Bemidji State University Launches New Distance Education Web Site

Bemidji State University introduced a new Web site positioned to help students "Go the Distance for Your Degree". The Web site (http://www.distance.bemidji.edu) offers online registration for classes, forms and instructions for application and financial aid, information about degree programs, requirements, and registration, and services such as online textbook purchasing, library services, and technical support.

The new Web site is also the doorway to all online courses. Current distance programs offered include bachelor's degrees in teacher education, applied psychology, management, and technology management and master's degrees in teacher education and educational technology.

"We've had a very successful distance learning program at Bemidji State University," says Robert Griggs, Dean of the Center for Extended Learning. The 'Go the Distance' Web site gives us to opportunity to serve our students more completely.

"A primary consideration for the Web site is as a single destination for students seeking distance learning information, services, and degree programs," says Griggs. "However, it also needed to be a pragmatic resource to our faculty. Here they can obtain training, dialog with their peers, access online technical support services, and find a host of resources devoted to distance learning."

Meeting market demand is a big issue for a state university. According to Minnesota Online1, "The number of students enrolled in the United States in post-secondary distance education courses increased six-fold from 1994 to 2002, and is expected to continue to grow at an even quicker pace."

Bemidji State University continues to roll out programs and work collaboratively with other institutions to meet this growing demand. According to Education Professor Patricia Rogers, the creator of the Masters in Education core online program, one of the big benefits for students is the flexibility of these programs.

"The Masters in Education core online can easily be put together with another program for students, so anywhere they live, they can get their masters degree in education," says Rogers. "We have worked successfully with a number of institutions — Minnesota State University Moorhead, Lake Superior College in Duluth, and others — to develop flexible undergraduate and graduate programs. We even have a program led by our Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Martin Tadlock, with a cohort in Casper, Wyoming."

For Brett Schmidt, a student in Bemidji State University's M.S. Education program, the distance program is ideal. "In three years my oldest will be in college and three years later the second one will be," says Schmidt. "I needed to find a way to complete my degree now, because three Schmidts in college at the same time would be way too many. This distance learning program allows me to work and still stay close to home so I can attend activities, make lunches, and work on my courses."

More information about Bemidji State University's distance educations programs is available by contacting the Center for Extended Learning, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 (218-755-2068, 800-475-2001 ext. 4, or cel@bemidjistate.edu).

1Minnesota Online http://minnesotaonline.mnscu.edu/faculty/, "Online Resources for Faculty"





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