Rock Hill’s Winthrop University to offer online graduate programs in 2018
Those wanting to earn their master’s degree soon will have a non-traditional option at Winthrop University.
Beginning in the fall of 2018, Winthrop will offer four 100 percent online graduate programs.
The programs include a Master of Business Administration, Master of Education in Special Education Intervention, the Master of Social Work and the Master of Art in Arts Administration, according to the university.
Research shows that those wanting to further their education want more options and flexibility, said Winthrop President Dan Mahony.
“As we expand Winthrop’s online offerings as part of the Winthrop Plan, we will be able to reach more adult students who want to further their education through a quality program but may not be able to do so in a physical classroom,” Mahony said. “We expect fully online graduate programs will be a good fit for some of our prospective graduate students.”
To provide the online programs, the university has entered into a seven-year agreement with Wiley and Sons, a global provider of knowledge and learning services.
Winthrop faculty and staff will design the graduate programs and curriculum, evaluate students for admission and provide academic support, according to the university. Wiley and Sons will provide the customer service support, marketing, advertising and recruitment services.
“As a result of this agreement, Winthrop will be able to offer online graduate degrees more quickly and at the high level of educational quality for which Winthrop is well known,” said winthrop Provost Debra Boyd.
The university may expand its 100 percent online graduate programs in the future depending on the needs of students in the local community, said Jack DeRochi, dean of Winthrop’s graduate school.
This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Rock Hill’s Winthrop University to offer online graduate programs in 2018."