Miami University adding degrees at its regional campuses

OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Miami University regional campuses in southwest Ohio will offer new bachelor’s degrees programs and more online courses this school year.

Campuses in Middletown, Hamilton and West Chester will offer new bachelor’s degrees, as well as new online courses, the Hamilton-Middletown Journal-News reported.

The new four-year degrees are in commerce, information technology and liberal studies, said regional campus spokesman Perry Richardson. The commerce and liberal studies degrees have online course components. Richardson said in an email that no staff was added to teach the new degrees.

Some 150 online courses are offered through the regional campuses, said Janet Hurn, the coordinator of regional e-learning initiatives for the college.

“We’re trying to open our doors and make our education more accessible by putting more programs online,” Hurn said. “Miami is not traditionally known as an online institution. We’re trying to let students know that there’s a flexible option.”

The newspaper reported the school is also planning to offer a master’s degree program in criminal justice studies and add a master’s degree in nursing in coming years. They hope to attract working professionals who need flexibility to those programs.

New one-stop centers are also being built at Hamilton and Middletown campuses and will provide students with financial aid, billing, records and class registration services, Richardson said.

Oxford-based Miami began looking into making changes last year due to dwindling enrollment at its regional campuses. This year’s final enrollment numbers at the regional campuses are not yet available, Richardson said.

Committees are working on recommendations for changes that include re-branding the regional campuses.

Students return to class Aug. 24.