Mission:
The mission of distance learning is to enable students with demanding work hours, hectic schedules, or child care difficulties the freedom and flexibility to obtain an education or courses at their convenience. Catawba Valley Community College's Distance Learning Program consists of telecourses, cablecasts, Internet classes and North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) classes. The same quality outcomes are maintained for distance learning classes as for all CVCC course offerings.

Telecourses:
CVCC offers a number of courses in the telecourse format for regularly enrolled students to meet program requirements or as stand-alone courses for those interested in taking a course in a particular subject area. Telecourse students work independently, watch televised programs, and read printed materials at home with guidance from course facilitators who use a variety of communication tools and instructional techniques. Required on-campus class meetings are fewer than traditionally taught classes.

Cablecasts:
Cablecasts are available through an arrangement with the local cable provider. Students registering for cablecasts can view the class in the comfort of their homes or tape the broadcast for later viewing. This course is managed similarly to telecourses. Students report to the campus for tests as deemed necessary by the instructor.

Web-Based:
Web-based classes are available in a variety of disciplines. Students taking courses over the Internet work independently, study at their own convenient time and place, and complete and submit assignments electronically.

Continuing Education:
The Continuing Education Division of CVCC offers non-credit web-based courses in partnership with Education To Go. A variety of short courses are available in Computer, Internet, Business and Management.

North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH):
North Carolina Information Highway classes are both sent and received from the information integrated network classroom through a statewide network. Students interact with instructors through video monitors, microphones, faxes, telephone, and other appliances. NCIH classes enable an instructor at CVCC to teach to clusters of students at distance sites or for students in the NCIH classroom to be able to receive instruction from a remote site. This two-way interactive system allows the college to import courses giving students access to classes that are not available locally.

For a listing of all telecourses, cablecasts, Internet classes, and NCIH classes, consult the newspaper class schedule on the "Distance Education Classes" page or view the class schedule page.

If CVCC does not offer the course you are looking for via distance education, please visit the NC Course Finder link to the left to view all of the community college distance education offerings throughout North Carolina.

Internet classes, like telecourses, limit the number of visits to the college campus. Students enrolling in distance education courses pay regular tuition and fees, have access of all student services, study under the college's rules and regulations, and receive academic credit.

Contact:
For additional Information contact Linda Lutz or Ken Elliot (kelliott@cvcc.edu) via email or call (828) 327-7000 ext 4249.