach Home Page Written for distance educators. An outstanding overview of what makes for quality distance instruction.
University of Maryland Institute for Distance Education
Loads of good information about distance education, divided into four
interest areas: Policy Makers, Students, Educators, and the Public.
Most of the site is very informative and useful. The Public area has
been "under development" for a year now and has made no progress
whatsoever, so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it.
Am I cut out for online education? ASelf-Evaluation Quiz For prospective students
Are Distance Learning Courses for Me?
College of DuPage's online quiz
How to Calculate the Savings from Distance Learning A calculator developed by SUNY.
Is Online Learning for Me? UCLA Extension's online quiz
Tips for Success with online education
What Every Student Should Know About Online Learning by John E. Reid, Jr.
Athabasca University
A good site about a pioneer in distance learning. In their own words:
"Athabasca University is dedicated to the removal of barriers that
traditionally restrict access to and success in university level
studies, and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for all
adult Canadians, regardless of their geographical location or prior
academic credentials.
Twenty six years ago,
Athabasca University opened its doors and became Canada's first fully
accredited open university specializing in distance education. Today,
Athabasca University is nationally and internationally recognized as a
leader in open and distance education, offering a high quality
university education to more than 12,500 students across North America
each year. Athabasca University makes it possible for people to
earn a university education regardless of where they live or work, or
their commitments to careers or families. Now, where there is a will to
learn, there is a way to learn. We remove the barriers of time, space,
past educational experience, and, to a great degree, level of income.
California Virtual University California's
leading colleges and universities are working together to create the
world's virtual university -- with courses, degree programs and other
services. The California Virtual University ties together the
online and distance education offerings of the state's accredited
colleges and universities. This website contains an index of catalogs,
courses, and degree programs.
California College of Health Sciences
Our clients seem pretty darned happy with CCHS. It is affordable. You
only have to pay for one course at a time. They have payments plans.
And students say most of the courses are well-thought-out. A good site
for anyone interested in degree or lifelong learning in the allied
health professions. This school is accredited by DETC, a recognized and
legitimate accrediting agency; but the accreditation is viewed by some
as less valuable than that granted by regional accrediting agencies.
City University
We've heard good things from clients about City University in
Washington. It is among the more affordable distance degree
institutions. It offers a range of liberal arts majors at the
undergraduate level. The graduate division is a professional training
school, not a graduate university. Its focus narrows sharply to
business, education, and human services.
Still, if that's
what you are looking for, you can get good solid training at a
reasonable price. The only complaint we hear on a regular basis is that
communications with the school are slower than pouring molasses in the
winter. Our attempts at communicating with City U confirms this. It
once took
a month to get a reply to an e-mail. If they straightened out this problem, we could recommend them without reserve.
Indiana University High School · Degrees · Courses · Training Indiana
University's School of Continuing Studies Office of Academic Programs
offers an award-winning selection of distance education courses through
its Independent Study Program. The school brings the resources of
Indiana University to people who cannot take advantage of traditional
programs at fixed campus locations. A.A. and B.A. programs are
available in General Studies.
Linfield College The
Adult Degree Program offers baccalaureate and certificate programs
designed to meet the needs of adult students who maintain career or
family responsibilities while earning a degree.
Marymount College/Webster University Weekend College
program was enthusiastically recommended by business student Maryjane
Sherry. The weekend college is located in Palos Verdes CA currently
offers a weekend AA, and BA program. Sherry tells us that Fall of 2001
will bring an MBA to the Marymount College/Webster University
Weekend College program.
Although I tend to crinkle up my nose at calling weekend college
distance learning,
I know some people consider it as such and, of course, weekend college
does serve a very useful function in modern society. At any rate,
Maryjane Sherry seems quite pleased to endorse the program.
Regent University was
recommended by Patricia L. Lightbourne who is working for a Regent
University M.B.A. (finance) by online instruction. Regent offers
distance programs in business, communication, counseling, divinity,
education, government, organizational leadership, and law (LL.M). It
consistently scores very high in the annual rankings. Every program at
Regent University has an evangelical Christian slant, which will
be appealing to some and appalling to others. Patricia seems happy
there. Maybe you would be too!
Institute for Continuing Education
offers a wide range of continuing education units for healthcare
professionals with special emphasis on nursing and respiratory care.
Tuition is very reasonable compared to traditional methods. The
president of ICE formerly worked for California College of Health
Sciences.
Northcentral University. I've
been telling my clients to keep an eye on this Prescott, Arizona
distance learning university and I've been predicting they would be
granted candidacy for accreditation and, eventually, accreditation.
I've been telling my clients to keep an eye on this Prescott, Arizona
distance learning university and I've been predicting they would be
granted candidacy for accreditation and, eventually, accreditation.
Many experts on the distance learning bulletin boards disagreed with
me, saying Northcentral University accreditation will not come because
accredited because
- overlapping staff and curriculum with the perennially unaccredited Southern California University for Professional Studies
-
all Northcentral University programs are totally nonresident! That's
right, even the Ph.D. programs are free of any residency requirement!
Just as I predicited, the North Central Association team recommended
intitial accreditation with only minor conditions after completing
their two-and-a-half day site visit ending October 16. And on the next
visit, they granted Northcentral full accredition for the maximum term
allowed.
I must confess that I enrolled in Northcentral University twice and
dropped out both times because of what I call "busy work" assignments.
I have no patience for this. But that says as much about me as it does
about the programs. I have an "artistic temperament" and don't like
being hemmed in.
If you are looking for a highly structured, demanding program that you
can enroll in without concern about legitimacy or quality—this is it.