Campus-Free College Degrees: Thorson's Guide to Accredited College Degrees Through Distance Learning

by Marcie Kisner Thorson

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0916277569
• ISBN13: 9780916277567
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Thorson Guides
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.5" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

A+ A Must Read Before Applying

Thorson has done her research in a very thorough manner. With each new edition, she redoes her research to make sure it is up-to-date and accurate rather than copy what is in the older editions like similar books do. If you are considering a non-traditional university degree, you need to read this book cover-to-cover. First, Thorson talks about the key players, their roles and responsibilities. Distance learning may or may not be the way for you to pursue your college degree. Second, and most important is a very frank and clear discussion about accreditation, the various accrediting agencies plus contact information. She explains the types of educational accreditation: institutional (state, regional, national, etc) and specialized accreditation. For example The American Dietetic Association for programs focused on nutrition or American Physical Therapy Association for Physical Therapists and more.) Read about accreditation before gettting an application to the program you think you want to attend. Then write to all of the agencies the institution says it is accredited through. Request a copy of their most recent evaluation of your chosen institution. I did and found out one program accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)- a regional accrediting agency, had deep financial problems, had filed for bankruptcy and had received its second warning from WACS stating that it would lose its accreditation it did not rectify its financial problems. But, that university never told me that. Eventually they were forced to close by the bankruptcy courts for financial reasons leaving thousands of students hanging with only "part of" a college degree. Next Thorson explains the process of getting university credits towards what one has learned through ones work experience and life experience through the various equivalency examinations, complete with contact info and what tests they administer. This saves time and money and is excellent for the military and minor students who have had to live outside of the USA due to their parents career. Also, is a chapter on high school diplomas via distance learning that are accredited programs. Some profiled are Texas Tech University High School, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Independent Stidu High School, North Dakota Department of Public Instrucion of Independent Study, American School Private and private correspondence schools like the American School, Citizens'High School, Hartcourt High School, Home Study International, Keystone National High School. She explains the various types of long-distance learning. Some degrees are all "virtual" or all on-line and others require you to meet with the professor and other students either on the "real" campus or a satelite location. That involves your time and costs. She gives a comprehensive review of all of the colleges with distance learning degrees starting out with contact information, degrees offered, how t

A great resource if you don't want to spend your time on campus!

I have an older version of this book, but I thought it was excellent. I actually am about to complete a degree program that I found in here. I have never seen another resource quite like it. The book lets you look up "non-traditional" degree programs by profession as well as by state. It also tells you what accreditations each college holds and what the degree program requirements are.