Evaluation Of The Distance Education Degree Program Available To Students Through The College Of Agricultural And Life Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distance education degree program available to students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho. Using quantitative methods, it was found that students were satisfied with the off-campus degree program. Students were satisfied with aspects such as academic preparation, class transferability, academic advising, and the overall quality of education. Students were less satisfied with the variety and the number of courses offered. Participants recommended that more emphasis be placed in the curriculum in the areas of production agriculture, agricultural marketing, and decisionmaking/critical thinking, but that the same emphasis should be placed in the areas of sciences and mathematics. Participants indicated that place bound due to family, flexibility of classes, and place bound due to job were the major factors influencing their decision to complete the distance degree program. Overall, participants indicated that they would enroll again in the Agricultural Science and Technology.