Alan Davis, Distance Education Associate Dean for Jefferson State Community College joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Jefferson State Community College.

The mission of the Distance Education Department at Jefferson State Community College is to provide accessibility to education through a broad range of quality courses in various disciplines.  JSCC offers many online courses for transfer credit (university parallel degree programs).  The college also has three accredited career education programs that are available through distance education:  Veterinary Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Funeral Service Education.  JSCC also offers several online courses toward many other AAS degrees and certificates.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Associate degrees are typically thought of as two-year degrees; however, students may complete most programs at their own pace on either a full-time or part-time basis.

What would you say makes Jefferson State Community College programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

JSCC has provided countless opportunities for the greater Birmingham area for over 40 years.  The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools fully accredited the College on December 14, 1968.  JSCC has a history of offering distance education courses:  we began offering telecourses in 1978, began using interactive video and offered our first online courses in 1997, and are now using podcasts in distance education as well.  Faculty who teach these classes typically are the same faculty who teach traditional versions of the same courses and often hold on-campus office hours.  Tuition is also very affordable.  Finally, we participate in a statewide articulation agreement, which ensures transfer of credits for all Alabama General Studies Committee approved courses between public institutions of higher learning.

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

Extremely important!  Accreditation ensures a certain level of quality in the educational process.  In addition, accredited institutions will often only accept courses for transfer if completed at regionally accredited institutions, and whether one has graduated from an accredited institution may have a bearing on how the degree is viewed.  For example, when we hire, graduate work must generally be from a regionally accredited institution for us to consider the applicant.

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

Distance education courses are taught by qualified Jefferson State instructors.  Upon successful completion of these courses, students receive credit equivalent to traditional on-campus courses.  JSCC has established course competencies for each course we offer.  We have also developed standards for teaching online and a peer course evaluation process to ensure the same integrity and rigor in our online courses as students receive in traditional classes.

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

JSCC strives to provide flexible learning opportunities to meet the needs of students who have difficulty accessing the campus for a variety of reasons including childcare, transportation, physical disabilities, work responsibilities, etc.  People are able to complete courses regardless of their work and family schedules.  Many of our distance education students would not be able to attend college without the option of online courses.

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?

Program coordinators assist students with finding internships.  Students who do not already have a job in their field are often placed at the college in appropriate departments.  In the past, companies have called wanting an intern, and students have been placed with them.

Does Jefferson State Community College offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

Yes.  The Career and Job Resource Center at JSCC offers a variety of services not only to students, but to community residents and businesses.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Yes, financial aid is available for students who qualify through the federal guidelines. There are also a variety scholarship opportunities for students.

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

Check the accreditation status of any institution you are considering.  Keep in mind that online classes are not “easier” than on-campus classes.  They require as much work and self-discipline, and perhaps more self-motivation.  Be sure you have the requisite computer skills.  Typically, these include navigating the Web, uploading and downloading attachments, and word processing skills such as copying, pasting, and editing text.

What do you enjoy most about your position in the Jefferson State Community College?

I believe in Distance Education.  We have been able to provide educational opportunities for Katrina victims, military personnel serving in Iraq, recent transplant recipients and people waiting for organ transplants, students with various physical disabilities, workers whose schedules vary from week to week, and busy parents.  This is a rewarding job for these reasons.

To Request more information about the distance learning programs available through Jefferson State Community College, Go here to visit them online.

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

That concludes our interview! 

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Arthur J. Acton, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Extended Programs, Clarion University of Pennsylvania joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Clarion University offers eleven certificate, associate, bachelors and masters degrees fully on-line.  These include certificates in education; associate degrees in arts and sciences and early childhood; bachelors degrees in liberal studies and nursing (degree completion program); and masters degrees in Library Science, Nursing, Rehabilitative Sciences, Business Administration and Mass Media Arts and Journalism.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

The duration depends upon the degree level and whether the student goes full time or part time. The certificates take about a year, the associate degrees 2-4 years, bachelor’s degree 4-6 years and the masters degree 1-2 years.

