Distance Education Degree Overview

Distance Education focuses on delivering instruction to non-traditional students, such as working adults, who are not "on site" to attend classes.Educators and students are separated by time and space and must communicate through regular mail, through the use of CD-ROMs, by the use of the Internet, or through radio and television broadcasts.Students and teachers connect without coming face-to-face in a college setting.

While Distance Education courses may be convenient for students, faculty members must be able to adapt courses to make them successful or develop new courses and course materials that are appropriate for these non-traditional formats.Educators must be knowledgeable in Technology Degree">computer technology and must be able to communicate accordingly.They often function as facilitators, as well as instructors.Integrity issues may arise because the student can be completely removed from supervision.Some schools may direct instructors to require students to take examinations in a proctored setting.

Education, Training & Degrees

There are many private and public, non-profit and for-profit institutions that offer degree and certificate programs through Distance Education.Degree requirements and certification for Distance teachers vary depending upon the level of instruction and the academic institution.Educators who teach Distance Education classes have many of the same degree requirements as classroom teachers.Educational requirements for teachers are highest at four-year universities, which usually require faculty members to hold PhD degrees in their field of study. At two-year colleges, most teachers hold Master's degrees.Expertise in a related occupation is the primary qualification at technical institutes and vocational schools.

Distance educators must be especially skilled in using the computer and the Internet and must be comfortable relating to students in a less personal manner than the classroom setting provides.They must be self-motivated and able to work in a setting with very little direct supervision.Students must be comfortable learning independently and must also be skilled in using computers and the Internet.

Career Opportunities

There are an increasing number of faculty members who work in Distance Education programs that are aimed at providing career-related education for working adults.Faculty members at these programs generally work part time, often on nights and weekends, and are responsible only for teaching.They have few administrative or research responsibilities.Some "part-timers" have primary jobs outside of Education in business, government or research.

According to the U. S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for Postsecondary and Distance educators is expected to grow much faster than the average for other occupations.A significant number of these jobs will be part-time positions.Adults returning to college to enhance their careers will continue to create job opportunities for Distance Educators, and the need to replace the large number of retiring teachers over the next few years will create a significant number of openings in the field.

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