The Veteran Supported Education Service Treatment Manual: VetSEd

Four-year Colleges or Universities. Four-year colleges and universities tend to
encourage education across several subject areas and typically require students to focus
on a ―major‖ concentration of study. This model of education is sometimes referred to as
―liberal arts‖ or ―humanities-focused‖ education. Colleges and universities that focus on
this type of education tend to have more distribution requirements. For example, if a
Veteran is enrolled to gain experience in substance abuse counseling, s/he might major in
psychology and still have to take a philosophy course and other non-psychology classes
to meet graduation requirements. Generally speaking, four-year schools have a wide
range of student support services, including tutoring, disability support, counseling,
health, student life and housing services. Additionally, an increasing number of four-year
schools are developing Veteran-specific services. Most four-year schools have student
sports teams that compete with teams from other colleges/universities, as well as a wide
array of student clubs and organizations. On-campus housing options in the form of
fraternity/sorority and/or dormitory living are available at many four-year schools.
However, for students who live on campus, the cost of housing and meals (i.e., room and
board) is added to the cost of tuition. Finally, a growing number of four-year schools are
developing continuing education divisions that have evening and weekend classes for
working professionals.
Online and Distance Learning. Online and distance learning are types of ―e-learning.‖
E-learning is any type of learning and teaching that is supported by computer technology.
Most schools have, at a minimum, technology-enhanced learning (TEL). TEL occurs in
college classrooms throughout the country when instructors project information for their
lecture onto screens using such computer programs as Microsoft PowerPoint. In addition,
many schools have online course management systems in place, such as the Blackboard
Learning System. Using ―Blackboard‖, instructors can communicate with the entire class,
share course content, such as articles and book sections, as well as make assignments.
Some schools offer classes and entire degrees that are based 100% online. These classes
and degrees are examples of online or distance learning. Some online and distance
learning options include real time video of course lectures. Most allow students to be
self-paced, so they can ―go‖ to class online and complete their course work when it is
most convenient for them (even if that is 2am in the morning!). Some Veterans with
mental health conditions, find it appealing to not have to commute to campus or to
participate in a classroom of civilian students. On the other hand, to be successful in an
online or distance learning class, a Veteran needs to have good computer skills and be
self-motivated to listen to course lectures and engage in online class discussions. So,
these pros and cons to on-line schools should be explored. Online and distance learning
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