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DANTES Distance Learning (DL) Program

The DANTES DL Program provides information covering a wide range of nontraditional education opportunities. These opportunities are critical for Service members needing alternatives to fulfill course and/or degree requirements when classroom courses are unavailable or when work schedules or duty locations do not permit class attendance.





Is DL for You?
Benefits of Distance Learning
Delivery of Distance Learning
Three DANTES DL Catalogs
Student Enrollment Procedures
Education Institution Process
DANTES Agreements with Catalog Institutions
 




Is DL for You?
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Many schools offer DL readiness surveys to check out your learning preferences, study habits, and lifestyle. Some examples are:
  • Palm Beach Community College

  • Other surveys such as Maryland Online's self-assessment help you determine if you need to improve your basic computer and Internet skills before enrolling in an online class.

  • Some surveys include both readiness and technical skills such as Washington Online's self-assessment.

    Use these or other available online surveys to help avoid costly mistakes.
TIP: If you need to build your reading comprehension, vocabulary, or math skills, check out Peterson's Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) and put yourself on the road to success!










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Benefits of Distance Learning

  • Earn credit wherever stationed
  • Study when the schedule permits
  • Increase promotion and pay potential

Comprehensive DL Program information is contained in three DANTES catalogs. These are:

  • DANTES External Degree Catalog (DEDC)
  • DANTES Independent Study Catalog (DISC)
  • DANTES Catalog of Nationally Accredited Distance Learning Programs (NADLP)

The three DANTES catalogs give extensive information about available DL courses and programs. The catalogs provide easy access to a good variety of undergraduate and graduate academic courses from over 200 institutions. Some of the courses listed in the catalogs are part of degree programs while other courses listed in the catalogs are appropriate for the non-degree seeking or technically-oriented student.

Enrollment in courses is not limited to military personnel as anyone can elect to enroll in courses or degree programs listed in the DANTES catalogs. Eligibility to enroll in any courses or degree programs is determined by the individual institution. Payment for the DANTES Catalog courses and degree programs is the responsibility of the individual and may be provided according to each Service’s Tuition Assistance policy.



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Delivery of Distance Learning
Distance Learning course instruction is available in a variety of modes. Instruction can be provided by using one or more of the following methods:


Audio/Tape Cassette
Broadcast Television
CD-ROM Disk
Computer
Computer Conferencing (text or audio)
E-Mail
Fax
Hand Held Devices (PDAs, MP3s or iPods)
Internet
Print
Video Cassette
Video Conferencing

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The three DANTES DL Catalog resources provide information about courses and degrees available through distance learning. The following table describes the three Catalogs:

Catalog Title Catalog Summary Catalog Use
DANTES External Degree Catalog(DEDC) Describes degree programs available at the Certificate, Associate, Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral levels. A special section is devoted to institutions offering Teacher Certification. These programs are all credit-bearing and institutions in the DEDC are regionally accredited. Assists students in locating regionally accredited institutions by degree or certificate title. Institutions are listed alphabetically. Provides an overview of institution policies. Programs listed have minimal or no residency requirements. Many can be started at any time of the year. Purpose is to assist military students in locating institutions that offer an entire degree through distance learning.
DANTES Independent Study Catalog(DISC) Lists discrete undergraduate, and graduate courses by subject area. Courses are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities. Assists students in locating specific college courses taught by regionally accredited institutions. An overview of the individual institutional policies is provided plus each course is listed by topic, allowing easy comparison between institutions offering similar courses. In addition to topic, course listings provide a course description, level of instruction, type of DL delivery, number of exams, number of lessons, and costs. Purpose is to provide military students access to an individual course that will transfer to a degree program.
DANTES Catalog of Nationally Accredited Distance Learning Programs (NADLP) Lists courses and describes academic degree programs as well as vocational-technical certificates. Institutions listed in the NADLP are all nationally accredited. Assists students in locating nationally accredited distance learning courses and programs. Institutions are listed alphabetically. Students may choose from a variety of individual courses or programs at Diploma, Certificate, Associate, Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral levels.  Purpose is to provide military students with information about a wide variety of programs available through nationally accredited institutions offering distance learning instruction.

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Student Enrollment Procedures

  • Discuss your goals with your education counselor and determine the courses needed to meet your long-term objectives.
  • Consult the DANTES catalogs described above as well as the specific school catalog. Most schools post their catalogs on the web and the DANTES catalogs include a web link to the institutions.
  • Examine the course description. Verify the selected course or degree will meet your personal needs and can be transferred or will be accepted toward follow-on degrees.
  • Complete your Service’s Tuition Assistance funding request (if applicable).
  • Follow your Service’s instruction about enrollment procedures, payment, Tuition Assistance responsibilities, and any other Service-unique requirements necessary to get started.

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Education Institution Process

  • The school will make available to you information as to course start date, drop date with full refund, withdrawal date to receive a “W” grade, and course end date.
  • The school will accept your registration and payment for tuition, fees, and books and then will send or authorize access to textbooks and lesson materials.
  • The school will issue you an official grade once the course has ended.
  • The school will issue an official transcript showing your grade whenever you request one to be sent to another education institution. There is usually a fee for a copy of your transcript.

Caution: Whatever grade you receive from your course will continue to be reported to all education institutions throughout your educational career. Make sure you achieve a passing grade!

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DANTES Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with DANTES Catalog Institutions

Institutions participating in the DANTES catalogs have agreed to:

  • Provide rapid turnaround time for initial ordering and distributing of course materials.
  • Provide rapid turnaround time for grading lessons and examinations.
  • Provide transcript services to the Military student in accordance with policies set forth in the school’s catalog.
  • Not identify the method of delivery on transcripts. Courses delivered through distance learning will be indistinguishable on the institution’s official transcript from on-campus, traditional courses.
For all course enrollments with DANTES catalog institutions, DANTES will assist Service members, military Education Services Officers, and institutions in resolving enrollment and reimbursement problems. If problems arise, contact DANTES at DantesDL@navy.mil.

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