EDUCATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS TrineOnline offers web-based learning

Education AT YOUR fingertips

TrineOnline offers flexible web-based learning

Story by Eileen Villanueva

In 2019, Trine University premiered TrineOnline, a program that transitioned all the university’s regional campuses to a flexible online format. The Angola, Indianabased university had been discussing the transition to online education for years, as the trend for eLearning grew in popularity with students, and officially premiered the program in February of 2019.

TrineOnline offers more than two dozen regionally credited, online degree programs in addition to its main campus, which still offers in-person classroom opportunities. These degrees range from associate degrees to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in areas such as business administration, leadership and healthcare, engineering and technology, and communication, justice, and psychology. Courses are offered in eight-week terms, with no set class time (meaning you log-in when it is best for you), allowing for more diverse course loads per semester that can be adjusted to fit the needs of each individual student.

The benefits of this new online program are expansive and include the opportunity for students to earn degrees and enter the workforce efficiently, to help students to balance the intricacies of life and school, and expand the variety and the quality of degree programs.

The expansion of Trine’s online presence breaks down barriers for students across the country, allowing individuals to have access to these esteemed degree programs without the requirement of physical presence. TrineOnline’s primary demographic is that of non-traditional students, such as adult students that are interested in going back to school to finish their degree or are interested in furthering their education. In part, understanding these individuals as their primary audience, means creating a collegiate experience that eases the potential stress of admissions, and streamlines the programs to allow students to achieve their career goals quickly and efficiently.

Trine’s admissions process has been crafted specifically to support adults. TrineOnline considers themselves a “transfer-friendly” institution, and the university takes into account each student’s educational journey and provides value to previously attained credit hours at any number of other colleges by accepting up to 90 transfer credits.

“Trine’s admissions team understands the transition of beginning (or returning to) college can be overwhelming experience for an individual,” said Nick Pittman, Director of Admissions. “At TrineOnline, our Admissions Team has made the applying process as easy as possible. Once you complete our free online application, then you will be assigned an admissions representative that will handle the admissions and enrollment process for you. Your admissions representative will request and pay for your transcripts, review your previous course work to ensure every credit possible is transferred towards your future Trine degree, and connect you to an academic advisor to schedule courses.”

In the current cultural environment, students find themselves preoccupied with a variety of responsibilities such as caring for families, tending to their careers, or other life responsibilities.

Online courses allow students to fit their educational goals into their real-life schedules and streamline educational attainment by offering efficient programming. Trine Online associate degrees average about 60 required credit hours, bachelor’s degrees require approximately 120, and master’s degrees require about 30 credit hours, allowing students to focus on the core skills and information for that degree field.

In expanding access to Trine University across the country and beyond, Trine University also sets itself up for unique access to a wealth of knowledge that may not have been otherwise accessible. An online format allows for not just students to engage virtually, but instructors as well. This means that Trine University is able to expand their degree capability by working with instructors and professors from across the nation.

“Students want options. They want to specialize in a particular field,” Pittman explains, “and for us, it’s imperative that we recognize those needs and for us to continue to grow and add programs that are of the highest quality with great instructors.”

With the option to work remotely now available, Trine is able to widen their hiring pool to allow for the best instructors in an array of degree fields, and intends to continue adding new degree options that

suit the needs and the interests of their students moving forward. In the summer of 2019, TrineOnline was able to add a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, and in August of 2020, they will be launching a RN to BSN program. Trine’s efforts to create quality online degree programs at an affordable price was nationally recognized. The website, CollegeTotal.com, recently ranked Trine University as number eight in the Best 100 Online Colleges and Universities.

Although the potential for online coursework seems boundless, one lingering concern remains. A common narrative regarding online education is that without seeing one’s instructors or classmates face to face, one’s access to educational discourse decreases and in turn impedes the quality of education available. However, Trine has made efforts to combat this growing apprehension. Trine prioritizes the educational success of its students by ensuring that instructors are responding to student questions within a 24-hour period, allowing for a heightened educational security. Trine students additionally have access to a number of tutoring hours every semester through Tutor.com, to help ease the transition from in-classroom education to virtual learning. Fostering conversation and resources to assist in student success as TrineOnline continues to grow for years to come.

Although an international university, drawing students from around the world, Trine remains a Midwest favorite playing an integral role in the Michiana community. TrineOnline continues to grow a relationship with Southwest Michigan and the regional business community to understand the needs of employers and to build bridges between education and workforce. As a leader within the greater Niles community, TrineOnline’s presence and partnership remains a driving force for the region’s prosperity.

“This is just the beginning for TrineOnline. Trine University has provided over 130 years of excellence in academics at our main campus in Angola, Indiana. Now, with TrineOnline, we are able to provide the same quality education in an online format at an affordable price to anyone that is interested in pursuing their educational dreams.”

For more information on TrineOnline, interested parties may visit www.Trine. edu/Online.

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