The non-traditional student comprises a significant percentage of the total American college population.   Increasing this type of student's ability to think at a deeper level, that is, critically, enriches the college experience.  This presentation will examine techniques that intend to foster critical thinking skills in non-traditional, distance education student.  Included will be a definition of critical thinking, and instances for educators to offer open-ended questioning in order to enhance this higher spectrum of thinking in the online classroom.  The presenter will identify critical thinking expert, Dan Kurland's descriptors of critical thinking skills, as well as those of Paul Facione, author of multiple essays on the subject.  Specific examples of Socratic questioning, aimed at fostering many of those skills, is included in the presentation.  The importance of encouraging disparate opinions in the discussion forum is also offered.