UMT To Expand Distance Education Offerings

ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 10, 1999 - UMT will mark a major expansion of its distance education program this summer with the roll out of three courses and the use of a new delivery system.

The planned course roll outs include Business Basics (Mgt. 200), Project Management (Mgt. 250), and Risk and Quality Management (Mgt. 253).

The courses will feature an easy-to-use web-based format that will allow students to participate from the comfort of their office or home. Students will have regular contact with the professor and with each other via electronic means.

"We have had a numerous requests from people to expand our distance program," said Dr. J. Davidson Frame, UMT’s academic dean. "With the hectic schedules of today’s busy professionals, distance education is becoming an integral part of lifelong learning."

The courses will use an Internet-based platform that involves an easy-to-use, web-based interface. The content will be a mixture of text and audio clips. Students will be able to communicate with each other and the instructor electronically via email, discussion boards, and electronic chat.

"The new system gives UMT the flexibility and capabilities we need to conduct a high-quality program," Frame added. "The system is very intuitive to use for both instructor and student."

The three courses are scheduled to begin full operations in summer 1999, with more to follow.

"Distance education opens new possibilities for our students, and UMT plans to stay on the cutting edge," Frame added.