MU Invests $2.5 Million to Launch 16 Online Degree and Certificate Programs
February 8th, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri will launch 16 online programs in an effort to respond to the demand for increased online learning opportunities and a more highly educated citizenry. MU officials said the $2.5 million investment is intended to increase access to higher education and enhance the number of graduates in specific industries.
Areas of study covered in the new initiative include hospitality management, public administration, nursing, education, energy efficiency, geospatial intelligence, public health, interactive media, health communication, architectural studies and biomedical sciences. The programs will be developed and taught by MU faculty. The funds awarded today will defray startup costs of developing the curriculum, including purchasing any software necessary to offer the courses.
“We are pleased to begin offering online programs in these in-demand subject areas,” MU Provost Brian Foster said. “Producing graduates with the skill sets and preparation needed to advance these industries is at the core of our mission at the University of Missouri.”
MU also is investing in more than 25 new undergraduate online courses that will make it possible to earn a bachelor’s degree from a distance with little or no transfer credit.
“With the added online courses from the College of Arts & Science as well as the new online degrees from the College of Education and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, first-time college students and those with just a few transfer credits can earn their bachelor’s degrees from Mizzou and stay in their hometowns,” said Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies and interim vice provost for e-learning.
The new programs will increase the number of online degree offerings to nearly 90; with 8 undergraduate degree programs and 79 graduate certificate and degree programs that are either offered in part or completely online.
Demand for online learning is at an all-time high among students of all ages. Mizzou will continue to invest in online offerings by accepting another round of proposals from its schools and colleges; those awards will be announced in 2014.
“Mizzou has been offering distance education for more than 100 years as part of fulfilling our land-grant University mission,” Spain said. “Our offerings have more than doubled and our enrollments have grown 78 percent in the last five years. However, Missourians and distance students everywhere continue to ask for quality, affordable online higher education. These new online programs will not only help students be more globally competitive, but also help meet our state leaders’ goal of having a more highly educated Missouri.”
Editor’s note: For additional information, please visit: http://online.missouri.edu