Dawn Drake, Executive Director for Alternative Delivery Systems at University of Wisconsin – Platville joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

UW-Platteville offers 3 graduate programs (Criminal Justice, Engineering, and Project Management) and 2 undergraduate programs (Business Administration and Criminal Justice) completely online.  In addition, there are several online certificate programs available and students can also take individual classes  to transfer into another program or for professional development.  For a complete listing of our programs and courses, visit our Website.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Our individual courses are set up on a typical semester basis (16 weeks in fall and spring and 10 weeks in the summer).  Most of the students in our programs are taking classes on a part-time basis, while working full time, so the duration of the programs is completely determined by the individual student.  We do not require students to take classes in a cohort basis, so each student can determine the amount of credits they want to take and in which semesters, to best fit their individual needs.

What would you say makes University of Wisconsin-Platteville program different and better than other comparable online programs?

Our online programs are an extension of the successful programs that we have available on our campus, which has a great educational history of nearly 150 years.  All students have an academic advisor, classes with an average enrollment of 22, and access to all academic and administrative services in a centralized Distance Learning Center.  The level of interaction that occurs between students and with the instructors of the courses is very high.  In addition, the student body is very diverse.  We have had students from all 50 states and 42 countries during the past 5 years.  Since most of our students are non-traditional in nature, they bring a wonderful combination of work and life experiences to the classes and share this wealth of experience in their discussions and group projects.   Distance education is a distinct part of the university’s mission statement and is incorporated into all aspects of campus reports and activities.  Selected students and alumni from the programs serve on a Student Advisory Board and Alumni Advisory Board that focuses on distance education topics and initiatives.

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

Given the high standards of becoming accredited, I believe it is very important to know the accreditation status of an institution when choosing an online program.  Since students are not part of an on-campus environment, it is difficult to determine the quality and operations of the institution.  Accreditation provides an opportunity for students to be reassured that the institution must maintain a certain level of quality and standards throughout their operations.  University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently completed their accreditation process and received a full 10-year reaccreditation.  The following statement regarding distance education was part of the final report submitted by the accreditation team:

“The Distance Learning Center provides outstanding support to students and  faculty engaged in distance learning.  The Center provides a single point of access  for student learners where they receive administrative and technical support, and  access to student services, library resources, and course materials.  The Center  assures that best distance education practices are implemented across the curricula  it supports and seeks to constantly improve the e-learning environment for  students.”

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

The curriculum for the programs is developed and approved through the same process that is followed for our on-campus programs.  There is a large system of checks and balances that exist to make sure that the quality of the online programs is very high.  In addition, there is required training that all faculty participate in who will be developing and/or teaching online classes.  There is also an established minimum set of quality criteria that must be included in each online course.  If these elements are not present before the semester begins, the course is canceled.  Appropriate educational assistance and resources are also made available to all online students.

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

Based on student feedback, the two biggest benefits of earning a degree online is the flexibility and convenience associated with the programs.  Students do not need to relocate, quit jobs, or defer participation in family activities to continue their education.  Since all of our programs are offered in an asynchronous format, students can log on to the classes when it is convenient for them during the day or night.  The other big benefit is the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of people in classes and the ability for that interaction to occur beyond the classroom.  In a traditional on-campus setting, a conversation gets cut short due to limited time in the classroom.  The online classroom is open 24/7, which encourages fuller, deeper, and higher levels of discussion and interaction.

If a student enrolled in one of your programs was interested in finding an internship in their field in their area, do you have a means of assisting them in acquiring an internship position?

Since the vast majority of our online students (over 97%) are non-traditional in nature, they are already working full or part-time and are not in need of internships.  However, we have had a handful of traditional age students who have approached other class members to ask if they had internships available in their companies and a few have been set up in this informal format.  If traditional students become a larger portion of our student body, we would take this issue into consideration.

Does University of Wisconsin-Platteville off any job placement services to your students and graduates?

As mentioned above, most of our students and alumni are already employed.  However, the campus career services office does offer an online career and placement service for current students and alumni who are interested in participating.  Students and alumni are able to receive career counseling, resume evaluations, and job search techniques online.  In addition, they can post a resume to the online system for employers to review and access all job postings.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Both state and federal financial aid opportunities exist for students in the online programs.  In addition, a large number of students receive tuition reimbursement from their companies.  A limited amount of scholarships are also available for online students.

