What is Distance Learning?

Distance Learning (also called Distance Education, Online Education, Online Learning) is when coursework occurs outside the standard classroom. Distance Learning enables students to earn course credits, diplomas, certificates, and degrees from fully accredited universities without attending physical classes at the school campus.

Previously, distance learning was limited to correspondence courses, which involved receiving course materials in the mail, completing assignments, mailing in your papers and tests, and being graded by a professor or teacher that you never met.

Today's technology has enabled a much more personal form of distance learning. While traditional correspondence courses still exist (often with more personal contact via phone and other communications), technology has allowed us to achieve a far more intimate "out of the classroom" style of learning.

Distance Learning includes courses on the Internet where you chat in a delayed or live format with your professor and fellow students, video conferences (cam) with an on-campus class, materials on video tape and/or CD-ROMs, and more. See our Media Formats section for more on the styles of Distance Learning).

Whatever method your chosen school uses, distance learning means "outside of the classroom" learning tailored to your life style.