U NIVERSITY OF A LBERTA P H D M ODEL K ATHERINE M OORE V ICE D EAN P RISCILLA K OOP A SSOCIATE D EAN Distance? University of Victoria Royal Roads Athabasca University Flexible delivery? U of Alberta 42/97 students are FD 80% are working FT/PT

F LEXIBLE D ELIVERY (FD) FD = Some courses are available on line (hybrid) synchronous or asynchronous minimum of 36 course weights over the duration of the program (each course 3 credit wts) additional administrative fees if studying off campus require personal computer and internet access (Int’l students) minimum 1 semester of residency

A DMISSION P ROCESS : N O DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ON OR OFF CAMPUS Minimum GPA 3.0 Plus other considerations of scholarly potential Masters thesis + pub from thesis Other publication Awards/scholarships Research experience Leadership evidence Continuing education (esp of out of school x few yrs) Written plan congruent with discipline Approved supervisor

C ORE COURSES : A LL STUDENTS Currently no required courses except Dissertation Seminar x 2 (N699) Typically take 6-10 in Nrsg theory & history, research methods, substantive area This has made it easier for FD students as they can choose their courses Also allows courses at other sites which are not on-line at U of A (eg. Western Dean’s Agreement) The policy of no required courses is under review

E XAMS : A LL STUDENTS On entry: Supervisor chosen 12 months: core Ctm (3 faculty, 1 non faculty) 36 months (MAX) Comprehensives (+ 2 additional Ctm members) – 2 day exam, 1 week, or 1 month; must answer 3/9 Qs related to: Discipline; Research methods; Substantive area Candidacy exam – oral exam on discipline and research methods (proposal) Proposal to ethics Data collection Year 4 final exam (ideal) – reality – time to completion yrs.

T HESIS SUPERVISION : APPLIES TO ALL STUDENTS Student and supervisor: agree on commitment before acceptance 1 st time supervisors require experienced co-supervisor On-going questions about how much ‘interference’ the AD Graduate studies should run. Thesis: paper-based or traditional Annual report signed by student and Faculty member (required) Recommended (but not enforced) Student per faculty “tricky” – less than 2-7? Depends on whether 75% release (eg CRC) or full teaching load Student fits directly into researcher’s area Commitment is in writing, including amount of funding supervisor will provide, expected milestones

C HALLENGES ( ALL STUDENTS ) Did not anticipate FT/PT working & not able to commit to FT Student engagement in the University milieu and culture Students needing support may have little face to face with supervisor (although e-contact & residency can be very effective) & ‘disappear’ International students & language, e-learning, and available technology Students miss onsite opps – workshops, teaching, RA work with supervisor, socialising, funding

SUCCESSES Can offer courses off campus so available world wide Combine on/off campus in same course using E-lluminate, Skype Allows from some flexibility in location of student Helpful for students working Allows International students to enrol Faculty members enjoy the on-line course offerings

F INAL THOUGHTS On-line courses are appreciated by all students & faculty are skilled in delivery U of A has an outstanding & award winning e- learning Director (Wendy Caplan) But – e-learning is not distance delivery Must have good AV facilities/rooms for recording on site guest speakers, ways to fully link students with University culture eg. Orientation to the U of A at the beginning of term Ways to directly engage students

I N CONCLUSION U of A is at a crossroads after recent PhD program review Continue on same line with ‘hybrid’? Focus only on on-site delivery? Actively develop a fulfilling Distance program? Can we offer two excellent programs? Stay tuned!