What is Distance Learning?

Monday, January 23, 2012 posted by Randy Lemken

Technology has finally begun targeting the educational process, and now more and more colleges and universities are taking advantage of the advancements of distance learning through technology.

Walden University


What is Distance Learning?

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of The North Central Association.

At Walden, giving quality education is the top-most priority with academic programs designed to fit the needs of every student. We offer over 60 online degree programs with more than 300 specializations and concentrations.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Accounting – General
  • Business Administration (7 concentrations)
  • Child Development (4 concentrations)
  • Communication (6 concentrations)
  • Computer Information Systems (7 concentrations)
  • Criminal Justice (5 concentrations)
  • Educational Studies
  • Forensic Psychology (4 concentrations)
  • Health Studies (7 concentrations)
  • Healthcare Management
  • Information Technology (5 concentrations)
  • Instructional Design & Technology
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Political Science (6 concentrations)
  • Psychology (8 concentrations)
  • Child Development
  • Health Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Online Master’s Degrees

  • MBA (10 concentrations)
  • Accounting (7 concentrations)
  • Information Technology (3 concentrations)
  • Information Systems Management (5 concentrations)
  • Public Administration (13 concentrations)
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Public Health
  • Adult Learning
  • Career Counseling
  • Criminal Justice (9 concentrations)
  • Early Childhood Studies
  • Education (16 concentrations)
  • Forensic Psychology (5 concentrations)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (3 concentrations)
  • Mental Health Counseling (2 concentrations)
  • Health Informatics – General
  • Higher Education (6 concentrations)
  • Human Resource Management (3 concentrations)
  • Instructional Design and Technology (3 concentrations)
  • Leadership (8 concentrations)
  • Management (10 concentrations)
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Project Management
  • Psychology (12 concentrations)
  • Master of Science in Nursing (8 programs)

Online Doctorate Degrees

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Information Systems Management
  • International Business
  • Leadership
  • Marketing
  • Self-Designed
  • Social Impact Management
  • Technology Entrepreneurship
  • Administrator Leadership for Teaching & Learning
  • Higher Education & Adult Learning
  • Higher Education Leadership
  • Special Education
  • Teacher Leadership
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
  • Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
  • Counselor Education and Supervision (6 concentrations)
  • Education (12 concentrations)
  • Health Services (9 concentrations)
  • Human Services (17 concentrations)
  • Management (14 concentrations)
  • Psychology (7 concentrations)
  • Public Health (3 concentrations)
  • Public Policy and Administration (27 concentrations)

Walden University is regionally accredited, the highest level of accreditation possible in the United States.

Read more or get a program guide from Walden University.

Each year more and more schools are starting to offer online degree programs, a step up in the technological ladder of learning remotely. Even as recent as 10-15 years ago, the concept of taking college courses online through your home computer was a rarity, however now it is more commonplace.

Have you considered earning your degree or taking a college course online? In order to take these classes, you should have a basic understanding of the type of education you will be receiving; consider this a course in Distance Learning 101.

What is Distance Learning?

The concept of distance learning has actually been around for decades. Many people used to call it “correspondence courses”, which enabled you to learn from home and submit your coursework by mail or by fax. Now with the internet, students can do the exact same thing, except they will be submitting their courses and taking exams from their home computer.

How can I earn my degree from my computer?

Once you have selected one of the hundreds of online degree programs available through colleges all over the world, you will receive a unique user ID and password that will enable you to log in through the internet to your classroom portal. From there you can watch video lectures, read up on class materials, participate in discussions with your instructors or fellow online students, and take your exams.

Is distance learning right for me?

Enrolling in any form of distance learning takes a great deal of discipline and determination. You need to make sure you set aside time from your personal schedule to learn and complete your coursework.

Many instructors for online classes have requirements you must meet on a weekly or daily basis so that you keep up with the classwork and gain as much of an understanding as you can so that you can pass the class successfully. Online learning is not for everyone, so it’s important that you truly understand that is required of you to complete the coursework and not feel overloaded.

Online learning is a great way to earn your degree or just take a college course, with or without credit. Consider exploring some of the online demos that some of the most popular online colleges and universities have to determine if this type of distance learning is right for you.