Lifelong & Distance Learning

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Online Learning
Workforce Development, Continuing Education, and Professional Development
Professional and Executive Education for Individuals and Corporate Partners
Summer Sessions and Winter Intersession Courses
Independent Learning Opportunities
Correspondence Courses
Opportunities to Earn Credit Through Examination and Experience
College Program for the Incarcerated

Lifelong & Distance Learning (LLDL) offers innovative alternative educational opportunities and experiences for traditional and nontraditional students, including those who may not be able to come to an Ohio University campus.

Opportunities abound through LLDL, to earn college credit, a degree, continuing education units (CEUs), or study something of interest. LLDL works to deliver educational opportunities that integrate life, work, and learning to students of all ages in various locations.

For further information about any of these programs, contact:

Lifelong & Distance Learning
Ohio University
Haning Hall 102
Athens, OH 45701-2979
740.593.2910
http://www.lifelong.ohio.edu

Online Learning

Classes

Online classes deliver dynamic, hands-on instruction into your home—the same quality education that characterizes the best Ohio University on-campus classes. Lesson content is on the Web, and all communication is by e-mail, including lesson submission and communication with your instructor. We also provide the support you need to succeed. The online advantage means:

Ignoring the clock—come to the online class whenever it’s convenient for you
Quality education without giving up quality time
Small class sizes with one-on-one instructor guidance and personalized communication
A large selection of online course options each quarter

For more information about Ohio University Online, visit https://www.ohio.edu/ouonline/.

Degree Programs

Discover your promise at Ohio University without having to leave home! Even if you cannot attend classes at any of the six Ohio University campuses, you can become an Ohio University student and experience the environment, the people, the opportunities, and the quality education that are Ohio University!

Online bachelor degree completion program

This online program maximizes the transfer of credits earned during the course of an associate’s degree and provides options for students to complete some courses through their community college- leading to an Ohio University bachelor’s degree. The program is often referred to as the community college partnership program because the collaboration between community colleges across Ohio and Ohio University helps to meet the diverse and unique needs of working professionals who want to advance their education and their careers. For more information about this program, visit http://www.outreach.ohio.edu/onlinecomplete.

Online graduate degree programs

Graduate degree programs available in fully online format allow students to continue their education without interrupting their lives to come to Athens. Ohio University standards assure that students receive the same high quality education as if they were on campus. For a list of online graduate programs, visit http://www.outreach.ohio.edu/graduate.

Blended Online/Residency Programs

Based on a learning architecture that combines the convenience of online collaboration and content acquisition with the proven benefits of face-to-face interaction in short, intensive residencies, graduate programs such as the Master’s in Athletic Administration, Master’s in Coaching Education, and the Ohio Executive Master’s in Public Administration provide students with the best of high tech and high touch. For more information about these programs, visit http://www.outreach.ohio.edu/graduate.

Workforce Development, Continuing Education and Professional Development

Noncredit E-learning

Web-based e-learning offers individuals the opportunity to learn new skills with a focus on career and professional development courses and certificates. Students learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. Many courses and all certificate programs provide CEUs upon successful completion. For more information and a complete list of these programs, visit http://www.ohio.edu/lifelong.

Real Estate Certification Program

This program consists of four undergraduate courses in Real Estate Technology, offered on the Athens campus each term. The courses may be taken for credit or non-credit. Completion of the courses qualifies students to apply for the Ohio Division of Real Estate exam. To register for credit courses, visit http://www.ohio.edu/registrar. To register for the noncredit option, visit http://www.ouwb.ohiou.edu/real_estate.html.

Professional and Executive Education for Individuals and Corporate Partners

Ohio University Without Boundaries designs, develops, and delivers learning experiences that integrate life, work, and learning on a continual basis, regardless of physical location, for professional working people and other adult learners. Training and certificate programs focus on professional and executive education for both individuals and corporate partners. The customized training programs are interactive and presented in a multimedia format that may include video, audio, animation, 3-D virtual world experiences, text, and face-to-face interactions. For more information, visit http://www.ouwb.ohiou.edu.

Summer Sessions and Winter Intersession Courses

Summer Sessions

The Office of Summer Sessions offers undergraduate and graduate courses, workshops, and special programs on the Athens and regional campuses and online to traditional, nontraditional, visiting, and high school students. Students on campus experience a relaxed campus atmosphere, smaller classes, a friendly and diverse student body, unique and specialized classes and formats, and many extracurricular events. Summer sessions provide students with an extra quarter to begin a degree, earn a teaching certificate, learn a new language, update professional skills, or catch up on courses.

Winter Intersession

This office also administers the Winter Intersession program which allows students an opportunity to complete required courses during the holiday break in December. A variety of courses are available primarily to juniors and seniors. For more information about summer sessions or winter intersession, visit http://www.ohio.edu/summer/.

Independent Learning Opportunities

Independent Study

Independent study projects can sometimes be arranged in undergraduate courses not currently available as distance learning courses. These arrangements are made on an individual basis and are contingent upon the approval of the department in which the course is offered and the availability of a qualified faculty member willing to direct the project. Students and faculty members agree upon the conditions that must be fulfilled for credit to be awarded. The work may include a variety of readings, papers, projects, and examinations. This option is most successfully used by experienced students. For more information, visit http://www.ohio.edu/independent.

External Student Program

This program is for adults who are interested in a degree without residence on campus. The program provides help in evaluating previous college coursework and in planning a degree program. Students can work on one of several associates degrees, the Bachelor of Specialized Studies, the Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies, or the Bachelor of Criminal Justice. Courses can be taken by correspondence, course credit by examination, or various online options. Many students also take advantage of portfolio-based assessment.

Correspondence Courses

Correspondence courses are offered in print format and online. These courses are structured, independent learning options that are developed and graded by University faculty. Most are presented in a printed course guide or on the Web; other media may include audio cassettes, video cassettes, CDs, and computer disks. Content is divided into lessons with submitted assignments at the end of each lesson, allowing students and faculty members to participate in a dialog that may be conducted by postal mail, fax, or e-mail. Supervised examinations are generally required, although in some courses a project or paper may be required instead. Students may arrange to take examinations at locations near them. A complete list of courses and programs is available at http://www.ohio.edu/independent/.

Opportunities to Earn Credit Through Examination and Experience

Course Credit by Examination

Course credit by examination represents the least structured method of obtaining college credit. Students enroll in a course and receive a brief syllabus that describes the nature of the course, the textbooks, and other materials to study, and the type of examination. Students prepare for the examination without assistance from a faculty member. Letter grades, including failures, are recorded. Credit is awarded for a passing grade.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning, or portfolio-based assessment, helps qualified adults document and receive credit for learning that has occurred through employment or volunteer activities. A maximum of 48 credits may be earned toward a four-year degree. UC 203, Credit for Work Experience: Portfolio Development, focuses on the development of a learning portfolio. Successful completion of this course is a requirement for portfolio-based assessment. The course is offered on the Athens and regional campuses as well as online.

College Program for the Incarcerated

This program serves incarcerated adults who wish to earn a degree or college credit. Students receive guidance in evaluating previous college work and planning a degree. The Bachelor of Specialized Studies and four associate’s degrees are available. Students can also transfer credit to other institutions. Most credit is earned through correspondence courses or course credit by examination. Comprehensive fees make college-level study more accessible to incarcerated learners.