The University has developed a number of exciting online degrees and certificates, with specialized programs for employees at organizations including Verizon Wireless Communications, Booz Allen Hamilton and World Trade Centers Association, and for former FDU students who have not completed their degrees.

The programs are offered through the Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies and through University College: Arts • Sciences • Professional Studies, in collaboration with the recently formed Office of Online Programs.

In its first year of operation, the Office of Online Programs, under the auspices of the Office of Global Learning, has enjoyed outstanding growth. Currently, 75 students are taking approximately 100 classes, better than double the results since last summer, the office’s first trimester.

In March, the University signed an agreement with Verizon Wireless Communications that will allow the University to provide an online degree-completion program to Verizon’s 50,000 employees, announced David Epstein, executive director of online programs (Metro/Flor).

This agreement follows the model established between Fairleigh Dickinson and the international management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. FDU enrolled the first cohort of Booz Allen Hamilton employees in the summer of 2004 and additional cohorts in September, January and this month (April).

The most popular online program, the degree completion program leading to a bachelor of arts in individualized studies (BAIS), is designed for working adults who have completed some college work. FDU accepts college credits awarded at other institutions. Students enrolled in the program also may earn credits by demonstrating that they have mastered the content of specific courses through work experience and by submitting evidence that they have participated in corporate-training programs deemed equivalent to college-level work. All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits at FDU.

Until now, the Booz Allen Hamilton program has been largely confined to employees at the company’s headquarters in McLean, Va. Epstein said that FDU is planning to extend the program next fall to employees at other locations. The company maintains large offices in a number of domestic and international locations.

Epstein added that FDU is working on educational partnerships with other organizations, including the United Nations, with whom FDU is developing a bachelor’s degree-completion program with a specialization in global safety and security. “This specialization, once developed in conjunction with the United Nations, should prove attractive to corporations, especially to those with international security needs,” he said.

In addition, FDU has signed an agreement with the World Trade Centers University for an online master’s degree in electrical engineering. Epstein said, “We anticipate that this is a first step, that will lead to a more extensive relationship with the World Trade Centers Association, an organization that has 750,000 members worldwide.”

Finally, the office recently contacted hundreds of former students who have left FDU since 1996 without completing their degrees. Epstein said, “We offered them the opportunity to transfer the credits they had earned at FDU to our BAIS degree and to complete the degree online, and have received a tremendous response. We believe that this demonstrates our commitment to our students by providing them an innovative opportunity to complete their work.”

For the current trimester, 43 former students are enrolled in 54 courses. JoAnna Steiner, coordinator of online student services (Metro/Flor), said, “We are especially pleased that such a large percentage of former students who responded to our letter actually signed up for our online courses. This reaffirms our sense that the University has developed an outstanding online program.”

April/May 2005

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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