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

There are three pieces of advice that I would give students who are enrolling for their first online class:

a. Take advantage of the services that are provided by the institution.  UW-Platteville has a wide array of academic and support services available to help students be successful in their online courses.  If you have questions, ask—don’t ignore problems you are having.

b. Do not get behind in your classes.  Just because you do not have to attend an on-campus class, does not mean there are no deadlines.  Carefully review the assignment deadlines and establish a schedule for studying and submitting your work.

c. Develop a support system with your family, friends, and work colleagues.  Since the majority of our students are trying to combine their educational goals with all of these other people and activities, it is important that you have a good support system set up to help keep you motivated to complete your assignments, courses, and degrees.

What do you enjoy most about your position at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville?

The most rewarding part of my position at UW-Platteville is knowing that I am helping students continue their education.  For many of our students, there would be no other opportunity for them to earn their degree, if it was not available online.  Understanding the importance of higher education, it is extremely fulfilling to know that our programs have made such a big impact on our students’ lives.  We continually hear these comments from our students and alumni.  This is also an industry in which there are continual changes.  So, personally I always feel that I’m being challenged professionally to stay updated with all of the current distance education information.

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

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

That concludes our interview! 

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Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Cossatot Community College-University of Arkansas.

CCCUA currently offers four fully online degree programs:

Associate of Arts
Associate of General Studies (The first online degree in the state of Arkansas)
Associate of Applied Science – Business Management
Associate of Applied Science – Medical Assisting

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Two to two and a half years to complete.

What would you say makes Cossatot Community College-University of Arkansas programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

Because of the attention to detail and built-in quality. For one, all programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and other major-specific accrediting bodies. Another reason is all of our courses and instructors have to go through a course review and course observation to ensure quality. And our programs are supported by an online tutoring center.

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

100% a must!

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

Same course syllabii as the traditional courses. Review and observation comparable to traditional courses. Same tutoring and library resources available as traditional courses.

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

Flexibility is number one.
Cost-saving is another.

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?

No, not at present time.

Does Cossatot Community College-University of Arkansas offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

Yes. In fact we just hired a new placement officer.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Absolutely. Scholarships too! Especially for online students.

What do you enjoy most about your position at Cossatot Community College-University of Arkansas?

The ability to formulate policy that can HELP students succeed.

To Request more information about the distance learning programs available through Cossatot Community College-University of Arkansas, Go here to visit them online.

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

That concludes our interview!

Check out our entire selection of top online colleges & university degrees at Online Degrees Today including online mba degree, online business degree, online law school, online nursing degree and more.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Columbia Southern University.

One of the nation’s first completely online universities, Columbia Southern University (CSU) offers associate, bachelor, masters and doctoral programs in a variety of fields including business administration, information technology, human resource management, fire science, criminal justice, and occupational safety and health.  Undergraduate and graduate certificate programs are also available.

In addition to offering and promoting its own programs, CSU also promotes online programs for three state universities – The University of West Alabama, University of North Alabama, and University of West Florida.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

CSU students can set their own pace for completing a degree program. Students are allowed 10 weeks to complete each course, but may finish a course in as little as three weeks depending on how quickly they complete the coursework. Following completion of the required Student Orientation course, students are also given the option to complete one course at a time or two courses simultaneously.

What would you say makes Columbia Southern University programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

All our degree programs are offered completely online, giving students the flexibility to fit their education around career and family commitments.  CSU also features open enrollment and self-paced programs eliminating the need for students to rearrange their life to attend a class or take a test.  Forget the days of scheduled online sessions and on-site test taking; at CSU, residency is not a requirement and coursework can be completed at times that are most convenient for our students.

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

Accreditation should be a determining factor in every student’s online university selection.  CSU is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), the standard-setting agency for distance education institutions since it was established more than eight decades ago.  DETC is a nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education.  Only accredited universities and colleges are eligible to participate in the Montgomery G.I. Bill and DANTES tuition assistance program.

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

All CSU courses combine the very best of online delivery and traditional university textbooks.  Just like red brick and mortar universities, course specific faculty members are assigned at the beginning of each course to provide students with the academic support they need to successfully complete their degree.  Our students are also assigned a student services representative who will offer personal guidance and advice throughout their degree program.  Students learn on their own times and their own terms, but they are never on their own.

