Distance Learning

Overview

Most distance learning providers use the Internet and other electronic media to connect teachers and students. At some colleges, students can complete a entire degree or required course work via online learning. Many colleges and universities offer programs that combine distance and classroom education. For example, in order to accommodate working adults, an online program may require students to attend classroom courses one weekend per term.

Instructional materials are usually made available in print or online. Students hear lectures, complete assignments, and take exams online. The instructor reviews and grades each student’s work. Distance learning classes often include discussion groups that help students share ideas and learn from one another.

See schools that offer this program.

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Program Admission

General education requirements and prerequisites for admission vary according to the program and the type of degree you are seeking. Many distance learning programs require students to complete the first two years of general education requirements before admission. Other programs offer lower division and upper division classes in a distance learning format, making it possible for you to complete a four-year degree without ever having to leave home. In some states, you can complete an Associate of Arts degree online and transfer your credit to a four-year university.

While most distance education programs will admit students at anytime, some programs only admit students into a cohort. In a cohort program, you start the program with a group of other students and enroll in the same courses throughout the program. This type of program is more common for distance learning graduate programs. In a cohort program, you are required to enroll in a minimum number of credits per term.

If you are not interested in earning a degree through distance learning, and are only interested in taking a distance learning class, you do not need to apply for formal admission to a program.

Things to Know

You are expected to complete distance learning course work in a timely manner. To receive financial aid for distance learning classes at most institutions, you must complete course work within the quarter or semester. You should contact the school's financial aid office to determine if your aid will apply to your distance learning course work.

Schools

East Side Area

Big Bend Community College

• Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Central Washington University

• Administrator Professional Certification (Pro-Cert)
• Athletic Administration
• Aviation--Aviation Management
• EMS Paramedicine
• English--Professional and Creative Writing
• Family & Consumer Sciences Education
• Global Literacy Development Certificate
• Health and Physical Education
• Higher Education
• Individual Studies
• Information Technology & Administrative Management--Administrative Management
• Information Technology & Administrative Management--Cybersecurity
• Information Technology & Administrative Management--Information Technology
• Information Technology & Administrative Management--Retail Management & Technology
• Information Technology and Administrative Management
• Interdisciplinary Studies--Social Sciences
• Law and Justice
• Library Media--All Levels
• Literacy
• Master Teacher
• Non-profit Organization Management
• Psychology
• Residency Program Administrator--Instructional Leadership
• School Administration
• Social Services
• Sociology
• Special Education

Walla Walla Community College

• Accounting Assistant
• Entrepreneurship
• Health Information Technology
• Irrigation Management
• Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
• Networking
• Patient Care Navigator
• Software Design

Walla Walla Community College (Clarkston)

• Accounting Assistant

Washington State University - Pullman

• Agricultural and Food Systems--Organic Agriculture Systems
• Agriculture
• Bioethics
• Business Administration--Accounting
• Business Administration--Finance
• Business Administration--International Business
• Business Administration--Management
• Business Administration--Management Information Systems
• Business Administration--Marketing
• Criminal Justice and Criminology
• Data Analytics
• Education--Special Education
• Engineering & Technology Management
• English--Professional Writing Certificate
• Executive Master of Business Administration
• General Studies--Social Sciences
• Humanities-General Studies
• K-12 English Language Learners Teaching Endorsement
• K-12 Special Education Teaching Endorsement
• Professional Science Master's Program--Molecular Biosciences
• Psychology
• Sport Management

King-Snohomish Area

Bellevue College

• Accounting Assistant
• Accounting Preparation
• Administrative Assistant
• Associate in Business
• Associates in Arts Degree and Bachelor's Online Completion Program
• Bookkeeping
• Business Administration Online Bachelor's Degree
• Business Technology Specialist
• General Studies
• Healthcare Informatics
• Information Systems--Introductory C++ Programming
• Office Assistant

