Does anybody here work for a more traditional correspondence type program. You know, the programs where they mail you the papers, you grade them and mail them back. Can you talk about your experience with this? Can you make pretty good money?
I know some people who are faculty at one of the schools I work at that used to do this type of work. Pay was about on par with online teaching, but I think you would be hard-pressed to find a school that still does this AND is hiring people to do it. With the learning platforms out there and email, it does not make a lot of sense to mail hard-copies back and forth.
I took correspondence courses at UOI several years ago. They most probably switched over the electronic medium since then. Abner
My church (Antiochian Orthodox) has a DL program, originally designed for training for the diaconate. It is called the St. Stephen's Course. I mention it here because while it is not a university program, and successful completion of the program does not give one a degree, it is possible to continue on with the program after finishing the three years of study and receive a Masters of Applied Theology from the University of Balamand (Lebanon). To do that, one must already have a BA (or BS). This course is completed in a more old-school correspondence format. Students are given a reading list (anywhere for 1 to 10 books per course) in October, then exams are mailed out in January. Exams are basically research papers. Students have about 6 weeks to complete the papes (6-8 papers, depending on term). There are two terms per year, with the second being tested in June-July. There is also a "project" worked out with local clergy (I wrote a curriculum on the Saints, while others do things like Sunday School lessons, etc.). There is also a yearly residency of about 5 days, where students go to Antiochian Village, outside of Pittsburgh. The format reminded me of the way Sheffield-Hallam does their MA in History:Imperialism and Culture (I received a PG Cert for that). So the program takes 3 years, then if the MA is desired, another year. I have been a student in this program (about mid way through now), but I don't think there are many openings for instructional positions. Those are pretty much constant.
