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what do you think about distance learning schools or correspondence education?

i live in mexico and i am studying industrial design, but i wanted to find some courses that would help me find a better job and related to what i want to do (i want to design toys so i was looking for child care or child psychology courses) and i found the stratford career institute. what do you think about it? would you recomend it? or would you tell me abot other long distance courses? Since im not in the US, I need them to be long distance and very good ones.

Public Comments

1. Hello starshine, First off, let me tell you that distance learning (DL) is here to stay. Most major universities in the USA and Europe, and many in Latin America, offer DL courses. In fact, many major universities offer entire degrees via DL. Your main concern should be accreditation. Although every country uses its own criteria to certify or accredit schools, you want to be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a recognized entity. In the USA, the Department of Education publishes a list of approved accrediting agencies: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-accred-recog_associations.html Now, as for your question regarding Stratford Career Institute, I checked their web-site and could not find any mention of accreditation by a recognized agency. Although their education may be fine, I would look for a distance school with national (DETC) or regional accreditation. My wife is enrolled at Penn Foster College, http://www.pennfostercollege.edu/ They offer career training and Associate college degrees, and are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. I, on the other hand, have been a DL student for most of my post-secondary education. At present, I am working on a MBA at California Coast University, http://www.calcoast.edu/ which is also accredited by DETC. There are many excellent distance education alternatives available. You are doing the right thing by asking questions and being informed. Good luck, Buena Suerte...
2. I agree, distance learning is becoming more accepted and less stigmatized, PROVIDED you attend an accredited school where they’ve worked the bugs out. Content delivery is the most critical aspect. In some environments you might as well teach yourself the course. However, in a well designed, quality program, with engaged and interactive professors and students, you will find the experience rewarding. There are many well known fully accredited colleges and universities that offer distance learning programs and award unqualified degrees, i.e. without the “on-line” tag. It’s the same degree that a resident or on-site student will earn. Of course, not all degree programs are offered as an on-line or distance choice, and due to the nature of some programs simply can not be offered. Many programs include and/or require a number of short term on-site residencies; perhaps a week or so, of on-site learning. This is something that I would look for. It enables you to meet your instructors, fellow students and become a physical, not just a virtual, part of the academic community. I earned my MBA in a distance program. Here’s the bottom line: 1) It takes an enormous amount of self discipline to complete a bona-fide on-line program. You are alone; it’s all on your schedule. There are no roommates to push you, pubs to hang out at, libraries or study centers. You must have the discipline and fortitude to read the materials, do your research, write your papers, take exams; all in a virtually isolated academic environment. 2) Many schools are very aware of the stigma that poorly run distance programs have created, so be prepared for a lot of work. In some cases, the schools will seem to pile on the work to counter the perception that distance learning is a cakewalk and students are merely buying degrees. 3) Utilize all available technology that the program provides. Email, Skype, or IM your professors and fellow students frequently. Many programs utilize bulletin boards and webcasts to deliver content and responses to lectures and discussion topics and questions. PARTICIPATE. 4) If you feel you’re not getting the same academic challenge and value that a resident student is getting, then you must speak to your professors, and perhaps the Dean of the program. 5) Act as though you ARE in a classroom environment. Most important, a quality distance program is no easier than its residence program; at least it should not be. A school like Drexel University or Penn State won't let you off easy, so don’t think for a second that you’re going to skate through. Nothing as important as a quality higher education degree is easy; on-line or on-site. Enroll in a quality program at a well known institution and expect to work hard. You’ll be surprised at how much you’re going to be challenged. Good luck.