Online universities matter, too
The government of the New Brunswick has released the report on post-secondary education, providing an insight into the vision for the future.
As New Brunswickers we can take much pride in our educational system. Recently, universities and colleges celebrated the achievement of their students with graduation ceremonies. These graduates received an outstanding education, taught by excellent faculty and are well prepared to take their place in society.
The Report on Post-Secondary Education is designed primarily to make a good system better. The report recommends close co-operation between the universities and colleges.
In all of the discussion, however, there appears to be a major oversight. For at least eight years, the concept of an online university has been an integral part of the New Brunswick post-secondary experience. Online universities are privately owned but require approval from the provincial government for accreditation.
Online universities are really a viable alternative for many people by their very nature.
The Report on Post-Secondary Education and the subsequent discussion and debate have omitted this important and innovative element. Online universities are the forgotten dimension.
Traditional onsite universities should not fear this exciting new alternative educational model. The profile of students is different. Online universities are designed to accommodate mature students for whom the prospect of online or distance education is preferred, whether due to constraints at home or at work. For example, students who are either in the workforce and cannot afford to take time off to go back to the onsite campus, or single parents who want to advance their education but are also not able to go to the traditional university full time.
Rather than comment in general about online universities, I am going to share an insight into the online university of which I am President, Lansbridge University.
When we did a recent survey of our alumni asking them what are the main reasons for choosing an online university and subsequently Lansbridge, their replies were essentially three-fold. First, it was important that the online university be accredited; flexibility was an important second factor and thirdly, the cost.
Accreditation
Lansbridge University is accredited by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Province of New Brunswick, delivering the Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Executive Masters in Business Administration (eMBA) and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degrees.
In addition to this regional accreditation, Lansbridge University is the only online university in Canada accredited by the Distance Education Training Council (DETC) in Washington, D.C. A university has to be operating successfully for five years prior to applying for this accreditation, and then undergo a stringent and thorough review process before being accepted.
Accreditation is not a privilege that is granted frivolously. It is a right that must be earned through constant diligence, perseverance, hard work, and attention to detail. Lansbridge University has earned this right and follows the same strict review processes as traditional universities in maintaining it.
Flexibility
Lansbridge University is online. Students can access the online program offerings any time of the day or night. They can log on from anywhere - whether from home, at work, or on the road. Students can keep on working during the day, earning an important wage and not have to take a leave of absence or request time off to go back to school. Single parents can retain their job and after the children are in bed, log on to continue their studies or participate in virtual class sessions. All online courses are completed under the guidance of an exemplary, highly qualified faculty member. A personal learning assistant and additional technical support are also available for every student.
Cost
The cost of registering at Lansbridge University is competitive. Our tuition is typically less than what students would find in most private and public schools, while our standards and quality are often higher. This is because we don't have the high overhead costs of traditional universities. We don't have buildings to maintain, unions or faculty associations demanding specific working conditions and we don't charge student fees for health services, athletics or parking. Our students can work from the comfort of their own home, so the money they save on traveling expenses can be put to better uses. Our one-time agreed upon tuition is the price they pay to earn their degree throughout the duration of the program - we don't raise our rates every year like traditional universities. We believe that a degree from Lansbridge University is a value-added investment in the student; they deserve no less.
Online is not impersonal
The primary difference from other online universities is the degree of commitment made to students and alumni. Lansbridge University is a student-centered graduate school.
The actual program delivery model used is interactive. Students interact with the faculty and with each other.
Alumni meetings are held across the country to maintain and encourage support for students and for the university. The alumni of Lansbridge University are proud of their graduate experience and their degree. They are willing ambassadors of the university and are always open to talk with potential students, or prospective employers who may be inquiring regarding providing financial support to have their employees enroll in a degree program.
Lansbridge University has held onsite graduation ceremonies to honour our graduates, and will continue to do so in the future. On Saturday, June 7, 20 graduates received either a Masters in Business Administration or an Executive Masters in Business Administration Degree. Graduates and their families traveled to Fredericton from all across Canada and even from Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Many of the graduates were accompanied by family members from as far away as Trinidad and Tobago. Faculty members were also in attendance from across Canada and the United States.
Hon. Andy Scott and Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside were on hand to welcome these distinguished visitors.
Learning from the Best
Lansbridge University recruits a faculty of experienced PhD professors from all over the world to share their expertise in an online medium. Having proven themselves in traditional university classroom settings, they are eager to explore the educational potential of the Internet using some of today's most exciting online delivery methods. They bring with them the same quality and educational merit as they possess in their traditional university educator roles.
Providing opportunities
Unfortunately, it is easy for the media to label all private online universities with the stigma that is rightly placed on those institutions that either fail to keep up their standards, or were fraudulent from the start. As President of Lansbridge University, I am proud to say that there are a growing number of online institutions out there that are genuinely interested in providing real educational value to those in need. We are not operating in direct conflict with public universities, but supplementing them.
The benefits of a proper education should not be a standard attainable only by those who can afford it financially or physically, or come at the cost of disrupting one's life. Everyone is entitled to better themselves and the lives of their loved ones. Online education is merely providing the opportunity for everyone to fulfill their potential.
Dr. W. Barry Miller is President of Lansbridge University, an online university based in Fredericton.
More Opinion
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
