A Well-Engineered Program
Online statistics certificate strengthens studies in chemical engineering
that an online program for a graduate certif-
icate in applied statistics was in the works.
“It overlapped perfectly with the engi-
neering master’s degree. I was very anxious
and probably pestered them more than I
should have, asking ‘Is it done yet? Can I
sign up yet?’” McDonald recalled, laughing.
“I think a lot of hard work and consider-
ation went into setting up the certificate.”
Bridging the Gap in More Ways
Than One
The concept of online education has grown
exponentially in the past decade. Not just
in terms of enrollment, but in technology
advancements, as well. Lectures that were
Moving Forward While
formerly available on VHS or CD—sent
Staying in Place
through good, old-fashioned snail mail—are
Originally from Willits, California, now delivered straight to the student’s com-
McDonald earned his bachelor’s degree in puter via streaming video. Student interac-
chemical engineering from UC Davis in tion has transitioned from electronic bulle-
2001. That year, he accepted a position as a tin board messaging to Wimba software that
process engineer with Intel Corporation in allows them to see and hear each other and
Hillsboro, Oregon, and relocated to nearby collaborate online in real time.
Newberg with his wife, Kyla. But when he Professors and instructors also are able
decided to go back to school and get his to partake of technological advances such as
master’s degree, he found their geographic these. Additionally, they make themselves
location to be somewhat wanting. available by establishing “virtual” office
A
s a society, we’ve reached a point The nearest university in Oregon to hours, when students can email or call with
where, if we need to find something, offer a master’s in chemical engineering was questions regarding course material.
we go looking for it online. We google more than an hour away. And none of the “The program is really well tailored for
unfamiliar terms. We get our news from schools made the degree available through people who work full time. The professors
blogs and social media web sites such as red- distance education. So, he started his search are very understanding about situations or
dit or Digg. And some of us don’t buy a big- for an online program. Turns out he only projects coming up at work and needing to
ticket item unless we’ve read customer reviews had to search as far as his own office. delay homework or tests if you really need
at
Amazon.com. So it comes as no surprise “I knew someone at work who was also to,” McDonald said.
that more and more young professionals are in the program at K-State, about a year The reputation of online education is
turning to the Internet to continue their edu- and a half ahead of me,” McDonald said. improving these days, as well, as an increas-
cations and advance their careers. “They had a lot of good things to say about ing number of accredited universities such
While not all curricula can be taught their experience.” as Kansas State offer distance education
online—majors that fall within the realm After a little research into K-State’s dis- programs. Their names and rich histories
of biological or physical science often tance education program and faculty, lend credibility to online education.
require lab work—many can be adapted McDonald decided it was the perfect option
and delivered electronically. And it’s enor- for him. He began working toward his mas-
Uncovering Advantages,
mously helpful, as few adults can quit their ter’s degree in earnest in 2004. Throughout
Reaping Rewards
jobs, pick up their roots, and move their time, McDonald shifted roles and became a McDonald added the certificate in applied
families to earn a graduate degree. This was yield engineer, and he found himself working statistics to his graduate curriculum, which,
precisely the situation for Russ McDonald, with increasing amounts of statistical data. under other circumstances, would have
who earned his master’s in chemical engi- After a while, it became clear that add- required the completion of 15 extra credit
neering and graduate certificate in applied ing some graduate work in statistics might hours. As it was, the courses he needed fit
statistics through Kansas State University’s be a smart move. So, he did some digging perfectly into the chemical engineering cur-
distance education program in May 2008. around on the K-State web site and found riculum as electives. In the end, McDonald
12 AMSTAT NEWS OCTOBER 2008
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