Lynn University: Distance Learning Programs In-Depth

views updated

Lynn University

Institute for Distance Learning

Boca Raton, Florida


DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

Lynn University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs to students who are unable to participate in a traditional classroom-based environment at the main campus. The aim of the University is to be a global institution for the twenty-first century, where learners can access higher learning opportunities, independent of time schedules and geographical limitations.

The Institute for Distance Learning (IDL) is designed for mature, self-directed learners, using technology and flexible delivery methods. IDL's design and delivery of all programs places a high value on the prior skills and knowledge that mature learners bring to their educational experience. Lynn University's Institute for Distance Learning offers both credit and noncredit courses.

DELIVERY MEDIA

Internet technology allows interactions between faculty members and students, students and other students, and students and resources (books, journals, electronic library services, and the Internet). In addition, videoconferencing facilities deliver interactive courses from the main campus to remote sites. Distance learning courses are delivered in an accelerated format, with six 8-week class terms per academic year. Undergraduate students may begin their studies during any of the terms, while graduate students may start their degree program during the Fall I, Winter I, or Summer I term.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has approved Lynn University to offer complete distance learning degree programs via the Web. The Ph.D. in global leadership online degree program offers specializations in corporate leadership or educational leadership. At the master's degree level, Lynn University's Institute for Distance Learning offers the M.B.A., with specializations in aviation management, international business, managerial electronic business, marketing, health-care administration, and hospitality management; the Master of Science (M.S.) degree, with majors in criminal justice or emergency planning and administration; and the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in educational leadership, with specializations in school administration and higher education administration.

Several bachelor's degrees, designed for adult learners, are available entirely via course work over the Internet. The majors available are behavioral science, business, and criminal justice administration. In addition, numerous undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses as well as noncredit courses are available via the Web. Students can find the course schedule on the Institute for Distance Learning's Web site at http://www.lynn.edu/distancelearning.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

IDL also facilitates a variety of non-credit accelerated courses that can be tailored to address corporate needs. Customized courses on selected topics in business and technology can be delivered via videoconferencing or over the Web.

CREDIT OPTIONS

Most online courses are 3 credits each. Courses with labs are 4 credits. Courses offered with less than 3 credits are identified in the catalog. Lynn University accepts transfer credits from most other regionally accredited schools. Specific information about transfer credits may be found in the Academic Catalog on the University's Web site. Credits earned in the online program can be combined with credits earned on campus to complete a degree.

Founded in 1962 and located in Boca Raton, Florida, Lynn University is a private coeducational institution whose primary purposes are education; the preservation, discovery, dissemination, and creative application of knowledge; and the preparation of its graduates with the academic foundation for lifelong learning. Service, scholarly activity that includes research, and ongoing professional development allow the faculty, in conjunction with the entire University community, to fulfill its purposes: facilitating student-centered learning and fostering the intellectual life of the University.

FACULTY

The faculty and staff members of the Institute of Distance Learning at Lynn University are highly qualified and committed to providing high-quality instruction and learning opportunities for self-directed learners. Along with excellent academic credentials, the faculty members are primarily practitioners in their fields of expertise, thus providing the theoretical context for the practical applications of the subject matter.

ADMISSION

To enroll in an undergraduate degree program, students must have earned a high school diploma or GED. International students whose first language is not English must submit a TOEFL score of at least 500. A student's credit hours are earned through instruction (distance learning or traditional classroom), transfer credits from an accredited college or university, military service course credits (DANTES), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) or a similar state training facility, professional training or certification as recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and/or a student's professional experience or experiential learning.

Attendees of foreign schools are required to submit an International Transcript Evaluation and course equivalency report.

Graduate students must have earned a college diploma from a regionally accredited or internationally listed college or university. Applicants whose undergraduate grade point average (GPA) was less than 3.0 must also submit the appropriate entrance examination score from the GRE, GMAT, or MAT. Two recommendation letters, a resume, and a statement of professional goals are also required. Other admission requirements vary by degree program. International graduate students whose native language is not English must submit a TOEFL score at least 550 (213 on the computer-based test).

Ph.D. students have a required course enrollment residency. The enrollment residency requirement in the doctoral program consists of two consecutive terms with enrollment in 6 credits of required course work each term. This excludes course work for RES 897, RES 900, RES 901, or RES 902. Students who are unable to meet this enrollment requirement may develop an alternative plan with the respective program coordinator.

In addition, there is a required campus residency for online students enrolled in the Ph.D. program. There are four required on-campus immersions consisting of three to five days each and a fifth for the defense of the dissertation. These immersions are associated with a program orientation and the RESEARCH core: RES 700Q, RES 702Q, RES 704Q, RES 900Q, and RES 902 (dissertation defense).

TUITION AND FEES

All new students pay a one-time nonrefundable $50 application fee. The tuition fees and registration fees follow the pricing established for the respective colleges and noncredit programs. For the 2004–05 academic year, the fees are as follows: under-graduate (adult evening division), $252 per credit hour; graduate, $483 per credit hour; doctoral, $667 per credit hour; noncredit tuition varies with the individual courses. Students should check the Web site for further details. There is a registration fee of $30 at the beginning of each term enrolled; lab fees of $30 to $60, depending on the specific course; and a portfolio administration fee of $75 per credit placed on the transcript. More information and specific details regarding fees are available in the Academic Catalog on the University's Web site.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid is available to any qualified Lynn student. For specific information, students should contact the financial aid office at 561-237-7941.

CONTACT

Mary L. Tebes, Ph.D.
Director, Institute for Distance Learning
Lynn University
3601 North Military Trail
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Telephone: 561-237-7902
Fax: 561-237-7899
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.lynn.edu

APPLYING

Students may apply by calling the Admissions Office at 1-800-888-LYNN(5966) from anywhere in the United States or 561-237-7900 from outside the U.S. Applications may also be obtained on the Admissions department's Web site at http://www.lynn.edu/admissions or by phone, fax, or e-mail.

About this article

Lynn University: Distance Learning Programs In-Depth

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article