In considering implementation of a distance education program, institutions face many administrative challenges. Questions of staffing, budgeting, scheduling, and certification need to be answered, and policy has to be set that will cover education across state and country borders. Two organizations that have met these challenges are detailed below.
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) is a consortium created by fifteen western states and the U.S. Congress for the purpose of sharing resources among institutes of higher education in the western United States. The organization, governed by appointed commissioners in each of the fifteen states, began operation in 1953. Its initiatives include Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration (CONAHEC), an effort to foster educational exchange across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.; the Western Policy Exchange, a three year project designed to assist regional policy makers in creating systemic change; Doctoral Scholars, a program to support minority doctoral students who are interested in university teaching positions; Western Cooperative for Education Telecommunications, which facilitates the sharing of resources related to distance education; and an annual report called Knocking at the College Door, which provides data on public and private school enrollment.
WICHE also supports an interstate exchange program in which undergraduate, graduate, and professional students can take courses or pursue degrees from schools outside their state. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) offers undergraduate students a choice of two or four year degrees from colleges in the participating western states. Students pay 150% of the state's resident tuition, which is considerably less than out-of-state tuition. Students apply for admission to the university of their choice, but apply as a WUE student of that school. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) offers over 100 graduate programs from participating western universities, most of which charge only resident tuition rates. Just as in the undergraduate programs, graduate students wishing to participate in WRGP must apply directly to the university, but seek WRGP status. Students can also pursue professional degrees through the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP), which offers degrees in fields such as dentistry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. Students in these professional programs pay resident tuition of their chosen school, and their home state pays a support fee to help cover costs.
Currently, over 8,000 students per year participate in WICHE's student exchange programs. In Arizona alone, 1,385 residents have received professional degrees through WICHE programs. The student exchange program offers students in the western region of the U.S. affordable access to education opportunities not available in their home state. By participating in WICHE's exchange program, states and universities can take advantage of advancements at other institutions, and avoid costly duplication of programs.
Western Governors' Association
Another WICHE project is collaboration with the Western Governors' Association (WGA) to create a virtual university. The WGA was established in 1984 to identify, develop, and advocate policies that affect the western region. Governors from eighteen U.S. states, as well as American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands participate in the organization. One of the projects that WGA has undertaken is SmartStates, a program that encourages interstate collaboration to produce accessible, cost-effective networked services for the public and private sectors. Discussion within the SmartStates project led to the concept of Western Governors University (WGU). Plans for this virtual university have been in progress since 1995, and it is set to open this summer.
How WGU Came About
Western Governors University
WGU offers no classes itself, but rather, acts as a broker for instruction from universities, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Institutions that would like to offer instruction through WGU must meet established criteria, but once they are accepted, they are able to advertise their programs or courses to WGU's worldwide audience for three years. Institutions must submit $1,000 with their applications ($500 for WGU states and partner corporations), and if accepted, $10,000 for 2 program listings and 5 course listings for the three year period (the fee is only $3,000 for WGU states and partner corporations). WGU states are those that have paid a one-time fee of $100,000 to join the consortium, as well as agreeing to create a local WGU learning center.
The goal of WGU is to offer flexible, affordable education that is relevant and current. It is being marketed toward working adults who want access to work related training or academic degrees. Students can take specific courses or pursue degrees via distance education from affiliated schools, or enroll in a "competency-based program" through WGU. Students who enroll in programs from WGU-affiliated education providers are actually enrolled in that institution, and pay their tuition fees to the institution rather than WGU. They may, however, make use of WGU's Online Bookstore, Central Library, or the online Student Union. Students who choose specific courses from WGU pay tuition to WGU, but WGU reimburses the education provider at a set rate.
WGU also offers its own degrees based on core competencies. Educational providers can submit courses that "map" to WGU's predetermined domains of competency. Students who are interested in a competency-based program work with an advisor to assess their prior knowledge (including education, work and life experiences). Based on the results of the assessments, students can earn WGU credit for their demonstrated knowledge and skills, and seek out courses that will help them gain other competencies that lead to a WGU degree. Classes are offered on a variety of schedules: some are only a few weeks long, while others are a semester. Some classes are self-paced, and students in these classes have an unlimited amount of time to complete the work.
Since WGU is just a virtual entity, with no course listings of its own, it has sidestepped a number of typical hurdles for distance education institutions. It has very few of its own staff members, since its affiliated education providers perform most of their own administrative duties. The education providers also maintain their own policies about degrees and course credits, so questions about interstate accreditation are alleviated.
It remains to be seen whether WGU will be successful in its efforts
to act as a clearinghouse for distance education. A large part of their
success will rest on their marketing efforts, both to educational providers
and potential students. The most innovative part of their plan is the competency-based
degree program, based on skill assessment rather than credits earned. The
idea is revolutionary, and practical, but it remains to be seen how much
credence hiring institutions will give a competency-based degree versus
an academic degree. If WGU can produce evidence of high performing graduates
of its competency-based degree programs, it may blaze the trail for other
lifelong learning programs of this type.
Online
Western Governors' Association (1996). [WWW document]. URL http://www.westgov.org
Western Governors University (n.d./1998). [WWW document]. URL http://www.wgu.edu
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (n.d./1998). [WWW document]. URL http://www.wiche.edu