City University of Seattle

• Adult Education
• Applied Psychology
• BA in Education
• Business
• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Contemporary School Leadership
• Criminal Justice
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
• Educational Leadership: Administrator Certification
• Executive Leadership: Superintendent Certification
• General Studies
• Graduate Certificate--Accounting
• Graduate Certificate--Change Leadership
• Graduate Certificate--Finance
• Healthcare Administration
• Human Services
• Information Security
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Leadership
• Management
• Management & Leadership
• Marketing
• MBA--Change Leadership Emphasis
• Professional Accounting
• Professional Certification for Principal and Program Administrators
• Professional Certification for School Counselors: Educational Staff Associate
• Project Management
• Special Education
• Teaching Endorsements
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Transformational School Leadership

Columbia College - Naval Station Everett/Marysville

• American Studies
• Associate in Arts
• Business Administration
• Business Administration--Sports Management
• Computer Information Systems
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Educational Leadership
• English
• Environmental Studies
• General Studies
• History
• Human Resource Management
• Human Services
• Management
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing Management
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Teaching

Edmonds Community College

• Business Information Technology--Advanced Office Skills
• Business Information Technology--Office Supervision and Management
• Business Management
• Computer Science--Computer Game Development

Edmonds Community College (Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center)

• Aerospace Electrical Assembly Mechanic
• Aerospace Manufacturing Assembly Mechanic
• Aerospace Manufacturing Composites
• Aerospace Manufacturing Core Skills
• Aerospace Manufacturing Quality Assurance
• Aerospace Manufacturing Tooling

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Everett

• Aviation
• Aviation Business Administration
• Cybersecurity Management and Policy
• Human Security & Resilience
• Leadership
• Occupational Safety Management
• Safety Management

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Renton

• Leadership
• Occupational Safety Management

Everett Community College

• Healthcare Risk Management
• Medical Coding
• Medical Transcription and Editing

Green River College

• Distance Education Preparation

Highline College

• Small Business/Entrepreneurship

Institute for Therapeutic Learning

• Distance Learning/Tutorial Certification

inviteChange

• Coach Certification Program

Kerala Ayurveda Academy

• Ayurveda Wellness Counselor

North Seattle College

• Distance Education

Northeastern University - Seattle

• Analytics
• Bioinformatics
• Biotechnology
• Computer Science
• Corporate and Organizational Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• Energy Systems
• Engineering Management
• Finance
• Global Studies and International Relations
• Health Informatics
• Homeland Security
• Human Services
• Informatics
• Leadership
• Legal Studies
• Master of Business Administration
• Nonprofit Management
• Project Management
• Public Administration
• Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices
• Respiratory Care Leadership
• Sports Leadership
• Taxation
• Technical Communication
• Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Northwest School of Animal Massage

• Large Animal Massage Foundation Level
• Level 200: Performance Massage for Large Animals
• Level 200: Performance Massage for Small Animals
• Level 300: Rehabilitation Massage for Large Animals
• Level 300: Rehabilitation Massage for Small Animals
• Small Animal Massage Foundation Level

Northwest University

• Bible and Theology
• Business Administration
• Business Management (Online only)
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• English--Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Concentration
• General Studies
• International Community Development
• Master in Ministry
• Master of Education Degree and Professional Teacher Certificate Program
• Ministry Leadership
• Nursing--MSN (Online)
• Nursing--RN to BSN (Online)
• Organizational Leadership (BA Online)
• Organizational Management
• Psychology--General Psychology Concentration
• Public Safety Administration

Pima Medical Institute-Renton

• Respiratory Therapy

Pima Medical Institute-Seattle

• Physical Therapist Assistant

Renton Technical College

• Accounting Specialist
• Computer Science--Application Development
• Nursing Assistant Certified
• Office Assistant/Receptionist

Seattle Bible College

• Biblical Studies

Seattle Pacific University

• Accelerated Master in Teaching Math and Science
• Teacher Leadership for School Employees

