Summertime is Exactly the Right Time For Distance Learning Degree Programs

Summer school isn't just for students in the K-12 levels.Many schools online are now formatting their course
As the weather grows warmer, college candidatesmaterials to make them available on handheld readers,
and students might find this an opportune time to makesuch as the Kindle or the Nook.
progress toward their degrees. Summer research andOregon State University for summer 2010 offered
study abroad programs might also provide academicmore than 150 distance learning courses in more than
credits.35 subject areas. At the University of
During the summer months, many individuals are ableMassachusetts-Boston, more than 100 of the
to reduce some of their career and familyinstitution's 600-plus undergraduate and graduate
responsibilities and make room for personal pursuits.courses were offered to distance learners. The
Parents might have more time on their hands while theSociology and Anthropology Departments at UMass,
children are at summer camp. Teachers who have theas it's known, have also partnered with the Universities
summer off from work might want to use the time toof Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands for a four-week
accrue credits toward advanced degrees. In someCaribbean Studies Summer Institute where students
areas, even high school students have opportunities tocan earn sociology and anthropology credits while
experience campus life while earning college credits.learning how history, economics and more have
Colleges, universities and technical schools offer aninfluenced the Caribbean.
array of summer courses and programs from whichSeveral summer study abroad programs provide
to choose. Boston University alone offers more thanopportunities to earn academic credits while traveling.
700 summer courses in more than 70 academicNYU's study abroad programs are offered by
subjects, according to the institution's summer website.different schools and might include travels to places
Through a "pre-college" program, NYU (New Yorksuch as Asia, South America, Western Europe and
University) allows high school juniors and seniors withinthe Middle East. NYU's School of Arts & Sciences, for
commuting distance to take credit-bearing classesinstance, this year hosted summer study abroad
alongside college students and participate in non-creditprograms in Beijing, Prague, London and Paris, while the
writing workshops to enhance their writing skills. TheyGallatin School of Individualized Study offered summer
can also attend workshops where they learn aboutstudy abroad programs in Florence, Berlin and the
college applications and admissions, as well as on andRepublic of Ghana in West Africa.
off campus activities.Summer research opportunities also exist at colleges
Adults who travel during summer vacations might findand universities, and the American Association of
that online college courses are best suited to theirMedical Colleges alone offers links to more than 50 of
needs. For example, individuals who have planned longthese research programs. Albert Einstein College of
road trips may find that their travel time can be usedMedicine in the Bronx, for instance, accepts 50
to do schoolwork. Innovations to technology canundergraduates with science backgrounds who are
enable these students to access web-based lecturesconsidering research careers to work in laboratories
or complete online assignments using their cell phonesmatched to their areas of interest. The summer
or other portable devices, such as the iPad.research program at Albert Einstein includes
Furthermore, some students may not even need anexcursions to a Broadway show, a baseball game and
Internet connection to get ahead on their schoolwork.more, according to its website.