Dallas County Community Colleges

Dallas TeleCollege

Dallas, Texas

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

The Dallas TeleCollege, the online campus of the Dallas County Community Colleges, provides greater access to education opportunities for students throughout Dallas, Texas; the U.S.; and the world through the delivery of flexible affordable courses. Courses are offered through a variety of technologies and lead to the Associate of Arts (A.A.) and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees. The Dallas TeleCollege also provides opportunities for skill development or enhancement through a variety of noncredit courses.

Dallas TeleCollege offers college-credit programs and courses via distance learning by coupling instruction with an array of student services accessible to students online anyplace, anytime. In addition to individual course transferability, the complete Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees as well as various certificate programs are available at a distance through the virtual campus.

DELIVERY MEDIA

Distance learning courses are offered in a number of formats. Each format may utilize a variety of learning technologies, such as video and CD-ROM, that are designed to enhance the learning experience. Course formats are offered either completely at a distance or require on-campus visits.

Completely-at-a-distance online courses are delivered using only computers and computer peripherals. Students are required to have reliable Internet access and the latest version of Internet browser software. The online classroom delivers instruction and facilitates interactions between faculty members and students.

The Telecourse Plus incorporates the use of video and the online classroom. The course includes a preproduced video series with print materials. Students are required to have access to local cable for viewing or a VHS format videocassette player. Students are also required to have reliable Internet access and the latest version of Internet browser software. The online classroom is used to deliver instruction, facilitate interactions between faculty members and students, and more.

The Telecourse allows the student to work and learn independently, with campus-based requirements, including orientations, testing, and review sessions. The course includes a preproduced video series with print materials. Class interaction is offered through telephone, fax, and mail. Students are required to have access to local cable for viewing or a VHS-format videocassette player.

Campus-based distance learning courses may include any of the above formats along with on-campus requirements. This means that students must visit the campus for a portion of their class. Most student services are also delivered on campus and not at a distance.

Individualized Distance Learning Course (IDL) courses are individual study courses that use print materials and required activities related to course topics. This self-paced course requires a faculty-to-student agreement contract for specific work assignment sand/or projects. Additional requirements include a study-faculty orientation, written assignments, and tests.

Course formats may include one or more of the following technologies:

The Internet: Courses utilizing the Internet require students have Internet access and the latest version of a browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer).

Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) is celebrating more than thirty years of distance education delivery. More than 20,000 students enroll yearly in distance courses that lead to an associate degree or certificate. Many students take core courses that transfer to other institutions. Distance learning is a collaborative effort of all seven colleges in the district, each accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Dallas TeleCollege draws its strength from the full-time faculty members of these colleges and from years of experience in the development and implementation of distance learning courses.

Over the years, these programs have evolved to embrace emerging technologies and have expanded to meet a growing student population. The principal mission of the Dallas TeleCollege is to make distance learning options convenient and accessible. The Dallas County Community College District understands that in a rapidly changing world community, learning can take place "anyplace, anytime".

Video Series: Several course formats utilize preproduced video series that can be viewed by local cable TV through many local cable channels at scheduled times; through videotapes leased from the online bookstore and viewed on a video cassette player or on campus in the media center; through video streaming, which allows students to view video lesson programs from their home or office computer and which requires broadband connectivity such as DSL, cable modems, or wireless connections and payment of a fee; and CD-ROM/DVD.

The CD-ROM format is a student-centered instructional design using fully integrated multimedia course delivery along with supported print materials. This format brings video programs, interactive computer-based activities, and Internet resources to the student's desktop. Materials include a preproduced video series along with print materials.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

The Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees require the completion of 61 credit hours, including 48 core credit hours and 13 credit hours of electives. The A.A. and A.S. degrees may be earned in their entirety through Dallas TeleCollege. Students may also complete the following certificate programs through distance education:office technology/administrative assistant, veterinary technician, and child development.

Approximately 200 different courses are available in a variety of subjects, including business, communications, computer programming, electronics, health, humanities and arts, literature, mathematics, office technology and software, science, and social sciences.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Dallas TeleCollege partners in the open enrollment Navy College PACE program that reaches ships, submarines, and remote sites of the U.S. Navy. More than 10,000 military personnel have enrolled in courses through Dallas since 1992. Dallas is also a participant in the Southern Regional Electronic Campus (SREC) and the Virtual College of Texas (VCT), which offers distance courses to students in the United States and abroad. In addition, DCCCD is an articulation partner with many four-year institutions to provide students with transferable credit hours to other colleges and institutions. Dallas County Community Colleges also deliver credit and noncredit courses to employees of major corporations based in Texas and other states.

STUDENT SERVICES

Distance learners have access to online advising and admissions and enrollment processes as well as library services, including an online search feature, writing labs, and study skills assistance. These services are available on the Web site.

CREDIT OPTIONS

DCCCD transfers many passing-grade credits from other colleges accredited through one of the U.S. regional associations. The DCCCD registrar completes course evaluations as needed for degree planning. Credits earned through credit-by-examination, military experience, and the U.S. Armed Forces Institute are reviewed by the registrar. Credit may be granted if applicable. The DCCCD requires that at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for graduation be taken by instruction rather than these methods.

FACULTY

Courses in the Distance Learning Program are taught by full-time and adjunct faculty members who also teach on-campus classes. Each of the more than 200 faculty members holds credentials approved by the Colleges' accrediting agency. To ensure high-quality instruction, the number of students assigned to a faculty member in a distance learning course is limited.

ADMISSION

Students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, be at least 18 years of age, or receive special approval for admission as outlined in the DCCCD catalog. Texas students must also fulfill testing requirements as mandated by state law. International students must take the TOEFL.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees vary with the student's residence and the number of credit hours. This may range from approximately $30 per credit hour for a local Dallas resident to $200 per credit hour for an out-of-state student. Other expenses may include tape leasing, study guides, textbooks, and course-related software.

FINANCIAL AID

Students accepted for enrollment may be considered for several forms of institutional and federal financial aid. Veterans and financial aid recipients should consult an adviser before enrolling in distance learning courses.

CONTACT

Dallas TeleCollege
9596 Walnut Street
Dallas, Texas 75243
Telephone: 972-669-6414 888-468-4268 (toll-free)
Fax: 972-669-6409
E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] (academic advising) [email protected] (military programs)
Web site: http://www.telecollege.dcccd.edu

APPLYING

Applicants should submit an official application along with appropriate documentation, such as an official high school transcript, GED scores, or official transcripts from previous colleges, and should complete any required assessment procedures.