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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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!

That’s just part of the world of Interior Design. You could be a part of it with the training you’ll receive from Southern Institute School of Interior Design at Virginia College. The Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam and is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

Students in this degree in interior design program will take courses such as Interior Sketching, Architectural Drafting, Space Planning, Building Codes, Perspective Drawing, Building Construction, CAD Fundamentals, Design Fundamentals, History of Architecture and Interiors, Materials and Finishes, Digital Applications for Interior Designers, Residential Design, Commercial Design, Interior Lighting, Universal Design, and Business for Interior Designers.

The online BS in Business Management at Aakers College is a 180-credit program that can be completed in as little as three years. However, students can take the courses as slowly as they like in order to fit their education around their other responsibilities. Furthermore, students who have already earned an associate’s degree in business can transfer their credits toward this bachelor’s degree program.

Students in this online business bachelor’s degree program can choose from one of five concentrations in their field: Business Administration, Call Center Management, Human Resource, Internet Marketing, or Marketing and Sales. Graduates from this program will be well-prepared to pursue positions as a small business manager, sales representative, inventory manager, human resources generalist, or staffing specialist.

The graphic design program at ITT Tech can help graduates prepare to pursue careers in traditional print and publishing areas and in information and interactive design fields. Instruction in design theory, graphic design tools, and media production is included. The program also includes hands-on applications using equipment and software.

The goal of this online graphic design degree program is to teach skills that can help graduates become members of teams that design and produce traditional or electronic media for communication. Students will take courses such as Graphic Illustration, Digital Type and Image Manipulation, Graphic Design for the Web, Digital Prepress, Digital Photography, Corporate Identity, New Media, Advertising and Marketing for Designers, Business Practices for the Graphic Design Firm, 3-D Modeling, Research Methods, and Copy Editing and Proofreading.

As a student in the Criminal Justice Bachelor Degree program, you will study criminal behavior, criminal law, cultural diversity and justice, criminal justice leadership, and crime prevention. Additionally, you will participate in two fieldwork courses to gain real world experience in Criminal Justice. Graduates will develop important skills, such as critical thinking, ethical decision making, research, understanding the legal system, understanding criminal justice practices, and understanding criminal behavior.

The online Criminal Justice BS degree from Aakers College includes four emphases that you can choose from to tailor your education to your interests: Client Services/Corrections, Criminal Offenders, Homeland Security, and Investigation/Law Enforcement. Graduates from this program will be qualified for enrty-level positions in the field, such as Loss Prevention, Private Security, Corrections, Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, Family Services, and Court Clerk.

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Consisting of four courses chosen from any of the other specializations in the online BBA program (with the approval of your faculty advisor), the generalist specialization will enable you to make the most of your education. Whether your interests lie in corporate finance, accounting, sales and marketing, or, perhaps more accurately, a combination of these areas, Jones International University can tailor your course of study to meet all of your personal and professional goals.

This program is ideal for students who are committed to gaining a diverse foundation that draws from a variety of business disciplines. The generalist specialization offers graduates an array of career options. This program also provides a strong basis for those looking to extend their academic careers with an online MBA.

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The online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Capella University helps students to develop the management, interpersonal, and professional skills that are necessary in order to succeed in the business field. These skills are taught in the programs general courses. However, students may choose their own elective courses based on their career goals. For example, if you want to specialize in e-business administration, you may choose to take courses such as E-Business Technology Infrastructure, E-Business Sourcing, Marketing, and Sales, and E-Business Project Implementation.

This 180-credit hour online business administration program requires 45 credits of general education courses, seven 6-credit hour core courses, one 6-credit required specialization course, and an additional 30 credits of elective specialization courses, all followed by a business capstone course immediately prior to graduation.

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The online bachelor’s degree in general IT provides an overview of theoretical and applied topics to help students grow in an IT career. Learners in this specialization will be grounded in essential IT domains, while having the opportunity to focus through selection of advanced specialization courses.

Students entering this degree program are required to take 45 credit hours worth of general studies courses in fields such as humanities, communications, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences. They will then take 8 general IT courses before taking their seven specialization courses. Finally, students complete their degree by taking 39 credit hours in additional elective courses and are encouraged to utilize those electives by furthering their knowledge in the IT field and taking applicable courses.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Interactive Media Design offers a broad range of design and technology competencies focused on career paths in the specialty of multimedia and web design. These competencies include those related to website design, visual design, digital image manipulation, audio, video, animation, text, business, and project management.

At graduation, you will have an individualized digital portfolio to showcase the practical and technical skills you have acquired. You’ll be prepared for entry-level career opportunities with corporations, organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, entertainment, and advertising agencies in the field of multimedia and web design. Potential career opportunities include: Digital Media Producer, Webmaster, or Project Coordinator.