Even with the additional resources realistic for our state we cannot expect to have a cutting edge system of distributed education. At the same time we cannot afford to ignore the prospects of distributed learning. Prospects Distributed learning provides access and opportunities for student learners who cannot obtain needed educational services due to geographic or physical isolation, or due to other factors that preclude traditional classroom instruction. Distributed education should not be viewed as a challenge to or a replacement for traditional learning activities. There is no direct state support for these existing programs.
Students pay regular graduate tuition plus a distance delivery fee.
The entire tuition is used to pay for instruction, the associated technology line charges, student services, and academic coordination. If there are no additional state funds to support these programs, there is a danger that some students will be priced out of the market. In fact, we do not know what demand exists for distributed learning and how it is best met. A related topic concerns completion and drop out rates. While these can be estimated for traditional programs, we are on less certain ground with distributed learning.