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

Earning a degree online gives students the flexibility to fit their education around career and family commitments.  The firefighter with an unpredictable schedule, the soldier shifting from place to place to preserve our freedom, the single mother working hard to advance her career and support her children – everyone deserves access to a quality education.  With benefits like 24 hour access to course assignments, online forums, web lectures, and interactive software, online education makes completing a degree more realistic.  Students eliminate the need to rearrange their life to attend a class or take a test.

Does Columbia Southern University offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

We have recently implemented a new social networking platform, the CSU Click, that allows our alumni to browse career opportunities from around the world, post professional profiles, and network with the more than 9,000 other CSU alumni.  Job postings are updated every 30 days and include listings from companies such as Apple, Bank of America, Ford Motor Company, Google, and Intel.  CSU Click also offers alumni the ability to reach out to graduates employed with companies they’re interested in working for.

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

Completing a degree through distance learning requires the highest level of self-discipline and motivation.  You must be an independent thinker and have full dedication to the end result – achieving your dreams of higher education.

What do you enjoy most about your position at Columbia Southern University?

Seeing students you know have struggled to accomplish their dreams of higher education graduate is one of the most rewarding professional experiences I’ve ever had.  To know that our online degree programs make a major difference in the lives of so many makes coming to work each day a privilege.

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

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

That concludes our interview!

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Bruce E. Winston, PhD, Dean, Regent University School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship joins us today to discuss their distance learning program.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered in the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship, at Regent University.

The School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship (GLE) offers all of its programs by distance: (a) Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership (Ph.D.), (b) Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL), (c) Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MOL), (d) Master of Arts in Strategic Foresight (MSF), and (e) Master of Business Administration (MBA). The MBA is also offered as a blended program with one-half of the course interaction occurring on campus in traditional classrooms.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

This varies by program. The Ph.D. is a 60-credit program that can be done in three and a half years with most students completing in four and a half years. ** The DSL is a 60-credit program that can be finished in four years. For both doctoral programs, there is a maximum of seven years allowed to finish. The MOL and MSF are 33-credit programs that can be finished in as little as one year full time with most students completing the programs part time in three years. The MBA is a 42-credit program that can be finished in one and a half years full time or two and a half years part time. Master’s students may stop taking courses for one or more semesters, which would extend the length of time to finish the degree. For the three master’s programs, there is a maximum of five years allowed to finish. GLE operates year round with three trimesters per year.

What would you say makes the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

The answer to that ties closely to our history and early role in the development of high-quality, online educational programs.  The School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship is the result of a 2006 merger that combined the university’s schools of business and leadership studies. Our predecessor, the School of Leadership Studies, was formed in 1995 specifically to deliver a doctoral-level leadership degree by distance education, leveraging available technologies and an innovative approach to online curriculum administration.  The result was the nation’s first fully-accredited, online Ph.D. degree in organizational leadership. The program’s curriculum capitalized on the benefits of asynchronous, computer-mediated communication, which introduced a high degree of flexibility for professional students who often traveled or required nontraditional class schedules. Rather than a lecture style, which is typical of many distance programs, where the professor is active and the students passive, we built curriculum in which the online dialogue topics require the student to actively engage the content to solve complex problems. In this model, students are active and instructors (no longer ‘professing’) become reactors to the dialogue and help guide the discussion to facilitate the maximum learning experience.

A benefit of the ’students-prepare’ approach is that every student has to participate to the desired/measured/graded level. This allows instructors to get to know each and every student. When I taught in the classroom, I would know five or six of the fifty students, but most of the others I wouldn’t even know their names except to match up exam grades to grade book entries. Both students and faculty have commented how much stronger the relationships are in our distance courses than anything previously experienced in the on-campus environment. We know the value of face-to-face interaction and we begin our doctoral programs with a 10-day residency experience in which students get to know each other as well as the instructors. This allows students to establish a working relationship with the instructors who will be critiquing the doctoral students’ work. The doctoral programs include a 10-day residency at the beginning of each year of study with the balance of the student’s coursework conducted completely online. Our master’s programs do not require a residency, but offer an optional two-day residency that students can attend.   Residencies for the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship are held at our four-diamond facility – the Founders Inn & Spa http://foundersinn.com/ – and for our out-of-town students (both doctoral and master’s), we provide the hotel rooms and meals at our expense.

The curriculum is built for full-time employed students and structured to allow a measure of flexibility within the semester that will accommodate the peak times of work and life that sometimes interfere with a traditional academic schedule.

