SMSU to Offer 10 Degrees Totally Online Starting in Fall Semester 2020

Published Sunday, January 05, 2020

SMSU Online Degrees

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) will offer 10 degrees totally online starting in the fall semester 2020, the university announced.

President Kumara Jayasuriya told the SMSU community at an August, 2019 All-University Address that it was a goal to add five online degree programs by fall semester 2020.

That led to the creation of the Online Programs Initiative Workgroup, spearheaded by Provost Teri Wallace. The workgroup includes individuals from across the university, with an emphasis on student success and ease of course delivery. “Our goal is to ensure we have the necessary services online to support students from admission to graduation,” she said. “Higher education is changing, and this initiative will take SMSU degrees to where the students are.”

To ensure the full programs can be offered online (0-120 credits), SMSU will offer online options to meet the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum — general education goal areas — for the following 10 undergraduate programs starting in the fall semester 2020:

Community Psychology and Health Promotion
Early Childhood Education (MN Licensure Preparation)
Early Childhood, Special Education (MN Licensure Preparation)
Elementary Education (MN Licensure Preparation)
History
Special Education (MN Licensure Preparation)
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL Licensure Preparation)
Management: Emphasis areas — General Management; Supply Chain Management; Human Resources; Entrepreneurship
Marketing
RN to BSN

President Jayasuriya said that in 2019, there were 6.6 million adult college students, or non-traditional learners. Nearly 38 percent of the current undergraduate population is comprised of adult learners, and of those, 58 percent are working, and 25 percent are raising children.

“Many adult learners attend college to either advance in their workplace or to expand their career options. Most of the non-traditional students are unable to attend traditional universities due to the time commitment or distance,” said President Jayasuriya. “With these programs, it will be possible for students who are working full-time to earn a bachelor’s degree without leaving their job.”

SMSU is eager and ready to help students address their higher education needs by offering these new programs fully online. More programs will be offered beginning spring semester 2021, said Wallace.

To learn more about online options, visit: www.SMSU.edu/online; or contact Lori.Wynia@smsu.edu.