Claflin Online Expands to Offer Master of Education Program
May 15, 2015
A year after launching its first degree programs fully online, Claflin University will add the Master of Education in curriculum and instruction to its offerings this fall.
Claflin previously offered an on-ground Master of Education in educational studies. According to Dr. Valerie Harrison, dean of the School of Education, the new program has been modified to provide focus and relevance for enhanced 21st century teaching and learning.
“We will offer a curriculum program that considers the experiences and preparation needs of the current teachers and professional educators,” she said. “This program will provide relevant learning experiences that expand educator knowledge of subject matter through a focused curriculum strategically developed and delivered by excellent faculty fully online.”
Students can obtain the M.Ed. in as little as 18 months, and may be able to transfer some credit hours from previous coursework at the master’s level. There are two eight week sessions per semester, and two six week sessions in the summer. Courses run from Aug. 17 – Oct. 9 and Oct. 12 – Dec. 4 this fall. For more information or to apply now, visit www.claflin.edu/cuonline/med or contact Dr. Harrison at 803-535-5225 or vharrison@claflin.edu.
Claflin Online is also accepting applications for its undergraduate programs in criminal justice and organizational management, and the Master of Business Administration. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. The courses are designed to be flexible to meet the needs of busy, working adults.
Classes range from general education courses such as English, math and Spanish to program-specific courses including Introduction to Forensic Science and Law Enforcement Systems in the criminal justice degree program and Principles of Management and Accounting in the organizational management degree program. Both the organizational management and MBA programs at Claflin are internationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, which recognizes national and international business schools.
“Our vision is to provide students with the opportunity to achieve their personal and professional goals through online learning,” said Dr. Anisah Bagasra, interim director of online education at Claflin University. “Our online programs are designed and taught by Claflin faculty who are experts in their respective disciplines.
“When you attend Claflin Online, you are getting personalized attention from world-class faculty.”
Claflin Online launched during the summer of 2014. Claflin University Provost Dr. Karl S. Wright said the online courses are in response to the demand from current students.
“Entering the online education space is consistent with our mission of being a student-oriented institution,” he said. “Now, our students have the flexibility of staying at home, studying abroad or working on an internship while taking courses by Claflin professors. The degree programs offer the same kind of flexibility to new pool of students.”
Fall classes begin August 17. Claflin Online applications are available online at www.claflin.edu or in person in the Office of Online Education, located in the Claflin Visitors Center at the corner of Magnolia and Russell streets in Orangeburg.
“The support of faculty for these new initiatives has been positive, providing invaluable feedback,” Bagasra said. “Online courses will allow Claflin to reach students who may be unable to attend physical classes due to family, work, military or other obligations, and those who reside outside of the Orangeburg area. Distance education allows Claflin University to continue, in a different form, the mission to provide students with access and success.”
For more information, contact the Office of Online Education at 803-535-5658 or Bagasra at 803-535-5742 or abagasra@claflin.edu.