New Britain, CT. (October, 2000) - The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium awarded five grants of $35,000 each to Connecticut Higher Education institutions to produce online academic programs. Each of these awards will result in the creation of a degree program that is completely online and available to students anytime anywhere. The Award winners are:
| Capital Community College | AA | Online Computer Support Specialist |
| Post University | BA | International Business Administration |
| Northwestern CT Community College | AA | Instructional Technology |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | MS | Educational Technology |
| Teikyo Post & Charter Oak State College | AS/BS | Early Childhood Education |
With the goal of creating and maintaining a world-class economy in Connecticut, the General Assembly has included distance learning as an important part of its economic development strategy. Two million dollars has been provided to the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium by the General Assembly. For fiscal year 2000-2001, approximately $350,000 of this amount is available to assist Connecticut colleges and universities in developing additional online degree programs.
The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (www.ctdlc.org), a partnership of state and private colleges and universities offering online college programs, is earmarking $1.2 million of the total General Assembly allocation to program development for both credit and non-credit courses created specifically for students to take on line. Another $800,000 is being directed toward using online courses to build a teaching force that is experienced in using educational technologies to enhance learning in grades from kindergarten and through college.
Through the CTDLC, Connecticut colleges and universities are developing web-based curricula for any time, any place learning. The 13 programs offered on line are the same as those offered in the traditional college setting. Online learning brings standard college courses to students who may not have the time to sit in a classroom or whose job or family responsibilities prevent them from regular class attendance in the traditional setting. The online courses can meet degree requirements or simply improve job skills. And while the web-based courses strengthen educational possibilities for Connecticut students, they are also open to students from around the world connecting Connecticut's system with innovative advances in higher education.
Members of the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium are: the Department of Higher Education; the Department of Education; all 12 Connecticut Community Colleges; Central Connecticut State University; Eastern Connecticut State University; Southern Connecticut State University; Western Connecticut State University; Charter Oak State College; University of Connecticut; the United States Coast Guard Academy; Albertus Magnus College; Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University; Sacred Heart University; Saint Joseph College; Teikyo Post University; University of Bridgeport; University of Hartford; University of New Haven; Yale University; and the Special Education Resource Center.