TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

Center for Instructional Technology and Distributed Education
Stephenville, Texas

Distance Learning Program

Tarleton began offering online courses in the spring of 2000. Since that time, enrollment in online courses has increased exponentially from 91 to 936. The number of online courses offered at Tarleton has increased from 6, in 2000, to 59 in 2004.

The University's Purpose and Role Statement notes that "Tarleton pledges to continue meeting the educational needs of a changing society and an expanding world," which can be read as a pledge to distance learning and an indication that distance learning is consistent with Tarleton's stated purpose.

Delivery Media

Tarleton's distributed education programs and courses are currently offered in three formats: online, interactive television, and off-campus face-to-face. Students may complete the programs in a traditional face-to-face course environment, in an online-course format, or in a combination of these formats. The programs and courses are designed to accommodate individuals who are unable to attend on-campus classes, prefer independent learning, or would like to take a course at their convenience.

Programs of Study

Tarleton provides four graduate degree programs from the College of Business Administration.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in information systems requires 30 semester hours in information systems and 6 hours of electives, for a total of 36 semester hours. The program is designed to meet the needs of three distinct groups: students with a baccalaureate degree in information systems; students with baccalaureate degrees in other areas, who have information systems skills and desire to develop a new career in information systems; and students with baccalaureate degrees in another area, who lack information systems skills but desire to develop new career skills in information systems.

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) enhances the students' general business training and prepares them for executive-level positions. Each student's degree program is designed to enhance decision-making and leadership skills. The program requires completion of at least 36 hours of graduate-level course work.

The M.S. degree program in human resource management is a 36-hour program that provides the students with opportunities to develop critical skills in areas such as research and job analysis, recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, organizational effectiveness, and labor relations. Students gain knowledge and skills that are applicable in business and not-for-profit entities, including state and local governments and military organizations.

The M.S. in management and leadership is designed for students who have management experience in public or private organizations and who wish to sharpen their management skills. The program focuses on management and leadership skills that can be applied in any organizational setting, regardless of the functional area in which the leader works. Students gain knowledge and skills that are applicable in business, the military, government organizations, and private not-for-profit organizations.

Founded in 1899 as John Tarleton College, the institution became a member of the Texas A&M System in 1917 and achieved university status in 1973.

Tarleton offers sixty-seven undergraduate and twenty-three graduate programs as well as a doctoral program in educational administration. Beginning in fall 2004, the College of Business Administration offers an M.B.A. and three other fully online master's degree programs in the areas of human resource management, management and leadership, and management information systems. The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences offers a fully online master's degree program in Agricultural Education.

The M.S. in agricultural education is for the agricultural professional who desires flexibility while taking courses to meet the unique and variable needs of the profession. Students must choose 18 hours of the program from agricultural education courses. The remaining 18 hours can come from numerous other disciplines in and outside of agriculture. The major objective of the program is to increase the professional competence of teachers of agriculture, extension agents, and others pursuing professional agricultural careers.

Student Services

Tarleton's student-centered approach to online services is consistent with the University's philosophy of focusing on its students. A virtual Student Commons area offers many online student support services.

Credit Options

Tarleton may accept as many as 12 hours of graduate work completed at another regionally accredited university. All courses accepted in transfer must have been completed within six years of the time that the student will complete the graduate program. Academic work completed by correspondence is not accepted.

Faculty

Tarleton faculty members enrich the virtual classroom with special talents and abilities drawn from successful careers in business, industry, government, and social service. Tarleton employs 163 full-time and 290 part-time faculty members. Currently, about 50 faculty members are delivering online courses. All instructors have at least a master's degree with 18 hours in the subject they are teaching. About 85 percent of the distance education faculty have an earned doctorate.

Admission

Admission to any graduate degree program is granted by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies upon recommendation of the department of proposed study. Full admission is awarded to applicants with a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a foreign institution; a minimum grade point average (based on a 4-point scale) of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of credit completed; and an acceptable score on the General Test of the GRE or, for M.B.A. students, the GMAT.

Tuition and Fees

For the 2005–06 academic year, tuition and fees for an online graduate course are $405 for 3 semester hours. There is also a $300-per-course program fee for all online courses in graduate programs.

Financial Aid

Graduate students may be eligible for student loans, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. Scholarships are available through the University Financial Aid Office, ROTC, and the College of Graduate Studies.

CONTACT

Center for Instructional Technology and Distributed Education
Box T-0810
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas 76402
Phone: 254-968-9060
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://online.tarleton.edu

College of Graduate Studies
Box T-0350
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas 76402
Phone: 800-687-4723 (toll-free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.tarleton.edu

College of Business Administration
Box T-0200
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas 76402
Phone: 254-968-9350
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.tarleton.edu

College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
Box T-0810
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas 76402
Phone: 254-968-9227
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.tarleton.edu/~ag/

Applying

A formal application with a $25 application fee is required of all persons seeking admission. An applicant must submit official transcripts of all previous academic course work. The transcripts must bear the date of the bachelor's degree conferral and indicate that the applicant was in good standing at the last institution attended.