Before he could find the right fit for a college education, Chief Petty Officer Charles VanVorst had attended at least eight different schools.
"It was impossible to attend one school and move around with the Navy,
but I wanted an education," he said. "It took me 10 years to find a
program that works."
The program the Schaghticoke native is referring to is offered through the Empire State College distance learning program and the office of Veteran and Military Education. All active duty or retired military personnel have the option to take online classes which are specially designed to work with the unpredictable schedules of the military.
"As a district trainer and Navy recruiter, I could be here in New York one week and in Maine another. With classes being held online, I can still do my homework and sign into the course from the road," VanVorst said.
According to Linda Frank, Director of Veteran and Military Education, the program incorporates extensive instructor/student contact through email, telephone and message boards. What is unique to this program is the grading system. Knowing that it is difficult for military personnel to be at a certain site to take a proctored exam, the distance learning program grades students through written assignments and correspondence with the instructor.
"It's important to serve those who serve. I can't think of any better way to show our support than helping them get their education and provide them with options whether they are deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan or are veterans," Frank said. "It's very well deserved."
According to Frank, between 500 and 600 students participate in the military distance learning program from all over the world. This program is open to all branches of the military and is not exclusive to New York State residents. All a student needs is a computer and Internet connection to participate in the program.
"The whole program is very user-friendly," VanVorst said. "We have to sign in and attend 'class,' and participation is much more extensive than raising your hand to answer a question."
A typical class requires students to sign in about twice a week to read assignments and catch up on online discussions. Not only do students have to give input during online discussions, they also must submit a 200 word reply based on that day's subject, VanVorst said. If a class is missed due to other military commitments, classes can be made up at a different time.
"In a way, online classes are almost harder and require more work," he added. "But it proves that we understand the subject at hand."
In order to receive a bachelor's degree, 128 credits are needed and 64 credits for an associate degree. Previous military training is also taken into account and can be applied as college credits as well. There are five 15-week terms per year and students can work toward 11 different Bachelor of Arts or science degrees and six Bachelor of Professional Studies degrees.
This fall should be VanVorst's last semester as a college student after vying for a degree for 10 years. He will graduate at the end of the fall semester with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Liberal Arts.
"Finally," he said. "Finally I'll have that degree. While the military is an important part of my life, having an education is just as important."
To learn more about Empire State College and the military distance learning program, call 1-800-867-5941 or visit www.esc.edu/military.
The program the Schaghticoke native is referring to is offered through the Empire State College distance learning program and the office of Veteran and Military Education. All active duty or retired military personnel have the option to take online classes which are specially designed to work with the unpredictable schedules of the military.
"As a district trainer and Navy recruiter, I could be here in New York one week and in Maine another. With classes being held online, I can still do my homework and sign into the course from the road," VanVorst said.
According to Linda Frank, Director of Veteran and Military Education, the program incorporates extensive instructor/student contact through email, telephone and message boards. What is unique to this program is the grading system. Knowing that it is difficult for military personnel to be at a certain site to take a proctored exam, the distance learning program grades students through written assignments and correspondence with the instructor.
"It's important to serve those who serve. I can't think of any better way to show our support than helping them get their education and provide them with options whether they are deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan or are veterans," Frank said. "It's very well deserved."
According to Frank, between 500 and 600 students participate in the military distance learning program from all over the world. This program is open to all branches of the military and is not exclusive to New York State residents. All a student needs is a computer and Internet connection to participate in the program.
"The whole program is very user-friendly," VanVorst said. "We have to sign in and attend 'class,' and participation is much more extensive than raising your hand to answer a question."
A typical class requires students to sign in about twice a week to read assignments and catch up on online discussions. Not only do students have to give input during online discussions, they also must submit a 200 word reply based on that day's subject, VanVorst said. If a class is missed due to other military commitments, classes can be made up at a different time.
"In a way, online classes are almost harder and require more work," he added. "But it proves that we understand the subject at hand."
In order to receive a bachelor's degree, 128 credits are needed and 64 credits for an associate degree. Previous military training is also taken into account and can be applied as college credits as well. There are five 15-week terms per year and students can work toward 11 different Bachelor of Arts or science degrees and six Bachelor of Professional Studies degrees.
This fall should be VanVorst's last semester as a college student after vying for a degree for 10 years. He will graduate at the end of the fall semester with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Liberal Arts.
"Finally," he said. "Finally I'll have that degree. While the military is an important part of my life, having an education is just as important."
To learn more about Empire State College and the military distance learning program, call 1-800-867-5941 or visit www.esc.edu/military.
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