The MDE is a postgraduate program. The basic entrance
requirement is a bachelor level degree. Further information
is available under:
Further information about the MDE on the C3L website
can be found at:
www.uni-oldenburg.de/mde
http://www.umuc.edu/catalog
The MDE is taught in English, hence competency in the
English language is required. English as a second language
(ESL) applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) and receive a score of at least 90 points
to be accepted in the program. More detailed information
is available under:
http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/international/gr_admission.shtml
More detailed information is available at the MDE-related
websites of University of Maryland College (UMUC):
University of Maryland College home page:
http://www.umuc.edu/index.shtml
MDE home page:
http://www.umuc.edu/departments/omde/
Admission requirements:
www.umuc.edu/catalog
International students:
http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/international/gr_admission.shtml
Fees:
http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/tuition/tuition_spring07_gr.shtml
In 2003, the MDE received
Sloan-C Award as Most Outstanding Online Teaching
and Learning Program,
UCEA Award as Program of Excellence within the
Distance Education Community of Practice.
More recently the MDE was given EFMDE-CEL accreditation.
EFMDE-CEL is an internationally recognized accreditation
agency, aiming at improving quality standards of technologybased teaching and learning.
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
C3L - Center for Lifelong Learning
D-26111 Oldenburg
Germany
Program director:
Dr. Thomas Hülsmann
Tel.: +49(0)441 798 - 3288
Fax: +49(0)441 798 - 4414
E-Mail: thomas.huelsmann@uni-oldenburg.de
In cooperation with:
www.uni-oldenburg.de/mde
Dramatic advances in information and telecommunication
technologies and the increasing importance of lifelong
learning has prompted more and more institutions and organizations to develop flexible internet-based education
and training programs. To develop these programs, specialists are needed. The »Master of Distance Education«
(MDE) gives future managers of such distance education
und e-learning programs the qualifications they need
Because of the increased level of flexibility and interactvity
online distance education offers a distinct advantage over
more traditional forms of distance education:
The format of study in the MDE addresses the needs of a
global audience and is highly flexible by waiving all requirements of on-site study.
The MDE is a joint program of the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg and University of Maryland University
College (UMUC). The degree is awarded by UMUC.
MDE students can study independent of time and place.
They have direct access to international leading experts
in the field of modern distance education
They have also access to UMUC's unique online library
and library service
WebTycho, a robust and versatile learning management
system (LMS), provides a platform for its virtual classes
that supports individual study, conference discussions,
and group collaboration
In addition to asynchronous communication in WebTycho,
students can communicate synchronously using the web
conferencing tool »Adobe Connect«™
The MDE is a modular program offering three specializations:
Policy and management – with an emphasis on planning and management of distance education
Technology – with an emphasis on management of
educational technology
Teaching and training – with an emphasis on pedagogics of online education
These specializations are built on a set of core courses that
are mandatory for all students:
Foundations of distance education
Technology in distance education
Teaching and learning in online distance education
Costs and economics of distance education
Learner support in distance education and training
Three of these five core courses are offered through Oldenburg University.
Both program partners, the Center for Lifelong Learning
(C3L) of Oldenburg University and UMUC, are leaders in the
field of online and distance education.
All courses carry three American Credit Points (ACP) equivalent to a nominal student workload of 50 hours per credit point *.
UMUC in particular is the world's largest online university,
with expertise in the field of online distance education that
is internationally recognized.
Courses are offered three times a year, in three terms:
spring, summer and fall). An average course is 15 weeks,
amounting to a student workload of 10 hours per week.
In 2006, UMUC was awarded the Price of Excellence by the
International Council for Open and Distance Education, an international organization of universities, national and regional
associations, and government agencies from 142 countries.
In 2006, UMUC also received the Sloan-C Award in recognition of the scope of its online program offerings.
The MDE requires the successful completion of 36 ACPs or
12 courses. The program includes the five core courses (15
ACP) and six courses from a chosen specialization (16 ACP,
in addition to a capstone project at the end of the program
(3 ACP).
* The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is based on a credit representing a
30 hour nominal student workload.