Graduate School of Management & Technology - Programs

Distance Education Program

• Program Description
• Overview of Specializations
• Program Objectives
• Program Overview
• Student Profile

Specialization Requirements

• Distance Education Teaching and Training
• Distance Education Technology
• Distance Education Policy and Management

Dual Degrees

• Master of Science in Management
• Master of Business Administration

Related Certificates

• Distance Education Leadership
• Distance Education, Globalization, and Development
• Policy and Management in Distance Education
• Teaching and Training at a Distance
• More

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UMUC’s Master of Distance Education (MDE) program received EFMD CEL accreditation in 2006, the highest international standard of technology-enhanced learning programs in the field of management education.

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Master of Distance Education

Program Description

The Master of Distance Education (MDE) seeks to qualify current and future managers of distance education. It is designed to produce individuals who are capable of managing the distance education enterprise within educational, business, government, and non-profit organizations. Given that distance education – and e-learning – has expanded so rapidly in the past few years in both public and private education, as well as in the training sectors, the program educates the multitude of new managers and future leaders needed in the field.

Overview of Specializations

This program offers three specializations:

• Distance Education Technology
• Distance Education Teaching and Training
• Distance Education Policy and Management

Program Objectives

Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Develop and communicate a mission and vision for the implementation of distance education within an organization
• Function effectively as leader, manager and team member within a distance education or training organization
• Develop strategic goals and business plans for distance education within an organization
• Analyze and recommend an organizational distance education technology plan, and manage the implementation of that technology in distance delivery
• Design, implement, and assess the necessary support services for a distance education program

Graduates will develop competencies in the following areas within the Distance Education field:

• Organizational and management processes
• Leadership and change management
• Information technology
• Business development, strategic action planning, problem solving, ethics, and social responsibility

Program Overview

The curriculum requires 36 credits of coursework and is divided into 15 credits of required program core coursework, and 21 credits of required coursework, including a 3-credit capstone course, from one of the program specializations.

Student Profile

The Master of Distance Education (MDE) program is designed for working adults who want to complete their degree without interrupting their careers, and are keen on enhancing their professional skills and competencies within or moving into the Distance Education field. Students must have a basic level of computer literacy and be fluent in English.