Q&A with John Keim, Provost and Chief Academic Officer
The following conversation focuses on Westwood College’s online education programs:
What is the biggest attraction for students to Westwood’s online degree programs?
Does it take longer to earn a degree in a Westwood online program than at one its campuses?
Is there a difference between the students who choose the online degree path compared to on-campus degrees?
Can students do a mix of on-campus and online courses to achieve their degree? Or can they start their education on one path and then switch to the other if their circumstances change?
What about support services for students taking online courses? How do those differ from students on campus?
Do you have to be more self-motivated to stick with an online program?
What's the biggest misconception about online degree programs?
What is the biggest attraction for students to Westwood’s online degree programs?
John: The biggest attraction is that students are able to learn just as much as if they were physically in a classroom on one of our campuses with the enhanced flexibility and convenience that comes with online learning. Students want to know that they will get the same quality of education, have just as much interaction with faculty, and have the same support services that on-campus students do. And they definitely do. We take a lot of pride in that.
The key thing that makes our students choose an online degree program is the flexibility that it offers. Many of the undergraduate students in our online degree programs are working full-time or part-time and need to work around those commitments when it comes to their studies. Many also have children or family obligations that make it challenging to attend on-campus classes. Online courses allow them to take care of those responsibilities without setting aside their academic aspirations.
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Does it take longer to earn a degree in a Westwood online program than at one of its campuses?
John: No, students can earn their degree just as quickly through Westwood online programs. For example, students can earn an associate degree in as few as 17 months or a bachelor's degree in as few as three years – the same amount of time as students on our ground campuses.
That really appeals to a lot of students because it doesn't force them to push their goals out further into the future just because they choose online courses. They can achieve their goals just as quickly – but with the flexibility to successfully juggle the other responsibilities in their lives.
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Is there a difference between the students who choose the online degree path compared to on-campus degrees?
John: Actually, there's little difference when you look at both sets of students. Online students tend to be a little older, but otherwise they are remarkably similar. Many have taken some college classes before and have made the decision to go back to school and get their degree. The students simply choose the path that best suits their schedules and allows them to keep their commitment to complete the degree they are pursuing.
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Can students do a mix of on-campus and online courses to achieve their degree? Or can they start their education on one path and then switch to the other if their circumstances change?
John: Yes, in many cases we offer both online and on-campus courses as part of a degree program. With the assistance of your academic advisor, you can select the mix that best suits your schedule, access to technology, and learning style. It's also possible in many cases to transfer to take courses exclusively in an online or on-campus environment.
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What about support services for students taking online courses? How do those differ from students on campus?
John: Our online students benefit from the same support network, resources and services as our other students. We designed the online degree program to be similar in that way, and it's one of the things our students really value.
Students also have a personal SuccessTeam
SM that helps them with everything from enrollment to financial aid to degree guidance to academic support to career services and on and on. Our online students also receive tuition-free retraining* in their career field after graduation, just like all Westwood graduates. This helps ensure that all of our graduates keep their skills sharp and up-to-date to match what employers are seeking.
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Do you have to be more self-motivated to stick with an online program?
John: The same commitment that helps students achieve a degree on-campus will help students achieve online degrees. If you are motivated to better yourself and are willing to work hard, you can succeed at Westwood, regardless of whether you choose the online path or the on-campus path.
Our online degree programs are structured to keep students moving forward, keep them on task and keep them engaged. The flexible nature of online learning means students can take their course late at night or on the weekend, but that doesn't mean that there is no structure or support. The curriculum, the technology we use, the interactive learning environment, and the proactive approach of our faculty all combine to keep students on track. They are not adrift on their own, relying solely on willpower to stay on course. Students taking courses online participate in a very interactive process that emulates the structure, guidance and support of a classroom experience.
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What’s the biggest misconception about online degree programs?
John: I think this perception is fading, but in the past there was a misconception that online courses are easier than in-classroom courses – that the path to a degree was less rigorous with an online program than with a program on a ground campus.
That is definitely not true for Westwood's online programs. Our online programs are just as rigorous as the ones on our campuses, and that's exactly what our students are looking for. Students want to learn as much as they can and build the skills they will need for their career, and we consistently hear from them how important it is that the online degrees recognize the same level of achievement.
The "easy degree" perception is in large part being dispelled because of the number of students who have earned online degrees, entered the workforce and become outstanding employees. Their success speaks for itself. Another factor is how many other colleges and universities in the country have launched online degree programs. This raises awareness of the quality of online learning at all educational institutions.
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*Participating in the Westwood Alumni Retraining program is tuition-free for qualified graduates. Additional costs such as fees, books, and supplies, are the responsibility of the student. Retraining is limited to the program from which the student graduated and is subject to space availability.