News Summary
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has introduced Tennessee’s inaugural fully online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information. This program, designed primarily for adult learners, aims to provide flexible educational opportunities to those with some college credits. In partnership with Arizona State University, UT is enhancing its online offerings, making higher education more accessible across Tennessee. With over 3,000 students enrolled in online programs, this initiative reflects the growing demand for flexible learning options and aims to bridge educational gaps.
KNOXVILLE – The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UT) has launched Tennessee’s first fully online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information, designed to support adult learners and college students seeking a flexible educational opportunity. This initiative is part of a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) aiming to assist nearly one million Tennesseans who have some college credits but have not completed their degrees.
UT has a long history of providing higher education options, already offering over 70 degree or certificate programs online prior to this partnership. With ASU’s enhanced offerings of more than 300 additional online programs, UT is set to leverage ASU’s nearly 20 years of online educational expertise, allowing for more diverse educational pathways.
With over 3,000 students enrolled in UT’s online programs last semester, reflecting a 26% increase from the previous year, the demand for flexible learning options is evident. The median age of these students is approximately 30 years, highlighting the program’s appeal to adult learners balancing education with work and personal responsibilities.
The online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information (BSCI) aims to provide a high-quality education that is adaptable to students’ schedules. Coursework can be completed at the students’ own pace and does not require any mandatory live sessions. This structure is beneficial for those who need to juggle various commitments.
The BSCI program covers a wide range of relevant topics, including social media strategies, digital content creation, user-centered design, and essential leadership skills. Dean Joseph Mazer emphasized the program’s goal of bridging educational gaps by integrating knowledge from different fields, establishing a comprehensive framework for prospective students.
Applications for the fully online BSCI program are currently open through UT’s Vols Online platform, which offers over 70 fully remote Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees across multiple departments and colleges. This allows students across Tennessee to access quality educational resources without the need for physical attendance, making higher education more accessible than ever.
In addition to expanding educational offerings, the partnership has also seen improvements in UT’s rankings for online programs. Recent assessments indicate that UT’s online bachelor’s degree programs have improved their national standing from 71st to 39th place. Meanwhile, the online business program at UT ranks 19th nationally, showcasing the institution’s commitment to excellence in distance learning.
Overall, the partnership between UT and ASU not only enriches the learning environment for students but also emphasizes shared technology, academic advice, and expertise from both institutions’ departments. Research efforts from both universities have focused on enhancing public accessibility and understanding, taking a cooperative approach aimed at overcoming federal research funding challenges.
Founded in 1794, the University of Tennessee has been a leader in higher education and innovation, continually striving to contribute significantly to the workforce in Tennessee through accessible educational opportunities. The introduction of the Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information is a pivotal step in this ongoing mission to make quality education available to all, ultimately benefiting the state’s economic landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: UT and ASU Partner for Online Programs
- WBIR: Online University of Tennessee Classes
- Williamson Source: Tennessee Tech Recognized Among Top Online MBAs
- GovTech: UT Knoxville Launches New Online Degree
- PR Newswire: UT Knoxville Launches Fully Online Degree
- Wikipedia: Online education
- Google Search: University of Tennessee online programs
- Google Scholar: Online education trends
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher education
- Google News: University of Tennessee
