Some GW graduates earn their degrees without setting foot on any campus.
Known as "distance learning," the online programs GW offers allow students to take courses using the Internet to gain the same credits as traditional on-campus classes. The programs were designed by GW to reach a wider variety of students, said Sheryl Elliott, an associate professor at the School of Business.
"Online courses create equity in higher education, allowing students who are working, or living in remote places to continue in education pursuits," Elliott said.
Academics have debated the legitimacy of such degrees.
Last month The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that many employers distrust online degrees. The article stated that many surveys of employers found online degrees are considered less impressive on a resume.
Jonathon Chaves, a professor in the Chinese Department, said that while he has never taught an online course he believes an education comprising solely of online courses "would be a mockery of real education."
"I consider the face-to-face classroom experience to be an essential part of higher education," Chaves wrote in an e-mail. "I could see having one or two such classes as part of a larger experience, but for one's entire education to be conducted this way would represent a real impoverishment of the spirit."
Elliott, who developed the online course model used at GW, said she found more accountability in the online program than in traditional on-campus classes. She hypothesized that the reason was because the program caters more toward professionals.
"You have a different basket of students who are professional, serious and generally financing the degree themselves (not their parents)," she said. "They want to get their money's worth."
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Lehman said although the course content and learning expectations are the same for both distance and traditional students, there are some additional barriers in taking classes online.
Known as "distance learning," the online programs GW offers allow students to take courses using the Internet to gain the same credits as traditional on-campus classes. The programs were designed by GW to reach a wider variety of students, said Sheryl Elliott, an associate professor at the School of Business.
"Online courses create equity in higher education, allowing students who are working, or living in remote places to continue in education pursuits," Elliott said.
Academics have debated the legitimacy of such degrees.
Last month The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that many employers distrust online degrees. The article stated that many surveys of employers found online degrees are considered less impressive on a resume.
Jonathon Chaves, a professor in the Chinese Department, said that while he has never taught an online course he believes an education comprising solely of online courses "would be a mockery of real education."
"I consider the face-to-face classroom experience to be an essential part of higher education," Chaves wrote in an e-mail. "I could see having one or two such classes as part of a larger experience, but for one's entire education to be conducted this way would represent a real impoverishment of the spirit."
Elliott, who developed the online course model used at GW, said she found more accountability in the online program than in traditional on-campus classes. She hypothesized that the reason was because the program caters more toward professionals.
"You have a different basket of students who are professional, serious and generally financing the degree themselves (not their parents)," she said. "They want to get their money's worth."
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Lehman said although the course content and learning expectations are the same for both distance and traditional students, there are some additional barriers in taking classes online.
