Course structures and educational practices in Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) member institutions were examined through a survey of all 58 DETC institutions. Usable responses were obtained from 55 (95%) of the institutions. Among the study's main conclusions were the following: (1) 52% of distance education students are male, 42% have a college degree, and 81% are employed; (3) DETC schools employ an average of 55 people, offer an average of 48 courses, and have an average course graduation rate of 52%; (4) 51% of courses offered are developed by both in-house staff and external authors; (5) 66% of examination questions are objective in style; (6) students typically require 10 hours to complete a lesson; (7) 9% of schools offer mandatory resident training; (8) 56% of schools use proctored examinations, 47% offer a fax exam service, 58% use toll-free telephone service for educational purposes, and 73% use preprinted motivation letters; (9) 100% of the schools own their own computer, 75% have computers that are networked; and (10) 80% of the schools use desktop publishing to prepare courses, 62% publish a newsletter/magazine for students, 56% have a home page, and 69% use electronic mail. (Twenty-eight tables and the survey instrument are included.) (MN)