The ACU Online program hired a new director in June.
Corey Patterson took over as the new managing director of online programs, leaving undergraduate admissions. Patterson succeeds Dr. Carol Williams, former vice provost for distance education.
According to the ACU website, ACU Online provides students with the convenience of online education and the quality of ACU instruction. Three semesters make up an online academic school year, with an eight-week introduction course followed by seven weeks of regular courses. The website also states online courses are not self-paced and each program takes 18-24 months of part-time study.
The online program offers four degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Education, Master of Science and Certificate of Graduate Study.
“My mission is to be a servant of the departments,” Patterson said. “They know best how to deliver the content of the courses.”
Patterson said about 400 students are enrolled in online courses. The department hopes to grow the online program.
“Online education is becoming more and more prominent,” Patterson said. “We want to expand our online education program.”
Patterson’s job is to approach faculty members and ask them to articulate their vision for their online program. He then helps the department reach that vision by helping determine feasibility of the material based on a certain number of criteria.
In order to enroll in an ACU Online course, a student must complete the forms and procedures found at acu.edu/grad and pay a $100 application fee. The student must pay the fee before ACU Online will consider the application, according to the website.
