As published in the Military Advanced Education Publication Volume 11, Issue 6
The ability to learn and communicate online is a 21st century skill and with so many choices, it’s important that prospective online learners choose a college with online experience, an outstanding academic reputation, relevant academic subjects and strong support services.
The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (Illinois Online) offers 75 online degrees and certificates in a wide-range of subjects like engineering, business, computer science, education, health communication, human resource management, information accessibility, and urban agriculture to name just a few. In addition to offering hundreds of online courses, Illinois offers 72 MOOCs (massive open online courses.) All Illinois online courses are high-quality, high-touch programs taught by the same faculty who teach on campus.
The prospect of starting or restarting university course work can be overwhelming and online learning may seem even more daunting. The Illinois Online student services team, part of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), are dedicated to helping students understand the nuances of learning online and also help students feel confident that they have the contacts and resources to be successful. In addition to helping students obtain NetIDs and passwords, CITL helps students connect with services like textbooks, distance library services, accessibility, writing assistances, technology, exams and proctors.
The University of Illinois has a long history of providing services to military populations. Veterans Student Support Services and the new Center for Wounded Veterans provide comprehensive resources and transition services to successfully guide students to fulfilling academic and career goals. In Spring 2017, Illinois will offer a new 2-credit, fully online transition and leadership course designed specifically to help veterans “get back in the groove” of enrolling in college coursework. Students will learn about assistive resources, gain practical skills that will support their transition and academic readiness, reflect on their service history and new mission as students and develop a sense of authentic community with the University, either online or on-campus. The course is available to active military, veterans, reservists and family members.
For more information about online learning opportunities at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, email online-info@illinois.edu.