Cleveland Institute of Electronics (CIE) is a private technical and engineering college located in Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded in 1934 by Carl E. Smith as Smith Practical Radio Institute providing correspondence learning courses in the field of Radio and Electronics Engineering. Although as a correspondence school, the institute had already served international students, it reached a milestone in 1972 when its total enrollment globally reached 40,000.
In 2000, CIE began providing online examinations and assignment submission over the Internet. Eventually, it launched its Online Distance Learning or Distance Education Program which allowed students from any part of the United States and the world to enroll in Computer Technology and Electronics courses and to complete these courses at their own pace. CIE provides a wide-range of online distance learning programs including an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, Software Engineering, or Computer Information Technology. The nature of distance learning is such that it allows students to acquire new knowledge via printed textbooks, online instruction, CDs, DVDs, or audio recordings. Questions about course material can be answered by qualified instructors via e-mail, chat room, telephone or mail.
Cost of tuition varies depending on the course chosen and may range from US$1,295 for Intro to Home Automation to US$3,770 for an Associate of Applied Science in Software Engineering degree for two terms. Financial aid is extended to students who are unable to pay their tuition in full via special loans, federal aid and special payment plans.
CIE is an Accredited Member of the Distance Education and Training Council located in Washington, D.C. which identifies and accredits distance education and training institutions that have attained and maintained the standards deemed necessary to operate at a high level of quality.
