This is a 3-year part-time model.  All classes are on Saturdays.  Three academic years and two summers are required.  Most classes are offered via interactive television (ITV) with frequent in-person visits by experienced CSULB faculty.  ITV allows for the simultaneous transmission of two-way audio and video.  This enables students and faculty to interact in “real-time.”  Distance Education students and faculty from the Long Beach campus view each other on a large screen.  Each student has a microphone at his/her desk for individual comments and questions.  Courses requiring intensive hands-on instruction are taught in-person by local faculty.  Two field placements (during the second and third years of the program) are arranged locally.  A local Site Coordinator attends all classes, provides in-person support and advisement, and generally serves as an additional link between Distance Education students and the Long Beach campus. 

Our Distance Education Program has a long and successful history.  We have offered Distance Education coursework since 1995, including three previous cohorts at Channel Islands.  Our first four cohorts were located on the following CSU campuses:  Chico and Humboldt (1995─1998); Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, and Humboldt (1998─2001); Channel Islands, Hayward (now East Bay), and Humboldt (2001─2004); and Channel Islands and San Marcos (2004─2007).  Thus far, over 150 MSWs have graduated from our Distance Education Program and another 35 are expected to graduate in spring 2007.