Seattle University

• Educating Non-Native English Speakers
• Master of Legal Studies
• Master of Legal Studies--Compliance and Risk Management
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Shoreline Community College

• Accounting
• Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk
• Business Administration--Social Media Marketing
• Business Administration--Sustainable Business Leadership
• Business Technology--Microsoft Software Applications
• Child Advocacy Studies (CAST)
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education General Certificate
• Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate
• Early Childhood Education State Certificate
• Early Childhood Education--Infant and Toddler Care
• Health Information Technology
• Medical Coding and Reimbursement Specialist
• Purchasing & Contract Management
• Purchasing and Supply Chain Management

University of Washington - Seattle

• Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Applied Mathematics
• Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies
• Computational Finance & Risk Management
• Construction Engineering
• Construction Management
• Early Care and Education
• Engineering Leadership
• Executive Master of Public Health
• Geographic Information Systems
• Global Integrated Systems Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Infrastructure Planning & Management
• Integrated Social Sciences
• Library and Information Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Online Certificate Programs
• Public Health Practice
• Quantitative Fundamentals
• Special Education
• Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics
• Sustainable Transportation
• Urban Design--Infrastructure Planning & Management

Kitsap Area

Brandman University - Bangor

• Computing Technology--Business Systems Administration
• Computing Technology--Information Technology
• Computing Technology--Project Management
• Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice--Corrections
• Criminal Justice--Forensics
• Criminal Justice--Homeland Security
• Criminal Justice--Leadership
• Criminal Justice--Security Services
• Criminal Justice--Victim Advocacy/Social Justice
• General Education
• Human Resources
• Legal Studies
• Organizational Leadership
• Organizational Leadership--Organizational Administration
• Organizational Leadership--Supply Chain Systems
• Psychology
• Psychology--Child Psychology
• Psychology--Industrial/Organizational
• Psychology--Pre-Clinical
• Social Science

Brandman University - Bremerton

• BBA to MBA Accelerated Degree
• Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice--Forensics
• Criminal Justice--Homeland Security
• Criminal Justice--Leadership
• Criminal Justice--Victim Advocacy/Social Justice
• Psychology
• Psychology--Community Psychology
• Social Science

Brandman University - Whidbey Island

• Computing Technology
• Criminal Justice
• General Education
• Human Resources
• Organizational Leadership
• Psychology
• Social Science

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Whidbey Island

• Aviation
• Emergency Services
• Leadership

Olympic College

• Associate in Business

Spokane Area

Eastern Washington University

• Children's Studies
• Dental Hygiene
• Psychology--School Psychology
• Technology--BS in Applied Technology Option

Eastern Washington University (Spokane Campus)

• Dental Hygiene
• Public Health

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Fairchild AFB

• Aeronautics
• Aviation
• Aviation Business Administration
• Aviation Maintenance
• Communication
• Emergency Services
• Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Engineering Technology
• Homeland Security
• Information Assurance
• Information Security & Assurance
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Leadership
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Management
• Occupational Safety Management
• Project Management
• Systems Engineering
• Unmanned Systems Applications

Gonzaga University

• Business Administration--American Indian Entrepreneurship
• Communication and Leadership
• Nursing
• Nursing--Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Nursing--Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing--Health Systems Leadership
• Nursing--Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing--RN to MSN
• Nursing--Second Master's Degree
• Organizational Leadership
• Sports and Athletic Administration
• Theology and Leadership
• Transmission and Distribution Engineering

Hypnotherapy Institute of Spokane

• Clinical Hypnotherapist
• Hypnotherapist

Park University - Fairchild AFB

• Criminal Justice Administration

Spokane Community College

• Accounting Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• Administrative Office Management
• Business Software Specialist
• Customer Service Representative
• Front Office Professional
• Legal Office Software Specialist
• Legal Receptionist
• Medical Office Receptionist
• Software Development--Android Mobile Development
• Software Development--Mobile Health Software Development

