Distance Educational Programs
The distant education means the studying outside the traditional classrooms, when the teachers and students are located in the different places. The most important thing before the studying on the distant programs is to make sure that the chosen course is accredited by the government body, local authority or the specialized agency. The accreditation confirms the quality of the education and the recognition of the diplomas on the labor market.
Notwithstanding the stereotype, the distant education means not only the online education. Undoubtedly, the online education is the most convenient type of the distant education, but all the educational materials (videotapes, books and audio cassettes) can be also delivered by the radio, satellite and the regular post. Before the studying it is necessary to find out the method of the delivery of the studying materials.
Another stereotype is connected with the opinion that the distant degree can be received without attending any classes and exceptionally by sitting at home. In fact, only 75 % of the distance programs are off – campus. The other 25 % of the distant educational institutions demand the essential attending of the organization classes on the beginning of every semester and before the final exams. Some universities also require the attending of weekend classes. It also refers to the satellite distant programs, which have the limited delivery area. It means that the students have to go regularly to the special places to get the delivered materials.
In any case, the students have to go to the university campus at least once with the objective to present the thesis of final work. The students have to examine all the conditions which refer to the residency requirements of the chosen university. The transportation and accommodation in the university campus need a lot of money and the education can cost in the result quite expensive in spite of the low tuition fee.
Other factors which must be examined before the studying are: the tuition fee and other payments, the system and conditions of payment, the variety of majors, the experience of the teachers, the quality of education and the duration of the studying.