Part-time student Jennifer Leal maintained her full-time job in Kendall because of the online program through UM’s Bachelor of General Studies degree. “If it wasn’t for this program and the flexibility of online classes, I don’t think I would be in school, especially one like UM,” she said. The Division of Continuing Studies and International Education (DCIE) administers 11 online courses that fulfill the university’s general requirements. Last semester, 90 students were enrolled in online classes through DCIE, according to Craig Wilson, the executive director for the Online College Program. UM began offering online courses two years ago, originally intended only for students in the BGS program. However, according to Wilson, the courses were officially opened to the general student body last summer. “Students expressed a desire,” he said. “The office is looking into continuing this next semester.” The online options are only available for the first two years of the BGS program and then students are required to attend physical classes, usually during the evening, on a part-time basis. Students’ motivation for enrolling in online courses was flexibility, said Wilson. The courses are offered year-round. Students like sophomore Nour Ghaddar believed that more online classes can help students adapt [...]
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