Attitudes of Smaller Institutions

The major fear among private colleges is the fact that their present enrollment in part- time degree programs might be lulled away by distance learning programs that are cheaper and more convenient.  There is also the threat that these distance learning programs would pull students away with the promise of a degree from better-known universities.  Many of these smaller schools do not have large funding and are greatly dependent on tuition income from their students.  Private colleges have certain advantages, such as being in a particular market for years.  A small institution, however, cannot compete with the wide variety of courses and convenient times that state funded universities such as the University of Michigan or Ohio State provide.
 
Other small schools, while agreeing  that distance learning should be looked into, do not see it as a major threat.  They point out that enrollment of continuing education programs has continued to grow, despite an increase of competition from distance learning programs.  They say that instead of competing with distance learning head on, smaller schools should promote their strengths, such as small classes and face-to-face interaction with instructors.
 

Attitudes of Larger Institutions

Large schools have begun to milk the area of distance learning by setting up programs in their schools. For example, Pen State has implemented a distance learning program called “World Campus.”  World Campus plans to offer 25 certificate programs, with a projected enrollment of 5,000 students.  Spokespersons from Penn State argue that this program, however, has no desire to replicate established programs of small, private schools.  They argue that a university's reputation has nothing to do with the success of distance learning enrollment.  They evidence this point with the example of successful schools like University of Phoenix, a school that is very successful in the area of distance learning despite having no undergraduate alumni, no research, and no football team.
 

Attitudes of Both

Both large and small schools, however warn that students should not be fooled by the security of the type of program they enter. Just because a distance learning program may be cheaper and more convenient, be sure that the one chosen is a good one.  Many schools assume that just because they have been offering distance education classes by means of video or other materials, their online courses are automatically grandfathered in as accredited.  This is a false assumption. There are several steps a college must go through before they might ensure accreditation. Students are warned to look carefully into the program they choose to enroll in, as employers will pay careful attention to the type of education their applicants receive. 

To see what smaller colleges are doing to compete...

(Selingo, J. 1998), (Blumenstyk, G., 1998), (Rucker, T., 1998)
 

 This project was produced for Psy 380, Social Psychology of Cyberspace, Spring 2000,  at Miami University.  All graphics in these pages are used with permission or under fair use guidelines, are in the public domain,  or were created by the authors.  Last revised:  This document has been accessed   times since 1 May 2000.  Comments & Questions to R. Sherman