1. How long has WPI offered distance education?
2. What makes WPI's distance learning program unique?
3. Is the quality of the educational experience equal to that of a traditional program?

Programs

4. Is distance education a separate degree program?
5. What programs are currently available by distance?

Admissions

6. What are the admissions requirements for distance programs?
7. Is there a residency requirement to be eligible for degrees or advanced certificates from WPI?
8. What student services are available to distance learners?

Logistics

9. What do you mean by "anytime, anyplace?"
10. Can students enter into a distance course at any time?
11. Does a distance course require as much time as its on-campus counterpart?
12. How long does it take to complete a master's degree at WPI via distance education?

Interaction with Students & Faculty

13. Does distance learning mean students will not interact with other students or faculty?
14. Do distance courses require group work?

Technical Info

15. What do the terms asynchronous and synchronous communication mean?
16. How are distance courses delivered?
17. How technical do distance students have to be in order to succeed?
18. What are the technology requirements to access distance courses?

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

WPI

1. How long has WPI offered distance education?

WPI has been a leader in distance education for over 25 years. Initially, the courses were videotaped; with the introduction of the Internet, courses are now available via the Web. We've offered distance education long enough to know what works, and we always take advantage of emerging technology that positively contributes to the learning experience. Back to questions

2. What makes WPI's distance learning program unique?

WPI is a well-respected university delivering quality technology based programs via distance. There are many excellent distance programs available, but a number of them are from relatively new colleges that lack the accreditation credentials and years of experience offered by WPI. Back to questions

3. Is the quality of the educational experience equal to that of a traditional program?

Yes. WPI has strict requirements that all courses offered via their network meet the same qualifications as their traditional on-campus counterparts. In fact, its professors work closely with a full-time instructional design team that assists them in determining the best communication technologies for their courses and assists them with converting their courses to online formats. Distance courses are, in essence, identical to campus-based classes. Students have access to the same class content, course materials, academic resources, and faculty; therefore, they may combine both distance and on-campus courses to complete their program requirements. Back to questions

Programs

4. Is distance education a separate degree program?

At WPI, the master's and graduate certificate programs are the same, regardless of whether students take classes on campus or by distance education. Distance education is simply one way in which we deliver our programs. When students are admitted to any program at WPI, they may register for any course section that fits their needs—on-campus or distance. When they graduate, they will be awarded a degree or certificate from WPI that is the same as all other WPI alumni. Back to questions

5. What programs are currently available by distance?

WPI offers online graduate certificate- and master's-level programs in the following areas: the management of a variety of technology-related disciplines, fire protection engineering, environmental engineering, and system dynamics. Back to questions

Admissions

6. What are the admissions requirements for distance programs?

To be considered for admission to any WPI graduate program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and meet department-specific admission standards. Conditional admission is available if all requirements are not met at the time of application. For full admission details, visit the Admissions section of the distance learning website. Back to questions

7. Is there a residency requirement to be eligible for degrees or advanced certificates from WPI?

There is not a residency requirement for any online program. Students may complete their entire program from a distance—i.e., they may attend WPI from anywhere in the world. Back to questions

8. What student services are available to distance learners?

We have been providing distance learning for a long time and do not consider our distance-learning students as separate from the general WPI student population. Instead, we have made sure that university areas such as Admissions, Bookstore, Registrar, Library, Career Development, Help Desk, and more are ready to serve all students electronically, either on-campus or via distance learning. The Distance Learning staff is always available to assist students. Back to questions

Logistics

9. What do you mean by "anytime, anyplace?"

Students have the flexibility in distance learning to choose the location and time they wish to devote to advancing their education. While distance courses are rigorous and maintain deadlines for homework and exams, the technology employed allows students to complete course requirements according to their own unique schedules. At WPI, distance students start and end the college semester at the same time as campus students, but they have the flexibility of deciding when during the week they want to study their lessons. Back to questions

10. Can students enter into a distance course at anytime?

Students start and end distance courses at the same time, but can access the online course anytime during the week.  Courses begin in early fall, spring, and summer. Back to questions

11. Does a distance course require as much time as its on-campus counterpart?

As in any course, the amount of time actually invested depends solely on the student and varies on a course-by-course basis. As the same faculty teaches both distance and on-campus classes, the courses are designed to teach the same material and require approximately the same amount of student time commitment. Back to questions

12. How long does it take to complete a master's degree at WPI via distance education?

Each program varies in length, but we do offer all required courses and a number of elective courses each year. As an example, the typical timeframe for completing the MBA program is three or more years part time and two years full time. Faculty advisors help students plan their programs, but students set their own pace. Program lengths also vary for those waiving courses and/or transferring in credit from prior graduate-level course work. Back to questions

Interaction with Students & Faculty

13. Does distance learning mean students will not interact with other students or faculty?

Through communication channels such as email, discussion boards, chat rooms, and telephone, students regularly talk and develop a rapport with instructors and fellow classmates. In fact, many of our distance students say they participate more in their distance classes than they did as on-campus students. Back to questions

14. Do distance courses require group work?

Classes are often divided into project teams to virtually work on projects and assignments—similar to the real workplace. However, students do not have to physically meet. Distance students, who are often geographically separated, employ the same tools used to deliver the course—for instance, online discussion forums—to meet virtually instead. Back to questions

Technical Info

15. What do the terms asynchronous and synchronous communication mean?

These technical terms describe two distinct forms of communication. Asynchronous communication does not happen in real time; it occurs when the sender and receiver are involved in the process at different times (such as posting a message on either an Internet-based or actual bulletin board). Synchronous communication occurs when the sender and receiver are involved in the process at the same time (as in a face-to-face conversation or an electronic chat room). In synchronous communication, participants must be located in the same physical or virtual place so they can 'talk' back and forth; in asynchronous communication, they do not. Distance learning programs may take advantage of both forms of communication. Back to questions

16. How are distance courses delivered?

WPI faculty use a mix of media to deliver a first-rate educational experience via the Web. Technologies include online simulations, streaming audio and video, threaded discussions, among others. Courses are structured so that students may go online as their weekly schedules allow. Back to questions

17. How technical do distance students have to be in order to succeed?

Students need to feel comfortable using a computer and have basic email, office, and Web-surfing skills. If they use a computer at work or at home, they should be able to successfully participate in any distance course. Live technical support is available in real-time at least fourteen hours a day. Back to questions

18. What are the technology requirements to access distance courses?

We find that most people pursuing graduate studies at a distance will find it easy to meet the minimum technical requirements.