GLE has faculty-performance standards that require instructors to respond to students’ requests within one business day, drafts within three business days, and grading all assessments within one week. This insures students get the requisite feedback to help with future assessments.

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

Extremely important. Regent University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  Our school is also a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and we are preparing to apply for accreditation with this association to further substantiate the quality of our MBA programs. Accreditation, both for the university and the specific discipline, shows a measure of integrity and quality. Both are important concepts for GLE.

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

Using our own on-campus and online MBA programs as an example, we’ve noted that in general, those enrolled in our online programs tend to outperform the on-campus students. Part of this comes from the higher level of relationship with faculty and peers generated through online dialogue requirements uniquely associated with online degree programs.  The level of learning experienced by students in the online program is also enhanced by their familiarity and use of our extensive online library resources, current research available on the web, and interaction with other online students occupying key industry roles and located throughout the U.S. and the world.  As to quality assurance measures, our programs go through scheduled curriculum reviews and we use extensive surveys to collect student feedback — which earn consistently outstanding ratings.  Course projects, papers, tests, and other measurement devices provide our online students direct input from faculty who I have seen to be as committed to the student’s professional success as to his/her learning experience.

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

Flexibility. While there are time constraints within the context of a semester, a student is not bound to specific hours on a Tuesday night.

Convenience. No traffic. No parking issues.  And, if you do your best work at odd hours of the day/night, you can log on to our online courses and post a dialogue message anytime that ‘great idea’ strikes.  For those who travel, you have access to all of your courses and online resources just as soon as you connect to the Internet.

Success.  In a typical classroom, when the instructor asks a question, the student is expected to have an immediate response and is not provided the opportunity to think deeply about either the question or the response.  Within the online learning environment, however, students can devote more thought to the question, which, in turn, precipitates a greater understanding of the issues and how one might effectively communicate the solution.

Access to high profile, guest lecturers. It is much easier to invite a content specialist from anywhere in the world to join an online discussion than it is to coordinate the logistics of an out-of-town lecturer who has a limited presentation schedule. Through the use of online dialogue exchanges and recorded interviews, the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship can bring the best from around the world to our students.

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?

Since our students are older and most often already working full time, we don’t focus on internship or placement. Our doctoral students’ average age is 42 and most are in their career of choice or will look into moving into academic positions as mid-career or late-career changers.  Those in our master’s programs have an average age of 36 and enroll in our programs with the intention of advancing within their current place of employment or possibly launching a new business.

Does the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

No. In addition to the response in item 7 above, the advent of online job boards and Internet businesses such as monster.com, theladders.com, and career-builder.com, to mention just three, there is not much need for placement services for our students.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Yes. There are a few limited funded scholarships for specific types of MBA students (entrepreneurial, Eastern-European) as well as U.S. Federal student loans. In addition, there are a limited number of exchange scholarships for students from academic institutions that participate in the university’s tuition-exchange program.

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

Some thoughts:

1. Good online programs will utilize technology to enhance your educational experience, but should not require that you possess sophisticated technological abilities — just the basics of Internet navigation, email, etc.

2. The learning should be intense, but the advantage is that you will truly learn the material — which is why you are pursuing your degree.

3.  Remember that the distance program takes as much time, if not a bit more, than an on-campus program.  As you pursue your degree, you should eliminate as many non-essential activities as you can until you’ve earned your degree.

4. For dialogue-based programs like those offered by the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship, prepare early, begin early, and dialogue evenly across the open period.

5. Online programs lack the cues of ‘class schedule,’ so students that are self-disciplined tend to do better and get things done on time.

6. Ask questions.  Although you may be on the other side of the country or traveling overseas, your instructor should be readily available via email and/or by phone to address your questions within specific timeframes as determined by the school — usually within one to two business days.

7. Improve typing speed and accuracy.

What do you enjoy most about your position at School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship?

I am committed to Regent’s mission and purpose and specifically to the mission and focus of GLE. My personal values are well-aligned with GLE’s values.

The virtual design of our program allows me to participate as an instructor from anywhere in the world that I have a high-speed Internet connection. If I wake up at 4 a.m. and decide to be ‘up’ for a while, I can ‘go to class’ and participate. Whether I am in my office, my home, or at the beach, I can participate with students, staff, and instructors from around the world — literally, we have students, staff, and faculty located both domestically and internationally. We operate seamlessly, which is one of the many reasons that we are the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship.

