Correspondence Courses Historical Marker
historical marker
In State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania, a historical marker stands, dedicated to 'Correspondence Courses.' This marker was erected by the Penn State Alumni Association. It highlights a significant moment in American higher education. In 1892, under the direction of Professor Henry Waters, Penn State became the first American institution to offer correspondence courses in agriculture. The primary goal was to make scientific studies accessible to individuals who could not attend traditional college classes on campus. This innovative program quickly gained traction. Within two years, 339 men and women from 25 states and Ontario, Canada, had enrolled. By the close of the 1920s, 38,000 people had taken at least one correspondence course through Penn State. Penn State's pioneering initiative fostered a national expansion of correspondence instruction in various technical fields. This site marks an early and impactful step in the history of distance learning.