“Summertime is always a big transition,” Walsh said. “A student could veer off of target, and so this helps them stay connected with the university.”
Walsh said the program is part of a larger effort to help students earn their degrees in less time, as well as help the university achieve its enrollment goals.
Online education is not new to JSU, but the summer pilot program is. The program differs from other online courses because the classes in the program have been limited to the core classes all students need to graduate. Students will be billed at a lesser rate for the classes, and the university will check in with students to determine whether the classes are fulfilling their needs, Walsh said.
Through surveys, the university will try to learn why students who enroll in the classes decided to take them and whether they would take online summer courses again if they are offered.
If the feedback shows that there is a need for the courses, JSU may continue and expand the program. If not, it could be nixed by next year, Walsh said.
“We want to move forward strategically,” Walsh said.
Students usually pay $354 per credit hour for online education, but they will be charged the regular tuition rate of $283 per credit hour for any of the 12 courses in the program.
The new program evolved out of a series of talks among student leaders and administrators about what prevents students from attaining their degrees, he said.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, among all students who entered JSU in 2005 with the intent of being full-time students seeking a certificate or a bachelor’s degree, the graduation rate in 2011 was only 32 percent.
Walsh said that in recent years, staying in class during the summer months has become more challenging for students, many of whom go home to their families to cut living expenses and work between the spring and fall terms.
JSU officials have said previously that after the second year of college many students leave for other institutions or opportunities.
Another aspect to the problem: Since the recession of 2008, tuition has climbed, prompting some students to take on more debt. When those students take on debt, but do not attain their degrees, it’s more difficult for those students to pay back their loans. If students can graduate on time, Walsh said, the university can help them build and afford better futures.
“We are trying to look for ways to make sure a student comes here and gets the most value for their tuition dollars,” he said.
©2015 The Anniston Star (Anniston, Ala.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.