Structured Distance Education Courses
Auto-Instructional Learning Program
Study Guides
Cases and Exercises
Library of Materials Furnished
Student Portal
Online Library Service
Courses Cover All Practices
List of Distance Education Courses

STRUCTURED DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES
The University offers a wide variety of structured distance education courses. This program provides a convenient, low-cost method of pursuing individual courses or the complete de-gree or certificate program. These structured distance education programs use a text-based, web-enabled approach utilizing a blend of print and electronic media. They are designed to serve men and women who must study on their own time, or in accordance with flexible schedules. They are tailored for the adult who has family, job and community responsibilities. The courses are carefully designed teaching systems. Each course takes into account that the student does not have the physical presence of an instructor nor access to a library. Therefore, the text-books and written materials furnished are self-explanatory. All of the steps and divisions in the subject matter are explained in writing. Further, student questions and discussions normal to the classroom situation are anticipated and made a part of the course material. The teaching is built into the course. Provision is made for contact with faculty and staff for individual student questions. Student contact with faculty, staff and other students is accomplished through AGU's website, e-mail, fax and telephone.

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Auto-Instructional Learning Program The courses are based on the University's auto-instructional program of feedback and reinforcement based on a Five Step Study Method. Every step in learning is accomplished by student action. The student learns by active participation and feedback. Complicated material is absorbed by learning each simple part that makes it up. Learning moves from the simple to the difficult. Learning steps are corrected constantly so that misinformation is forgotten and correct information is confirmed and retained.

Each course has an assigned instructor who interacts with the student through e-mail, fax or phone.

Course lessons are organized in a sequential and logical order. The subject matter is bro-ken into small learning units with all the steps and divisions of the subject matter fully ex-plained. Before moving to the next unit, the student's learning achievements are measured.

Lesson subject examinations in each course are available through AGU's CourseWebs on-line examination center.  A final examination for each course is given which requires the application of the principles underlying the field of study. Examinations are "open book" and designed to test a student's understanding of the subject matter and the ability to use it in practical applications.  Certain final examinations are proctored.  Studies show that the terminal achievements of distance education students are as great as those taught by conventional methods.

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Study Guides The Printed Study Reference Guide is the student's auto-tutor for each course. A number of lessons are included in each Guide. Each Lesson Plan describes exactly what the student should know after completion of the Lesson. It prescribes the Lesson Assignments and furnishes Collateral Reading References. The Lesson Review Exercises and Answers provide a list of the important points in each Lesson. They are designed to reinforce learning immediately. They also provide a means to quickly review the lesson content. Finally, the Subject Examination for each Lesson allows the student to demonstrate mastery of the Lesson.

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Cases and Exercises A number of cases and exercises are furnished with each course illustrating actual problems. The major objectives of the cases and exercises are to encourage the student to engage in independent thinking, and to assist in developing skill in using the knowledge imparted in the course.

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Library of Materials Furnished Structured distance education requires a combination of theory and performance which is achieved by use of text material, cases, exercises, and testing designed to make a rapid transfer from theory to know-how. Each student receives a complete library of all the necessary text material including textbooks, readings, cases, and exercises. The extensive text material, much of which is published and copyrighted by the University, is worth the price of the course.

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Student Portal
AGU Students may access their personal information, unofficial transcript, and online lbrary services through the password-protected Student Portal. The Student Portal is available from the Student Center in the AGU website.

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On-line Library Service
American Graduate University is a member of the Library and Information Resources Network (LIRN). LIRN provides a core library collection with access to: Gale/Info Trac, ProQuest, eLibrary, and Bowker Books in Print

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Courses Cover All Practices
All program/project management courses are in accord with the Project Management Institute's "Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge" and the current practices in government and industry. The acquisition and contracting courses are in accord with cur-rent regulations and practices of government agencies and the Uniform Commercial Code. The business management courses are similar in content to those offered at other graduate level business schools.

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List of Distance Education Courses The following courses are available by distance education:

Acquisition and Contracting

Federal Government Contracting Course 601 Business Development and Proposal Preparation Course 613 Contract Management and Administration Course 631 Source Selection and Contract Award Course 651

Government Contract Law Course 603 Pricing and Financial Management Course 619 Negotiation C Principles and Practices Course 635

Program/Project Management

Program Management Course 625 Mastering IT Project Management Course 628 Contracting and Procurement for Project Managers Course 632 Earned Value Management Systems Course 647 Risk Analysis and Management Course 679

Managing Projects Course 627 Technical Program Management Course 629 Negotiation for Project Managers Course 636 Building and Managing Project Teams Course 671 Project Quality Management Course 687

General Management