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Two-year degree available entirely online through IU Continuing Studies
Oct. 4, 2001
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Distance learning students can now earn a two-year Indiana University associate degree entirely online.
Starting this fall, the School of Continuing Studies Independent Study Program makes it possible for these students to complete all 60 required hours of course work for the associate of arts degree in general studies entirely online by using a computer, e-mail and the World Wide Web.
Courses leading to this degree are available in American studies, communication and culture, computer science, criminal justice, English, geography, geological sciences, history, philosophy, political science, psychology and sociology.
Jeremy Dunning, dean of the IU School of Continuing Studies, said there are many advantages for students using this new program.
"Online students access all their courses, lessons and assignments in one place through a secure, personalized Web interface," Dunning explained. "All lesson submissions and communications take place online. In addition, the courses feature interactive activities ranging from online quizzes and multimedia exercises to full-blown virtual tours and field trips.
"The instructor maintains an online grade book for each course or section taught, has a student-submitted profile on each student, and enjoys a wide range of opportunities to communicate with students on every aspect of their progress," he said.
Dunning said the school's Independent Study Program receives more than 17,000 enrollments annually from all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries. "By making it possible for students to earn this degree entirely online, we are increasing the number of top-quality educational opportunities that we make available to the 60 percent of the U.S. population with Internet access, as well as to the more than 407 million Internet users worldwide," he said.
Eventually, Dunning said, students will be able to complete online all 120 hours of course work leading to a bachelor of general studies degree. "We will consistently build our inventory of online courses in the coming months. As an added convenience, students will soon be able to enroll in and pay for their course entirely online using the SCS Student Services Web site," he said.
Larry Onesti, executive director of the SCS Office of Academic Programs, said the two-year program will have more appeal to some students coming to school for the first time or returning after a long absence because it will be viewed as a more realistic goal than a four-year degree path. Onesti said it also will help in job search preparation or preparing for a new career while also developing a general knowledge base through course work in the arts, humanities, sciences and math.
For more information on the online associate of arts degree in general studies, call 800-334-1101.
(Lisa Denlinger, 812-855-1656, ldenling@indiana.edu)