Distance Education Primer
If you've made it to this website, we probably don't have to tell you that distance education is a growing nationwide phenomenon. You know that technology is changing the world around us, and that staying professionally current means devotion to the principle of lifelong learning. You've also probably concluded that quitting your job and moving to College Station isn't practical. You've come to the right website.
What Distance Programs TAMU Offers
Texas A&M offers a growing number of graduate degrees and graduate certificates through distance delivery. Texas A&M does not offer correspondence courses, nor do we offer undergraduate degrees (although some undergraduate classes are available using distance technology).
Delivery Methods
Individual courses are delivered either using the Internet, A&M's videoconferencing network (TTVN), or in traditional classrooms taught away from College Station. Classes taught over the Internet employ a variety of communication tools such as e-mail, web pages, chat rooms, discussion boards, etc. While distance students may not have face-to-face interaction with their professors, many opportunities exist for "virtual" interaction with both professors and other classmates.
Classes taught by interactive video over the Trans-Texas Videoconference Network (TTVN) give you the opportunity to experience a classroom environment without leaving your home town. Linking more than 50 sites statewide, TTVN transmits audio and video of instructors and students. This real-time interaction allows a student in Dallas to raise her hand and have her question answered by a professor in College Station- while students in Houston and San Antonio listen. Most interactive video courses also use an interactive web site, which provides students with up-to-date class information, course email, grades, and access to course-specific learning resources. Thus, your ability to access and use the World Wide Web is still essential.
TTVN courses give students more direct interaction with instructors and their peers, but may not meet at a convenient time or may not be available in your city. Internet courses allow students to attend to coursework as their schedules permit and gives them the ability to "rewind" sections to review difficult concepts. Before investing your time into a distance degree, check with your department to learn how classes will be delivered to determine if it will suit your needs.
Technology You Will Need
In general, students who participate in Internet-based classes should have a computer less than four years old and a stable broadband (such as DSL or cable) Internet connection. It is important that you ask the program advisor (found at the top of each program description) for additional technical requirements.
Should You Take A Distance Class?
Students who are not comfortable using the internet should probably opt for a more traditional classroom environment.
Getting Admitted to a Program
A distance-delivered graduate degree from Texas A&M is still an accredited graduate degree, and admission to the degree program is subject to the same requirements as on-campus graduate students. All potential graduate students must take the GRE, and test scores and undergrad transcripts must meet the requirements of the college to which the student applies. Additionally, all applicants must submit an official application with a $50 nonrefundable fee.
Finally, you probably want to know the cost of distance education. While distance students are exempt from certain on-campus fees, they are subject to other fees associated with the cost of developing and delivering courses long distance. The cost of distance education is affected by a number of variables, so we recommend following the link above for the most up to date estimate. However, when compared to the cost of quitting your job to go back to school, the value of distance education shines through.
