University News

WIU Joins National Distance Learning Council

January 28, 2016

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Western Illinois University has recently been accepted for admission to the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This opportunity aligns Western with member states, districts, territories and higher education institutions that focus on distance learning access and excellence. Over 500 regionally accredited colleges and universities are members of NC-SARA.

"Our institutional membership in this organization expands access to Western's quality distance educational opportunities to residents of 36 states," said Joe Rives, vice president for the Quad Cities and planning, who also serves as the University's NC-SARA officer. "As part of the University's application, the institution was required to demonstrate institutional compliance with best practices in distance education."

According to Rives, the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance-education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by post-secondary institutions based in another state. SARA is administered by the four regional education compacts: Midwestern Higher Education Compact, New England Board of Higher Education, Southern Regional Education Board and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

NC-SARA's development involves consultation and leadership from the U.S. Department of Education and funding from the Lumina Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

For the fifth consecutive year, Western's distance learning program has been recognized by U.S.News 2016 Best Online Program rankings. Western is ranked 92nd out of 217 ranked colleges and universities from across the U.S. in "Best Online Programs: Bachelor's" category and is one of three Illinois public universities in the top 100. The University offers 408 online classes (283 undergraduate; 125 graduate), and seven degree programs, including the longstanding Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS), which offers students the option of obtaining their degree entirely via distance learning opportunities, or a combination of on-campus and distance learning classes.

"Online enrollment at Western Illinois University continues to expand," said Richard Carter, executive director of the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. "We pride ourselves in providing students around the world with the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree from an outstanding institution."

In addition to the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, firefighters earning a BGS degree from Western have the opportunity to obtain a certificate in fire administration and management and a certificate in fire prevention technology. Western's General Studies program is one of seven bachelor's degree programs in the U.S. endorsed by the National Fire Academy (NFA). Other online degree programs at WIU include Master's of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion program, Master of Arts in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Master of Science - Instructional Design and Technology and Master of Science in Education - Elementary Education. The University also offers hybrid master's degree programs in business administration and College Student Personnel in the Quad Cities, with a new master's degree in community and economic development joining this portfolio in Fall 2016.

For more information on distance learning at Western, visit wiu.edu/distance_learning or contact Carter at (309) 298-1929 or R-Carter@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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