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Pennsylvania State University PhD Programs Community and Economi...
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Pennsylvania State University - PhD Programs - Community and Economic Development
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About this school
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Pennsylvania State University
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Providing global access to a Penn State education . . .
A “real-university” curriculum. World Campus courses are developed and taught by the same Penn State faculty members teaching in “traditional” Penn State classrooms. The credits you can earn from your living room are the same credits you would earn on campus.
With the growing online learning options ranging from traditional institutions to new Web-only schools, how can you determine what will best meet your needs in an online university? Take a look at some of the considerations listed below, and then see how the World Campus measures up.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a national system of monitoring the quality of the credits you receive from an institution of higher education. You should choose an online academic degree program offered by an accredited institution to avoid “fly-by-night” operations that might take advantage of you.
Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Association and has an outstanding reputation as a research and teaching university. Our courses are also accepted by most other colleges and universities in fulfillment of their requirements. If you are planning to take courses at another college for transfer to Penn State, the college must be accredited by one of the following accrediting agencies:
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
History
Examine the background of the online universities that interest you before you apply.
Penn State has been a pioneer in World Campus since 1892, when it founded one of the nation's first correspondence study degree programs. The World Campus reaffirms Penn State's commitment to providing educational access to learners everywhere.
Student Support
Customer service is an important factor when considering education at a distance. You must be able to trust that your questions will be answered and any issues resolved despite not being able to interact face-to-face.
The World Campus Student Services team is ready to meet your needs. Whether you're looking for help with admissions, academic advising, or technical problems, we're here for you. We've also extended our Learner and Technical Support hours to accommodate your busy schedule.
Faculty Interaction
When you encounter a question or problem related to your course in an on-campus classroom, you look to your teacher for the answer. It's important that you have the same faculty support when you have questions in your online courses.
World Campus faculty members provide direction and feedback throughout your course experience. These educators are the same faculty members teaching in “traditional” Penn State classrooms and many are leading researchers in their fields. Your learning experience can be greatly enhanced by our faculty members' years of experience. They are accessible to you via e-mail and telephone throughout your course.
Course Design
While you may have many reasons for choosing an online university, the ability of the course design and delivery method to fit your busy schedule should undoubtedly influence your final decision.
World Campus courses can be accessed anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection, and they all incorporate Web-based enhancements to varying degrees.
Basically, there are three different types of World Campus courses: “online group”, “online individual” and “independent learning.” Online group courses have standard start and end dates and are designed to facilitate group-related activities among classmates. Online individual courses have students move through course content independently, but on a prescribed schedule. These courses have set start and end dates. Independent learning courses are open for registration any time throughout the year and students interact one-on-one with their instructors.
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