The university will start with four degrees: Master of Business Administration, Master
of Education in Special Education Intervention, the Master of Social Work, and the
Master of Art in Arts Administration. Winthrop President Dan Mahony said research shows that those seeking advanced degrees
want more options and flexibility when it comes to online learning.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Beginning in the fall of 2018, Winthrop University will
begin offering a range of 100% online graduate programs.
The university will start with four degrees: Master of Business Administration, Master of Education in Special Education Intervention,
the Master of Social Work, and the Master of Art in Arts Administration.
Winthrop President Dan Mahony said research shows that those seeking advanced degrees want more options and flexibility
when it comes to online learning. "As we expand Winthrop's online offerings as part
of the Winthrop Plan, we will be able to reach more adult students who want to further their education
through a quality program but may not be able to do so in a physical classroom," Mahony
said. "We expect fully online graduate programs will be a good fit for some of our
prospective graduate students."
In order to deliver a variety of 100% online graduate programs, university officials
have entered into a seven-year agreement with Wiley and Sons.
Winthrop faculty and staff will continue to design and deliver the graduate programs
and curriculum, as well as evaluate students for admission and provide academic support.
With this partnership, however, Winthrop will avoid many of the upfront infrastructure
costs associated with fully online programs. Wiley and Sons will provide customer service support and significant marketing, advertisement, and
recruitment services.
"As a result of this agreement, Winthrop will be able to offer online graduate degrees
more quickly and at the high level of educational quality for which Winthrop is well
known," said Provost Debra Boyd.
"The first online graduate programs will be available during the 2018 academic year
with the potential that options will expand as appropriate, depending on the needs
of students and our community," according to Jack DeRochi, dean of the Graduate School.
For more information, contact DeRochi at derochij@winthrop.edu.
