Two-year school launches online agreement with university

Two-year school launches online agreement with university

In order to offer community college students an opportunity to earn a four-year degree, a growing number of these institutions are collaborating with universities. These initiatives are designed to allow junior college students to complete a bachelor's degree through a distance education program.

Schools such as North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) are creating agreements with four-year schools that encourage learners to earn higher levels of education. NIACC recently announced that students who are working toward an associate's degree in art, science or applied science, can complete their bachelor's degree of liberal studies or applied studies by completing University of Iowa coursework online.

Sally Mason, president of the University of Iowa, said the partnership will allow students who already have full-time jobs and family commitments in North Iowa to get their bachelor's degree from the university without having to "uproot their lives."

More than 4.6 million students nationwide were enrolled in online courses during the 2008 academic year, according to a recent report by the Babson Survey Research Group and the Sloan Consortium.

By Mark Danson