As E-Learning Explodes Upon Academia,
World Campus Aims To Set A New Standard In Distance Education

November 17, 2000
University Park, Pa. — Penn State was an early leader in harnessing the tools of the digital age to bring education into the homes of students who did not have the flexibility to attain it in a college classroom. Today, e-learning is a booming phenomenon, and has forced universities worldwide to re-examine their offerings to even the most remote student.

In a report to the University Board of Trustees today (Nov. 17), Penn State World Campus officials affirmed their readiness to again set the standard in e-learning through the integration of distance learning technology with resources, personal interactions, and academic opportunities currently exclusive to the on-campus student.

"It is the integration of the World Campus within the University that sets Penn State’s program apart among distance education providers," said Gary E. Miller, associate vice president for distance education and executive director of the World Campus. "Our model provides students at a distance with the same learning resources and experiences Penn State would expect to provide any student."

A recent study predicts that 6.3 million people age 18 and older will take an online course in the next 12 months. This compares to fewer than 500,000 people currently taking advantage of online education.

Penn State has been preparing for this explosion in electronic enrollment. The World Campus completed last year with 18 active certificate and degree programs — compared to 11 the previous year — and continues to pursue a goal of 30 such programs in place by the 2002-03 academic year.

"The University has achieved extraordinary visibility in just a short time in the burgeoning world of e-learning," said James H. Ryan, vice president for outreach and cooperative extension. "We have been fortunate to build on a tradition in distance education that is more than 100 years strong, and have been blessed with the vision to capitalize on advances in technology that make it possible to promote distance learning as a way of addressing emerging social and economic issues."

The influence of social issues is prevalent among the new and forthcoming World Campus programs. The year has seen the addition of a master’s degree in adult education, and associate degree programs in dietary systems management and hotel, restaurant, and institutional management.

A non-credit Webmaster certificate is the first on-line World Campus program offered by the School of Information Sciences and TechnologyThis spring, a post-baccalaureate certificate in community and economic development will be launched, followed by certificate programs in communications and web administration.

To keep pace with the anticipated continuing growth surge in the realm of distance learning, the World Campus is targeting four program areas to bolster as a way to provide coherence and synergy to the diverse curriculum: management, technology and engineering, service professions, and general education.

The planned cornerstone of the management track in particular is an MBA program that will be the result of collaboration among several Penn State colleges and campuses. Officials expect this program to anchor management-related certificates and degrees in agriculture, health care, and many other areas.

The excitement generated by Penn State’s World Campus is reflected in strong enrollment figures. A lofty goal for the 1999-2000 academic year was to triple enrollment over the previous year. That goal was exceeded with nearly 3,000 enrollments from students representing all 50 states and 27 nations. This year, the World Campus is aiming to double those enrollment figures.

"A lion’s share of the credit for Penn State’s success in this arena belongs to the faculty and staff who have brought the World Campus to life," said Ryan. "This is truly a team effort, and the contributions of all involved have been and continue to be outstanding."

Contact: Tysen Kendig, (814) 865-7517 or email at .