Frequently Asked Questions
- How long has WPI's ADLN offered distance education?
- WPI's ADLN has been a leader in distance education for over twenty years. Initially, the courses were videotaped and students at select industry sites met weekly as a group to view the videotapes, with periodic faculty visits. That process has evolved to the point that we now provide many courses directly to individual students via the web. We've offered distance education long enough to know what works, and we always take advantage of emerging technology that positively contributes to the learning experience.
- What makes WPI's distance learning program unique?
- WPI is a well-respected university delivering quality technology based programs via distance. There are many excellent distance programs available but a number of them are from relatively new colleges and very few are technology based.
- Is the quality of the educational experience equal to that of a traditional program?
- Yes. ADLN has strict requirements that all courses offered via their network meet the same qualifications as their traditional on-campus counterparts. In fact, its professors work closely with a fulltime instructional design team that assists them in determining the best communication technologies for their courses and assists them with converting their courses to online formats. ADLN courses are, in essence, identical to campus-based classes. Students have access to the same class content, course materials, academic resources and faculty and therefore can combine both distance and on-campus courses to complete their program requirements.
Programs
- Is distance education a separate degree program?
- Not at all. At WPI, the Masters and graduate certificate programs are all the same, regardless of whether students take classes on campus or by distance education. Distance education is simply one way in which we deliver our programs. When students are admitted to any program at WPI, they may register for any course section that fits their needs - on-campus or distance. When they graduate, they will be awarded a degree or certificate from WPI that is the same as all other WPI alumni.
- What programs are currently available through ADLN?
- Through ADLN, WPI offers three degree programs: the Master of Business Administration (MBA), the Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, and the Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, as well as numerous graduate certificates.
Admissions
- What are the admissions requirements for ADLN programs?
- To be considered for admission to the engineering masters or graduate certificate programs, applicants must hold a bachelors degree in an appropriate field of engineering or science and meet department specific admission standards. For admission to the MBA, applicants must hold a bachelors degree and take the GMAT exam. Conditional admission is available if all requirements are not met at the time of application. For full registration details, please contact the address on the last page of this document or visit the Admissions section of the ADLN website.
- Is there a residency requirement to be eligible for degrees or advanced certificates from WPI?
- There is not a residency requirement for any ADLN program. Students can complete their entire program completely from a distance. This means that students can attend WPI from anywhere in the world.
- What student services are available to distance learners?
- We have been providing distance learning for a long time and do not consider our distance-learning students as separate from the general WPI student population. Instead, we have made sure that university offices such as Admissions, the Bookstore, Registrar's, the Library, Career Development, Help Desk Center and more are ready to serve all students electronically - either on-campus or via distance. ADLN staff is also always available to assist students.
Logistics
- What do you mean by "anytime, anyplace?"
- Students have the flexibility in distance learning to choose the location and time they wish to devote to advancing their education. While ADLN courses are rigorous, and maintain deadlines for homework and exams, the technology employed allows students to complete course requirements according to their own unique schedules. At WPI, distance students start and end the college semester at the same time as campus students, but have the flexibility of deciding when during the week they want to study their lessons.
- Can students enter into an ADLN course at anytime?
- No, but depending on admission requirements students may enter during the semester of their choice. Courses generally follow the standard academic calendar and begin in early fall, spring and summer.
- Does a distance course require as much time as its on-campus counterpart?
- As in any course, the amount of time actually invested depends solely on the student and varies on a course-by-course basis. As the same faculty teaches both distance and on-campus classes, the courses are designed to teach the same material and require approximately the same amount of student time commitment.
- How long does it take to complete a master's degree at WPI via distance education?
- Each program varies in length, but we do offer all required courses and a number of elective courses each year. As an example, the typical timeframe for completing a 49-credit MBA program is four to five years part-time and two years full-time. Faculty advisors help students plan their programs, but students set their own pace. Program lengths also vary for those waiving courses and/or transferring in credit from prior graduate-level coursework.
Interaction with Students & Faculty
- Does distance learning mean students will not interact with other students or faculty?
- No. Through communication channels such as e-mail, discussion boards, chat rooms, facsimile and telephone students regularly talk and develop a rapport with instructors and fellow classmates. In fact, many of our distance students say they participate more in their distance classes than they ever did as an on-campus student.
- Do distance courses require group work?
- Classes are often divided into "project teams" to work on projects and assignments as groups - similar to the real workplace. Through ADLN, however, students never have to physically meet. Distance students, who are often geographically separated, use the same tools that are used to deliver the course - such as on-line discussion forums - to meet virtually instead.
Technical Info
- What do the terms asynchronous and synchronous communication mean?
- These are technical terms that describe two distinct forms of communication. Asynchronous communication does not happen in real time, it occurs when the sender and receiver are involved in the process at different times such as posting a message on either an Internet based or actual bulletin board. Synchronous communication occurs when the sender and receiver are involved in the process at the same time as in a face-to-face conversation or an electronic chat room. For synchronous communication, people must be located in the same physical or virtual place so they can 'talk' back and forth while for asynchronous communication they do not. Distance learning programs can take advantage of both forms of communication.
- How are ADLN courses delivered?
- WPI faculty use a mix of media to deliver a first rate educational experience. The predominant delivery modes include web, videotapes and videoconferencing. Technologies include online simulations, streaming audio and video, threaded discussions and more. Courses are structured so that students can go online or view videotapes as their schedule allows.
- How technical do ADLN students have to be in order to succeed?
- Students need to feel comfortable using a computer and have basic email, office, and web surfing skills. If they use a computer at work or at home they should be able to successfully participate in any ADLN course. And, live technical support is available real-time at least fourteen hours a day.
- What are the technology requirements to access ADLN courses?
- We find that most people pursuing graduate studies at a distance will find it easy to meet the minimum technical requirements
Last modified: March 11, 2008 15:04:44