The external degree path to a doctorate is becoming more popular among established professionals unable to take leaves of absence for traditional programs. It is successful with minorities and adult learners because programs link theory with practice and offer flexible and distance programming. Student lack of access to research facilities,…

"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,…

The Regents External Degree is a New York State program offering a college degree to individuals, whether by earned college credit or knowledge acquired in other experience areas. The external degree and the College Proficiency Examinations are administered by the University of the State of New York, which has no campus or courses but accepts…

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)

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 Regents External Degrees program to earn a degree without attending college, and the College Proficiency Examinations to validate knowledge gained outside of the formal college classroom are described. The programs are administered by the University of the State of New York, which has no campus or courses, but accepts credits from accredited…

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)

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)

This guide is an attempt to inventory undergraduate level, degree-granting external degree programs (EPDs), defined as those emphasizing minimal classroom coursework and minimal residence requirements. There are 134 accredited or approved organizations listed that sponsor among them 244 external degree programs (66 associate and 178 bachelor).…

The ten elements of nontraditional study are carefully examined to provide an overview of their evolution and their impact on access to higher education. Discussed are degree-granting authority, competence as a basis for awarding degrees, adult students, experiential learning, specialized services, residence, and educational technology.…

Application of experiences in adult and general education to experiential and prior learning in PharmD program development is discussed. Included in the discussion are definitions, program examples, contrasts with traditional programs, quality control procedures, program evaluation, and cost considerations. (MSE)

State higher education coordination bodies, it is suggested, should recognize experiential learning either through their policies or their programs. The way in which New York has encouraged experiential learning through three programs and through their activities as a nationally recognized accrediting body is discussed. (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.…

A bibliography of about 45 materials authored, coauthored, or edited by Morris T. Keeton on the nature of experiential learning in higher education is presented. Specific topics of the publications, which cover 1938-1982, include the following: quality, equality, and experiential learning; defining and assuring quality in experimental learning;…

The catalog is designed to provide information on both the Regents External Degrees and the College Proficiency Examinations of New York State. The information is oriented toward individuals who wish to know about and take advantage of either program. The Regents External Degree is awarded by the University of the State of New York, which has no…