大学体验英语第一册Unit2-Passage B-大学体验英语综合教程

Passage B
Kelley McKee
Kelley McKee of Steelton, Pennsylvania, never had any intentions of taking Distance Education courses. She had already obtained a certificate at a business school. She was married, had children and worked as a legal assistant. But her life changed forever when she broke her neck and became paralyzed. She was just 27 years old.


Certificate

A certificate offers a shorter course of study than a degree. Certificates can serve as steppingstones to a degree. A certificate typically requires at least 12 semester credits of coursework. With program faculty approval, credits completed in a certificate program may be used in a degree program.
Distance education

Distance Education is instructional delivery that does not constrain the student to be physically present in the same location as the instructor. Historically, distance education meant correspondence study. Today, audio, video, and computer technologies are more common delivery modes.
Bachelor's degree

Studying 4 years at a college or university, known as "undergraduate" education, will generally lead to the Bachelor's Degree.
Master's degree

This is the degree a student gets after he studies beyond the 4 years of college. The MBA., or Master of Business Administration, is an extremely popular degree that usually takes two years. Some Master's programs, such as journalism, only take one year. In such fields as history and philosophy, these degrees are considered stepping-stones toward a doctorate (Ph.D.).
Financial aid, disability service and vocational rehabilitation

In the USA there are a number of state and federal laws that protect the equal rights of handicapped and disabled persons to education, employment, housing, etc. For example, classrooms and offices must be accessible to people with wheelchairs or crutches, so most of them have special ramps and elevators for this purpose.

　　 Over time, Kelley has learned to move her fingers enough to use a computer and to get around daily with the help of a wheelchair. Although that progress is not enough to allow her to continue her previous career, other opportunities have opened up for her.


　　 Kelley said, "The accident changed my outlook on life, and I immediately looked to education since I had no degree." Most traditional programs did not allow her to balance her education with a growing family. Then, Kelley found Penn State Distance Education.


　　 Distance Education is hard work, but my children make it all worthwhile. Even if for some reason I can't work after obtaining my degree, I will be an educated person, setting a good example for my children and having gained the knowledge that can help them in their future efforts. Distance Education has changed my life from tragedy to triumph," she said. Distance Education affords me an opportunity to pursue my own goals and personal work. My education is separate from my " issues regarding my disability or my family life and caring for my children."

　　Commenting on McKee's experience, Gary E. Miller, vice president for Distance Education and director of the World Campus, noted, "Kelley's story is a wonderful reminder about the impact of Distance Education on the lives of our students who cannot meet their needs through traditional on-campus programs."