ONLINE SCHOOLS

As multimedia electronics and expanding WiFi access continue to transform the world, higher education institutions are seriously considering how they can meet the growing demand for online degrees.

Forward-thinking college and university administrators recognize that the future of education is in distance learning — propelled by a unique generation of students who commonly use personal computers, multimedia phones, iPods  and an expanding array of digital tools.

Already, one in four college students is enrolled in at least one online class; and that number grows substantially each year, according to the Sloan Consortium.

Stanford, Cornell and the University of Southern California are just a few top schools that offer online master’s degrees. But many top-tier schools are still debating the pros and cons of offering fully online undergraduate degrees.

The University of California at Berkeley is currently developing plans to offer an online bachelor’s degree, following in the footsteps of schools like Indiana State University and Washington State University. These schools are leaders and pioneers in what is becoming the future of higher education.

Some argue that the ‘best’ schools will never allow fully online undergraduate degrees. However, most traditional schools already offer online classes; and many offer a growing selection of online degree programs.

As students find it increasingly difficult to afford the high tuition of most colleges, attending on-campus traditional colleges is becoming a luxury. So unless these schools expand their online degree offerings, they will undoubtedly take a financial hit as potential students seek flexible online degree options at other schools.

Traditional schools, except those that cater primarily to the wealthy, will not survive unless they give students the flexible education they need. Online degree programs provide flexibility and bring in hefty revenue without requiring additional land, buildings and classroom resources.

Thankfully, college administrators are getting the message. And if not, their bottom-line financial projections are lining up with conclusion that online education is a high-quality, efficient way for both colleges and students to prosper.

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