To Request more information about the Global Leadership and Entreprenurship School at Regent University, Go here to visit them online.

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

That concludes our interview!  

About Bruce E. Winston, Ph.D.

Dr. Winston has been a part of Regent University since 1991, both with the School of Business and the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship. Currently, he is the dean for the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship.In addition to his administrative and academic duties as dean, he teaches in the GLE doctoral programs and is active in the GLE seminars and conferences.

Dr. Winston’s research interests include servant leadership, organizational development and transformation, leadership development, distance education and technology in higher education.

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Dr. Lillian Hallberg, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs & Director of MBA Programs at Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Suffolk University.

Suffolk University offers an MBA completely online. We also have an Accelerated MBA for Attorneys and an Accelerated MBA for CPAs also offered completely online.  Students may complete a concentration in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, information systems or marketing.  Although we do not have a required residency, our online students have the option of enrolling in MBA classes at our main campus in Boston, and our off site location in North Andover, Massachusetts. For those who do not live in the Boston area, we offer the option of transferring in 6 credits of MBA elective courses from another AACSB accredited MBA program near where the student lives.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

The Suffolk MBA Online is a 30 to 55 credit program, depending on your educational background. The 24 credits of MBA core classes may be waived with appropriate courses taken at the undergraduate or graduate level, within 5 years prior to entering the MBA, with an earned grade of B or better.  With three terms in the MBA Online (Fall, Spring and Summer), a student taking 2 classes per term, could complete the 55 credit program in three years; much less if the core courses are waived. Some students choose to accelerate the pace.  Alternatively, those with financial concerns or caps on reimbursement from their companies, may take up to 5 years to complete their degree.

What would you say makes Suffolk University programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

We have September, January and May entry points. In addition, our MAPS option allows an individual to register for a maximum of 6 credits (2 core courses) prior to taking the GMAT. This allows an individual to test-drive the online delivery method….or perhaps decide if the MBA is really the degree of choice before making a final commitment. Others need more time to study for the GMAT but don’t want to procrastinate on beginning their coursework.  Obviously, MBA core classes completed in the MAPS option then count toward the Suffolk MBA if the student subsequently applies and is admitted to the MBA – either online or on campus.

I also believe our weekly live chats for each course insure a richer learning and networking experience than say,  a program that provides all materials via i-pod.  One more thing to add: for those Suffolk MBA Online students within commuting distance of our main campus in Boston, our one-week global travel seminars are a popular option. In 2007- 08 we have one-week travel seminars to China, Brazil, London, United Arab Emirates, and Germany. Students must attend three classes on campus, generally on Friday evenings, and then travel for one week to the particular country, experiencing global business first-hand. These count as an elective toward the MBA degree and include corporate visits and meetings with global executives.

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

I believe accreditation is a  benchmark for standards of excellence. Suffolk University’s  Business School holds AACSB accreditation and thus our campus MBA and online MBA are AACSB accredited.   For an individual seeking an online education,  AACSB accreditation means the online MBA is held to the same standards of quality as the campus program in terms of faculty quality and curriculum content.

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

This is an easy one to answer!  The admission criteria to the MBA Online Program are identical to  Suffolk’s campus MBA.  The curriculum, faculty, course expections and learning objectives are also identical to the campus MBA.  Although Suffolk University has an excellent library, let’s face it.  Today’s busy professional who is a part-time student on campus is going to access library resources remotely, just as the online student does!  And Suffolk’s library has incredible resources specifically related to  an MBA student’s needs, all available from remote access.  Online and campus students have advising appointments with the same MBA advisor, either in person or via telephone.  Perhaps the best testament to the  quality of our online courses is that  part-time campus MBAs have the option of completing up to 4 of their courses  online and many of our students take advantage of this option!  Thus the networking experience  is all the more richer for our online students.

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

For today’s busy professional, the flexibility afforded by an online program may be the only way some individuals can attend graduate school.  Some people tell me they worry an online class will lack the interaction you get in a face-to-face campus classroom. I belive that is a myth, at least in a high quality online program. While there is no residency requirement in the Suffolk MBA Online, we do require a 90-minute weekly live chat for each course. Chats are scheduled in convenient evening hours and are limited to 18 persons per course to insure maximum learning. This insures weekly real-time interaction between faculty and students. Chats are archived so a faculty member can go back and evaluate an individual’s participation. Each week faculty also put up several open-ended questions about the weeks’ lesson and establish a “threaded discussion”.  Students log in any time, any place, and enter their comments. What we find happening, just like in a conversation, is the content gets richer and more detailed as the threaded discussion progresses through the week. Again, this is archived and faculty can evaluate participation.  I also believe today’s  globalization of the business world means that membership in a virtual community and learning to work in virtual teams is a vital line on a resume for today’s corporate executive.

