Distance Learning or Distance Education degrees have come into their own right especially in recent years. Education professionals recognize the possibilities of distance learning and its flexibility in fitting in with already busy careers. It also enables the student to earn a degree in a shorter amount of time than traditional campus-based schooling might allow. An online Distance Education degree program is a broad term covering everything from associate degrees to the bachelor degrees for teachers and advanced research as master and doctorate degrees.
As the number of students engaged in studying through online programs increase, so does the need for educational professionals who specialize in Distance Education. These professionals will utilize a wide range of technologies to deliver lessons or plan curriculum using the more traditional written form, as well as multimedia streaming formats and teleconferencing. Naturally as you would expect given the subject matter, there are many online degree programs for the Distance Education degree.

All Colleges offering Education Degree in Distance Education

Online Education Options for Distance Education Degree

Distance Education professionals are also known as online educators or e-learning specialists. Normally these educators have a bachelor degree in some branch of education and then specialize in a Master of Science, Art or Education program in Distance Education.

Online Masters Degree in Distance Education are two-year programs generally with a focus on e-learning, technology in education and understanding design development and implementation of online learning programs.

Distance Education Career Considerations

One of the most attractive features of this post graduate master degree program is the delivery method of the program of study (distance education) is normally going to utilize the same means that the instructor will be teaching or designing for, that means online courses and programs and will give the distance education. There is usually emphasis not only in technology but in designing and structuring online learning programs.

Distance Education Salary and Career Information

Employment settings for the Distance Education career are usually found within educational institutions. Both traditional campus-based schools that offer distance learning alternatives as well as virtual and vocational educational institutions are possible employers. A Distance Education professional can be employed in a variety of capacities including Distance Education program management, technical director for distance learning, and online course support specialist. Each specialization and job title will carry a different salary as well as different growth potential in terms of career advancement.
Median salaries vary according to the employee in facility and region in which the Distance Education professional is employed. However the median salary for all post secondary administrators within the range of $85,870 for the year 2007.
Entry level Distance Education may expect to see a salary in the range around $42,000 per year for the first year of employment, naturally that is dependent on the level of education and the employing institution.
Job Growth for the Distance Education career professional is expected to be around average compared to all occupations at 12% growth over the next seven years for administrative positions in Distance Education. On the other hand, Distance Education careers at the teaching level, as in course instructors is predicted to grow quite quickly, meaning greater than 20% over the next seven years.

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Online Colleges Offering Distance Education Degrees

University of Phoenix - Online Campus

Accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Capella University

Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

American InterContinental University Online

Accreditation

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

Devry University

Accreditation

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA).

Strayer University

Accreditation

Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Winston Salem State University

Accreditation

Winston-Salem State College is accredited by SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Western Governors University

Accreditation

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU’s "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU is the first online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU’s Health Informatics program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). WGU’s Nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

A.T Still University

Accreditation

A.T Still University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Regis University

Accreditation

Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

University of Saint Mary

Accreditation

The University of Saint Mary Online is accreditated by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Northern Arizona University(NAU)

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Bellevue University Online

Accreditation

Bellevue University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

UMassOnline

Accreditation

UMassOnline is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Boise State University

Accreditation

Boise State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

California Coast University

Accreditation

California Coast University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

California State University, Northridge

Accreditation

California State University, Northridge is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

California University of Pennsylvania

Accreditation

CalU is an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organization Education Council. This council is made up of worldwide leading tourism education, training, and research institutions which have obtained the UNWTO.TedQual Certification for at least one of their tourism education programs.