Houghton College to offer online courses this summer

Houghton College to offer online courses this summer

Houghton College in Allegany County, New York, will roll out its first set of online courses in the summer of 2010. In an effort to better meet the needs of its students, the Christian liberal arts college will offer six online courses for traditional, residential students and web-based classes for adult learners, Buffalo Business First reports.

"Our students are seeking alternative opportunities and access (to classes)," said Katherine Buvoltz, the college's associate dean for adult and online education. "Online courses offer that."

Officials with the college have said that the course offerings are designed to satisfy degree requirements, fill in gaps necessary for graduation and allow traditional students to get ahead in earning credits.

The school is anticipating having at least eight residential students sign up for each of the six online courses, which include advanced accounting, adolescent literature and Hispanic world current affairs. Adult students enrolled in the Program for Accelerated College Education, or PACE, can complete their entire bachelors degree through online courses.

Nearly one in four U.S. students take at least some college courses online, up from one in 10 in 2002, Reuters reports.

By Mark Danson