The library has traditionally been a center for independent learning and individual self-directed education. The Dallas Public Library, in cooperation with Southern Methodist University, set up a library independent study project (ISP). College credit could be obtained through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP); however, learning for…

Part of a government report on "Efficiency in Higher Education," this study dealt with the cost of existing or proposed external degree or non-traditional programs in adult higher education, an area which is lacking in substantive cost data. Twenty-seven institutions were contacted because they were believed to have non-traditional programs; high…

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a credit by examination program offered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) as an alternative to formal college education for independent learners. In 1970 the CEEB began to work with public libraries in providing help to the independent learner who wished to participate in the CLEP…

This study offers a preliminary description of the faculty members at the University of Minnesota who have worked with University Without Walls (UWW) students outside of the conventional classroom setting. The American Council on Education Faculty questionnaire was sent to 141 university faculty members; 53 percent responded. Findings indicated:…

Many higher education institutions across the United States have instituted nontraditional study programs that incorporate elements such as flexibility and individualized learning into the curriculum. Implementation of such programs serve to increase options and open doors such as: the identification of new segments of our society to be served;…

Three external degree programs--National Ed.D. Program for Educational Leaders, Nova University (Florida); University External Studies Program, University of Pittsburgh; and Field Centered Courses, Department of Early Childhood Education, Kent State University--are compared on the basis of a series of questions. Is the course designed for a…

An evaluation of the student-centered learning program at Great Britain's Open University is presented. (HB)

Continuing education for rural Americans is seen as a "step-child" to conventional on-campus programs. Elements of the British Open University are explored with the view of adapting them to American rural continuing education. (KR)

Queens University, Ontario, has experience with supporting correspondence study by telephone links and seminars. Students could telephone instructors collect, and instructors could call individual students or arrange conference calls. More than one-third of the courses offered during each of three academic years (1972-1975) had at least one…

"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,…

Describes the practical problems encountered by one group of people, in one institution, when different disciplines were combined in the production of a course about the theory of curriculum design. (Author/RK)

The status of external degree programs in traditional institutions is examined. Basing evaluation on the guidelines set forth by the Carnegie Commission for Non-Traditional Study (l973); it is suggested that external programs have not adequately been integrated into the academic mainstream. (Author/MLW)

A study of external degree program students' participation in and attitudes toward their programs used Cross's Chain-of-Response model to examine future goal orientation, anticipated educational benefits, attitudes toward prior learning, program barriers, and program supports. Important variables are discussed. (MSE)

Issues relating to identifying pathways whereby pharmacy practioners can obtain additional training and experience leading to an advanced professional degree or certificate are identified. A scheme for assessing the prior learning of external degree or certificate candidates is suggested. (MLW)