The Convenience Of Distance Learning

In speeches across North Carolina, new UNC President Erskine Bowles has noted the potential of Distance Education and distance learning MBA.

"One of the best opportunities we have is expanding our distance education effort," President Bowles told The Daily Tar Heel for a May 18 article. "I think it can be a definite revenue source, and I don't have any qualms about it."

The 16 UNC campuses delivered 90 online degrees and an enrollment of 33,000 students in distance education courses, up from 6,929 in 1999. Bowles believes that UNC can capture a larger share of the global distance education market.

The market for online programs and courses is booming. A recent report noted that the University of Phoenix, an online university, had an enrollment of 311,000.

President Bowles believes that improved coordination and marketing could make UNC universities a global force in distance learning.

"It will enable us to reach out internationally, and I think we'll be able to take advantage of our great brand that we have," Bowles said in a speech on June 9 that was reported in the Durham Herald-Sun.

At UNCP academic programs that are able to offer online courses are benefiting. For instance, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program may be completed totally online. This increased flexibility has helped it to grow into the largest graduate program at the University.

The MPA program offered six online classes in the 2005 fall semester, with 164 students enrolled, said Dr. Nicholas Giannatasio, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration.

Enrollment at UNCP's satellite campuses has also grown quickly since 1999. The addition of four classrooms and offices on Fort Bragg beginning in the 2005 fall semester should lift enrollment even higher.

UNCP's largest satellite campuses are on the outer reaches of the region it serves, at Sandhills and Richmond Community Colleges and on Ft. Bragg. UNCP faculty also travel to Montgomery, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Scotland, Sampson and Anson counties and to nearby Lumberton.

"The Master's of School Administration (MSA) cohort began in spring 2005 and was greeted with great enthusiasm here and in Anson County," she said. "When we first began at the RCC site in 1996, we were approved for business administration and sociology. We are now approved for undergraduate majors in business administration, sociology, criminal justice and elementary education and the MBA and MSA graduate programs."

UNCP won approval to utilize four classrooms at Ft. Bragg in 2005. Dr. Coleman said the University has set aggressive goals for enrollment on a growing military base especially for it s distance learning MBA and MSA courses.

"Our ambition is to have 1,000 students on Ft. Bragg within three years and 5,000 students in 10 years," Dr. Coleman said. "I believe we will do it. Our challenge is to build courses and programs flexible enough for 21st century military careers."

UNCP has added staff and services in support of its distance education programs especially distance learning MBA, including a librarian, an online course designer and a 24-hour helpdesk for students taking online courses.

"Dr. (Charles) Tita, director of Distance Education, his staff and our satellite campus coordinators are to be commended for their dedication and effective work," Dr. Coleman said.

"For the future, we must push the envelope for the delivery of high quality education," Dr. Tita said. "Our satellite program coordinators are extremely dedicated to delivering personalized services to our students. That's why we have been so successful."

Distance education at UNCP is one of two operational units that make up the Office for Outreach. The other is the Regional Center for Economic, Community, and Professional Development. Distance education courses and programs are for academic credit. Certificate and professional development programs offered through the Regional Center are for non-academic credit but may earn continuing education credits.

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