In October 1996, the University of North Carolina General Administration funded the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Public Health (UNC-SPH) to develop and implement a pilot distance learning program, the Distance Learning MPH degree program in Public Health Leadership. The first cohort of learners without any other access to graduate programs in public health enrolled in August 1997 and 49 graduated in May 2000, obtaining the MPH without leaving the workforce. This presentation will (1) describe the program and its learners, (2) outline the major program evaluation methods the program employed, (3) explain why the learners selected this curriculum and program (4) describe lessons the program learned about teaching and administrative methods, and (5) describe program outcomes. Nearly all enrollees graduated on-time, and student performance was generally equivalent to residential student performance in comparable courses. Learners benefited most from interactive and case study learning methods, and full-time administration is needed.
Learning Objectives: After attending this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe successful teaching strategies for distance learning academic programs; 2. Describe successful administrative practices for distance learning academic programs; 3. Discuss outcomes of the UNC program being presented
Keywords: Distance Education, Evaluation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.