'External degree programs
attract parks' personnel

Many individuals feel the need to further their education for job advancement or personal fulfillment. Some actually achieve their goals by attaining higher degrees, but others encounter a variety of obstacles. These include jugging format classes with full-time work schedules, reaching desired schools out of commuting range, assuming financial burdens and finding a degree program suited to one's area of interest.

By Laurie Freeman

An alternative to the usual college degree exists for those people who feel they have the ability for self-disciplined learning. These are known as "external degrees." They are designed by the individual student with faculty advisors, combining theoretical and experimental learning under the sanction of formal colleges and universities. This type of program attracts persons who have the ability to work independently at their own pace. External degree students must also have pertinent work/life experiences that can be interpreted as learning experiences.

One program for nontraditional undergraduate degrees in the Chicago area is the University Without Walls (U.W.W.) through Northeastern Illinois University. Established 13 years ago, this program attracts a large number of returning adult students who may have had some college courses, but never completed a bachelor's degree. The U.W.W. is competency-based education which emphasizes the individual.

'University without walls' knows no bounds.

There are many people employed or affiliated with park district systems who may be candidates for a program of this type. For example, non-degreed dance instructors who work for years learning and developing new dance programs, staging elaborate dance recitals and are knowledgeable about the muscular development in children have a variety of experimental learning. Another example is a park person who can describe and name every species of tree, shrub and plant in the parks, design and landscape a new park, and combat all types of problems with the latest pesticides, fertilizers and equipment. He might not have a formal degree, but his daily work experience, along with seminars and workshops, exposes him to learning which may be adapted to an external degree program.

In the U.W.W, students develop a learning contract to set goals in depth (specific area of concentration), breadth (science, math, arts, etc.) and communication. Traditional classes and other learning situations may supplement the independent studies. Students name their degrees according to what best illustrates their areas of discipline. Students have selected varied areas including hospice studies, development of the jazz workshop and performance, stress management therapy, business administration, criminal justice and social work.

Two separate programs are available for persons seeking graduate degrees. The graduate program of Vermont College offers a master's degree and the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities has a doctoral program. Both of these programs, like the U.W.W, are for self-starters who are motivated to develop their own learning program. Faculty and students keep in touch by letters, phone calls and periodic meetings.

Demetria Iazzeto, assistant coordinator of the U.W.W, received a master's degree from the graduate program of Vermont College in adult education. She is currently working toward a doctorate degree on women's eating disorders through the Union program. Iazzeto feels these types of programs present "exciting, creative challenges which encourage you to develop your own resources." Disadvantages include combating the "lonely learner's syndrome" and

Illinois Parks and Recreation      9       November/December 1984

having to defend the program as being "just as good" as a traditional one.

Being accepted into an external degree program requires perserverance, as a large number of people throughout the United States and other countries are seeking admission. Additional information is available from:

The University Without Walls, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.

Vermont College Graduate Program, Montpelier, VT 50667.

Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities, P.O. Box 85315, Provident Bank Building, Cincinnati, OH 45201.

A recommended book on independent learning is Self-Directed Learning by Malcolm Knowles, Association Press.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Laurie Freeman completed a bachelor of arts degree in the University Without Walls program entitled "Recreational Management: Focusing in Arts and Outdoor Activities." Previously she was a recreation supervisor at the Morton Grove and Bensenville Park Districts. She is now a program specialist at the Great Lakes Naval Base.

Holiday plans set at Zoo

Brookfield Zoo is now readying for the holiday season with special activities and events. These include;

• A Christmas party for Olga, the oldest walrus in a zoo, at 10 a.m. on Dec. 14. Olga will put on her holiday wreath and enjoy a tree-trimming ceremony of her "fishmas" tree decorated with her favorite treat — mackeral.

• Holiday magic festival evenings Dec. 15-19. Holiday decorations, twinkling lights, choral groups, celebrity storytellers and Santa Claus will be featured.

• A children's Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 16. Elves, reindeer and other animals will be featured. There will also be a Santa's workshop to visit.

The Zoo will offer free admission Nov 23 through Dec. 31. For additional information call (312) 485-0263, ext. 352.

Illinois Parks and Recreation      10       November/December 1984