When they hear online education, most people automatically assume online-only colleges. However, there is currently a nationwide trend of long established on-campus schools getting into online education. The latest effort comes from the University of California system where some administrators are attempting to create an undergraduate online program. If this program goes through, UC will become the first American top-tier university to offer an online bachelor’s degree program.
Similarly, a board advisory committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will discuss ways of introducing online education for public colleges and universities throughout Texas.
The introduction of such online courses is highly motivated by the cost cutting effects online education has over resident schooling for both students and colleges. As the UC Berkeley Law School Dean Christopher Edley noted, a large number of UC eligible students—mostly African American and Latino Students—enter online-only colleges after finishing community college for variety of reasons, including financial.
If these online alternatives are introduced in such big name academic institutions, it can revolutionize the American higher education system. On one hand, it will attract even more students toward the online experience. On the other hand, it will provide for people unable to attend such institutions due to time or financial reasons the means to get the education they want. So, it will be interesting to see where things go from here for schools in California, Texas, and nationwide.
{ 0 comments… add one now }