Distance Learning—Not So Distant After All

By Jennifer Hawks

For most working folks, taking time off to return to school doesn’t seem like an option. There are bills to pay and attending classes on-campus is nearly impossible when you work over-the-road. But a college degree or certification could mean more job options and higher pay. It’s a Catch-22 situation. So, how can you continue to work while creating opportunities for a better future?

Many people who are curious about learning a new area of specialization, either for pleasure or to broaden their future career outlook, feel that it would be impossible to keep up with current responsibilities and take on the new challenge of college. While this might be the case for most working adults, truckers have a unique situation—consistent hours of downtime. In average jobs when people return home every night, they are easily distracted by chores and day-to-day tasks, finding it hard to take some quiet time to concentrate on schoolwork. But for a determined trucker, distance learning through an online university is actually a lot more do-able.

Correspondence schools have been in existence for the last 100 years, but since the 1990’s, distance learning programs have exploded in popularity because of the Internet. Now more than ever, adults find it easier to earn certification, college credits, or degrees without attending classes on campus. Distance learning allows students to complete coursework at home or on the road, usually on their own schedule.

According to the United States Department of Education, from 1997 to 1998, 1.6 million students enrolled at 1,680 accredited distance learning institutions around the country. Since then, many school administrators are reporting enrollment increases.

Joe Cockrell, Director of Public Relations for The University of Phoenix, believes that the increasing enrollment is a sign of the times. “We’re starting to see much more interest in distance learning because students are more digital than ever before. They’ve grown up with computers. And now they want that kind of technology available to them for school. Distance learning is a way to serve those students and many schools are recognizing that.”

While there are several major differences between traditional college institutions and online colleges like the University of Phoenix, the opportunity for education is comparable. The University of Phoenix’s open enrollment policy doesn’t require prospective students to pass a standardized entrance examination, such as the SAT, to gain admission. Cockrell says, “Those tests were developed for recent high school graduates. Adults may not have that information fresh in their mind, so why should they be punished for that?”

How does distance learning work?

Most online education programs allow students to make their own schedule and work at their own pace. Some distance learning programs require a percentage of classroom time, while ones like The University of Phoenix don’t require any time on-campus. But requirements will differ depending on the course. For example, accounting courses are more conducive for online study but acting classes and nursing programs require at least some in-class time.

If a driver is enrolled in a distance learning program, Internet access is not necessary all of the time, but owning a laptop probably is. Assignments and course materials can be downloaded when Internet access is available, completed later, then submitted again the next time he or she is online. A big advantage is that drivers can choose the time and place to connect to school and turn in assignments. For those who experience long stints of downtime between hauls, it’s an ideal time to catch up on schoolwork.

Are online diplomas legitimate?

There are two types of learning institutions: accredited and non-accredited. The bad guys in distance learning are the unaccredited ones, known as “diploma mills.” Essentially, they’re selling you a diploma in exchange for very little, if any, educational requirements. Employers and accredited schools are unlikely to take a diploma from a non-accredited organization very seriously.

It is also possible that a school will claim to be accredited, but the accrediting agency itself may be bogus. To know if a college or university is the real thing, begin with the accrediting agency. The only recognized authorities on this are the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These two organizations hold accrediting agencies to a high set of standards. The CHEA website (www.chea.org) offers a searchable database of accredited learning institutions listed by name, location, program and other criteria.

Can anyone be accepted?

Just fork over the money and you’re in, right? Actually no. While some accredited schools are easier to get into than others, many online programs have just as high standards as on-campus programs. In most instances, online students use the same books and materials as on-campus courses. You will likely need to have either a high school transcript, transcripts from other colleges that you’ve attended even if you didn’t earn a degree, or scores from entrance tests, like the SAT, from the past five years. For those entering college for the first time and do not have such documents, not to worry. Schools often administer their own entrance exams and offer remedial or “refresher” courses to bring students up to speed on reading and math skills if necessary. Don’t be intimidated by entrance requirements. Most online schools cater to adults in many situations and will find a way to work with you.

But to qualify for advanced online graduate programs, such as a Master’s degree or other post-graduate degrees, you must have already earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute and be able to provide transcripts, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Passing a standardized admission exam such as the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) may also be required for online graduate programs.

Is distance learning the best option?

Distance learning courses are not for everyone. It takes a lot of discipline to crack open the books when you could be lounging and watching television. If you require structure to complete goals, then scheduled classes may work better for you than a self-paced program. Distance learning courses require using a computer, the Internet, email and certain software programs. If you’re new at using a computer, consider first taking a beginner’s level computer course. You should be comfortable using a computer before enrolling. Also, while some programs offer enormous schedule flexibility, project due dates and exam times, others are more restrictive. When considering which programs interest you the most, be realistic about how much of a load you can handle. If you’re not sure, start out slowly with a light schedule. You can always add more classes over time, but if you take on too much in the beginning, you may get frustrated and be less likely to continue.

Get the biggest bang for your buck

As with any investment, some educational programs are better than others, even among accredited schools. One company that sorts through the overwhelming number of choices and rates CHEA-accredited colleges and universities based on tuition fees is GetEducated.com. Vicky Phillips, founder and CEO of GetEducated, explains that education costs among schools vary widely. “With Ivy League schools like Wharton School of Business, they believe that people are paying not just for their education, but for their brand name as well.” Phillips recommends that when shopping around for the right school, consider whether any time must be spent on campus, including pre-term orientation classes. “Some only require about a week or ten days on campus, but it can make a difference in your costs, unless you’re located near the school.”

As far as quality of education goes, Phillips does not advocate for programs with on-campus or residency time over those that are conducted entirely via the Internet. “Research has shown that comparing the educational outcome in terms of what’s learned and learner satisfaction, campus residency doesn’t make any difference.”

GetEducated ranks online schools by program and costs, helping potential students identify programs that are affordable in their area of interest. For example, a Master’s of Business Administration (MBE) degree from Chadron State College ranks as the least expensive, with an average cost around $5,598 for Nebraska residents (out of state tuition fees are higher). By comparison, to earn an MBE from Duke University, it would cost around $115,700. An online MBE program takes part-time students an average of three years to complete. Bachelor’s degrees usually take anywhere from four to six years, depending on the pace of the student. Associates’ degrees are typically two-year programs, but can also be stretched out longer, again depending on the pace of the student. Some online programs also offer students the opportunity to “test out” of courses and move at an even faster pace, if they are so inclined.

If paying tuition costs is an issue, there’s often financial aid available. Many schools have financial aid counselors on staff who can assist students in finding potential funds. When comparing costs, also keep in mind that in-state tuition fees are lower than out-of-state tuition fees, even for distance learning programs.

Earning a college degree or certification while working doesn’t have to be just a pipedream. Thanks to distance learning, it can be a dream come true.

Jennifer Hawks is a freelance writer who has recently returned to school to complete her commercial pilot’s license.

©2007 by Jennifer Hawks