Complete Your Degree on the Web

http://reach.ucf.edu/~technicaled

Orlando, FL, USA

Electronic Brochures:
B.S. Technical Education & Industry Training
M.A. Career & Technical Education

We have chosen to only offer an electronic version of these brochures to prospective students. This is appropriate since the courses and degrees are entirely Web-based.

Our Delivery System
All of the Technical Education courses are taught using the World Wide Web. There are no traditional in-person campus courses.

Since 1984 our program has used a variety of distance learning technologies to deliver courses. We have used the telephone, freeze-frame video, computer conferencing, electronic mail, microwave and satellite television, and now solely the Web. This asynchronous (not meeting together at a specific time or location) environment permits the students and faculty to work anytime from almost anyplace.

World Wide Web
Because the Web is the sole means of course delivery, learning in the Web-based environment requires skills such as word processing, electronic mail, using the Internet, teamwork on-line, and very importantly, a desire to succeed. Because of the Web, this brochure contains only general information. All details of the courses, schedules, degrees, technical skills, and resources can be accessed at the program website.

Technical Education and Industry Training

http://reach.ucf.edu/~technicaled

Please visit the site, send us e-mail comments, and register for courses. You may also access the Resources link on the website to view Web resources, many of which have been contributed by our students.

Getting Started:

Contact one of the faculty for initial advisement.
Select your course(s) from the program Web page.
Register for your course(s).
Apply for admission to UCF.
Congratulations! You are on your way.

About Our Students
Non-traditional is the term most often used to describe our students. They are considered non-traditional because most have worked in industry or business and are generally 25 years of age or older. They are typical adult learners with full or part-time careers and often with families. They come to the University of Central Florida with experience in life, providing a very rich environment for us to work together.

Our students have not only worked in industry or business but have also had a variety of educational experiences. These include informal on-the-job training, formal training in the military, apprenticeships, certificates or diplomas, and Associate degrees. Many students take several years of coursework in various schools and states before finally completing a Bachelor's degree. It has been said that "life gets in the way". Students are able to complete a degree for themselves. Courage and motivation best describe our students.

Our students work in a variety of settings. Some are full and part-time teachers in the public school sector, including middle schools, high schools, adult technical centers, community colleges, and universities. We also serve the technical education teachers in the Department of Corrections. Additionally, we often serve retired military personnel who were technicians or trainers who now wish to become teachers and industry specific trainers and pursue a Bachelor's degree.

These adult learners live all over Florida (and sometimes outside the country) in large and small cities, in urban and rural areas. They work in different time zones, on weekdays and weekends. Serving this diverse group is possible by using Web-based technologies for course delivery.

Bachelor of Science in Technical Education and Industry Training

Occupational Specialization

This degree takes school-to-work "back to school" and adds "the next step" to "Tech Prep", permitting you to progress from an Associate of Science degree to a Bachelor's degree. The BS degree builds upon completed occupational courses, state or national licenses, National Occupational Competency Tests (NOCTI), other recognized certifications or documented evidence of occupational expertise in a portfolio. Using one of the above avenues, up to 30 credit hours can be awarded toward the BS degree.

Target Audience

The Bachelor of Science Degree program is for individuals with occupational coursework and/or work experience who wish to teach in middle or secondary schools, correctional institutions, post-secondary technical institutes, community colleges, or to become technical trainers in business or industry. Most students are adults with full-time jobs who attend college part-time.

Courses

All courses provide relevant activities for working teachers or trainers. Topics include: teaching methods, assessment, roles of the teacher, learner characteristics, innovative software, and history of Technical Education. Included in the Bachelor's degree are courses for persons seeking vocational teacher certification in selected areas The last course is a Directed Field Experience (supervised internship) in an educational or training setting or as an intern with the faculty assisting in teaching Web-based courses.
Of course persons in this degree must complete ALL requirements by the College of Education and University of Central Florida.

Master of Arts in Career & Technical Education

Target Audience

Persons with or without a Bachelor's Degree in Technical Education are served by this degree program. Students are typically current teachers or trainers; however, that is not a requirement.

Courses
As stated previously, all courses include relevant activities or projects. Courses include a core in Occupational (Vocational) Education, electives outside the area, Educational Foundations, and an internship to comprise the degree.

Web-based Teaching and Learning

All of the upper division (junior-senior level) courses for the Bachelor's Degree in Technical Education and Industry Training and all of the graduate level courses in the Master of Arts degree in Technical Education are offered solely on the Web. An in-person orientation meeting is held on a Saturday at the main campus in Orlando at the beginning of each semester. This session includes on-site registration, orientation to UCF, course overviews, and hands-on lab practice on the Internet. A specific agenda for each Orientation session is posted on the Web site.

For further information contact: