Research Exercise

by
Pat Burwell
EDD 7007
Principal of Distance Education
 Nova Southeastern University
May 30, 2009

Part 1: The Institution and its programs

Name, address, and URL of the institution

http://www.umuc.edu/programs/grad/mde/technology.shtml
Graduate School of Management and Technology
3501 University Boulevard East
Adelphi, Maryland 20783-8030 USA
Reference
Graduate School of Management and Technology Schedule of Classes, Spring 2009 Webpage
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/publications/schedules/gradsched_sp09.pdf

Degrees, and majors offered in the program

The Graduate School of Management and Technology Programs offers a Masters of Distance
Education program.

Reference
UMUC Webpage
http://www.umuc.edu/programs/grad/mde/technology.shtml

Length of Time the Institution has been offering the Distance program

For more than thirty years, the UMUC graduate school has been setting the standard for in
distance education for working adults.

Reference
Frequently Asked Questions Webpage
http://www.umuc.edu/prospective_grad_faq.shtml#timeline1

Course Delivery Technologies Used

Most online course function on an “anytime, anywhere” basis with few, if any, real time
activities. Mail, although this time electronic mail, is central to the process. The File Transfer
Protocol (FTP) which is also used to transfer files between a server and a desktop was also
utilized. The Web Course management system, which is a type of virtual learning environment,
used was WebTyco. The course management components included a syllabus, course calendar,
announcements, etc., which is comparable to the WebCT course management system used at
NSU. As a past participant of this program, the writer can attest to this description. It was
definitely Internet-based distance education.
Reference

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and Learning at a
Distance: Foundations of Distance Education.

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Face-to- face component of Instruction offered. Where, and for what duration?

No. There is no need to go to a campus. You will have full access to everything you need as an
online student- admission, registration, counseling, financial aid, veterans benefits, textbook
ordering and delivery, and library services.
Reference
Frequently Asked Questions Webpage
http://www.umuc.edu/prospective_grad_faq.shtml#timeline1

Time It Takes to Earn a Degree

Graduate degree programs can be completed in two years by consistently taking two three credit
courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. All coursework must be completed in seven
years.

Reference
UMUC Prospective Student Webpage
http://www.umuc.edu/prospective_grad_faq.shtml#timeline1

Is the Institution accredited? If so, by what organization?

The University of Maryland University College is accredited by the Commission on Higher

Education of the Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools located at 3624 Market
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267.284.5000). It is one of the six regional accrediting agencies
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. UMUC’s Master’s of Distance Education
program is accredited by the European Foundation of Management Development-Technology-
Enhanced Learning (EFMD CEL), Swiss Center of Innovations in Learning, University of St.
Gallen, Dufourstr 40a St. Gallen CH 9000, Switzerland.

Reference
UMUC Accreditation Webpage
http://www.umuc.edu/gen/accred.shtml

Is the Institution public or private? If private, is it for-profit or not-for-profit?

UMUC is one of the largest public providers of online higher education in the nation.

Total Enrollment
How many students are enrolled?

More than 88,000 students are earning college degrees at UMUC. The Website did not have
enrollment figures specifically for the Masters of Distance Education program but the Website
has enrollment figures for Worldwide and Stateside Distance Education students from 1995-
2008.
Reference
Prospective Student Information Webpage
http://www.umuc.edu/prospective.shtml

UMUC’s Fact Book

http://www.umuc.edu/ip/PDFs/UMUCFY08FactBook.pdf
What is the tuition (per course or per year)?

The tuition is $428.00 per graduate credit.

Reference: Summer 2009 Online Bulletin
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/publications/schedules/gradsched_sp09.pdf

Part II: The Institution’s Web site

How would you rate the visual appeal of the site? What elements are visually appealing, and
which aspects are less so?

The UMUC Website is visually appealing it uses earth tones, a simple font, and the size of the
lettering makes the information easy to read. The writer has to admit the homepage is rather
busy. It has a picture of a student in the center, lots of link all over the page, and a box with
pictures that change. It’s a lot to take in at first but eventually the user gets adjusted to all of the
information.

Is the site easily navigable and well-organized? Provide examples.

Yes. The writer believes the site is easily navigable and well-organized (even thought it’s busy).
She was able to find all of the answers to the questions without out the help of an enrollment
specialist. The accreditation page was easy to find and the fact book included a host of
information.

Does the site contain sufficient information to answer questions 1-10 (above)? If not, provide
details.

Yes.
What is the most positive aspect of the Web site?

The writer found being able to answer all of the questions without the use of an enrollment
counselor the most positive aspect of the Website.

What aspect of the site is most in need of improvement?

The University could make the homepage less busy. There were too many links.