The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | K-State’s new online program

Posted by bposton on December 17th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Hey, I just just heard that Kansas State University is putting together a new online master’s degree program in community development that they say will be the first of its kind.

Here’s how it came together -

The faculty K-State have partnered with other universities, all through something called the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance.

THe online program is designed to accelerate the work of those who are already at work in rural community planning and development. So now these folks have the opportunity to achieve a master’s degree online while applying their new skills and knowledge in the settings where they work.

Great idea, in my opinion - and it shows one of the benefits on online education.

The new community development master’s degree program was officially approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in November. And if you’re interested, they begin enrolling in the spring 2007 semester.

K-State got together on this with five other participating universities — Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska and South Dakota State University.

Each of these are providing nationally recognized faculty for the program instruction. These teachers come from several disciplines, including architecture, agriculture, regional and community planning, economics, Native American studies, sociology and speech communication.

And get this - students may choose at which of these universities they would like to matriculate.

I like it even better now

Funding for the development of the program was provided by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Higher Education Challenge grant, a U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education grant, and a Council of Graduate Schools Professional Master’s Program planning grant, which were received by K-State’s Institute for Academic Alliances and Iowa State University’s North Central Regional Center for Rural Development.

Ben