Online Bachelor Degree Programs Provide Greater Accessibility
April 1, 2011
11-71
Online Bachelor Degree Programs Provide Greater Accessibility
VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University has opened the door for
more students to earn a college degree. The University System of
Georgia Board of Regents has authorized VSU to offer online
bachelor’s degrees in office administration and technology and
criminal justice.
The two new degrees will be the first completely online
undergraduate degree program at VSU. For more than a decade, VSU
has offered online graduate programs including education
specialists, master’s level education degrees, and a Doctor of
Public Administration.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for a lot of people who are
working full time to earn a bachelor’s degree within two very
diverse career fields,” said Provost Phil Gunter. “We have created
these programs to offer flexibility and accessibility. Both
programs allow students to remain employed throughout the
program.”
Gunter notes that the online degrees are not only perfect for
working adults, but provide military members and students at
two-year colleges and technical schools with options toward earning
a bachelor’s degree.
Business Leaders of Tomorrow
The office administration and technology degree is now offered in
both the traditional classroom environment and online. The degree
prepares students for careers in administrative, supportive and
supervisory positions in business and industrial settings, as well
as professional offices, public institutions, and government
agencies. The degree emphasizes oral and written communication
skills, as well as time management and work ethics.
“The degree in office administration and Technology is unique in
that it offers what 21st century employers need, with an emphasis
that goes beyond just business-related skills,” said Dr. Vesta
Whisler, associate professor in Adult and Career Education. “We
like to call this a general business degree with a technology twist
because of the many courses our students take related to
productivity software.”
The office administration and technology online degree began spring
2011, and has attracted working adults from across the state. Many
of these students are unable to attend traditional classes due to
work schedules and other obligations.
For more information regarding the online Office Administration and
Technology program, visit the web site at www.valdosta.edu/go/oatonline
Expanding Accessibility for Law Enforcement
Professionals
The opportunity to work in the field of law enforcement is
expanding. Careers today include those in homeland security,
criminal investigation, public and private security, loss
prevention, probation and the legal field.
VSU’s traditional classroom criminal justice program has
approximately 500 majors at both the bachelor’s and master’s
levels. The online programs are scheduled to begin fall 2011 for
both undergraduate and graduate students.
“The criminal justice program is a popular program of study which
results in successful employments after graduation,” said Dr.
Darrell Ross, professor and head of the Sociology, Anthropology,
Criminal Justice and Marriage and Family Therapy Department.
“The online program provides another method for acquiring the
degree for many students who may not be able to come to
campus.”
The program’s primary goal is to provide students with an
understanding and appreciation of the structure and function of the
criminal justice system, as it applies to adults and juveniles,
federal, state, and local criminal laws and procedures, and the
relationship of these to the Constitution of the United
States.
“The program’s goals will be accomplished through innovative
research, teaching and service provided through the undergraduate
and graduate degrees,” Ross said. “Undergraduate students are able
to study both the theoretical and practical aspects of the criminal
justice system, crime control, and the administration of
justice.”
Using similar teaching methods, the master’s program will also
incorporate opportunities for research in a criminal justice
setting as well as in the community.
“The degree prepares students for entry level positions in varying
facets of the criminal justice system and prepares them to continue
their education in law school or other graduate programs,” Ross
said.
For more information on the criminal justice programs, visit the
web site at http://www.valdosta.edu/crju/
.
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