Since the 1870s, the rise of systematic correspondence teaching in Britain has been linked to the increasing popularity of the written examination as a selection method, the growth of professional bodies, and the spread of professional journals. This method of teaching has served teachers, civil servants, and accountants. (SW)

This document contains five reports from a study that collected survey data on the practices and state trends affecting military personnel attending proprietary, private, and public postsecondary education institutions in 11 states and on the practices related to student transcript evaluation. The contents include "Introduction, State and…

Policy regarding the quality of external degree programs (i.e., off-campus study, often of a nontraditional nature) leading to graduate degrees is presented. Topics covered include: establishment in each state of more effective procedures for review of off-campus graduate programs; review and evaluation procedures of regional accrediting…

A general overview of the University of the Third Age at Toulouse, France designed for retired persons, is provided including a summary of the university's aims to improve the lives and living standards of the elderly. Possibilities for such a program using distance teaching are reported. (JMF)

Several external degree programs of institutions in the United States are described. Some of the unique factors featured in these programs are: geographically accessible learning centers, few or no residency requirements, student designated curricula, independent study programs, and work experience programs. Florida International University, the…

Information is provided on degree candidates enrolled with the Connecticut Board of State Academic Awards, an external degree program, and includes demographic characteristics, employment data, educational background, and examinations utilized. Based on the information, implications for higher education for nontraditional students are offered.…

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)

The Open University's Advisory and Preparatory Services Committee has developed a plan to help new students prepare for the learning experience prior to the beginning of courses through collaborative ventures with local institutions, the pairing of students with tutors, and distribution of course-based material. (JMF)

The Humanities External Degree Program at California State University, Dominguez Hills, is a fully accredited, interdisciplinary program offering both a bachelor's and a master's degree and waiving all attendance requirements. Its curriculum, procedures, and emphasis on independent study are described.

The Hawaii Open Program for the Excluded (HOPE), under the sponsorship of the University of Hawaii's College of Continuing Education, is described. Reported are its study guide format, Bachelor of General Studies degree, problem areas, university faculty reaction, successes and trends, and future outlook. (LBH)

The relationship between personal and educational counseling at the Open University is outlined as a starting point for discussing more effective ways of carrying out personal and crisis counseling functions. (JMF)

Information on undertaking an external degree program to obtain a college education is presented. An external degree program is one that has no, or minimal requirements for residence (on-campus attendance). Most often it can be entered at any time of the year and usually grants credit for documented learning already acquired. An external degree…

The effect of changing patterns of postsecondary education for nursing and the subsequent development of open curricula and external degree programs in nursing are examined in these conference papers. The following papers were presented: "Pressures on Higher Education Are Changing Post-Secondary Education," by Robert H. Kroepsch;…

Proceedings of AACRAO's 63rd annual meeting cover: admissions criteria for impacted programs; transfer credits; financial aid issues; federal aid; nontraditional credit from external degree programs or noninstructional institutions; and a status report on the CAEL consortium. (LBH)

The Nontraditional Study Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia provides opportunities to adults in farming and agribusiness to earn degrees in agriculture without returning to campus through extension courses and other independent study formats. A survey of student attitudes indicated that students were very favorable toward the program.…