In the 1980s, nontraditional education is becoming an outdated term, because elements of such education have been integrated into most colleges and universities. The major innovation within nontraditional education is the external degree. Valley developed six major models of external degrees: administrative facilitation, modes of learning, the…

Bachelor Degrees for Soldiers (BDFS) is a system of voluntary, off-duty bachelor degree programs for Army noncommissioned officers and warrant officers. Bachelor degree programs within the BDFS system are designed to relate directly to the military occupational specialty of soldiers. In operation since October 1986, the program grew out of the…

This course, one of 16 sequential courses comprising phase one of a part-time Bachelor of Arts degree program in Australian Studies, focuses on debates about Australia and Australian national character from 1788 to the present. It also introduces students to the forms of intellectual debate and the skills of essay writing. The course is designed…

This course, one of 16 sequential courses comprising phase one of a part-time Bachelor of Arts degree program in Australian Studies, examines the bases for the selection of particular works of Australian literature as classics. The roles played by educational curricula and by literary criticism in presenting an Australian literature in the context…

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…

This project explores a number of external degree models that could be offered to non-credentialed persons who are providing (or who want to provide) human services to older persons in New York State. Although the project was carried out in New York, the models could be applied in other settings as well. The initial motivation for the project had…

An analysis of the underlying concepts and unique contributions of learning contracts to higher education.

To gauge reactions to the developmental testing of the broadcast component of an Arts Foundation Course, 18 members of the team identified as either producer or academic on a television or radio program tested were sent questionnaires containing open response type questions. In addition, the views of members of the Institute of Educational…

The literature on decentralization of policy decisions is reviewed from economics, political science, and higher education. Decentralization in colleges and universities is found to mean a diffusion of authority, influence, and/or information sharing relating to policy decisions. A number of variables are discussed as they might influence the…

Sir John Morris was Chancellor of the University of Tasmania. He was also Chairman of the Adult Education Board and the State Library Board. His views on adult education were well in advance of his time. While many viewed adult education as providing a leisure time hobby for those who participated, he saw it as part of the life-long educational…

The Computer Managed Review and Examination System (CMRE) is described as a sophisticated form of computer-managed instruction designed to meet the needs of students who have some knowledge of the subject matter in a course of study, but may need to review material on some topics and increase their knowledge of others. The program incorporates a…

In recent years a number of institutions have offered the doctoral degree through nontraditional, external programs. The state of Florida has produced a disproportionate number of such graduate programs, including Heed University (Hollywood), Nova University (Fort Lauderdale), and Walden University (Naples). This paper discusses only the Walden…

There is no clear consensus of the term "learner-centered reform." Learner-centered reform has become by implication either the cause or the consequence of inflated grades, lowered admission requirements, affirmative action, elimination of language and other requirements, student evaluation of teaching, abandonment of research, and many other ills…

Regents External Degrees make it possible for an individual to earn a college degree without the constraints of time or locale, and without necessarily attending college. He or she need only demonstrate college-level competency in a Regents External Degree Program. Credit is granted for a variety of educational experiences--from military training,…

After a full year of operation, many questions have been asked about Empire State College (ESC) concerning the type of students who seek such an institution and how these students handle the major responsibility of planning and carrying out their studies. A group of 10 graduates were selected from the 30 graduated in fall 1972 for lengthy…