Distance Higher Education
Distance education is considered a means of providing education to individuals whose location, circumstances, or work make distance communication necessary or convenient. It is not considered a separate type of education. Rather, distance education is considered a mode of learning that is different from traditional on-campus education, but no less legitimate. There is a rapid growth of educational programs at all levels that are delivered via radio, television, satellite stations, video, computer terminals, and other means. Many programs are offered for credit and lead to certificates, diplomas, and degrees; others are designed for spare time, personal enrichment, or job-related special education and training.

Continuing higher education.
Often referred to as continuing education. Institutions offer specific continuing education programs, some of which are very broad and parallel to regular university degree offerings, while others are short or specialized programs. Continuing education may be structured to lead to certificates, diplomas, or degrees, or it may be unstructured and used to provide opportunities for general and liberal learning. Some continuing education is offered through distance learning methods while other programs are offered at the institution or provided at a branch office. When such education is offered to provide further education and training for professionals who already have basic qualifications, it is usually referred to as continuing professional education.

Higher education in industry
This is considered a special form of continuing vocational education and is called employer-sponsored training. Programs are offered by employers or under contract with institutions of higher education, professional associations, unions, or consulting organizations. Training or education can take place in the workplace or elsewhere. Continuing vocational education or training varies in length and depth from short courses designed to refresh or introduce new skills to full degree programs. Credit for work completed in such programs may be recognized and accepted by the regular higher education authorities in accordance with policies established by the institutions. A particular form of employer-sponsored study that is of great interest to many U.S. institutions of higher education, especially at the undergraduate level, is the study received in the United States. the armed forces and how to take credit for it when personnel return to civilian life. Detailed instructions were developed jointly by U.S. institutions and the armed forces.

Other forms of informal higher education
There are many educational options and learning opportunities that are not formally structured, do not lead to recognized awards, and are not designed to transfer credit or professional recognition. They include courses and programs provided by libraries, museums, parks and recreation, clubs, and other organizations for members or the public. Some programs provided by employers are not designed for formal recognition, such as informal seminars and presentations on work-related topics and products.