Online MBAs Now Open To The Public And Private SectorsIPD and the University of Phoenix (UOP) have entered into an agreement to provide access to specific computerized degree and certificate programs to the Marines through the UOP online distance delivery system. The first program, the Masters of Business Administration, will be offered to Marines and their families stationed anywhere in the world online. Dr. John G. Sperling, chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "This is the first time that IPD and UOP have joined forces to offer a degree program. Combining UOP's proven online distance delivery system and IPD's management expertise will position Apollo as a leader in adult degree programs delivered to the military market. We view this as an exciting step forward in our continued growth and our goal of offering quality education programs both in the U.S. and internationally." Apollo Group Inc., through its subsidiaries the University of Phoenix Inc., the Institute for Professional Development, the College for Financial Planning Inc. and Western International University Inc., is one of the largest providers of higher education programs for working adults in the United States, with total degree-seeking enrollment of approximately 66,800 students. Educational programs and services are currently offered at 113 campuses and learning centers in 33 states, Puerto Rico and London. Students say that the day after they learn something in class from Online MBA University they are using it in their job. The incoming group of online MBA students includes a person serving on an aircraft carrier, the head of a law firm in North Dakota and several students in Korea. The students already have achieved considerable success in their careers. More online MBA study as countries such as India and Saudi Arabia improve their Internet access and speed. The trend will be less campus time overall. The memorandum of understanding will offer students an Internet-based MBA program. Professor Andy Hede, dean of business, says a trial program, with five students, is already being run through the Institute of Economics, and SCU aims to have 100 more in the new program. He says that chat rooms offered in conjunction with the course material will eventually be expanded to include audio and video presentations, making classrooms virtually obsolete. Hede says that, whilst the SCU will concentrate its export energies, it's also having preliminary talks with a tertiary institute in Singapore, and it plans to become a major education exporter. |