Facts About Distance Learning

The National Center for Education Statistics defines distance education as, "a formal education process in which the students and instructor are not in the same place." These are some other interesting facts about distance education:

Sixty-five percent of college campuses reported offering online education. Traditional universities have even jumped on the bandwagon and started offering hybrid courses, where half the class is done in the classroom, and other half is done online. Distance learning has become so wide-spread and accepted, a college is considered up-to-date if they offer online classes.

In 2006-2007, there were 11,200 different college programs available online. Of these programs, sixty-six percent were for degrees, and the other thirty-four percent were for certification for specific practices. What does this translate to? Something is available for everyone, from the one-year student to the doctorate degree.

Over half of the online programs available have credits transferable to all other universities and programs. While it is important when looking up an online program to make sure the credits are transferable if you choose to take your education elsewhere, it is not a different search to make. Most accredited universities offer degree programs that can be continued into future higher degrees at another campus or online university. Typically, programs that do not offer transferable credits are ones specifically tailored to one occupation, such as two-year distance learning programs.