Spokane Falls Community College

• Administrative Assistant
• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Education--Administration
• Early Childhood Education--Family Child Care
• Early Childhood Education--General Credential
• Early Childhood Education--Infant-Toddler Care
• Early Childhood Education--School Age Care
• Early Childhood Education--State Initial Credential
• Library and Information Services

Washington State University Health Sciences - Spokane

• English Language Learners (ELL) Endorsement

Whitworth University

• Endorsement--English Language Learner
• Endorsement--Gifted Education Specialty Endorsement
• Teaching and Learning

Statewide and Distance Learning

Washington State University - Global Campus

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Agriculture--Food Science & Management
• Agriculture--Plant Health Management
• Anthropology
• Bioethics
• Biology
• Criminal Justice
• Data Analytics
• Early Childhood Development
• Economics
• Electric Power Engineering
• Engineering & Technology Management
• Engineering & Technology Management--Constraints Management
• Engineering & Technology Management--Construction Project Management
• Engineering & Technology Management--Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Engineering & Technology Management--Manufacturing Leadership
• Engineering & Technology Management--Project Management
• Engineering & Technology Management--Six Sigma Quality Management
• Engineering & Technology Management--Systems Engineering Management
• English
• Executive MBA
• Gerontology
• Global Leadership
• Health Communication & Promotion
• History
• Hospitality Business Management
• Human Development
• Humanities
• Integrated Strategic Communications
• MBA
• Molecular Biosciences
• Organic Agriculture
• Political Science
• Professional Science & Technology Writing
• Professional Writing
• Psychology
• Reading Endorsement
• Social Sciences
• Sociology
• Software Engineering
• Special Education
• Special Education Endorsement
• Strategic Communications
• Sustainable Agriculture

WGU Washington

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Business Administration--Healthcare Management
• Business Administration--Information Technology Management
• Business Administration--Management and Leadership
• Business--Health Information Management
• Business--Human Resource Management
• Business--Information Technology Management
• Business--Management
• Business--Marketing Management
• Cloud & Systems Administration
• Computer Science
• Curriculum & Instruction
• Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
• Data Analytics
• Data Management & Data Analytics
• Educational Leadership
• Endorsement Preparation Program in Educational Leadership
• Endorsement Preparation Program in English Language Learning (ELL) PreK-12
• English Language Learning (ELL)--PreK-12
• Health Leadership
• Information Technology
• Information Technology Management
• Instructional Design
• Learning and Technology
• MA in Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)
• Nursing Informatics
• Nursing Informatics (RN to MSN)
• Nursing--Education
• Nursing--Education (RN to MSN)
• Nursing--Leadership & Management
• Nursing--Leadership & Management (RN to MSN)
• Nursing--RN to BSN
• Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (Elementary Education, K-8)
• Science Education (Middle Grades)
• Science Education--Secondary Biological Science
• Science Education--Secondary Chemistry
• Science Education--Secondary Earth Science
• Science Education--Secondary Physics
• Software Development
• Special Education (K-12)
• Teaching (Elementary Education)
• Teaching English Education--(Secondary)
• Teaching Mathematics Education--(Middle Grades or Secondary)
• Teaching Science Education--(Secondary)

Tacoma Area

Bates Technical College

• Accounting

Bates Technical College (South Campus)

• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Education--State Certificate
• Early Childhood Education--State Initial Certificate

Brandman University - Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Fort Lewis Campus)

• Human Resources
• Organizational Leadership
• Organizational Leadership--Organizational Administration Emphasis

Brandman University - Joint Base Lewis-McChord (McChord Campus)

• Human Resources
• Organizational Leadership
• Organizational Leadership--Organizational Administration

Central Washington University - Pierce County

• FLexIT--Information Technology and Administrative Management--Administrative Management
• FLexIT--Information Technology and Administrative Management--Retail Management & Technology
• Information Technology and Administrative Management (ITAM)

