With the emergence of the Internet, distance education has become accessible to millions of people. Available 24 hours a day from anywhere, Internet learning is well-suited to working adults, the disabled, stay-at-home parents and others needing a flexible class schedule. Some institutions have been created specifically to offer distance learning, but a number of traditional colleges, universities and trade schools have begun to offer distance learning options as well.
Ivy League Schools
The eight universities in the Ivy League are known as some of the best universities in the United States, and most offer some form of distance learning. For example, Columbia University's Engineering Department offers more than 30 degree programs online, and Columbia's Teacher's College makes more than 300 courses available to distance learners via the Internet. Harvard University offers many courses online, though degree programs necessitate at least some classroom attendance. Two graduate certificates are available solely online, however.
Cornell University offers online certificate programs in several specialties related to human resources, food service management and hotel management and marketing. The University of Pennsylvania's highly-respected Wharton Business School offers its MBA program online, albeit with some classroom attendance required. Dartmouth College offers business classes online, as does Yale, along with come medical courses. Yale also offers selected free distance learning titles through their website.
State Universities
A number of prominent state universities also offer distance learning options. Among these is Indiana State University, which offers a full degree program for the completion of a Bachelor Degree, as well numerous graduate degrees and an extensive selection of certificate programs aimed at professional development. Penn State offers a large number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as certificates through its online "World Campus". In total, students can choose from more than 60 programs.
Washington State University is another state school offering a variety of online degrees and certificate programs. Undergraduates can choose from subjects such as accounting, criminal justice and social sciences, while certificates are granted in such fields as gerontology and professional writing. A graduate degree in business is also available entirely online.
Technical & Vocational Schools
Many trade and technical schools have taken their career-oriented programs online. A vast number of degrees and certificates are available in computer science, various medical fields, business, teaching, auto repair, criminal justice and many more. Prominent schools in vocational distance learning include the University of Phoenix, American Intercontinental University, Argosy University and Capella University.
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