As a growing number of colleges and universities promote new ways of pursuing degrees and taking college courses, people seeking a quality education from a distance are challenged by the broad range of choices available. Potential students must decipher a new educational language, assess program standards, and select learning options.

More institutions are offering more courses, and many more students are enrolling. Here are the most recent numbers available, courtesy of the NCES (www.nces.ed.gov):

• An estimated 54,470 distance education courses were offered in the 12-month 1997-1998 academic year by 2-year and 4-year post-secondary institutions.
• There were 1,661,100 enrollments in all distance education courses.
• There were 1,363,670 enrollments in college-level, credit-granting distance education courses, most at the undergraduate level.

The Students You Will Meet
Today's students are busy with work and family. Completing a degree is not their only priority. Between work and family, students find a distance learning opportunity a way to "have it all" without giving up their present commitments or income.

According to NCES, in 1999-2000, among all students who participated in distance learning, 60 percent did so through the Internet, 39 percent through prerecorded audio or video and 37 percent through live television or audio. Among undergraduates, females were more likely than males to participate in distance learning, as were students over the age of 24 than younger students. Given the varied situations of those who seek out distance learning programs, you may find your virtual classroom to be more diverse than those on a traditional campus.

Earnings Increase with More Education
Education beyond high school is financially rewarding. Individuals with college training can expect to earn higher salaries than those without post-secondary education. In recent years, the average annual salary of all college graduates hovered around $40,000. This was twice the amount those individuals would have earned with only high school diplomas.

In order for colleges and universities to serve the increased demand for college education, distance education is becoming a major form of delivering instruction to students. Though distance education is not a new approach for colleges, the emerging technologies have made it very practical and cost-effective. The interactive nature of video and email can bring students and teachers together in a rich learning environment.

Distance learning is here to stay. The new, online approach combines quality and rigor, as well as providing "anytime" access to the electronic classroom for both students and faculty. Like any decision, choosing a distance learning program must be approached in a deliberate manner; this publication will provide a road map for student-employees seeking to advance their careers and personal development.

This article was excerpted from Complete Book of Distance Learning Schools by Dr. Jerry Ice and Dr. Paul Edelson