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EGCC students offered online degree option
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Eastern Gateway Community College is opening doors to more students by offering online degrees.
The college has been offering online courses for the past few years, but last month earned approval from the Higher Learning Commission to develop those courses into online degrees.
“We’re fully accredited, no restrictions,” said Laura Meeks, EGCC president.
More than one-third of Eastern Gateway students take at least one course online, she said.
The first online degrees to be developed will be the associate of arts, associate of science and associate of applied science, with the first ready by spring semester.
The option is appealing to students who work shifts and would otherwise have difficulty fitting a particular course into their schedule, the president said.
Ann Koon, Eastern Gateway spokeswoman, said in an email that the offering of online degrees doesn’t require additional equipment.
“The faculty and deans just have to create/convert required courses, and that work has been underway,” she said.
Meeks said the courses are competency based, meaning students are allowed to move at their own pace and ensure they fully understand a concept before moving forward.
Youngstown State University also offers an online option for students of several disciplines.
YSU offers seven fully online degree programs: bachelor of science in applied science, allied health; bachelor of science in applied science, public health; master’s in business administration; master’s in respiratory care; master’s in science in criminal justice, criminal justice management and program planning; master’s in science in education, early childhood education; and master’s in science in engineering, management option.