Online IMC master’s program sees record enrollment
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Graduate student by day, bail bondswoman by night, Carol Newman never fit the profile of a traditional scholar. But for the past two years, when she wasn’t staking out bail jumpers and appearing in magistrate court, Newman was working online toward her master’s degree.
Newman co-owns James River Bonding Company in Richmond, Va. Her job is demanding and her schedule is unpredictable at best. She needed a graduate program with the flexibility to allow her to keep working and maintain her hectic pace, all while teaching her the marketing skills to advance her business.
That’s why she enrolled in the online Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) master’s degree program at West Virginia University’s P.I. Reed School of Journalism.
Newman is not alone in seeking an advanced degree online. According to a 2008 research study conducted by The Sloan Consortium, online education is growing at double-digit rates, much faster than overall higher education. In addition, many institutions say their students seek the flexibility of online courses, both to maintain their current roles as working professionals and to help cope with economic challenges, such as higher fuel costs.
The IMC program at WVU demonstrates the success of online education. The program has achieved record enrollment for the 2009-10 academic year. Starting with just 17 students in 2003, it grew to 272 enrolled students as of Fall 2009. For working professionals like Newman, the program’s flexibility and its relevant curriculum are strong selling points.
“Because the program is exclusively online, I was able to work on assignments by laptop and respond to discussion board posts from anywhere at any time,” Newman said. “The coursework for the degree, along with the practical experience of the faculty and students, enabled me to successfully market my business and communicate more effectively with customers.”
Jonathan Cumming, associate provost for Graduate Academic Affairs at WVU, is impressed by the rapid expansion of the program.
“In just five years, the IMC program has grown to become one of the largest graduate offerings on campus,” Cumming said. “Its success is remarkable, and it illustrates the School of Journalism’s dedication to providing relevant, innovative course offerings.”
Because of its online format, the program is also able to attract diverse and talented students and faculty from all over the country and world.
“Students in the IMC program – like Carol Newman – live around the world and work in a wide variety of positions,” said Maryanne Reed, dean of the WVU School of Journalism. “Our program brings together faculty members who are leaders in their respective fields with students who share their passion. Now that we’re counting faculty by the tens and students by the hundreds, our program has a relevance and diversity of insight not offered by any other graduate program of its kind.”
For more information, visit www.imc.wvu.edu.
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CONTACT: Angela Lindley, School of Journalism, IMC program
304-293-3505 ext. 5432