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, our MBA Online students have access to our Career Services Office, precisely becuase they are considered Suffolk MBAs.  If a student does not live in the Boston vicinity, they can access our Career Services Office via the web or telephone.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Yes. Students applying to the MBA Online Program at Suffolk are eligible for financial aid in terms of merit awards (scholarships) and low interest loans. Merit awards are based on the GMAT score and undergraduate cumulative GPA.

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

Yes!  Think of an online class as a virtual community and remember the importance of networking in terms of career enhancement!  Because of the nature of online education, many of your classmates will be working professionals.  Get to know your online classmates just as you would your campus classmates.  Also, never make the assumption that because you are an online student, you are an outsider to the University or to your particular program. You are a bonafide student and therefore should expect all of the rights and privileges afforded to campus students in terms of library resources, etc.  If you live near the campus, ask to be notified about campus events and, in particular, networking opportunities.  For example, we invite all of our Suffolk MBA Online students to our MBA EDGE events on campus. These are professional development events open to all MBAs.  For example, in October we are having a Bring Your Boss or Colleague to Lunch event with the President and CEO of Au Bon Pain as a speaker, talking about the globalization of that company.  All MBAs, including online students, are invited to come!

What do you enjoy most about your position at Suffolk University?

As Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and Director of MBA Programs, I am responsible for the MBA, MBA Online, and Global MBA Programs.  I especially enjoy talking with prospective students about these different options and how they might fit their career goals.   I also enjoy the opportunity to interact with the corporate world and our alumni as  I meet with individuals to discuss internship possibliities, professional development opportunities,  and   ways to insure the Suffolk MBA curriculum remains relevant in a career focused way.

To Request more information about the online MBA programs available through Suffolk University, Go here to visit them online.

Thank you Dr. Hallberg, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview! 
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Dr. John Anderson, Associate Dean, University of Nebraska – Lincoln joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

UNL’s traditional 48 semester hour MBA curriculum is now available on-line. This totally asynchronous on-line delivery allows you to complete your entire degree without on-campus residence.  Our on-line delivery along with modular scheduling allows today’s business professionals the opportunity to participate in an internationally-recognized program without putting careers on hold to live in residence on campus. The flexibility of on-line delivery brings the UNL MBA to them – on their schedule.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Our distance students proceed through the program at their own pace. Our MBA curriculum can be completed in as few as two years, but we allow students up to 10 years to complete the program.   Most of our students will take three to four years to complete the program.

What would you say makes University of Nebraska-Lincoln programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

Unlike many distance MBA programs which have been specifically developed for the on-line market, this is the UNL MBA.  We have accessed the strengths of our campus program and made our time honored curriculum and internationally recognized faculty available to our distance students.  Our on-line delivery is totally asynchronous, with no required campus visits and is available at a very affordable cost.

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

Both regional and AACSB accreditation are as critical when selecting on on-line MBA as they are when selecting an on-campus MBA.  Unaccredited or privately accredited programs have flooded the early on-line MBA market simply because they need not concern themselves with accreditation standards.  Fortunately, that trend is changing as more accredited programs are offered on-line.

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

Our online curriculum and faculty are the same as our on campus program.  We require all MBA students to complete a nationally normed standardized assessment “Major Field Test in Business” prior to graduation.  Through this assessment, we can not only compare the effectiveness of our on-line delivery with our on-campus delivery, but we can compare our graduates against graduates from other schools.

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

The most obvious benefit is that busy working professionals are no longer required to place their career on hold to attend a full time campus MBA program.  On-line students can continue the same program through job relocations and temporary reassignments.  Additionally, prospective MBAs have a broad selection of quality programs from which to choose, programs which do not require physical proximity to a campus.

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, our MBA internship and placement coordinator’s services are available to both campus and distance students.  All students are encouraged to take advantage of an internship during their program.  Students without business experience are required to participate in an internship.

