SMSU Lauching 11 Fully-Online Degrees

Southwest Minnesota State University will offer 11 degrees totally online starting in the fall semester 2020.

President Kumara Jayasuriya told the SMSU community at an August, 2019 All-University Address that it was a goal to have five online degree programs by fall semester 2020. “I asked for five, and now that number is at 11,” he said.

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 11 undergraduate programs starting in the fall semester 2020: • Sociology • 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 toBSN (Nursing)

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.”

To learn more about online options, visit: www.SMSU.edu/online; or email OnlineLearning@SMSU.edu