If you are thinking about utilizing a programthen you need to familiarize yourself with a whole new set ofterms and definitions that help to make up this new way oflearning. Here are a few to get you started, the ABC's ofdistance learning.

Under A you may find the following terms:

Academic Advisor. An academic advisor is a person appointed bythe college or university representative who provides guidanceto students in to help them select courses and an academicprogram that will meet the requirements to complete an onlinedegree program.

Accreditation. This is the process by which online degreeprograms are monitored to ensure that they meet certainstandards or requirements. There are special accreditingagencies at the national and regional level that ensure that thedistance learning program meets all of the specific curricularstandards in order to grant online degrees Associate Degree. Anassociate online degree is usually granted after completion of atwo-year post secondary program. It also is sometimes known as atransfer degree.

Under B you may find:

Baccalaureate. This is more commonly known as a bachelor'sdegree and is usually granted after four years of study at anonline degree granting college or university.

Baud. A baud is a technical measurement of digital transmissionthat is used to describe the rate at which information flowsbetween two electronic devices such as modems. The higher thebaud rate means the faster information is processed andtransferred between two computers.

Under C you will find:

Case Study. A case study is a common presentation style to helpdistance learning students see the application of a theoreticalprinciple to a simulated or real-life situation. It helpsstudents practice applying their analytical and presentationskills to the theories that are learning in their onlineclassroom.

College. A college is an institution that normally offersassociate and bachelor's degrees. The focus at colleges is oneducation rather than research.

Conditional Acceptance or Admission. This is an offer toparticipate in a university or college online degree program toa student who meets the basic academic requirements, but mightneed to improve some other aspect of themselves such as passingan English proficiency exam in order to begin their distancelearning program.

Cooperative or Co-op Program. These are distance learningprograms that combine online classroom time with alternatingwork placements.

Course load. Course load refers to the number of courses takenor credits earned within a period of study that may be definedas a semester, term or quarter.

Credit. A credit is granted for each course completed and inorder to get an online degree most academic programs requirestudents to complete a certain number of credits or courses.

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