The project investigates the strategic planning efforts as well as current experiences regarding online and distance education undertaken by accredited Programs in Health Administration. The field of online/distance education is just emerging (National Center for Health Statistics, 1997). Not much is known about its feasibility and its educational value (The Institute for Higher Education Policy, 1999). This study will provide benchmark information about online/distance education in Health Administration. The first step of the project includes a review of the literature on the value of distance and online education. In a second step, a survey is developed that will be sent to all Program Directors of Health Administration Programs in Health Administration. The Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) has endorsed our interest in such a survey. The third part of the project consists of making on-site visits to innovative programs in order to further investigate their efforts through faculty, staff and students on-site interviews. The project will help in strategic planning efforts with respect to online/distance education in Health Administration. It will provide descriptive data of the current activities of accredited programs in Health Administration. The study is designed to investigate the following: 1. The number of programs involved in online/distance education 2. The number and kinds of enrolled students 3. Student attrition rates 4. Assessment of online/distance courses by faculty and students and administration 5. The organizational structure supporting online/distance education 6. Roadblocks in implementing online/distance education 7. Faculty ownership of distance/online courses
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe the online/distance education activities and plans of accredited Programs in Health Administration. 2. List 5 roadblocks commonly encountered in implementation of online programs. 3. Discuss the value of distance and online education
Keywords: Distance Education Development, Internet
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.