Blended Learning, Continuing Education, Cost of Education, Domestic, Education Quality, Faculty, Graduate, International, Journalism, Private, Required, top, Universities & Colleges - Written by on Monday, March 26, 2012 17:03 - 3 Comments

Exclusive: Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Considering Online Courses, Degrees

 

Columbia University Graduate J-School

By Paul Glader

Columbia University’s vaunted Graduate School of Journalism in New York City is considering offering online courses or degree programs.

A letter that went out to some alumni on Monday said:

The School is thinking about how to incorporate the best practices of web-enhanced learning for both on-site students and those who could potentially enroll from a distance.  In tandem, we are also exploring the potential to expand degree and non-degree offerings to take advantage of the talents of our expanded faculty and to respond to student demand in new areas.  But we’re proceeding carefully in this vein.  This Spring, four faculty members at the School are piloting online courses in a blended format to current degree students and in the Continuing Education program.  We hope to learn what works and doesn’t work online, so that we can build a high-quality program that maintains the standards and uniqueness of the School’s academic legacy.

The school invited alumni to take a survey “to help inform us further about your interest in and concerns about the possibility of new degree and non-degree programs offered with online components.”

One question in the survey included:

As opposed to a full master’s degree program, if Columbia were to offer a graduate certificate in journalism, communications, media studies or a closely related field of study, how interested do you think aspiring journalism, media or communications professionals might be in taking a fully online and highly interactive format non-credit courses or certificate programs from Columbia?

The school is regarded by many as the top graduate journalism program in the country (though alumni and faculty of Northwestern in Chicago, U-Cal Berkeley in California, U-Missouri, would take issue with that). We see that the University of Missouri already offers an online graduate program in journalism. Columbia J-School started around 1912 with backing from media tycoon Joseph Pulitzer. Appropriately, it houses august institutions such as the Columbia Journalism Review and the Pulitzer Prizes and other important awards. Columbia J-School graduates are very well-represented among the ranks of top authors and journalists in the US. All this being said, the fact that Columbia J-School is considering the MOOC - Massive Online Only Courses - idea or online certificate or degrees is a big sign to the burgeoning online education industry. Up till now, Columbia J-School offered some webinars for alumni but has largely remained an in-person, brick and mortar program.

What do readers think? Should Columbia offer online journalism classes and degree programs?

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(Full Disclosure: I attended Columbia J-School as a Knight-Bagehot Fellow in 2007-2008, taking classes at the J-School and Columbia Business School and receiving an M.S. from Columbia J-School.)


 



3 Comments

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Alexandra Barrett
May 8, 2012 13:23

In my opinion, the answer is a resounding YES! I am an adult online student at Grand Canyon University and I am so very thankful for the opportunity to further my education online while working and tending to my family. Homework is my relaxation.

I view education as a lifelong experience and I cannot imagine my life without my online classes. Rest assured that I take my classes and my GPA very seriously. As a baby boomer, I assure you that I am one of many who desire this purposeful pursuit of higher learning even perhaps until I receive my PhD. Learning and writing fulfill me and I know I add value to the group discussions that are a necessary part of the curriculum. My life is richer for the experience.

You would be doing those of us in the “over 40 and settled” age groups the most amazing of services by bringing Columbia online and out to meet the world of students waiting for you.

Best of success,

Alexandra Barrett

Columbia University’s Journalism School Weighs Online Courses and Degree Programs | E-Learning (A Digital Education Forum)
Jun 26, 2012 23:44

[...] Wiredacademic: “A letter that went out to some alumni on Monday said: [...]

Columbia University’s Journalism School Weighs Online Courses and Degree Programs | E-Learning (A Digital Education Forum)
Jun 26, 2012 23:56

[...] WiredAcademic: “A letter that went out to some [Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism] alumni on Monday said: [...]

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