Originally created as part of “the university without walls” in the 1970s, Roger Williams University is going back to its roots in the new millennium. Starting January 25 the school will be the first in Rhode Island to offer an online degree. ”Roger Williams has always been advanced at delivering educational programs outside of a classroom setting,” said Steve Esons, professor of public administration, and coordinator of the new online program. “So the technology may be new, but delivery of programs like this has always been a part of the university.”
The program will provide students the opportunity to take on-line courses leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration. The program prepares students for government service at the federal, state, or local level, for employment in a non-profit organization, and for careers that require various administrative skills. Courses focus on budgeting, personnel and finance administration, the management of organizations, public service, law, political and government institutions, ethics and global awareness.
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The class, which works with assigned texts, includes on line-lectures, on-line class meetings which allow students to interact with one another and the professor, as well as the posting of class assignments. Esons said the new program offers flexibility to students, in that all of them are not required to be on-line at the same time. In addition, he said, students can post questions for answering, and can pick up and turn in their assignments all on-line.
University officials believe this will be the first of many degrees offered online.
“Taking an online course is not time and space dependent,” Esons said. “People with personal or business commitments may find that an online program is the only way to obtain a degree.”
The program is coordinated through eCollege.com, one of the largest education providers in the United States. Stout said eCollege serves as “technical support” for the university, as well as linking the school with colleges and universities across the country and around the world.
“We are very excited about this online degree because we now have the possibility of reaching students in other areas of the world, such as Africa, to help support growing democracies,” Esons said. “There are a lot of students who need the skills, but don’t have access to the resources. With an online program, we can get to them.”
Esons said on a smaller scale, the course also provides students the ability to interact more with one another and their professors.
“I think this class may be beneficial for students who are shy and reserved in a classroom setting,” he said. “They will now be able to express their ideas which are often lost in a traditional classroom setting.”
The class doesn’t come without its challenges, Esons said. Though the structure of the class is similar to a traditional course, both students and professors are required to learn a new form of technology. Esons said the transition is similar to a time when professors and students graduated from handwriting everything to using a typewriter.
”The transition is different yet comfortable for everyone,” he said. “This is a new way of communication, and in education communication is everything. I really think this is going to foster communication about issues and ideas.”
At the same time, Roger Williams has rolled out its new online degree program, the university has also made many of its other services available via the Internet, including registration and the library. Even the bursar’s office can be reached through the school’s Website at www.rwonline.org.
“We are opening access in a much more complete way,” Esons said. “Through this virtual university students will be able to get everything they need. It basically has all the functions of a traditional school, but is more accessible.”
Roger Williams has 2,000 full-time undergraduates, 1,700 part time students, and 500 graduate students. College officials believe the new online program will mean more students.
“Students will be able to study at any time and any location, without the barriers which have prevented many working adults from pursuing college degrees in the past,” said John Stout, dean of the University College at Roger Williams.
Students are required to meet eligibility requirements before enrolling in the online program.
