What is Distance Learning?

Distance learning offers opportunities to further your education in an online class.

  • Profile of the distance learning student:
    • 70% are female
    • Average age is 29
    • 40% of students have less than 30 credits
    • Over 50% are seeking an AA degree
    • 85% are residents of Palm Beach County
  • Students enroll in distance learning classes for the following reasons:
    • Limited transportation
    • Disabled
    • Work commitment requires extensive travel
    • Personal commitment requires time flexibility
    • Child care

Distance Learning offers online courses with a focus on the delivery of the general education courses needed for the AA degree although many other courses are available.

  • We want all students to be successful and suggest these self-assessment quizzes.
  • Course materials are online and students will interact with their professor and other classmates through email, discussion boards, chat rooms and other tools.
  • Students may use their computer or use a PBCC student computer lab.
  • Testing may be online, directly with the instructor and/or at an approved Testing Center. Students who reside outside of the Palm Beach County area will work with the instructor if a Testing Center is required.
  • Costs: For fully online classes, there is an additional $10 fee per credit hour to cover the licensing and support costs of the online courses. Link: General Tuition
  • These courses are rigorous and cover the same material as on-campus classes. Credits earned though distance learning course work are transferable and appear on transcripts just like any other class.
  • All distance learning courses meet the SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) criteria.

Take a look at how many PBCC students take distance learning courses:
All credit/ prep distance learning courses
Source: Jeff Nowak, PBCC Research Analyst Senior - Monday, Feb 23, 2009 @ 10:23am

Reporting Year
(Summer/ Fall/ Spring)

Individual Students enrolled in DL courses (unduplicated headcountTotal enrollments in all DL courses (duplicated headcount)

DL % of all PBCC enrollments

2001 - 02

2,842

4,288

3.5%

2002 - 03

3,622

5,465

4.2%

2003 - 04

3,911

6,234

4.6%

2004 - 05

4,517

7,680

5.6%

2005 - 06

5,349

9.481

6.9%

2006 - 07

5,902

10,661

7.9%

2007 - 08

5,923

10,871

7.6%

For more information about the distance learning program, email us today.

We look forward to hearing from you!