A Survey and a Theoretical Model of Distance Education Programs‪.‬

Abstract In search of a distance education program's crucial success factors, this research was conducted through a designed survey and evaluation instrument, for a predominantly doctoral program at DE University (DEU, an adopted name). Also, the survey has identified some challenging factors along with students' most crucial reasons for adopting distance education programs. The author has presented a testable theoretical model of distance education programs. The top four success factors were revealed to be program quality, general recognition and academic integrity, students' satisfaction, and students' progress toward the ultimate goal of graduation. Lack of time and worries about the degree recognition by prospective academic and nonacademic employers were the most crucial challenging factors. (JEL I20)