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Joint Base Lewis-McChord

• Aerospace Engineering
• Aviation
• Aviation MBA
• Aviation Business Administration
• Communication
• Cybersecurity Management & Policy
• Engineering Fundamentals
• Engineering Management
• Engineering Technology
• Homeland Security
• Human Security & Resilience
• Information Security & Assurance
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Leadership
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Management
• Occupational Safety Management
• Project Management
• Safety Management
• Systems Engineering
• Unmanned Systems

Faith International University & Seminary

• Education
• Leadership
• Religion

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom

• Construction Safety Technician
• Fire Services Leadership & Management
• Homeland Security Emergency Management
• Project Management

Pierce College Puyallup

• Associate in Business
• Construction Safety Technician
• Fire Services Leadership & Management
• Homeland Security Emergency Management
• Occupational Safety and Health Technician
• Project Management

Tacoma Community College

• Community Health
• Health Information Technology
• Health Information Technology--Medical Scribe Professional

University of Washington - Tacoma

• Criminal Justice

Vancouver Area

Charter College--Vancouver

• Allied Health
• Applied Technology
• Business Administration
• Business Office Administration
• Computer Information Systems
• Computer Networking Systems
• Computer Technician Certificate
• Health Care Administration
• Medical Office Administrative Assistant

Clark College

• Early Childhood Education--Infants and Toddlers
• General Studies

Washington State University - Vancouver

• Add-On Endorsement--Special Education

West Side Area

Brandman University - Lacey

• Business Administration
• Business Administration--MBA
• Criminal Justice
• Legal Studies
• Organizational Leadership
• Psychology
• Social Science

Centralia College

• Associate in Arts
• Associate in Business
• Associate in General Studies
• Criminal Justice

Columbia College - Whidbey Island

• American Studies
• Associate in Arts
• Business Administration
• Business Administration--Sports Management
• Computer Information Systems
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Educational Leadership
• English
• Environmental Studies
• General Studies
• History
• Human Resource Management
• Human Services
• Management
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing Management
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Teaching

Grays Harbor College

• Early Childhood Education--Administration
• Early Childhood Education--Family Childcare
• Early Childhood Education--General
• Early Childhood Education--Infant-Toddler Care
• Early Childhood Education--Initial State Certificate
• Early Childhood Education--School Age Care

Lower Columbia College

• Associate in Business
• General Studies
• Nursing--Registered Nurse-LPN2RN

Nutritional Therapy Association, Inc.

• Nutritional Therapy Consultant
• Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

Olympic College (Shelton Campus)

• Accounting
• Electronics
• Homeland Security/Emergency Management

Peninsula College

• Administrative Office Systems--Accounting
• Administrative Office Systems--Administrative Assistant
• Administrative Office Systems--Computer Applications Software Support Specialist
• Administrative Office Systems--Legal Office Assistant
• Administrative Office Systems--Medical Office Assistant
• Applied Management
• Business Administration--Accounting
• Business Administration--Business Entrepreneurship Foundations
• Business Administration--Management
• Computer Applications Technology
• Criminal Justice
• Cybersecurity & Computer Forensics
• Entrepreneurship
• Homeland Security & Emergency Management
• Hospitality--Ecotourism
• Information Technology--Systems Administration
• Multimedia Communications
• Multimedia Communications--Graphics Design Option

Skagit Valley College

• Computer Applications Support Technician
• Computer Database/Programming
• Computer Information Systems
• Computer Network Technician
• General Studies
• Multimedia & Interactive Technology--Adobe
• Multimedia & Interactive Technology--Web Design

Western Washington University

• Geographic Information Science (Certificate)
• Human Services
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Whatcom Community College

• Associate in Nursing
• Medical Assisting

Yakima Area

Heritage University

• Educational Administration
• Educational Administration--Residency Principal Certificate
• Educational Administration--Residency Program Administrator Certificate
• English
• Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities
• Secondary Education--English/Language Arts (5-12 Teaching Endorsement)

Yakima Valley College

• Agriculture--Tree Fruit Production
• Care Navigation
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Pharmacy Technician