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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Preston DuBose from the Office of Distance Education at Texas A&M University joins us today to discuss distance education.

Tell us about the distance learning programs offered at Texas A&M University.

Texas A&M offers 20 graduate degrees and 3 graduate certificate programs by distance education. The entire list of degrees and certificates can be found at by Clicking Here.

What is the typical duration of each of your programs?

Distance programs at Texas A&M follow the same format and requirements as on-campus graduate programs, consequently the durations are roughly the same. Figure 2 to 3 years for a master’s degree and longer for a doctoral degree.

What would you say makes Texas A&M University programs different and better than other comparable online programs?

As a major research university, Texas A&M attracts world-renowned experts as a part of our faculty. The degree programs by distance education are taught by the same award-winning faculty who teach on our campus. The faculty at Texas A&M includes winners of the Nobel Prize, National Medal of Science, Pulitzer Prize, World Food Prize and Wolf Prize, with 26 holding membership in the prestigious National Academy of Sciences or the National Academy of Engineering.

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

Accreditation should be extremely important. These days there are many accredited online colleges from which to choose. Even if you’re just taking a class for the knowledge and never expect to transfer the credit somewhere else, you’re still safer choosing an accredited college. For one thing, you never know when circumstances will change and you’ll need those college credits after all. If the college isn’t accredited, you’d be out of luck.

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

In many if not most cases, at Texas A&M the syllabus for on-campus and online courses is identical. In fact, some online courses are provided with streaming video from Texas A&M’s on-campus sections. Both sets of students then have the opportunity to mingle and ask questions in online class forums. Furthermore, each program undergoes periodic, rigorous review, and online courses are treated to the exact same standards as on-campus classes. Finally, Texas A&M’s accrediting body has outlined the expectation that on-campus and online courses provide the same education, so it is something we must do to stay accredited.

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

Online degrees generally offer the convenience of reviewing course materials at a time that best fits your schedule. Online degrees are great for working adults who can not quit their jobs and possibly even move their families near a campus. Instead you can keep working your 8-5 job, put the kids to bed at night, then log into your class and watching a lecture or read your assignments.

Another fringe benefit is that online classes can actually be better structured than their classroom counterparts. We’ve all probably had a least one classroom professor who always showed up at the last minute and lectured off the cuff with no clear teaching goal. However, teaching online requires that the lessons be prepared in advance.

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?

While faculty can help our students find internships in their fields, most of the distance students enrolled in Texas A&M’s graduate programs are already employed. In many cases, their employer is actually helping to defray the cost of their educations.

Does Texas A&M University offer any job placement services to your students and graduates?

Texas A&M’s Career Center serves all students at Texas A&M, regardless of whether or not they can come to the Career Center. The Career Center offers advising by e-mail, an electronic portfolio, and a web-based Aggie job board with positions posted by employers from all over the world.

Is financial aid available to students in your programs?

Yes. In most ways, at Texas A&M distance students are treated the same as on-campus students and financial aid is no exception.

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

You will need strong time management skills. Schedule a certain time of day—even if it’s 10 PM—to work on your class material. If you don’t block out the time and treat it just like classroom time, you’ll find other activities crowding out your study time.

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

Thank you Preston, 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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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!

Designed and taught by experienced, distinguished professionals from the Entrepreneurial Management Institute at Boston University’s School of Management, the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship delivers the practical, real-world knowledge these experts have to offer. This program consists of four courses that will leave graduates with a working knowledge of sales, marketing, finance, leadership, strategy, cutting-edge theory, and good business practices. This program can be completed in less than eight months.

The entrepreneurial graduate certificate program at Boston University is designed to help students promote and develop their business ideas through a variety of specialized courses. Founded in 1984, the Entrepreneurship Management Institute brings together Boston University students, faculty, and alumni with partners in Boston’s business community to create a dynamic learning environment in which to study and absorb entrepreneurial practices.

Students who complete this online certificate program will gain a comprehensive knowledge of eastern concepts of holistic health and healing. Students will learn the cultural and historical background behind practices like yoga and meditation, as well as the physiological effects of these practices. Ultimately, the goals of this program are both personal and professional: a renewed mindfulness and an increase in the potential for knowledge and communication between medical, religious, and spiritual groups.

Each online course features online lectures, video clips, audio instructions, and required readings from textbooks. All four courses are taught by Professor Livia Kohn, a professor of Asian religions for over twenty years. Courses integrate academic knowledge with practical experience and can be taken either individually or as a series to earn a Graduate Certificate in Asian Relations and Healing.

The unique combination of academic learning and practical skills embodied in the online Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting program creates an exciting and important educational option for students looking to advance in their careers and to expand their professional opportunities. This certificate program provides the basis of the theoretical background and technical training required to step into the world of accounting and step up to career opportunities in the public, private, and government sectors.

To enroll in this certificate program, students must first complete Strayer’s online certificate in introductory accounting program. Students in this program are required to take the following courses: Advanced Federal Taxation, Intermediate Accounting II, Cost Accounting, Advanced Accounting I, and Auditing. Furthermore, they must take one additional course from the following elective courses: Non-profit/Municipal Accounting, Investments, Financial Markets and Institutions, or Business Law I.

With increasing knowledge about natural approaches to staying healthy, there is a need for information about caring naturally for the animals who share our lives. While the various species, like humans, respond differently to certain modalities, there are also many similarities. Beginning with the basics of care and feeding, as well as foundational information about natural health, the program expands to introduce students to a wide range of holistic modalities that are appropriate for animal care.

While studying for your certificate in holistic companion animal care studies, you’ll take classes like Overview of Holistic Animal Care, Bodywork for Companion Animals, Herbs for Companion Animals, Aromatherapy and Flower Essences for Companion Animals, Traditional Chinese Medicine for Companion Animals, and Natural Nutrition for Companion Animals. Furthermore, upon graduation, you will be well prepared to take care of and keep your holistic companions in great health!

This online website development certificate program introduces you to the computer field and progresses to webpage creation in HTML. You will gain specialized knowledge of web development using multimedia, graphics, image, and animation tools. The curriculum also covers the study of e-commerce solutions and networking fundamentals. The program prepares you for the CompTIA i-Net+ certification exam and parts of the World Organization of Webmasters’ Certified Professional Webmaster certification.

This online certificate program in web development prepares you for entry-level employment in various areas within the information technology field, including network administration, database management, software programming, and Web development. Students in this program will take the following courses: Introduction to Information Technology, Introduction to Web Design, Database Management, Introduction to Programming, Website Tools, LAN Concepts, E-Commerce Development, Website Development, and Network Administration.

Persons interested in herbal studies will want to look into Clayton College’s three-tiered Herbal Studies Certificate Program. This three-part program was designed to cater to persons interested in herbal studies for a number of reasons. The Family Herbalist Certificate program was designed primarily for persons interested in using herbs in order to improve their family’s health. Students in this program take classes such as Basic Nutrition, General Herbology, The Home Herbal Garden, Issues of a Consulting Practice, Home Remedies and Simples, and Aromatherapy.

The Family Herbalist Certificate also forms the basis for both the Consulting Herbalist Certificate and the Master Herbalist Certificate. Both of these programs were designed to cater to persons employed in a field where herbal knowledge is either beneficial or imperative. Students in these programs will take classes such as Herbalism and Phytotherapy, Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Native American Ethnobotany, Plant Identification, Herbal Nutrition, and Therapeutic Herbology.