# Distance State University

> academic publisher in Costa Rica

**Wikidata**: [Q6156446](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6156446)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_State_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/distance-state-university

## Summary
Distance State University (UNED) is a public higher education institution and academic publisher located in San Pedro, Costa Rica. Founded in 1977, it functions as a university, a research institute, and an open-access publisher, serving over 36,000 students. The institution is a recognized member of the National Council of Rectors in Costa Rica and the International Council for Open and Distance Education.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED).
*   **Location:** San Pedro, Costa Rica (Coordinates: 9.9407, -84.0479).
*   **Founded:** 1977.
*   **Institution Type:** University, Research Institute, and Open-Access Publisher.
*   **Enrollment:** 36,222 students (as of 2021).
*   **Degrees Granted:** Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees (including MBA, Criminology, Constitutional Law, and Media Management), and Doctorates (Natural Science and Education).
*   **Memberships:** Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE), International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), and Open Education Global.
*   **Website:** http://www.uned.ac.cr/

## FAQs
### Q: What type of institution is Distance State University?
A: It is a public university in Costa Rica that also operates as a research institute and an academic open-access publisher. It specializes in distance education.

### Q: What specific degree programs does the university offer?
A: The university grants Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees in fields such as Business Administration (MBA), Criminology, Labor Law, and Corporate Law, as well as Doctorates in Education and Natural Science.

### Q: Is Distance State University officially recognized in Costa Rica?
A: Yes, it is a member of the Consejo Nacional de Rectores (National Council of Rectors), the primary body for higher education regulation in Costa Rica.

## Why It Matters
Distance State University (UNED) plays a critical role in the accessibility and democratization of higher education in Costa Rica. As the "State University at Distance," its primary significance lies in providing flexible learning opportunities to a massive student body—over 36,000 students as of 2021—transcending geographical barriers typical of traditional brick-and-mortar institutions.

Beyond its educational mandate, UNED serves a dual function as a research institute and an open-access publisher. This positions the institution as a central hub for knowledge dissemination in the region, contributing to academic discourse through publications like the *UNED Research Journal*. Its active membership in global organizations, such as the International Council for Open and Distance Education and Open Education Global, underscores its relevance in the international distance learning community. By integrating education, research, and publishing, UNED addresses the need for widespread academic access and scientific advancement in Central America.

## Notable For
*   **Hybrid Classification:** Uniquely classified as a university, a research institute, and an open-access publisher simultaneously.
*   **Scale of Impact:** Serving 36,222 students, making it a major force in Costa Rican higher education.
*   **Global Integration:** Holds membership in the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) and the Consejo Superior Universitario Centroamericano.
*   **Research Output:** Maintains a specific focus on research through the *UNED Research Journal*.
*   **Specialized Graduate Programs:** Offers distinct advanced degrees rarely combined in distance formats, such as a Master's in Media Management and a Doctorate in Natural Science.

## Body
### Overview and Identity
Distance State University, natively known as *Universidad Estatal a Distancia* (UNED), is a higher education institution established in 1977. Located in San Pedro, Costa Rica, the institution is identified by the acronym UNED and operates under the motto of providing distance education. It is distinct in its operational model, recognized formally as an instance of a university, a research institute, and an open-access publisher.

### Academic Offerings
The university provides a comprehensive range of academic credentials.
*   **Undergraduate:** Bachelor's degrees.
*   **Graduate:** Master's degrees with specializations in high-demand fields including:
    *   Criminology
    *   Business Administration (MBA)
    *   Academic Administration
    *   Media Management
    *   Constitutional Law, Labor Law, and Corporate Law.
*   **Doctoral:** Doctorate degrees in Natural Science and Education.

### Research and Publishing
UNED distinguishes itself through its active role in academic publishing. It is listed as an open-access publisher and operates the *UNED Research Journal*. This aligns with its classification as a research institute, contributing to the scientific and academic community both locally and internationally.

### Organizational Affiliations
The university maintains robust connections with national and international academic bodies.
*   **National:** Member of the *Consejo Nacional de Rectores* (CONARE).
*   **Regional:** Member of the *Sistema Editorial Universitario Centroamericano* and *Consejo Superior Universitario Centroamericano*.
*   **International:** Member of *Open Education Global* and the *International Council for Open and Distance Education*.

### Location and Identifiers
The university's physical campus is situated in San Pedro, Costa Rica. It holds numerous global identifiers including:
*   **ROR ID:** 0529rbt18
*   **GRID ID:** grid.441234.4
*   **ISNI:** 0000000121824349
*   **Ringgold ID:** 27920

## References

1. Directory of Open Access Journals
2. [Directory of Open Access Journals](https://revistas.uned.ac.cr/index.php/cuadernos/about)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://www.conare.ac.cr/conare/universidades-signatarias/)
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20230322221352/https://www.oeglobal.org/about-us/members-list/)
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240302192214/https://seduca.csuca.org/index.php/miembros)
7. [Source](https://csuca.org/es/universidades-miembros/)
8. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240407191925/https://www.icde.org/members-community/)
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](http://www.uned.ac.cr/)
11. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
13. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)