Does University of Nebraska-Lincoln offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

Yes, we have a placement coordinator in the College of Business Administration whose services are specifically provided for both campus and distance MBA students.  In addition, the University provides career placement services and job postings via Husker Hire Link and on-campus interviews by corporate employers.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Yes, financial aid services are available to both campus and distance students.

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

For those who have never taken an on-line course, I tell them to visualize the course web site as their classroom.  A classroom that is open 24/7.  A classroom that should be visited regularly, but need not have other students nor the professor present when visited.  A classroom in which lectures are available on demand, and homework assignments and completed exams can be submitted regardless of the time of day.  As I work with prospective students during the preadmission process, I emphasize the importance of self discipline and technology comfort.  Since our entire preadmission process is base on web information and email communication, absence of these qualities is easily recognized.

What do you enjoy most about your position at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

The opportunity to provide high quality educational training and mentoring is immensely satisfying on a personal level.  Working to accomplish our mission of fostering intellectual curiosity, business insight, and effective leadership is challenging yet highly rewarding.

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

Thank you Dr. John, for sharing and participating in this piece for Online Degrees 2.0

That concludes our interview!

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George Barnes, Director for the Global MBA Online program, School of Management at The University of Texas at Dallas joins us today to discuss their program.

Tell us about the Global MBA Online program (GMBA), in the School of Management, at The University of Texas at Dallas.

The Global MBA Online is an online extension of the 53-hour Professional (part-time), campus-based, MBA program.  As such, courses are drawn from the same curriculum, are taught by the same full-time faculty, and are offered each of three semesters/year.

What is the duration of the GMBA program?

As an extension of the part-time program, GMBA students proceed at their own pace.  Taking 2 courses each semester would permit completion in just over 3 years.  A student must complete the MBA program in no more than 6 years.

What would you say makes GMBA program different and better than other comparable online MBA programs?

The GMBA is accredited and anchored by the same full-time faculty that teach in the campus programs.  It is flexible and requires no residency.

Proctored exams required in some courses can be taken at an institution of higher education or testing center in a city of the student’s choice.

Faculty work one-on-one with instructional designers, and a production studio located in the School of Management is used to ensure high quality audio-streaming and video files.

There is some debate as to whether or not online MBA degrees are as worthwhile as campus-based MBA’s. What steps does The University of Texas at Dallas take to ensure that online students are receiving the same education that they’d receive in a classroom?

The online MBA students are taught by the same full-time faculty as students in the campus-based program.  Courses, drawn from the same curriculum, are offered on the same semester-basis, and feature the same approaches to instruction as the campus-based courses: lectures, written assignments, group projects, exams and media-assisted peer to peer and peer to instructor discussions – some real-time, but most asynchronous. The comparable quality control across MBA degree programs permits GMBA students to be awarded the MBA without any “online” notation.

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

Benefits of the online approach rather than the traditional classroom include:

• The program requires the student to participate in virtual teams, engage in self-directed learning, and utilize time management skills, all of which are required to function in today’s business environment
• Time flexibility for students who are working, have travel conflicts or personal/family issues that prevent them from attending a class at a regular fixed time and day
• Students can continue to pursue their degree even when transferred to another city/country.

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

The job placement services of the School of Management are available to all degree-seeking students and alumni.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

UT-Dallas financial aid is available to all degree-seeking students, online or campus-based.

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

Take a self-assessment dealing with such issues as type of learner, comfort level using technology, absence of face-to-face contact, and self-discipline.  The GMBA website features a 10-question self-assessment for prospective students.

What qualities and/or accomplishments do you look for when admitting students to your program?

Pre-requisites are the same as for the campus-based Professional (part-time) MBA degree program: undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, standardized exam (preferably the GMAT), computer literacy and an adequate level of math to take the quantitative core courses.  No special accomplishments are required such as a certain number of years of working experience.

To Request more information about the Global MBA Online program available through The University of Texas at Dallas, Go here to visit them online.

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

That concludes our interview!

About George Barnes

“The Global MBA Online dispels time and place as obstacles to earning a degree and extends delivery of the School’s existing MBA resources to students who can’t commit to regularly scheduled classes on campus. These students — really our customers — are people who may live outside the UTD geographic area or travel extensively for their organizations. They may also have relocated to other cities prior to finishing their UTD degrees.”

- George Barnes, Director, Global MBA Online, And Senior Lecturer, International Management

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