Choosing a college is hard enough as it is.
Then, you have to consider whether you want to attend online or in-person and choose a major.
Miami Regionals E-Campus has been online since 1999 and was at the forefront of the online degree evolution.
Based on our experience, here are the important questions we believe you should be asking when choosing an online program.
What can students expect from the program?
Don’t settle for less. Your program should give you the same rich learning experiences that you would have on campus. You should have access to the same quality of instructors – or even the same instructors – as in-person students. Your diploma should indicate that you are a graduate of that school with no particulars about it being “online.”
Miami Regionals E-Campus offers several degrees that are 100 percent online. These Miami degrees are made up of quality Miami courses taught by Miami faculty, so you can be sure that you’re getting a true Miami University experience. These online programs consist of bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and even Microcredentials and certificates. We also offer a variety of online courses for our in-person degrees to give our students as much flexibility as possible.
What is the student experience?
Whether choosing online because you need the flexibility or because you like the online environment, with the right motivation and time management skills, any student can succeed. You should expect a consistent experience throughout your online courses. The look, navigation, and resources should feel similar throughout your program. Instructors should be available to work with you through a variety of communication platforms and so should the student support services you would expect from an in-person course.
With Miami Regionals E-Campus, you’ll interact with other students, your instructor, and course content in our Canvas learning management system, similarly to how you would in a classroom. This environment is a result of our faculty being specially trained in online instruction so that they can replicate that in-person experience as much as possible. Each of these courses is designed in collaboration between E-Campus and the instructors teaching the course to ensure that it consists of relevant material to help prepare you for your future.
How much does it cost?
The cost of attending, including tuition and fees, should be easy to find with a legitimate online school. Fees are often charged for online courses in order to support the eLearning offices and the services they provide to online students. Sometimes those fees are folded into the tuition costs.
Our E-Campus students pay the same low regional tuition rates as our face-to-face students. Miami locks in your tuition rate for up to four years with our tuition promise. You can get a bachelor’s degree for around $20,000 and our online course fee is low at only $35 per credit hour. Every dollar goes toward improving the student experience. E-Campus is ranked in the top 20 programs in the country for return on investment (ROI) for online degrees and Miami University Regionals is ranked number one in Ohio for public university ROI on bachelor’s degrees.
What is the needed technology?
It’s good to ask about the technology expectations of the program you’re interested in. Is what you have sufficient? Will you need to purchase more? Does the institution offer support for personal equipment or wifi issues? Do you have a backup plan if your equipment fails?
There isn’t a lot of necessary technology to take Miami E-Campus courses. Ideally, you should have a computer, but you can also use a tablet. Aside from that, you need reliable high-speed internet. We have tech support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you with any problem that might come up.
What are the available support services?
You never know when you might need an advisor, financial aid counselor, or tutor. Does the program you’re interested in have those services available online? Are they going to be there at the time of day you might need them? Are the courses accessible to those with learning challenges? If you want to be successful, make sure that the support you need is present.
Miami E-Campus offers virtual access to all student support services including advising, tutoring, financial aid, libraries, and career services. You even have access to student activities programming. Best of all, every piece of content in all of our online courses is accessible to fit the needs of everyone. There’s virtually nothing that an E-Campus student doesn’t have access to.
What are the program outcomes?
Know what you’re getting into and what you should be getting out of it. You should be able to identify a clear path to graduation that works for you. How successful are other students who are going through that same program? Ask what the completion rate is for their online courses. Better yet, see if there is a way you could speak to a graduate of that program.
Our students boast an 87 percent completion rate in our online courses, which is on par with Miami Regionals’ face-to-face offerings. And a whopping 95 percent of our Miami Regionals grads are either employed or furthering their education.
How do I get started?
It’s easy: apply online, complete the online orientation, and then register for your classes. Want to learn more about E-Campus first? Visit us (in person or online) or chat with an admissions counselor.
Adapted from work by Justin Tyler
