A comparative study of off-campus and on-campus master of arts degree programs in learning disabilities and emotional disturbance

Abstract

The Division of Educational Studies at the University of Northern Colorado undertook an investigation to compare and evaluate graduate students' satisfaction with and their perceptions of the effectiveness of the off-campus Master of Arts Degree Program in Special Education. This program, which prepared students to teach children and youth identified as learning disabled and emotionally disturbed, was compared with the on-campus program. Statistically significant differences were found in the areas of program service delivery and importance of program competencies. There were no differences exhibited when comparing knowledge of program competencies and perceptions of overall program. Due to these findings, future development and research of well-planned extended degree programs are encouraged.