North Central Michigan College offering three new degree programs online
Three existing degree programs at North Central Michigan College will be available entirely online beginning this fall, a move the college says is to make degree completion more accessible to older students with families and full-time jobs.
Three associate degree programs at North Central Michigan College will soon be available completely online. Starting in the fall 2021 semester, students can earn an Associate of Arts in Psychology, an Associate of General Studies, or an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management degree without being tied to campus. The decision to offer the online degrees was motivated by demand from students trying to juggle work and family life but still want to earn a degree, according to college administration.
President of North Central Michigan College David Roland Finley said in a news release, "Many students benefit from the flexibility and mobility of online learning because it allows them to achieve a better work-life-school balance."
The degree programs themselves give students options to pursue an associate degree as a stepping stone to a four-year degree, or as a career launching point. The Associate of General Studies is a popular degree among students, as it is easily transferable to a variety of programs and majors. As Vice President of Student Affairs Renee DeYoung puts it, "It's a degree that is perfect for students who want to complete their first two years with us before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. Now they can earn their AGS degree from anywhere, while continuing to work and manage their personal commitments."
The Associate of Arts in Psychology program is designed for students who intend to get a bachelor's degree in a related field, while the Associate of Applied Science in Business Management degree is intended for students to start careers in business right after graduation.
North Central Michigan College plans to add more degree programs to its online offerings in the future. Finley said, "With new fiber being placed in the ground daily, higher education is now a possibility for even more learners throughout Northern Michigan. We want to expand access to a North Central degree that will help students meet their career goals."