Coppin offers first fully online degree

Coppin State University has partnered with Pearson to launch the university’s first completely online bachelor’s degree program. The online program in Management begins in September 2012.

The Obama Administration has called on the nation’s HBCUs to consider online learning as a way to increase access and graduation rates. Answering the call, Coppin State’s leaders have worked with Pearson to design an integrated learning solution that is a flexible alternative to on-campus courses. Pearson is providing course development for nearly 50 online courses. The university is using several Pearson products and services, including the CourseConnect library of customizable online courses; MyLabs online homework and tutorial programs; customizable eBooks; and Smarthinking on-demand tutoring and academic support services for each online course.

“In a recent survey, 86 percent of Coppin’s students said they would enroll in an online course. Many of our students come from diverse ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, so our partnership with Pearson to offer an online program will provide students with more options to complete their degrees and move on to successful careers. And, our work with Pearson will help us to expand our reach beyond the Baltimore community.”

“Coppin State University has a rich legacy of service to the city of Baltimore and its students. We’re honored to support Coppin as it seeks to extend its proud traditions to a new era of students seeking access to higher education,” said Don Kilburn, Vice Chairman of Pearson Higher Education and CEO of Pearson Learning Solutions. “Online learning is an effective, data-driven approach to increase access and retention in a way that’s convenient for students.”

Coppin State University is a model urban, residential liberal arts university located in West Baltimore. The university offers 53 majors and nine graduate degree programs in the arts and sciences, teacher education, nursing, graduate studies and continuing education.

Pearson’s is the world’s leading learning company, has global reach and market-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing (NYSE: PSO). The company provides innovative print and digital education materials, including personalized learning programs such as MyLab/Mastering; education services including custom publishing; and content-independent platforms including the EQUELLA digital repository and Pearson LearningStudio for online learning programs.