The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has been educating students and awarding degrees since its founding in 1794. With the creation and flourishing of the Internet, the traditional classroom has evolved to include distance learning. The University of Tennessee embraced this idea and offers distance learning options for students unable to attend traditional classes, including 19 graduate degree programs as well as undergraduate and graduate classes.
Nontraditional Classroom
Distance learning at the University of Tennessee aims to be as similar to a live classroom experience as possible. The courses and programs are delivered live over the Internet, which means students need to be on time at their computers just as traditional students must be on time in the classroom. An advantage of the online format is the availability of class recordings for students to replay anytime. This makes studying and note taking easier and ensures that students learn the material through the words of the instructor. All online classes offer the same curriculum as traditional classroom sessions, ensuring that the distance program is equal educationally with the traditional program.
Graduate Programs
The 19 graduate programs cross the spectrum of disciplines---from humanities to sciences to technology. The University of Tennessee's Instructional Technology distance learning program is unique and inspired, extensively covering the use of the Internet as an educational tool. The university's online master's degree in social work is not a total distance program as it requires some face-to-face meetings. There are also programs for nuclear, civil, and environmental engineers. Video introductions for each degree program are available on the University of Tennessee's distance learning website.
MBA Programs
Several MBA programs at the University of Tennessee offer online education. The Executive MBA, a management degree for career-focused individuals, offers live online classes once a week as well as residency periods in foreign countries. This is not a strictly online program, as periods of residency at the campus in Knoxville are required. The program, however, is an example of a synergy in educational tools, combining online classes, study abroad, and traditional classroom time. Aerospace Executive and Physician's Executive degrees are delivered in similar fashion. The Professional MBA does not require study abroad but does require weekends be spent as the UT campus. Classes are given online weekdays. Most of these programs are one year in length, with only the Professional MBA course lasting 16 months.
Graduate Certificates
The University of Tennessee also offers five graduate certificate programs, which are available to all students accepted into the UT graduate program. Most of these programs are given entirely online through live classes as well as other materials such as books and CDs. The programs range from applied statistics to computational fluid dynamics. These certificates are awarded after completion of three, four or five online classes. The University of Tennessee distance learning website provides information sheets that give detailed descriptions of each program.
Distance Learning Advantage
For dedicated, disciplined students, distance learning can be a valuable educational tool. There is no disadvantage to the distance learning program from an educational perspective; it is positive option for students unable to attend traditional classes. The Internet has evolved to a point where students that cannot be present in the classroom can be educated as if they are.
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