Journal of Agricultural Education
83
Volume 46, Number 4, 2005
EVALUATION OF THE DISTANCE EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAM
AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS THROUGH THE COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
Jodie L. Mink, Special Projects Coordinator
Lori L. Moore, Assistant Professor
University of Idaho
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distance education degree program available to
students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho. Using
quantitative methods, it was found that students were satisfied with the off-campus degree
program. Students were satisfied with aspects such as academic preparation, class
transferability, academic advising, and the overall quality of education. Students were less
satisfied with the variety and the number of courses offered. Participants recommended that
more emphasis be placed in the curriculum in the areas of production agriculture, agricultural
marketing, and decision making/critical thinking, but that the same emphasis should be placed in
the areas of sciences and mathematics. Participants indicated that place bound due to family,
flexibility of classes, and place bound due to job were the major factors influencing their
decision to complete the distance degree program. Overall, participants indicated that they
would enroll again in the Agricultural Science and Technology distance degree program.
Introduction
Distance education has seen increases in
enrollments,
course
offerings,
and
availability over
the past 10 years.
According to the National Center for
Education Statistics (2003), 56% of all two
and four year institutions offered distance
education courses
for
the 2000-2001
academic year, and of those, 34% had
degrees designed to be completed totally at a
distance.
In
1994,
the College
of
Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at
the University of Idaho recognized the
importance of extending a degree program
to distance learners. This college has since
offer