Seattle Pacific University

I finished my Masters in Teaching in October 2005. I took a number of online courses which are also included in the online Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. The online courses are well done, creating a real sense of community between students whom you have never met in person. The style of course depends on the instruction, but all included reading, online discussion, online quizzes and either individual or group projects. The instructors were knowledgeable and responsive to student queries without inhibiting discussion. SPU is a small (< 3800 students), well established (founded in 1893 or so) private university. As such, it is not a place to get a low-cost education. As a place for a quality education in a supportive environment, I loved it. Since graduation, I have taken online courses at other colleges and been disappointed at the lack of community. SPU sets a very high standard for others to live up to. Note: I was an "older" student, returning to the classroom after 26 years of full-time employment, so the supportive environment was very good. As a 17-year-old college freshman who knew everything (or thought she did), I might not have appreciated the "intrusiveness" of caring emails from instructors and fellow students ("we haven't heard from you in a while - is something wrong?"), but as a returning student, I found it very encouraging.