Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
7/19/99
For immediate release
Contacts:
Lynette Spicer, Extended and Continuing Education (515)
294-1327, lspicer@iastate.edu
Lois Hunt, Extended and Continuing Education (515) 294-4803,
x1hunt@exnet.iastate.edu
ISU Off-Campus Course Flexibility Boosts Student Numbers
Ames, IOWA--Increasing flexibility and access are the keys to building a growing distance education program, according to Lois Hunt, director of Extended and Continuing Education at Iowa State University Extension. They are also the keys to success for the university's many distance education students.
Students throughout the state -- and in other states and countries, as well -- are taking advantage of degree-targeted course work to advance in their careers, support a desire to change careers or simply for the personal satisfaction of earning higher degrees.
Iowa State's off-campus enrollment has increased 50 percent in the past five years. It increased 25 percent in the last year alone.
Course work delivery has become more flexible, according to Hunt, with many opportunities now being created on the Internet. ISU offers remote delivery of classes for undergraduate and graduate students by videotape, over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), person-to-person with faculty traveling to remote locations, and on the Web. Courses also are offered on-campus on Saturdays and in the evenings.
"These mechanisms mean that students of all ages and lifestyles who want to earn a degree but cannot pick up and move to the Ames campus can achieve that goal. They have access to the education they need or want," Hunt said. She explained that the idea of "remote" education does not mean a student is "removed" from the interactions that bolster learning. ICN classes, for example, provide on-the-spot, two-way interaction between faculty and students as well as from student location to student location.
"The advisors and administrators in Iowa State's various colleges and degree programs really work with the individual students to tailor a degree or certificate program that fits their goals and their needs," Hunt added. Many distance education students already are in careers, with full-time jobs and, frequently, family and other community commitments.
Programs of study offer a variety of ways to put together a degree program, according to Iowa State administrators. Community college coursework may make up a substantial amount of an undergraduate program. Transfer credits and course work at other institutions may also come into play.
Iowa State offers college credit certificate and degree programs via distance education methods in the United States and Canada in the following areas: Bachelor of Science in Professional Agriculture; Master of Agriculture; Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering; Master of Science in Agronomy; Master of Science in Computer Engineering; Master of Science in Electrical Engineering; and Master of Science in Microbiology.
In addition, in Iowa, the university offers the following programs: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering; Certificate of Public Management; Master of Education in Educational Leadership; Master of Family and Consumer Sciences; Master of School Mathematics; and School Superintendent Certification.
In the greater Des Moines area, the following also are offered: Bachelor of Liberal Studies; Family Worker Certification; Master of Business Administration; Master of Public Administration; and Occupational, Vo-tech Teaching Endorsement.
Flexibility also has increased for the process of registration. For the first time this fall semester, registrations are being taken at the Extended and Continuing Education Web site in addition to past methods of mail, fax, in-person or phone.
Registrations for fall semester classes in distance education programs are being taken through August 16. For a catalog or information about programs of study, contact the office of Extended and Continuing Education toll-free at (800) 262-0015 or visit its Web site at www.lifelearner.iastate.edu.
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.