Monday, February 28, 2011

University joins online education consortium

In an effort to meet the growing demand for online programs and courses, many universities are collaborating to create a network of web-based resources. For example, the New Century Learning Consortium (NCLC), which was founded at the University of Illinois Springfield, consists of 10 postsecondary schools.

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) recently announced in a press release that it is the latest member of the consortium. Partners in the NCLC develop online classes as well as share research projects, IT and peer support at the upper administration level.

"The university recognizes the need for inter-institutional cooperation," said Bill Angrove, associate vice president for SHSU Online. "We are very interested in efforts to promote degree completion and faculty exchange."

SHSU currently offers more than a dozen complete graduate programs online, such as an MBA program, executive MBA and master's degree in criminal justice leadership.

"Sam Houston State University has an outstanding online learning program," said Ray Schroeder, founder of NCLC.

According to U.S. News and World Report, enrollment in online programs has increased by 832% - to more than 2 million students - in the past nine years.

NCLC was featured in a February 25, 2011, article in U.S. News and World Report's University Directory.

Download a PDF of the article