How to Use This Site (Adult Classes)

flame The most important section of this site is the college fact sheets. These contain concise, organized information about colleges catering to distance learners. Included are only colleges that offer DEGREES through distance learning, not just a class or two. To make things still easier, we've broken down these fact sheets into three sections: Associates Degree, Bachelor's Degree, and Graduate Degrees (Master's and Doctoral). Schools offering degrees on more than one level will have multiple fact sheets. You can get to these sheets using any of the indices found in our navigation bar (alphabetical, by state, or by major) and clicking on a college name in the listings).

School Name and Location: Each school fact sheet will list the school's name and location at the top of the sheet. Why is a location important if you're going to be a distance learner? In most cases the colleges require at least one on campus visit. It may be easier for you to get to a college closer to you or in a specific geographic area than another college would be. Even if you do not have to go to campus for your program, many colleges offer cheaper tuitions to in-state students, making geographical consideration all the more important.

Class Types: The next fact that these sheets discuss is what types of distance learning classes are offered. This is where you will find out of the colleges deliver classes online, through video tape, via television, through correspondence, and so on. For a more detailed discussion of exactly what these methods entail, please see our Distance Learning Formats. It is important to keep in mind, however, that many programs utilize more than one method of delivery. That is, if teleweb, online, and independent study are all listed as formats a college uses, then probably their degrees involve taking classes that are a mix of these formats.

On campus requirements: Now here's an aspect that could have a huge effect on which college you choose to attend. Many school's require either on campus testing or taking a test with a proctor. That information is included. What that means is that, if you cannot get to the campus, you can arrange (usually well ahead of time) to have someone else monitor your test taking. This person will need to be approved by your college and the proper paperwork filled out. Also included in this section are requirements such as on-campus orientations, on-campus lab-work, mini-residencies, and a host of other requirements. This is one section a distance learner should definately make sure matches their life-style before pursuing that college.

Degrees Offered: It could be argued, probably successfully, that this is the most important information. Select a school that not only meets your requirements as far as residencies and course delivery goes, but also that offers the program you want at the level you need :-)

Response to information request: Some people think this is unimportant. I think it is vital. In doing my research I made anonymous requests for printed information from these schools in regards to their distance learning program. If a school has not sent me anything yet the words "Waiting on info" appear. If I have received a response, exactly what they sent is listed. I feel this is important because, as distance students you will not be on campus. This check provides some measure of how well the colleges in question respond to the needs of their students/prospective students. Pay attention not just to whether or not I received a response, but whether the response met my inquiry (for distance learning information) as well. In rare cases no information was requested. These cases so state in this section of the profiles.

Random notes: This can be almost anything. Schools that have a religious affiliation will have that information so stated here. Additionally, if a school has an especially difficult to navigate web site, email addresses that bounce, or if their site crashes my computer, it's mentioned here. Also, schools that are for only women (or men) are mentioned, schools that only accept students over a certain age, or schools that, while providing bachelor's degree programs, require a certain amount of credits for admission, are so noted in this area.

Student Comments & Reviews: This section is so that you can read (or submit) first hand reviews of college experiences with the school in question.

Link to the school's web site: Always visit the site of the schools you're really interested in. Check things out, contact their advisors, request your own information. We make every effort to maintain accuracy of this information, but, ultimately, it's up to you, the future student, to make sure a school is right for you :-)