Doctoral Student Experiences in an Online Degree Program: A Review of the Distance Education Literature and an Exploration of Their Perspectives

Doctoral Student Experiences in an Online Degree Program: A Review of the Distance Education Literature and an Exploration of Their Perspectives

Edward C. Fletcher
ISBN13: 9781466621817|ISBN10: 1466621818|EISBN13: 9781466621824
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2181-7.ch019
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MLA

Fletcher, Edward C. "Doctoral Student Experiences in an Online Degree Program: A Review of the Distance Education Literature and an Exploration of Their Perspectives." Handbook of Research on Technologies for Improving the 21st Century Workforce: Tools for Lifelong Learning, edited by Viktor Wang, IGI Global, 2013, pp. 287-301. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2181-7.ch019

APA

Fletcher, E. C. (2013). Doctoral Student Experiences in an Online Degree Program: A Review of the Distance Education Literature and an Exploration of Their Perspectives. In V. Wang (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Technologies for Improving the 21st Century Workforce: Tools for Lifelong Learning (pp. 287-301). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2181-7.ch019

Chicago

Fletcher, Edward C. "Doctoral Student Experiences in an Online Degree Program: A Review of the Distance Education Literature and an Exploration of Their Perspectives." In Handbook of Research on Technologies for Improving the 21st Century Workforce: Tools for Lifelong Learning, edited by Viktor Wang, 287-301. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2181-7.ch019

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Abstract

With the proliferation of distance education as a common educational delivery mode in higher education, increased scrutiny and criticism has seriously challenged its merit. Despite the widespread hesitancy to embrace distance education as a legitimate component of the higher educational system, the access it affords to adult learners pursuing graduate education is undeniable. To that end, this chapter briefly discusses the history of distance education; reviews the distance education literature; presents findings from a study exploring the experiences of doctoral students regarding the benefits and challenges of pursuing an online degree; discusses emerging trends for distance education; and concludes with recommendations for administrators, faculty, and students in higher education.

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