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

Accreditation by one of the federally approved regional accrediting agencies assures a standard of quality recognized throughout the academic world.  It is also recognized by prospective employers as a mark of academic integrity.  If the student needs to transfer coursework from an accredited college, it almost guarantees acceptance.

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

In addition to regional Middles States accreditation, Clarion University has 22 national accreditations for its various programs.  The on-line programs share these accreditations including accreditations by AACSB International–The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, The American Library Association (ALA), The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), The National Council for Social Studies (NCSS), The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and The National League of Nursing (NLN)

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

The courses required to support these degrees meet the same curricular and instructional standards as classes delivered on campus and are taught by the same faculty currently teaching in the traditional classrooms.  As a result, the degrees earned online offer the same quality and accreditation as a degree earned through the university’s traditional on-campus programs.

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

Online programs offer students scheduling flexibility to enable them to plan their educational program around work, family or other responsibilities.  They also enable students who are in geographically remote areas or place bound to obtain a college degree.

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?

Students in the various programs have opportunities for internships or other applied practical experiences including nursing clinical and student teaching assignments.

Does Clarion University of Pennsylvania offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

The University provides job placement services for all its students and distance education students are eligible for that service.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

As a state university, tuition rates at Clarion are very competitive. The university provides limited financial aid for online students, but tuition is discounted for non-Pennsylvania residents to 102% of the rate that Pennsylvania residents pay.  Students are eligible in most cases for state and federal aid and some specific programs, like nursing and early childhood, have external aid programs to assist students.

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

Online learning is a different learning environment from a traditional on-campus experience, but students should understand that faculty have the same expectations of them as in their other classes.  Students need to allow as much study and preparation time for an on-line class as they would for an on-campus class. Even though they are not attending a class in person at a specific time and place where regular attendance is required, they still need to “attend” the online class and be active participants.  If you don’t participate, the instructor doesn’t know that you are there.  As a result, online students need to be more self-disciplined and motivated.

What do you enjoy most about your position at Clarion University of Pennsylvania?

I have enjoyed being on this new frontier of higher education.  Over the last 10 years in distance education I have seen a program with only one or two classes and a handful of students blossom into a broad program engaging a myriad of faculty and enrolling thousands of students. At the same time the pace of technological change and innovation in distance education has been almost mindboggling.  It has been an exciting challenge to work to be sure that Clarion University remains at the cutting edge of online education.

To request more information on distance learning programs at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, go here to visit them online. 

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

That concludes our interview!  

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The online AAS in Office Management at Aakers College is a 90-credit hour program that can be completed in less than two years. However, students can take the courses as slowly as they like in order to fit their education around their other responsibilities. Furthermore, students may transfer their associate degree credits toward a bachelor’s in business management at Aakers if they choose to continue their education.

Students in this online office management associate’s degree program can choose from one of five concentrations in their field: Government, Legal/Criminal Justice, Corporate Management, Small Business Management, or Medical. Graduates from this program will be well-prepared to pursue positions as an Executive Assistant, Office Manager, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Legal Secretary, Medical Secretary, Medical Receptionist, Medical Office Specialist, County Auditor, or County Treasurer.

As a graduate from the Associate’s in Healthcare Reimbursement program, you’ll be prepared for entry-level positions in the medical field related to reimbursement procedures. You’ll learn the fundamentals of medical office protocol and get specialized training in Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS). This program prepares you to work for insurance companies, hospitals, physician’s offices, and other medical service providers.

In this online associate’s degree program, you’ll take classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Coding, Medical Billing and Reimbursement, Medical Terminology, Medical Office Procedures, Medical Law and Ethics, Medical Insurance Procedures, and Medical Insurance Applications.

Computer networks are an integral part of the environment of most businesses. People who understand networking help maintain the flow of information that keeps a company running smoothly by connecting users in different locations. This could involve selecting, configuring, and troubleshooting systems that use various media and devices that interconnect different systems and platforms into one common data sharing infrastructure.

