If you are at a college that does not already have online programs, chances are good that they are in the process of developing some. However, many of those colleges will make crucial mistakes that will make it that much harder for their programs to be successful. This is particularly true and particularly difficult for smaller colleges and universities.
How can small colleges develop successful online programs? This is so easy and yet so many schools are missing it. Thinking about offering an undergraduate business degree? How about a Master of Business Administration? Unless you can offer something that the many, many, others do not, don't waste your time. At this point, the competition is just too intense. Having better professors or better resources is unlikely to do it for you. Perhaps if your program is less expensive that could be one way to offer these types of programs.
My take, though, is to find a niche that is under-represented and offer the programs in that area. There are many graduate programs available online, but very few programs that lead toward teacher credentialing. If you can work out the issues inherent in offering a program in that format with your state teacher licensure office, you are likely to be successful. There are other possibilities as well.
Fresno Pacific University has recently announced that it is taking its well-regarded library media program online. Beginning in May 2008, students will be able to earn a school librarian credential or the Master of Arts in Education: School Library & Information Technology in an entirely 100% online fashion. Earning the credential is the most common route toward becoming a school librarian. Importantly, competition is scarce. Yes, there are other programs doing similar ventures, but there is still plenty of space for growth.
My money is on this program becoming successful. Why, you may ask? Because the competition for this program comes down to one other university. Great! They can each take half the world. Yes, there are other library information science programs, but this school's niche is Christian universities that offer a program that leads toward credentialing. That is a small group. And that is exactly the point.
Find your niche. Figure out where others are not offering degrees, but where the possibility exists for enough students to make it worth your while. Yes, this takes planning and research. Consider offering graduate certificates in specific job-related areas. How about one-unit courses with heavy-hitters in a particular field (who would not teach a regular course for you, but might be persuaded to do a shorter version)?
You need to think outside the box. What was successful in your residential programs may very well not be successful in online programs. The needs and the competition are just too different.
Thomas Nixon is the author of Complete Guide to Online High Schools. In it, he details how to earn a high school diploma online. The companion website, BestOnlineHighSchools.com, is the premier source of information on online high schools. His website is ThomasNixon.com.
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_(By Thomas Nixon).
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