Arizona State University Online
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| Arizona State University Online | |
|---|---|
| Name | Arizona State University Online |
| Parent | Arizona State University |
| Type | Public, online |
| Established | 2006 |
| City | Tempe |
| State | Arizona |
| Country | United States |
| Campus | Virtual |
| Colors | Maroon and Gold |
Arizona State University Online is the primarily online delivery arm of Arizona State University, designed to extend Arizona State University's degree programs to remote learners. It operates within ASU's institutional structure alongside campuses in Tempe, Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, and Polytechnic Campus while interfacing with statewide initiatives like Arizona Board of Regents. The unit emphasizes scalable digital instruction, workforce alignment, and partnerships with entities such as Coursera, Udacity, and corporate employers.
Overview
ASU Online delivers undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and microcredentials using enterprise systems and learning design practices informed by research from units including the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the W. P. Carey School of Business. Programs span fields tied to named colleges such as the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the School of Arts, Media and Engineering, and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (online offerings), while collaborating with external partners such as Amazon Web Services, Google, and Microsoft. Student support integrates services from offices like Student Financial Aid and the Disability Resource Center.
History and Development
ASU Online traces roots to ASU’s expansion strategies under leaders tied to initiatives from figures like Michael M. Crow and earlier presidents whose tenure overlapped strategic growth similar to other institutions such as University of Phoenix and Southern New Hampshire University. Early development coincided with national trends marked by the rise of Massive Open Online Courses and platforms pioneered by institutions including Stanford University and organizations such as edX. Partnerships with private vendors and in-house units evolved amid regulatory frameworks influenced by the Higher Education Act of 1965 reauthorizations and state policy by Arizona Board of Regents actions. Milestones include scaling enrollment in the 2010s and launching workforce programs aligned with initiatives from U.S. Department of Labor and regional economic development agencies.
Academic Programs and Curriculum
Curricula offered online reflect degree pathways from named academic units such as the Barrett, The Honors College (select online honors options), the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, and the College of Health Solutions. Professional programs include online offerings tied to the W. P. Carey School of Business (MBA tracks), engineering degrees from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, public service degrees related to themes in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and nursing pathways connected to the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Course design leverages learning science research from centers like the Learning Sciences Institute and often maps to competencies recognized by external bodies such as the Project Management Institute and specialty accreditors.
Admissions and Student Services
Admission policies align with Arizona State University-wide criteria and offices including the Office of Admissions (Arizona State University), with pathways for transfer students from systems such as the Maricopa County Community College District and military-affiliated applicants via links to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Student lifecycle services draw on units such as the ASU Library, Career Services, and the Counseling and Psychological Services. Financial aid coordination connects to federal programs administered through the U.S. Department of Education and scholarship partnerships with organizations like the Gates Foundation in collaborative initiatives.
Technology and Online Learning Platform
The technical backbone includes learning management systems interoperable with standards from organizations like the IMS Global Learning Consortium and cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. Instructional teams utilize media production resources similar to those at the Cronkite Newsroom and employ analytics frameworks influenced by research from the Education Data Mining community and institutes such as the MIT Media Lab. Tools for synchronous instruction reference videoconferencing technologies used broadly across institutions such as Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while accessibility practices align with guidelines from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and partnerships with assistive-technology vendors.
Accreditation and Rankings
Degrees awarded through the online modality are covered under accreditation by bodies including the Higher Learning Commission and discipline-specific accreditors like the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for applicable programs. Rankings and evaluations by publications and evaluators such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes have featured ASU's online offerings in their lists, often compared alongside institutions like Pennsylvania State University World Campus and University of Florida Online.
Partnerships and Workforce Initiatives
ASU Online engages corporate and community partnerships with entities including Boeing, Intel Corporation, and regional economic development organizations such as Greater Phoenix Economic Council. Workforce initiatives align with federal and state workforce programs, grant-funded collaborations with the National Science Foundation, and employer training pipelines similar to collaborations seen between IBM and academic institutions. Articulation agreements and credit-for-experience programs are designed to connect with community colleges like Rio Salado College and workforce certifications recognized by trade groups and professional societies including the Society for Human Resource Management.