University and community college join to increase online courses

University and community college join to increase online courses

In an effort to provide higher education to more students, a growing number of community colleges are merging with larger universities. These initiatives often allow both schools to increase their online course offerings and reach more nontraditional learners.

For example, Louisiana State University (LSU) and Baton Rouge Community College are collaborating in order to increase their web-based course options, The Daily Reveille reports.

LSU chancellor Michael Martin told the news source that the partnership would allow both schools to reach students who wouldn't normally be able to take classes because of time or other lifestyle constraints. The university currently offers an online master's degree in human resources, and it is currently developing several other web-based options.

The school's College of Engineering offered online courses this summer in an effort to provide more opportunities for students.

"We offered it so engineering students could have the ability to participate in internships but also matriculate through their degree," Richard Koubek, dean of the College of Engineering, told the news source.

According to a recent Babson-Sloan report, one in four students are enrolled in at least one course online.

By Mark Danson