Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 11/29/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   59

SLU OFFERS ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN GENERAL STUDIES THROUGH DISTANCE
LEARNING
     HAMMOND -- Students can now earn an associate degree in General Studies at
Southeastern Louisiana University via distance learning. 
     Al Doucette, associate dean of the university's College of Arts and Sciences, said the
university's electronically-delivered degree program should be particularly attractive to older
students returning to or just beginning college classes and full-time workers seeking a degree for
career advancement.
     Students can choose from courses delivered in a variety of electronic formats.
Compressed video courses can be taken at Southeastern's St. Tammany Center, located on Koop
Drive near the Interstate 12 Abita Springs exit, and the Baton Rouge Center on Essen Lane and,
in some cases, at other state university campuses. Students can take Internet or telecourses in
their own homes. Telecourses are aired on the Louisiana Public Broadcasting System and St.
Tammany Parish government access channels.
     Some courses, Doucette said, may require that students come to campus during the
semester for orientation sessions or exams, but the distance learning option is "a very
inexpensive, easy and convenient way to take college courses." 
     "There are a lot of workers with high school diplomas who need that college degree to get
over a promotion barrier," Doucette said. "Or, perhaps someone hasn't been in school for a while
and is contemplating coming back. This is a wonderful way to get your feet wet -- to be at home
and take college classes, without having to quit or take time off from a job.
     "Offering the associate degree in General Studies via distance learning is just the 
                             (MORE)
DISTANCE LEARNING ASSOCIATE DEGREE   Add One
beginning of degree offerings that will be available from Southeastern and indicative of our 
growing commitment to our students' changing needs," said John Miller, dean of the College of
Arts and Sciences. "This coming fall, for example, we expect to offer a bachelor's degree in
organizational communication via distance education."
     Doucette said the General Studies associate degree program offers specialty options in 
arts and humanities, behavioral sciences, natural sciences and applied sciences. Most courses can
be used toward a bachelor's degree.      
     A special coordinator will soon be appointed to act as a consultant and advisor for the
distance learning associate degree students, Doucette said. Meanwhile, those interested in
pursuing the degree may contact him at 504-549-3635 or adoucette@selu.edu. 
     As with any degree program, individuals must first apply and register with Southeastern.
Applications can be obtained from Southeastern Financial Aid and Admissions Office, North
Campus, Building B in Hammond, or at the St. Tammany Center. Students can also apply for
admission online at www.selu.edu.
     Through its Continuing Education Department, Southeastern currently offers off-campus
courses at 17 different sites in Livingston, St. Helena, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa,
Washington, Jefferson and St. Charles parishes. More than 1,200 students in various cities and
countries are enrolled in compressed video, Internet and telecourses.
     For additional information about off-campus and distance learning courses, call
Continuing Education at 504-549-2301 or 1-800-256-2771.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf00.htm