I'm curious what professors think about the future of "distance learning" MA/PhD programs in philosophy.

There's no doubting the fact that the Internet has changed, and continues to change, the way philosophy is done.  Surely there is room for criticism as well as celebration here.  Rather than invite a loose discussion of all the issues involved in such changes, however, I want to focus attention on the future of online learning.  (For a point of reference, here is a link to the Open University's MA in Philosophy page.)

We might divide the issue into two sides:  the theoretical and the practical. 

I anticipate that most of the objections to such programs will come from the theoretical side.  Some professors might resist any threats to the sanctity of the traditional classroom, perhaps because the immediacy and intimacy of face-to-face interactions are too important to philosophy education.  Also, many people tend to resist any substitution of "reality" with "virtuality," and might see online programs as a symptom of society's unhealthy preoccupation with technology.

Theoretically speaking, I do not think online learning is symptomatic of any societal problems.  What is so healthy about sitting clustered together in uncomfortable plastic chairs under flourescent lighting, with an open book, a pen, and paper at hand?  Surely distance learning offers benefits as well as costs here.  I think online degrees are the way of the future; and of course we should embrace this change as conscientiously as possible. 

Also, I wonder just how much face-to-face interactions are a crucial part of graduate studies.  Student participation is required for seminars, of couse, but not lectures, and it seems possible to simulate a seminar environment online.  There is also the issue of TA positions, which doctorate students are often required to fulfill.  But if philosophy can be taught online, then why couldn't TA functions be satisfied "from a distance"?

The theoretical issue comes down to what basic skills are represented by an MA or PhD in philosophy, and whether those skills can be gained outside the traditional classroom.  The most obvious skills required for advanced philosophical study are analytical and communicative, with more of an emphasis on writing than on speaking (though speaking is no doubt important).  I think distance learning programs can do the job here--at least, in theory.  There is no reason to think a person with an online degree has a lesser education than a person with a traditional degree--at least, when it comes to philosophy.  Some philosophy departments will likely hesitate before hiring somebody with an online PhD.  However, this prejudice should disappear once distance learning programs become more established.

On the practical side, how does one go about transforming a traditional philosophy department into an online philosophy department?  Would it require significant reorganization?  Each department would have to establish online discussion forums, chat rooms, video streams, and access to journals.  None of this should be prohibitively difficult.  It would be an additional expense, but this would be more than balanced by the increased number of matriculating students.

I should also mention that I am approaching this issue from the outside--as one who would be interested in matriculating in such a program, and not as a professor looking to change the way things are done.  But I would like to know what other people think.  This may be an issue that some philosophers will try to avoid for as long as possible; but we should expect that distance learning programs are here to stay, and may soon come to dominate higher education.

I will close with two broad questions:  Is this something many people are discussing in philosophy departments?  Should it be?