|
Distance education is an innovative way
for an adult to take college courses or even earn a college
degree. Many distance education programs are now in the form
of online study. Trips to a college campus and time in a
classroom are replaced by a computer and internet
connection. Most institutions offering distance education
make the same services available to distance learners as
they do to traditional on-campus students. Academic
advising, career services, faculty support and even
technical support are often included in distance education
programs. In addition, some programs offer courses via
correspondence, video tapes or video conferencing. Different
institutions may offer their distance education programs in
different ways so please thoroughly research the program
before enrolling. Degrees offered include Certificates,
Associates, Bachelors, Masters and even Doctorates.
While there are many legitimate
institutions offering accredited degrees, there are also
many "diploma mills" - institutions that are
offering bogus degrees. Recognizing the difference is very
important. If an institution offers to sell you a degree -
no study required - they are not a legitimate, accredited
provider. For more information, please read the article
"Legitimate Online Degree vs. Diploma Mills - What You
Need to Know."
For the working adult, distance
education has made earning your college degree much more
feasible, particularly for those in rural areas who have to
travel many miles to attend classes on campus. Distance
education isn't right for everyone though - it takes a great
deal of commitment and self-discipline. The Potter County
Education Council is a proctor site so you can test in
Coudersport, Galeton or Port Allegany rather than traveling to campus
for testing. Contact us to make proctoring arrangements.
Visit the links below to find out about
some accredited distance education programs in Pennsylvania. There are also
sites which will provide information into distance education
programs at institutions nationwide.
|
The
University of Pittsburgh
at Bradford
External Studies through UPB provides students with the
flexibility to complete coursework on their own timeline.
External studies courses require little or no in class time.
Degrees can be completed through the University of Pittsburgh
(Pittsburgh/Oakland campus). Tests can be completed on
campus or at numerous locations in the area, including the
Potter County Education Council. Click here
for more information on UPB's External Studies program.
Keystone University Network
Affordable, high-quality education is the
hallmark of the 14 universities of the Pennsylvania State
System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Keystone University
Network brings the educational offerings of those great
universities to you anywhere, anytime. Programs include
Associates, Bachelors and Masters level and individual courses
are also offered. Visit their website by clicking here.
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Now in their 7th year of offering online courses, Mansfield
now offers two undergraduate and three graduate degree
programs as well as a variety of individual courses. Click here
for more information on Mansfield's Online Learning.
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Since 1996, Clarion University has been offering distance
education courses via Interactive Video and the Internet. They
offer both undergraduate and graduate programs through
e-University as well as individual courses. Click here
for more information.
Lock Haven University of
Pennsylvania
LHUP offers online programs including both undergraduate and
graduate programs as well as individual courses. Learn more
about their programs here.
|
Indiana University of
Pennsylvania
IUP offers a Certificate and Masters program as well as
both undergraduate and graduate courses via the Internet. Visit
their web site for more details by clicking here.
Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania
Online learning opportunities at Edinboro include graduate and
post-graduate programs as well as Master's level certificates
and individual undergraduate courses. Distance education classes
are provided either online or via Interactive Video. Click
here for more information on Edinboro's distance
education offerings.
Penn State World Campus
Penn State offers more than 50 online degrees and certificate
programs. Distance education students have access to academic
advisors, technical support, career services, and top-notch
advisors. For more information on Penn State World Campus, click
here.
Pennsylvania College of
Technology
Penn College offers baccalaureate
degree completion programs in five areas of study as well as
individual courses in a variety of areas. Click here
for more information on their programs and courses.
Pennsylvania Virtual Community
College Consortium
The Pennsylvania Virtual Community
College Consortium (PAVCCC) is a partnership among 13 of
Pennsylvania's community colleges designed to give all
Pennsylvanian's access to higher educational opportunities
including courses, degree programs, and student services.
Distance education enables you to conveniently access courses,
according to your schedule, no matter where you are. PAVCCC
offers many certificate and associate degree programs completely
online. Click here
for more details on PAVCCC.
|
Get Educated.com
An excellent resource for anyone
considering a distance education degree, geteducated.com is one
of the safest places on the Internet to research online learning
opportunities. Since 1989, geteducated.com has been helping
consumers learn what it takes to succeed in online education.
They offer links to accredited institutions, The Virtual
University Gazette, and the Diploma Mill Police - a service that
will let you know if the degree you are considering is
accredited and legitimate or bogus. Visit geteducated.com by
clicking here.
Education Planner
Education Planner by American Education Services is your
one-stop college and career planning site. Education planner
offers a variety of services including career assessments,
college searches, financial aid searches, as well as your own
toolbox to help you keep track of everything. Visit Education
Planners home page by clicking here
or go directly to their distance education search page by
clicking here.
The Princeton Review
Through the PCEC's partnership with
The Princeton Review, PCEC can provide access to the exclusive
products and services that The Princeton Review offers. These
services include, but are not limited to, skills assessment
tests, college searches, scholarship searches and online test
preparation for PSAT, SAT, ACT and
SAT II tests. For those interested in distance education, the
college search can be narrowed by special programs offered such
as distance education or external degrees. For more information
on The Princeton Review, contact either of our offices at (814)
435-9490 or (814) 274-4877.
|