Sinclair Community College

Distance Learning Program

Dayton, Ohio

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

Over the past twenty-five years, the Sinclair Distance Learning Program has emerged as a nationally recognized, state-of-the-art-entity-within-house-video and online course production facilities. The program offers more than 250 distance courses, spanning all six of Sinclair's academic divisions. The program enrolled about 5,000 credit students in fall 2002.

DELIVERY MEDIA

Courses are delivered via the World Wide Web, videotape, video-conferencing, interactive television, CD-ROM, and print. Students and faculty members communicate in person or through a variety of methods, including mail, telephone, fax, e-mail, and videoconference. The following equipment may be required: television, videocassette player, computer, modem, Internet access, e-mail, and CD-ROM.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Two associate degree programs are available to students through distance learning. The courses are delivered through a variety of distance learning and independent study methods.

The Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts and sciences is comprised of 94 quarter-credit hours. Twenty-three of the thirty program courses can be taken solely through a distance format. Credit for the remaining courses may be obtained through independent study, by attending on-campus courses, or through transfer credit.

The Associate of Science in business administration is comprised of 98 quarter-credit hours. Twenty-three of the thirty program courses can be taken solely through a distance format. Credit for the remaining courses may be obtained through independent study, by attending on-campus courses, or through transfer credit.

Information about these degree programs can be accessed online by visiting the Sinclair Distance Learning Web site listed in the Contact section.

A short-term, 21-credit hour certificate in Software Applications for the Professional is available online. This certificate provides office workers, managers, professionals, and other interested participants with the opportunity to develop and refine their skills in a variety of current personal computer software applications common in today's work environment. Software applications learned include Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-Point, Publisher, and Access. Internet capabilities and software integration are also covered in this program. More information is available from the Business Technologies Division counselors at 937-512-3054 or on the Web site at http://www.sinclair.edu/departments/bis/biscert.htm.

Sinclair Community College is located on a modern, tree-lined campus in downtown Dayton, Ohio. The College has a rich history in the Dayton community, dating back to 1887. In 1966, Sinclair became a publicly funded community college, enjoying strong community support through ongoing passage of a college levy.

Sinclair offers more than 100 transfer and technical associate degree and certificate programs, as well as continuing education opportunities through a system of diverse resources and delivery alternatives. Sinclair enrolls about 22,000 credit students each quarter.

The College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has been authorized by the Ohio Board of Regents to grant associate degrees in arts, sciences, applied science, and individualized and technical study. The College's technical, health, and business programs are fully accredited by national and/or state-approved accrediting organizations.

Sinclair Community College is a proud member of the prestigious League for Innovation in the Community College and has been selected as one of twelve Vanguard Learning Colleges for developing and promoting learner-centered practices and curricula.

There is also a second short-term, 29-credit hour certificate program available online: Medical Office Coding Specialist. Students learn a core set of medical office skills in coding and reimbursement. Specific topics include reading and interpreting medical documentation (diagnoses, conditions, services, and procedures); applying coding systems and regulatory rules in completing billing forms; applying reimbursement methodologies and claims; demonstrating personal behaviors; learning the appropriate attitudes and values that are consistent with a health-care professional; and demonstrating critical thinking, problem solving, and informational literacy. More information is available from the Allied Health Technologies Division counselors at 937-512-3029. The curriculum for this certificate may be viewed at http://www.sinclair.edu/academics/alh/departments/him/programs/certificate/mocsc/.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Through formal partnership with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and the National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT), Sinclair Community College provides professionally approved, online, continuing education courses to meet the professional continuing education requirements for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO), and the Board of Nephrology Examiners of Nursing and Technology (BONENT). More information is available on these two continuing education programs by visiting http://ce.sinclair.edu or by calling 937-512-2842 and speaking with the Continuing Education Coordinator.

Sinclair has developed partnerships with a number of distance learning programs that enable Sinclair graduates to transfer into bachelor's degree programs at the junior level. Specific transfer requirements vary with each institution. Participating institutions include Capella University, Franklin University, Governors State University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Phoenix, and the University of Toledo. Information about specific degree programs is available by contacting the Distance Learning office, listed in the Contact section.

STUDENT SERVICES

Services available to Sinclair Community College distance learners include academic advising, support services, and online access to library services. Testing by proctor for placement and course testing is also available.

CREDIT OPTIONS

Sinclair Community College associate degrees range from 91 to 110 quarter-credit hours. Students must take the last 30 hours at Sinclair. Students may transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions for which they received a passing grade or a letter grade of C or higher. Alternative credit assessment options are also available (portfolio, CLEP, PONSI).

FACULTY

Sinclair Community College has more than 400 full-time and 500 part-time faculty members. More than 15 percent of the full-time faculty members hold doctoral degrees or earned advanced degrees. About 100 Sinclair faculty members support the distance learning courses; most of these individuals are experienced, full-time faculty members.

ADMISSION

Sinclair has an open door admission policy. All students are welcome. Students seeking degrees or certificates or who wish to take math and English classes are required to take a placement test. This test and other course testing can be administered by a proctor. To learn more about test proctoring procedures, applicants should visit the distance learning Web site listed below, and click on "Testing Information." Within this section, applicants should select "Proctor Form," print it off, and fax the completed form to the Distance Learning Office prior to the start of the quarter in which they plan to attend.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for distance learning students are the same as for other Sinclair Community College students. Students pay a one-time, nonrefundable $10 admission fee. Montgomery County (Ohio) residents pay $40.05 per credit hour, other Ohio residents pay $65.40 per credit hour, and out-of-state residents and international students pay $118 per credit hour.

FINANCIAL AID

The Sinclair Financial Aid and Scholarships Office administers grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid, low-interest loans, and student employment. A need-based financial aid package may consist of one or more of the following: Federal Pell Grant, Ohio Instructional Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans. Students are required to annually submit a completed FAFSA form six weeks prior to the quarter they plan to attend. Students can complete the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Sinclair's financial aid code is 003119.

Information about financial aid opportunities at Sinclair may be obtained online by visiting the Sinclair College main Web site (http://www.sinclair.edu). Applicants who would like to discuss their specific questions with one of Sinclair's financial aid counselors may e-mail questions to [email protected].

CONTACT

Dodie Munn
Academic Counselor
Distance Learning and Instructional Support Division
Sinclair Community College
444 West Third Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Telephone: 937-512-2990 888-226-2457 (toll-free)
Fax: 937-512-2891
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.sinclair.edu/distance

APPLYING

Students may apply for admission and register for classes online by visiting the Sinclair Distance Learning Web site listed below and accessing the "How Do I Get Started?" selection from the menu and following the subsequent outlined steps. An online orientation is also available to familiarize students with college policies and procedures.