Many folks have put their academic plans on the back burner for so long, it’s become an empty pot. Southern Maryland residents are discovering that access to a college education may be just a click away. Several Maryland colleges and universities offer online programs which give students the flexibility to attend classes while juggling work and family schedules.
There is a definite shift in thinking within higher education. In response to a slumping economy and a workforce that demands degreed professionals, many adults seek out colleges that offer convenient and affordable programs to enhance their current careers or to learn new skills altogether. Higher education officials are realizing that the online format is a practical way to give non-traditional students the tools they need to succeed.
Danette S. Gerald, Ph.D. at the Maryland Higher Education Commission said, “Across the board, there’s really been an upward trend in the number of enrollments in distance education and I actually expect that to increase over time”. While several state and private schools offer distance programs, Gerald suggested that, “The lion’s share of online education courses are offered by University of Maryland University College.”
UMUC utilizes a state-of-the-art, interactive course management system called WebTycho to bring the university classroom directly to the computer screens of students. The user-friendly program allows people to earn undergraduate and graduate certificates and degrees without ever stepping foot in a traditional classroom.
The award-winning technologies and programs at UMUC were designed with the educational needs of adults in mind. Eighty-two percent of students are 25 or older and 4 out of 5 undergrads work full-time.
The university has been recognized for its commitment to offering quality education options to U.S. service members. The school recently garnered attention for becoming the first American university to bring classrooms to the troops in Iraq and offers specialized support to military personnel and veterans at installations right here in the states.
UMUC has partnered with several community colleges which allows for an easy transfer of prior learning credits and has scholarships specifically focused on non-traditional students. The school has sites in St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert counties and offers support with academic and financial planning.
Several learning institutions are providing alternatives to the time and space constraints of the traditional campus by increasing the availability of online courses. Moms can participate in class discussions while the kids are napping, full-time professionals can work toward their master’s between work and dinner.
Online students may have the convenience of attending classes on their own schedule, but they do the same work as typical coffee-slurping coeds, and often at a faster pace. A web-based classroom makes going to college
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