FEATURE/Business people going back to school via ME/U cable TV channel; Mind Extension University and Regis University deliver degree to students via satellite, cable TV and video

Business Wire, Dec 13, 1994

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Dec. 13, 1994-- Maryland resident Judy Harris runs the program management office at Black & Decker.

She wants to complete her bachelor's degree to be more marketable to her employer, but career demands make a return to an on-campus program impossible. But, thanks to a unique educational opportunity from Regis University and Mind Extension University (ME/U): The Education Network, Harris will be able to complete her bachelor's degree in business administration without stepping foot on campus.

Harris has joined the thousands of adult students who are advancing their education via the information superhighway and an innovative teaching process called "distance education," without compromising their jobs or losing time with their families.

Distance education allows learners to take college courses for credit, or work toward an undergraduate or graduate degree by "attending" class on television at a time and place convenient to them. Mind Extension University works with more than 25 colleges and universities, including Regis University, to provide widespread access to educational opportunities.

Regis University designed its distance education program to serve adult learners through innovative professional and individually delivered programs, supported with lectures from Regis instructors delivered directly to the students' home. Students around the nation receive their classes on cable television, satellite or videotape.

Regis University offers its program in an accelerated format, in which courses are completed in an 8-week period, adding flexibility which enables students to enroll every two months and complete their degree in less time.

Harris believes educators now realize the great demand for adult-specific educational programs. "It's a great program," she says. "I really wish more people knew about it. This system allows adults to work and go to school."

Your Education Connection, a special informational program, outlines this degree program, its courses, requirements, and registration information. Your Education Connection will air on ME/U and 3 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET on Dec. 19, 24 and 26. Further information is available for the ME/U Education Center at 1-800-777-MIND. Registration is open and classes begin in mid-January.

The coursework required for the distance learner enrolled in the bachelor's degree completion program from Regis University, through ME/U, is exactly the same as that for the on-campue student. Assignments are faxed, e-mailed or mailed in. Exams are administered by an approved local proctor and then sent to the professor, or exams are administered on-line. Students use special voice mail and e-mail systems to interact with their professors and classmates.

Harris often interacts with her professors and values the feedback she receives. "It's actually part of the assignment to get back with them on voice mail," she says. Voice mail also enables students to communicate with their classmates. "I tend to think it's more interesting because the students are from all over the country," she says.

This spring, Regis University will be offering 13 courses through ME/U. These courses are available for both accelerated 8-week terms of the spring semester. These courses include: Principles of Accounting, Advertising and Promotion, Business Law, International Management, and Introduction to Computing.

A total of 128 semester credit hours is required to earn a bachelor of science in business administration degree through Regis University and ME/U. The admission requirements at Regis University are the same for distance learners as they are for on-campus students. Students must complete at least 30 hours of graded coursework through Regis University.

In addition to courses offered through this program, students can complete the remainder of the requirements in several ways, including: undergraduate transfer credit from regionally accredited colleges or universities; credit by exam (CLEP, Dantes, PEP); ACE evaluative training; portfolio credit for documented learning from actual life/work experience; correspondence courses from regionally accredited institutions; and independent study designed by students and faculty.

Founded by Jesuit priests in 1877, Regis University exemplifies the value-oriented education that an independent Jesuit university can bring to the society it serves. Regis University's School for Professional Studies is nationally renowned for its high-quality educational programs specialized to directly address the unique learning styles and needs of the adult learner.

Mind Extension University (ME/U): The Education Network, a subsidiary of Jones Education Networks Inc., is the only basic cable television network devoted to distance education and currently reaches 25 million households in more than 8,500 communities.

Jones Educational Networks (JEN), a subsidiary of Jones International, also operates Jones Computer Network (JCN). The JCN networks, which will include additional channels addressing health care and languages/cultural topics, are dedicated to increasing educational and learning opportunities through personal communications technologies.