East Carolina University (Division of Continuing Studies) - Overview
Distance Learning Program
East Carolina University (ECU) offered its first off-campus class in 1947. Today, the school offers more than 60 distance learning programs, including 20 undergraduate degree completion programs, 38 graduate degree programs, 17 graduate certificate programs, 7 post-master's certificate programs, and 4 licensure programs.
Students with an associate degree can earn a bachelor's degree through the undergraduate degree completion program. Distance education students can access the campus library, academic advisers, the campus network, and other university services.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition fees are $100 per credit for residents of North Carolina and $466 per credit for non-residents. Resident graduate students pay $162 per credit, and non-resident graduate students pay $668 per credit. Graduate M.B.A. and M.S.A. courses cost $262 per credit for residents and $768 per credit for non-residents. Financial aid is available to distance learners who qualify through the FAFSA.
Applications
Prospective undergraduate students must submit a completed online application with a $60 nonrefundable application fee, official SAT or ACT scores, and official high school transcripts. Graduate applicants must submit a completed application with an application fee of $60 and official transcripts from all schools attended. Some programs require a statement of purpose, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.
Undergraduate applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The graduate application deadlines for the fall and spring semesters are June 1 and October 15, respectively.
NONDEGREE PROGRAMS
Alternative Teacher Licensure Program
The Alternative Teacher Licensure Program allows student to pursue licensure in a wide variety of subjects either before teaching, while teaching, or in addition to existing licenses. All programs may be completed in 3 years or less.
Graduate-level Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling Program
The Graduate-level Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling Program helps students fulfill requirements for North Carolina licensure as a Clinical Addiction Specialist (CAS) or certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). This certificate program requires 12 semester hours of coursework.
Graduate-level Web Site Developer Certificate Program
The Web Site Developer Certificate Program requires 15 hours and can be completed in 18 months. The program, offered completely online, prepares students to work as Web site developers and/or managers.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)
Online students may complete a B.S.B.A. with a concentration in management, management information systems (MIS), or marketing, operations, and supply chain management.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication
The B.S. in Communication program requires a total of 126 credit hours. This degree carries a concentration in public relations.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education
Undergraduates in education may choose to pursue a B.S. in Birth-Kindergarten Education or a B.S. in Business Education (B.S.B.E.), for a total of 126 credit hours. Not all requirements for the B.S.B.E. are offered online.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Services Management
Graduates of the 126-hour online B.S. in Health Services Management program will qualify for mid-level management positions in allied health care settings such as hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and long term care facilities.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Hospitality Management
The B.S. in Hospitality Management offers concentrations in conventions and special events, food and beverage, and lodging. Each program requires 123 credit hours. Not all required classes are available online.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (B.S.I.T.)
The B.S. in Industrial Technology carries degree concentrations in bioprocess manufacturing, industrial distribution and logistics, industrial supervision, information and computer technology, and manufacturing systems. The program requires a total of 126 credit hours.
Bachelor of Science in Business Education (B.S.B.E) in Information Technologies
The B.S.B.E. in Information Technologies program requires 127 hours of coursework. It prepares student to work in hardware and software support or sales, office management, and traditional office support positions. Not all classes are available online.
Registered Nurse/Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N./B.S.N.)
Students entering the R.N./B.S.N. program should already hold an unrestricted license to practice as an R.N. in North Carolina or an NCSBN-compact state. Entrance is dependent on prerequisite course completion and other requirements.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Students in the M.B.A. program can complete the degree completely on-campus, completely online, or a combination of the two, which is also changeable on a semester-by-semester basis. Students take between 1 to 5 classes each semester, for a total of 20 classes, or 60 credit hours.
Master of Construction Management (M.C.M.)
Prerequisites for the M.C.M. program include an undergraduate degree in construction management or an industry-related discipline and a minimum of 3 years of construction experience. Students with an undergraduate degree in another field must have at least 10 years of experience in construction. The master's degree requires at least 30 hours of coursework.
Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.)
Students in the M.A.Ed. program may choose a concentration in art education, birth-kindergarten education, business education, family and consumer sciences education, health education, instructional technology, science education, special education, and vocational education. The M.A.Ed. requires 39 hours of coursework.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in English
The M.A. in English program offers degree concentrations in technical and professional communication and multicultural and transnational literatures (MTL). The M.A. in English is offered completely online and requires 33 hours of coursework.
Master of Science in Environmental Health (M.S.E.H.)
Students interested in pursuing a career in environmental health can earn an M.S.E.H. online. The program requires 34 semester hours and may include an additional 3-hour practicum, depending on a student's prior experience in the field.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Instructional Technology
Students pursuing an M.S. in Instructional Technology can take 1 to 3 classes per semester, following a required degree sequence for a total of 36 credit hours.
Master of Library Science (M.L.S.)
Upon completing the 39-hour online M.L.S., students become eligible for NC Public Library Certification. M.L.S. students may choose a school library media, public library, or academic library pathway, each with specific requirements.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition
The M.S. in Nutrition program offers a thesis option and a research-based non-thesis option. The program requires 33 hours and can be completed within 6 years.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Technology Systems
The M.S. in Technology Systems program offers degree concentrations in computer networking management, digital communications, industrial distribution and logistics, information security, manufacturing systems, performance improvement, and quality systems. Students may complete the 30-hour program in 2 years.