Choosing to pursue a degree
involves a substantial investment in terms of time and money. Let us
guide you through the planning process so that you get a good return
on your investment. The Wenatchee Valley
College Web site has information that pertains to all students.
Following is additional information for distance learners.
1. Evaluate yourself as a distance
learner.
Are you comfortable with independent learning? How good are your technical
skills? Take the self-assessment quiz to find out if distance learning
is right for you.
2. Get advice.
Wenatchee Valley College offers most required courses for a two-year
transfer degree (A.A.S.) through distance learning. This degree will
prepare you to transfer to a four-year college with junior standing.
However, for some majors, you may not want
to get a two-year transfer degree. Consult an expert: your adviser.
- If you have not been matched with an adviser, call the registration
office at (509) 682-6833 or 1-877-WVC-4YOU, ext. 6833.
- For more information about transfer degree options, visit the WVC
Home Page.
3. Find a distance learning program.
If your local college has a distance learning program, you may prefer
working with staff who are more or less located close to your home.
For example, Wenatchee Valley College has a Distance Learning Support
Center staffed by friendly folks whose job it is to serve you! Check
out local and state options first:
4. Accreditation: Let the buyer beware!
Wenatchee Valley College and the other Washington state community colleges
are accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Northwest Association
of Schools and Colleges. Technical programs at WVC are accredited by
other specialized accrediting boards. An institution achieves accredited
status when it conforms to certain standards set by a review board.
This means that graduates of that accredited institution are recognized
as being qualified for admission to higher institutions or for professional
practice.
You will want to be sure that any distance courses or degrees you pursue
are from an accredited institution. There are many colleges (and so-called
colleges), corporations and other enterprises that offer distance learning
courses. To investigate whether an institution is accredited, consult
the Web site, catalog or registrar for that institution. (For more information
on accrediting boards, see Distance-Educator.com)
5. Transferring credits.
Course content varies from campus to campus. Course content is important
in determining the quality of the education you are receiving as well
as the transferability of a specific course. At Wenatchee Valley College,
distance learning courses go through a stringent review and approval
process before they are made available to students. WVC distance learning
courses transfer the same as other WVC on-campus courses.
If you plan to transfer a distance learning course from one institution
to another, make sure that you consult the Transfer
Guides or clear the transfer in advance with the registrar at your
home institution. Contact the registrar for details.
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