Division of Lifelong Learning

Haning Hall

Thomas Shostak
Dean

Richard Moffitt
Assistant Dean

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Lifelong Learning offers a variety of innovative and alternative educational opportunities and experiences for both traditional and nontraditional students. With its mission of outreach and access, it extends the services of Ohio University to learners of all ages throughout the world. Lifelong Learning is the home for Community and Professional Programs, Independent and Distance Learning Programs, Ohio University Without Boundaries, the Ohio University Program in Hong Kong, and Summer Sessions Special Programs.

Classes, independent learning courses, workshops, and seminars-both credit and noncredit, for both personal and professional development-are offered in response to interests and needs. Some programs may lead to a degree. If you are interested in seeking an Ohio University degree, you must be admitted through normal University procedures. Participants in designated noncredit courses may earn continuing education units (CEUs).

Options for learning online are offered through all the programs in Lifelong Learning. These include credit courses in both term-based and independent learning formats as well as self-paced noncredit courses.

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Lifelong Learning

Community and Professional Programsserves over 10,000 individuals each year in programs as diverse as regional, national, and international professional conferences sponsored by University faculty and departments and professional associations. Professional development opportunities are provided through online courses and certificates, and workshops and certificate programs. While programs offered by Community and Professional Programs do not award academic or college credit, many qualify for professional relicensure and recertification. A full listing of Community and Professional Programs educational opportunities and services is available at https://www.ohio.edu/noncredit/ .

Professional Developmentprograms include career and certificate programs that are taught by University and professional faculty. Professional development staff assists organizations and professions in determining learning needs and developing appropriate solutions to enhance workplace skill and technical development. Many organizations augment hands-on training with Web-based courses available through Community and Professional Programs. Professional certificate programs in management, Web-design, legal assisting, Sex Offender Treatment, and Law Enforcement training programs are also available. Many professional development offerings carry Continuing Education Units and some are approved for professional license renewal and recertification.

Conference Managementprovides complete conference services including program development and management; Internet, mail, fax and telephone registration; on-site coordination, budgeting and financial management and reporting; marketing, site selection and contract negotiation, and educational meeting planning. These services are available to all University faculty and staff, as well as community, professional, governmental, religious, social, and fraternal organizations. During the summer the University has the capacity to host conference groups of up to 1,500 attendees. Lifelong Learning is the primary contact for organizations interested in the University as a conference site, or in conference management services.

E-Learning--Community and Professional Programs E-learning focus on new career and professional development courses and certificates. We offer over 500 non-credit, Web-based (Internet connection required) programs for adults desirous of increasing their marketable business, professional and technical skills, or who need to acquire new skills in order to become competitive in the business world.

E-learning offers individuals the opportunity to learn new skills at their own pace and on their own schedule. Many courses and all certificates programs provide Continuing Education Units upon successful completion. In addition, E-learning may be eligible for the Lifelong Tax Credit. A complete list of all non-credit E-learning programs can be found at https://www.ohio.edu/noncredit/ .

Independent and Distance Learning Programsoffer both Independent Learning courses and advising services for nontraditional students earning selected Ohio University degrees.

Courses completed through any of the Independent and Distance Learning options earn Ohio University resident credit, which can be applied to an Ohio University degree program or transferred to another institution (subject to its restrictions, if any).

Independent and Distance Learning (IDL) courses by correspondenceand online, developed and graded by University faculty, are structured Independent Learning options. Most are presented in a printed course guide or on the Web; other delivery media may include audiocassettes, videocassettes, CD's, and computer disks. The content is divided into lessons with submitted assignments at the end of each lesson, allowing students and faculty members to participate in a dialogue that may be conducted by postal mail, fax, or e-mail. Supervised examinations are generally required, although in some courses, a project or paper may be required instead. Students may arrange to take examinations at locations near them.

Independent Study Projectscan sometimes be arranged in undergraduate courses not currently available as independent study courses. These arrangements are made on an individual basis and are contingent upon the approval of the department in which the course is offered and the availability of a qualified faculty member willing to direct the project. Students and faculty members agree upon the conditions that must be fulfilled for credit to be awarded. The work may include a variety of readings, papers, projects, and examinations. This option is most successfully used by experienced students.

Course Credit by Examinationrepresents the least structured method of obtaining college credit through Independent and Distance Learning Programs. Students enroll in the course and receive a brief syllabus that describes the nature of the course, the textbooks and other materials to study, and the type of examination. Students prepare for the examination without assistance from a faculty member. Letter grades, including failures, are recorded. Credit is awarded for a passing grade.

The External Student Programis for adults who are interested in a degree but cannot study full time on campus. The program provides help in evaluating previous college course work and planning a degree program. Students can work on one of several associate degrees or the Bachelor of Specialized Studies by taking Independent and Distance Learning courses by correspondence Course Credit by Examination, or various online options. Many students also take advantage of the Institutes for Adult Learners and portfolio-based assessment.

