UC Launches Massive Open Online Course This Fall

The University of Cincinnati holds a long tradition of providing classes anywhere, any time through distance learning. More than 4,000 of UC’s graduates last spring had taken at least one distance learning course.

UC leads national trends in distance learning again this fall, as the university becomes one of the first schools in the nation to offer credit for a massive open online course (MOOC). The credit can be applied toward a graduate degree in the Carl H. Lindner College of Business or the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The MOOC

is a seven-week course that will get under way later this fall.

Clermont College Begins Distance Learning Degree Program

UC’s Clermont College joins UC’s list totaling seven colleges that now offer degree programs online.  The college this fall introduces the online associate’s degree program in

health information systems technology

. Recent changes in health care delivery, electronic health record systems and medical coding and billing systems have created a demand for health information professionals that is unprecedented. This online degree offers substantial savings for out-of-state students. This distance learning program has a discounted non-resident surcharge: normal out-of-state surcharges do not apply. Full-time out-of-state students pay only $2,785 per semester. Part-time out-of-state students pay only $233 per credit hour.

Other colleges adding to their distance learning offerings this fall include:

College of Allied Health Sciences

Master’s degree of health informatics

– The program was developed in partnership with the Carl H. Lindner College of Business in response to one of the fastest-growing segments in healthcare.

Certificate in animal audiology

– The college expands its unique certificate in animal audiology program for distance learners. The program prepares AuD students or practicing audiologists for the practice of animal audiology, and is the first such program in the world. Distance learning students take online classes before completing a practicum either at UC’s FETCHLAB or through a partnership with a local veterinarian.

College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS)

Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering/Electrical

– The master of engineering (MEng) in electrical engineering program offers the latest in embedded systems technology, providing not only the technical knowledge of advanced microsystems, but also the management of professionals and effective leadership within a technical environment.

College of Nursing

The UC

College of Nursing RN to BSN Online program

can be entered upon completion of a diploma or associate degree in nursing after a registered nurse (RN) license is obtained.

College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) 

The college joins UC’s distance learning offerings this fall by beginning online courses. The college is offering six courses: Dance Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Going to the Movies, Jammin’ with Laptops Online, Music of the Beatles and History of Rock and Roll.

UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) continues to hold the majority of the university’s distance learning students as well as offerings of degree programs.

The

UC 2019 Academic Master Plan

emphasizes distance learning in aiding the professional development of workers to fuel the economic growth of the city and state.

Accreditation Online Colleges

– a website dedicated to providing information about colleges offering accredited degrees, currently highlights UC as one of the nation’s top-accredited online four-year programs in the country, noting the new MOOC that gets under way this fall. 

About UC’s Distance Learners

The majority of UC’s distance learners are women (82.6 percent), who are enrolled part time. UC’s Office of Institutional Research reports that UC’s distance learners are enrolled from all 50 states as well as many foreign countries. The average age among UC’s distance learners is 35.

A National Look at Distance Learning

The

2012 Sloan Consortium survey

of online learning found that the number of students who have taken at least one online course has surpassed 6.7 million, an increase of 57,000 students over the previous year.  Thirty-two percent of students in higher education have reported taking at least one course online. The report found that only 2.6 percent of colleges and universities offered a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), but that another 9.4 percent were involved in MOOC planning. The report also found that 69.1 percent of chief academic leaders felt that online learning was critical to their institution’s long-term strategy.

UC’s first distance learning program dates back to 1984, with correspondence courses provided by the Open Learning Fire Science Program. A total of 11 UC colleges now offer distance learning opportunities through courses, certificates or programs.

UC Distance Learning Programs and Outreach