Phil Turner, Vice Provost for Learning Enhancement at the University of North Texas joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at University of North Texas.

We currently have 31 completely online degrees and certificates, including three completion bachelor’s degrees in General Studies, Organizational Development, and Applied Technology and Performance Improvement. We also have an MBA in Strategic Management available, as well as numerous Masters degrees and Graduate Academic Certificates available online.

Our newly created QEP/Next Generation courses are an exciting addition to the more traditional online course. UNT is in the third year of a seven year journey to transform large enrollment undergraduate courses by engaging and enabling faculty members to design, apply, and assess innovative instructional techniques. QEP’s goal is to improve student learning through engagement with the subject matter, with the faculty and with each other.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Typically the programs follow the semester schedule – with a few courses beginning or ending at mid-semester.

What would you say makes University of North Texas programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

1) QEP/Next Generation Courses – improving undergraduate large-enrollment courses. You may learn more about these courses at http://web3.unt.edu/cdl/QEP/

2) We currently work with various institutions to offer our courses through a variety of programs: Project SAIL, Western Governors University, The Sloan Consortium, JERGroup, SREP Electronic Campus, Texas Distance Education and various other repositories of online courses.

3) Offer “blended courses” – technology rich courses with online/on-campus meetings.

4) Several of our Masters Programs use an innovative approach that combines geographically-based onsite Web “Institutes” with online courses and virtual community-building opportunities. As an example, the School of Library and Information Sciences programs at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the University of Minnesota and Emory University.

5) We offer “award winning” courses designed to encourage interaction between students and faculty.

6) UNT’s online degree and transcript do not say “distance learning.”

7) UNTeCampus offers information for labs and face-to-face requirements.

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

Very – UNT is the largest provider of online credit courses among Texas public universities. A diploma from UNT means something, whether one is considering online education or a more traditional educational route. All of UNT’s degree programs that are online are accredited by regional and special accrediting agencies.

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

UNT’s online degree programs go through the same accreditation process as their on-site counterpart. UNT is proud of the rigor of its online degree programs. These courses are reviewed and approved before they are offered to students. These courses are not easier than face-to-face courses, in fact, they often require more discipline and technical skills than courses held ON CAMPUS. Online courses are very interactive – with the instructor and with other students. This interaction is valuable in demonstrating knowledge and understanding concepts.

Another way we demonstrate the equality of our online courses – UNT’s online degrees and transcripts do not say “distance learning” – they carry the same credit, the same weight, as our more traditional courses.

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

Some of the benefits of online courses are:

1) the increased ability to interact with fellow students and faculty, 2) access to a wide range of content not bounded by the physical space of the institution, 3) the flexibility to work around job and family schedules, 4) one can travel and still work toward educational goals, 5) no commuting (save gas AND time by “commuting online”), 6) for those in the military – they don’t have to put their education on hold.

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?

YES – UNT’s Cooperative Education and Internships “Academics at Work” program integrates classroom theory with work experience specific to a student’s major. The primary focus is to give students a broader educational experience through work. Many times, these positions can also lead to full-time employment upon graduation.  http://www.unt.edu/coop/

In addition, programs work with professionals “on the ground” throughout the areas where our students reside to set up internships as well as to supervise the students in these internships.

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

YES – UNT’s Career Center is available to online students. Through this portal, information regarding employment, internships and career services such as resume writing and interviewing skills are made available to all students of UNT. http://careercenter.unt.edu/

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

YES - financial aid and scholarships are available to online students as well as more traditional ON-CAMPUS students.  http://essc.unt.edu/finaid/

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

A few things to remind students that are wanting to sign up for online courses:  1) These courses usually fill up the quickest – so register early, 2) be sure to sign in the FIRST DAY of CLASSES because they can be dropped for non-attendance, and 3) DSL or a cable connection are probably the best types of internet connections for these courses, 4) be aware that an online course will be as rigorous or even more rigorous than an onsite course so block out three hours of dedicated time for each semester hour of coursework and “clear the decks at home or work” to be sure that you succeed.

What do you enjoy most about your position at University of North Texas? 

For the past 11 years, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of wonderful people to create the infrastructure to transform teaching and learning that is one of the best in the world. I have seen faculty repeatedly think outside the box to create amazing online learning and blended learning opportunities. Finally, I have had the chance to design and teach my own online courses as well as to lead the creation and delivery of an online program that is now the second largest in the nation and the best!

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

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

That concludes our interview!