Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
8-2-02
For immediate release
Contacts:
Kris Phelps, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7329,
kphelps@iastate.edu
Lynette Spicer, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)
294-1327, lspicer@iastate.edu
Distance Learning Makes Iowa State Courses and Degree Programs Accessible
AMES, Iowa--This fall, Iowa State is offering more than 110 courses to off-campus students via a variety of distance learning methods. The most courses are offered via Internet.
Denise Tuttle of Chariton is working on a Master of Family and Consumer Sciences with specialization in Family Financial Planning. All courses are on the Internet. She is a financial planner in a bank and a certified public accountant, and she wants to become a certified financial planner. "There is no way that I could do this master's if I had to drive somewhere to take classes. It's easy to get on the Internet. It does take a lot of time, but the classes are interesting and useful," Tuttle says.
Gary Jeppson finished his Master of Science in Statistics this spring, taking all the courses by videotape from Sandy, Utah. Jeppson has worked 21 years for 3M, one of five companies that has signed a letter of agreement with Iowa State to offer the degree to its employees. "If a student puts forth the effort, the professors will work with you. They took the time to talk to me even though they were very busy," Jeppson commented. Jeppson's first trip to Ames was to defend his master's project. His second trip was to participate in graduation.
Abbey Pettit of Des Moines left the Ames campus without a degree a year ago but takes Iowa State courses through the Internet and the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). Working full time has not deterred Abbey in her pursuit of a degree. "The Bachelor of Liberal Studies program lets me pick from a wide array of courses and focus on my interests. This joint venture of Iowa State, the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa offering courses on the ICN has really helped me get a wider variety of courses."
Other Iowa State courses are offered via videotape, the ICN, and some on site, particularly at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny. Registration is underway. Fall courses begin August 26. Undergraduate tuition is $154 per credit; graduate tuition is $244 per credit.
For a list of courses with specific information about the content, dates, costs and delivery methods, visit the Iowa State University Continuing Education Web site at www.lifelearner.iastate.edu or call (800) 262-0015.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.