Distance learning has become a means of creatively re-inventing oneself in this jobless era. Online universities are saturating the market. The most frequently accessed colleges and universities will usually appear first in Google searches. While University of Phoenix, Kaplan University or Walden University may come up among the top ten in an internet search, they are not in this list. There are exceptional online distance education programs that the average Google search may never disclose. The result is that those seriously desiring quality education online may miss out on excellent opportunities.
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), a non-profit organization founded in 1987, conducts research on distance learning. USDLA President, Reggie Smith III, hails from Booz Allen Hamilton. The Executive Committee of USDLA are academic leaders in the industry and USDLA Board Chair Julie Young “pioneered the launch of Florida Virtual Schools” where students in grades K-12 can attend classes online in the State of Florida.
USDLA runs a world class research center, and publishes the Distance Learning magazine edited by Dr. Michael Simonson of Nova Southeastern University. USDLA has member chapters around the world, and conducts National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Hartmann of Drexel University Online, as well as numerous national conferences on distance learning. USDLA educates the public on distance learning and warns potential students against signing on with “Diploma Mills.”
Following are brief reviews of several reputable universities who offer online education programs of good caliber in various degrees and certificates.
Drexel University Online
Drexel University has 115 years of history, entering the online arena in 1996, as is detailed on its website. Practically a household word, Drexel University is renowned for its quality technical and engineering education. The Online Degree Catalog is well worth the read with Bachelor degrees, Masters degrees and
Certificates are awarded in courses which include RN, Health Services Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Property Management, Technology, Engineering, Library & Information Science, Project Management, Hospitality, Teacher Certification and Graduate Certificates in many more disciplines.
Harvard University
Harvard University, founded in 1636, is an American icon and came to the fore in 2007 when it began offering free college tuition to high student achievers from low income and middle income families. Harvard’s online course offerings are in Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, Classic Greek Civilization, Computer Science, Economics, English, Engineering Science, Environmental Studies, French Language and Literature, Government, History, Journalism, and Museum Studies. This is a partial list. Visit " Distance Education: How it works" to learn more on Harvard University’s distance learning program.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT offers “System Design and Management” (SDM), a 24-month graduate degree program which, per MIT’s website, can be completed primarily online. The SDM program has some in-person requirements, as do many online colleges and universities, but there is a lucrative opportunity to earn a degree from MIT for busy professional who do not reside in Massachusetts.
Nova Southeastern University
Founded in 1964, Nova Southeastern University reports it is “the nation’s seventh largest, not-for-profit, independent university, with more than 28,000 students and 103,000 alumni.” NSU offers Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees online and "seventy-six of its programs are certified by the Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus.” NSU has been ranked as one of the best colleges to attend in 2011 by US News and World Report and is listed in 2009 and 2010 among the best on the Princeton Review and "Washington Monthly National University Reviews."
Penn State University
Penn State University, founded in 1855, offers an Online MBA from its “World Campus.” Penn State states that its MBA is more than a cut above the pool of online institutions who title “online MBA” on their diploma. “The iMBA curriculum offers a level of quality and rigor consistent with Penn State's international reputation for excellence as an educational institution. Since its founding in 1855, Penn State has established itself as one of the nation's most respected universities, offering instruction in more than 160 baccalaureate and 150 graduate programs.”
Villanova University
Villanova University has origins, since 1842, with the Augustinian Order. St. Augustine’s Church founded Villanova in 1796 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova boasts five brick and mortar colleges. Its online programs include a Masters of Science in Human Resources, and Certificates for in demand job roles including Project Management, Six Sigma and Lean, Information Systems Security, Software Testing, ROI Methodology.
Choosing an online university can be a daunting task unless you know where and how to begin. There are no solid criteria to help get started. As recently as this year, a fairly long standing, non-standard, un-accredited online college, which shall remain nameless, simply failed and closed its doors to its students in the midst of earning their degrees. Beginning with a resource such as USDLA can be quite useful. This final tip may seem trivial, at first, but perhaps one other good criteria to determine if an institution is enduring may be whether or not they have a sports team.
References
Harvard Offers Free Tuition for Low Income Students
Princeton Review College Rankings
US News and World Report Best Colleges
Washing Monthly National University Reviews
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