The Computer Network Systems program at ITT Tech can help students prepare to perform tasks associated with upgrading computer systems and developing wide area and local area network capabilities. This program explores a variety of computer networks. Additional curriculum topics include network operating systems and network systems design and implementation. This program can help graduates begin careers in a variety of entry-level positions in various fields, such as network administrator, WAN specialist, web server administrator, Linux specialist or network technician.

Students in the associate’s program in computer programming at Baker College Online will take courses such as Introduction to Operating System Concepts, CL and File Design, Systems Development Methods, Computer Architecture, Database Management Using SQL, Introduction to Programming, C++ Programming, and Object Oriented Programming with C++.

This program requires a high school diploma or GED. It is a 97 credit hour program that requires 45 hours of general education courses and 58 core-coursework credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0. At Baker College Online, you earn your degree from the comfort of your own home — there’s no need to quit your day job in order to further your education.

As the electronic systems and equipment that power our personal and professional lives become more pervasive and integral to our existence, the expertise of the electronics and computer technologist is increasingly vital. To this end, DeVry University based its Electronics and Computer Technology program on fundamentals of the technology driving today’s systems, including telecommunications, networks, wireless, computers, controls, and instrumentation. Graduates have a broad knowledge base that qualifies them for challenging career-entry positions in the dynamic electronics and computer fields.

With a degree in electronics and computer technology, career options are nearly endless. Electronics and computer technology degree holders will be prepared for computer careers in areas such as electronic system equipment installation/maintenance, manufacturing equipment installation/maintenance, wide area network and local area network installation/maintenance, wireless communication systems installation/maintenance, telecommunications systems installation/maintenance, technical field service, technical sales/sales support, research and development support, and quality control.

AIU Online’s Associate’s Degree in Business Administration is designed as a unique blend of courses that prepares students to enter today’s demanding business world. The broad base of fundamental business courses and general education requirements fosters critical thinking and communication skills. The concentration in Business Administration prepares students with an introduction to the global business environment.

Students in this online business administration program will take courses such as Business Communications, Fundamentals of Business Law, Entrepreneurship, Business and Society, Fundamentals of Marketing, English Composition, Computer Applications, Contemporary Mathematics, International Business, Art Appreciation, Personal Finance Concepts, Aspects of Psychology, Introduction to Accounting, Business Presentations, Business Ethics, Business Management and Leadership, and Project Management.

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The online accounting degree program at the University of Phoenix is designed to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in a variety of business settings. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in areas of the role of accounting in business strategy, financial statements, cost information, economics, management, and ethical issues.

This 60-credit hour program prepares students for entry-level jobs in the accounting field as well as for Bachelor’s Degree programs in accounting. Students in this program will take courses such as Accounting for Decision Making, Accounting Information Systems, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Intermediate Financial Accounting, Advanced Financial Accounting, Government and Non-Profit Accounting, Income Tax – Individual, Contemporary Auditing, Accounting for Managerial Decision Making, Advanced Business Taxation, Accounting Theory, and Auditing.

With convenient online courses Phoenix College University allows you to earn your degree on a schedule that fits your life. Check out Online Degrees Today.com for more information on top online colleges & universities such as University of Phoenix.

References:

International Association of Book-Keepers (IAB)Distance learning Book-Keeping & Accounts Courses – Enhance your career with our vocational and IAB prestigious professional Courses in Book-Keeping & Accounts from an award winning College.

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The Baker College Online two year accounting program prepares students for entry-level positions in the accounting field as well as for advanced study in the discipline. Students completing this degree will develop the skills necessary to record, present, and analyze financial data and evaluate the operational performance of a variety of entities. Furthermore, they’ll be prepared to move into the Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting through Baker College Online.

Students in this associate’s in business accounting program online will take courses such as Taxation, Managerial Accounting, Computerized Accounting, Principles of Accounting, Principles of Macroeconomics, Business Law, Introduction to Business, and Principles of Marketing. Students will also study several general education subjects in order to ensure that they receive the most well-rounded education possible.

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