Distance Education Universities
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Degrees earned at distance education universities may be just as influential in securing employment as those awarded by brick and mortar schools, especially if offered through accredited institutions. Legally, an institution of higher education cannot use the term "university" unless accredited or approved by a governing educational board. The major difference between online institutions and traditional schools of higher learning is the method in which instruction is delivered. Web-based universities are computer-assisted "virtual campuses" which cater to students in remote or off site locations. An enrollee can live across town, across the state, or on another continent and still access programs via high-tech telecommunications, such as video and web conferencing, email, and chat rooms. Because of today's Internet capabilities, online students can experience the impact of being in the classroom from almost any location in the world. Strategically placed IP addressable web cameras can display classroom activity and group discussions in real time. Program enrollees can access assignments, download syllabuses and study guides, and take exams by logging onto university websites using a unique user ID and password. Class discussions take place in chat rooms as professors and students "converse" via text messages and blogs.
Because distance education universities exist primarily in cyberspace, program offerings are more accessible to a global audience, rather than one limited by geographical area. Virtual universities can accommodate hundreds of thousands of undergraduates from all walks of life with diverse interests. And the costs of operating a cyberspace college are much less than expenses incurred by major educational institutions within a physical plant. Consider the savings in constructing and maintaining physical structures. Virtual universities require no libraries, coed dormitories, lecture halls, or stadiums to heat and cool. Lawn maintenance is nil and there is no food service in the non-existent cafeteria. But the quality of education is incomparable. Web-based curriculums offer high quality instruction by a stellar faculty of qualified educators who are just an email or phone call away should students require additional one-on-one assistance. Computer-assisted courses utilize the same textbooks as those provided campus students; however most texts will include a CD which enables program participants to download complementary instructional materials from the university's server.
And because distance education universities have very little operating expense compared to traditional schools, administrators can afford to invest a substantial amount of funds in high-tech instructional delivery and communications systems, paramount to the success of an online institution. In addition to emails, telephony, and chatrooms, virtual universities utilize satellite television to broadcast lectures and laboratory demonstrations. Some even broadcast from on-campus studios manned by journalism or mass media majors. Implementing programs offered by distance education universities requires a fully interactive web site which utilizes specially designed software programs and databases to manage student records and accounts, deliver educational material throughout the quarter, and help enrollees gain valuable skills in pursuit of an online academic degree. Distance learning students also have the flexibility to complete coursework at their own pace, within the parameters of a time-sensitive schedule of reading assignments, practical online exercises, quizzes, email discussions, and exams.
Another advantage of enrollment in distance education universities is that degree programs can usually be completed within two years online versus the typical four-year time frame for attending a traditional college. While traditional and virtual universities both award bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees; a web-based curriculum tends to be condensed and accelerated. Most enrollees are willing to invest nights and weekends at the computer in hopes of obtaining a terminal degree for better employment opportunities. They aren't concerned about the lack of a physical campus or the loss of undergraduate social activities. Disabled individuals and those who lack the finances to attend traditional brick and mortar schools also opt for enrollment in distance education universities.
While some prospective employers may prefer graduates of Ivy League alma maters, there is really very little difference between an Ivy League and a distance learning graduate. As a matter of fact, students who successfully complete online degree programs are not only familiar with a chosen field of study, but also self-disciplined time managers with strong work ethics. Some employers are often willing to foot the bill for valued employees who want to enroll in distance education universities in order to gain skills and credentials to qualify for a better job and more pay. The very nature of completing an independent online study in a remote location with little feedback or interaction with peers is a testament to an individual's ability to stay focused and on the fast track to success.
Students seeking to enroll in distance education universities should browse the Internet to compare course offerings and fees. Fees will vary depending on the program of study students choose to pursue. Reputable institutions should be accredited by the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA) or the Board of Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA). In a tight race for a better job, the applicant with credentials from an accredited college, whether online or onsite, could hold a slight advantage. Buyers should also beware of online institutions which promise lightning fast degrees with little or no course instruction or testing. Some virtual schools award terminal degrees based on life experience, which is subjective at best. Job seekers may be able to deceive some employers into accepting bogus certification, but actually earning an online degree from an accredited university has considerably more leverage and comfort level than striving unlawfully for success. Finally, the choices for earning an online degree in a student's field of interest have never been better. Affordable fees, flexible schedules, and comprehensive web-based instruction, coupled with technologically-advanced delivery methods enable men and women from all socioeconomic strata to gain valuable skills and improve their marketability as valued employees.
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