Distance universities offer correspondence programs where students receive and submit assignments by mail or email. Top universities such as Oxford and Harvard offer distance learning programs, and Stanford has an online school for gifted students and an international outreach program. Self-assessment materials are provided to help students determine if distance education is right for them. Distance education is a flexible alternative for those with long hours or commitments.
A distance university is a university that offers correspondence programs, known as distance education. Students receive and submit assignments by mail or email rather than attending the school in person. In other words, the difference between onsite and remote university studies is physical. Instead of communicating in person, students are connected to faculty and other students through technology. Many of the top universities offer distance learning programs and courses.
For example, the renowned University of Oxford in the United Kingdom (UK) is a distance learning university. Oxford offers undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas and certificates in courses such as “Master of International Human Rights Law” and “Graduate Advanced Diploma in Data and System Analysis”. Harvard University, a prestigious university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers Internet-based distance courses, as well as online seminars and lectures through the Harvard Extension School.
In 2007, the reputable Stanford University in Palo Alto, California became a distance learning university in two ways. Stanford started the first online school for gifted students and launched an international outreach program the same year. Stanford’s distance-learning high school diploma program, Gifted Youth Education Program (EPGY), is designed to be completed by gifted students in three years. The international outreach program adapts Stanford’s education programs in collaboration with education models at African and Latin American universities.
A distance learning university will often provide prospective students with self-assessment materials to help them discover whether distance education and online programs are right for them. Distance education is not for everyone, as it takes an extreme amount of self-motivation and careful attention to deadlines to successfully complete mail-in correspondence or online classes. Not having much social interaction is a concern for some students in distance education, but today many distance learning courses include online student discussions and group projects using online technology.
Completing a part-time degree or degree through a distance university can be a great option for those with long hours or commitments, such as raising children that don’t allow them to attend a full-time university in person. The delivery of exams varies greatly depending on each distance learning university. Not all schools offer exams remotely, in which case students may be required to take exams at nearby colleges or universities. Distance education is not something to rush into, but it can be a great opportunity for those who need a flexible alternative to attending university on campus.
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