The Experiential Learning Program,or portfolio-based assessment, helps qualified adults document and receive credit for learning that has occurred through employment or volunteer activities. A maximum of 48 credits may be earned toward a four-year degree. EDCE 203, Credit for Work Experience: Portfolio Development, which focuses on the development of the learning portfolio and is required for the submission of a portfolio, is offered on the Athens and regional campuses and by correspondence.

The Institutes for Adult Learnersallow adult students to come to the Athens campus for one to three weeks of intensive study. This award-winning program gives students the opportunity to earn college credit with other adults who are pursuing degrees.

The College Program for the Incarceratedserves incarcerated adults who wish to earn a degree or college credit. Students receive guidance in evaluating previous college work and planning a degree. The Bachelor of Specialized Studies and three associate degrees are available. Students may also transfer credit to other institutions. Most credit is earned through Independent Learning courses by correspondence or Course Credit by Examination. Comprehensive fees make college-level study more accessible to the incarcerated learners.

Ohio University Without Boundariesdesigns, develops, and delivers learning experiences that integrate life, work, and learning on a continual basis, regardless of physical location, for professional working people and other adult learners. Offerings include graduate-level degree programs for targeted professionals, executive or professional education programs for individuals or partner organizations, and online learning communities that provide enrichment opportunities featuring prominent faculty and alumni. Undergraduate course credit is also available through some programs.

Many programs are built upon a learning architecture that combines the convenience of online collaboration and content acquisition with the proven benefits of face-to-face interaction through a small number of high-intensity residencies. Interactive learning modules and enrichment opportunities are presented in a multimedia format, including video, animation, and sound as well as text.

Graduate program offerings include the master's program in Athletic Administration, Executive Master of Public Administration, Executive Ph.D. Curriculum in Higher Education, Master's in Higher Education, and Master of Leadership in Educational Administration. The School of Nursing RN-to-B.S.N. online program, the Real Estate Certificate program, and Winter Intersession are also administered by Ohio University Without Boundaries.

The School of Nursing RN-to-B.S.N. online programis for registered nurses who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program consists of 12 required nursing courses, all of which are available online, as well as courses that support the nursing major. Short residencies each term compliment online learning with face-to-face meetings where clinical skills are honored while working with faculty and classmates.

The Real Estate Certificate programconsists of four undergraduate courses in Real Estate Technology. Completion of these courses qualifies students to apply to be seated for the Ohio Division of Real Estate state exam.

Winter Intersessionprovides students with an opportunity to complete required courses during the long holiday break in December. A variety of classes, including many Tier III, are offered primarily to juniors and seniors.
A complete list of programs and additional information about Ohio University Without Boundaries is available at https://www.ouwb.ohiou.edu/ .

The Ohio University Program in Hong Kongwas established in 1985, in cooperation with Hong Kong Baptist University School of Continuing Education. Ohio University in Hong Kong offers Associate in Arts (with Arts and Humanities or Social Science focus), Associate in Science and Associate in Individualized Studies, as well as Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachlelor of Arts in Economics with Business Minor, Bachelor of Specialized Studies, and Bachelor of Science in Communication with Organizational Communication focus.

Students can earn their bachelors' degree in four years by attending evening classes full-time or by attending part-time evening classes and taking as long as they need to complete their degree. Students can attend classes onsite in Hong Kong, study at any of the Ohio University campuses in Ohio, or complete coursework through several Independent and Distance learning modes. Most students combine several of these options. The degree awarded in Hong Kong is the same degree awarded to students attending classes on campuses in Ohio. All course work can be completed without leaving Hong Kong.

The Office of Summer Sessionsoffers undergraduate and graduate courses, workshops, and special programs on the Athens and regional campuses, and online to traditional, non-traditional, visiting, and high school students. Students experience a relaxed campus atmosphere, smaller classes, a friendly and diverse student body, unique and specialized classes and formats, and many extra-curricular events. Summer Sessions provide students with an extra quarter to begin a degree, earn a teaching certificate, learn a new language, update professional skills, or catch up on courses.For complete information about Summer Sessions, please visit https://www.ohio.edu/summer/ .

Ohio University Onlinedelivers into your home the same dynamic, hands on instruction that characterizes the best on-campus classes. All lesson content for these term-based classes is on the Web, and all communication is by e-mail, including lesson subimssion and the instructor's responses. Also, we provide the support you need so you won't be left to "go it alone".

Ohio University Online means:

• Ignoring the clock. Come to the online class whenever it's convenient for you!
• Quality education without giving up quality time.
• Small class sizes with one-on-one instructor guidance and personalized communication.
• A large selection of online course options each quarter.

For complete information about Ohio University Online, please visit https://www.ohio.edu/ouonline/ .

For further information about any of these programs, contact

Lifelong Learning
Ohio University
Haning Hall 102
Athens OH 45701-2979
Telephone 740.593.1776/877.685.3276
Web: https://www.ohio.edu/lifelong/