"Correlates of quality," those parts of students' programs thought to influence the quality of students' work, were examined in a study of Minnesota's UWW program. Graduate dossiers were rated according the graduates' fulfillment of seven graduation criteria and correlated with barriers of students at admission, major area of study,…

A comparison study between the 371 graduates of FIU's External Degree Program and a randomly-selected sample of graduates from the traditional on-campus degree programs is reported. Key factors to success are acceptance to graduate study, career advancement, and attitudes toward goal attainment. (Author/LBH)

Eight guidelines for contract learning-type programs are presented under the headings (1) supplying rationales, (2) focusing on the faculty, (3) assessing faculty performance, (4) assessing student readiness, (5) assessing the costs, (6) students as researchers, (7) how much academic credit, and (8) agents of change. Focus is on the faculty as…

The Institute for Personal and Career Development of Central Michigan University offers external degree programs for adult learners using nontraditional study. The competency-based programs described include credit given for the educational background and relevant career-life experiences of registered nurses in Michigan. (Author/LBH)

Few educators understand the exact nature and scope of alternative graduate programs or the variety of issues that confront their development and viability. Alternative graduate education is defined and the issues and critical concepts of nontraditional graduate study are identified. (Author/MLW)

A control group of students enrolled in a traditional program at Sinclair Community College was compared with an experimental group of College Without Walls (CWW) students. CWW students expressed significantly greater satisfaction with the accomplishment of numerous institutional goals than did their traditional student counterparts. (Author/MLW)

Although undergraduates often earn academic credit for prior learning, graduate students are rarely afforded that opportunity, with Central Michigan University and the University of Northern Colorado as exceptions. Both the American Council on Education and the Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning support experiential learning in…

The merger of an innovative private college (New College of Sarasota) into a state institution is described. The instruction contract, innovative approach, and academic quality has been maintained, but the number of students in off-campus programs has declined. Reasons for the decline are discussed. (Author/LBH)

The structure and budget for a proposed center for nontraditional learning are delineated. Establishment of sponsored and unsponsored divisions is advocated. The center would help students determine life goals, learning goals, and learning styles. Development of a credentialing procedure for unsponsored learning is described. (Author/LBH)

Data on 62 graduates of the Stephens College Without Walls program were gathered from student records, transcripts, and a questionnaire to measure program success as perceived by the student in terms of work effectiveness, access to advanced programs of study, and impact on life outside of work and education. The nontraditional degree was rated…

To determine the role of student writing in nontraditional life/experience credentialing programs, a questionnaire was compiled and results surveyed from nearly 50 such programs. Most respondents agreed that writing is a vital part of the credentialing process but many felt it should not be overstressed. The questionnaire is appended. (Author/LBH)

The problems and needs of adults returning for higher education are discussed. It is important for learning institutions and nontraditional programs to investigate the types and the scope of these problems and needs and the availability of support the student will receive from others to help overcome the problems. (Author/MLW)

A nontraditional, off-campus, master's degree from the University of Utah was shown to "pay off" for its graduates. A research project matching the graduates with nonattendees indicated significant gains regarding salary, promotability, and perceptions of self and job. The study will be used as a pilot for a nationwide project.…

The off-campus intact (or closed enrollment) program has been a successful method of providing graduate education and advanced degrees to practicing educators. The College of Education at Virginia Tech's graduate degree programs are discussed including the establishment, administration, and evaluation of these programs. (Author/MLW)

The issues surrounding faculty role and faculty development are addressed in the context of a nontraditional graduate program that maximizes opportunities for the use of experiential learning. Sponsored experiential learning provides one context through which adult developmental and intellectual goals may be simultaneously recognized and pursued.…