Clarion University is extending its number of seven-week online classes in a pilot program.
Starting in the fall, online students who are enrolled in the Master of Science in Library Science, Master of Science in Mass Media Arts in Journalism, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics and the RN to BSN programs have the option to sign up for a pilot program of seven-week courses.
The online seven-week classes are not for on-campus or dual enrollment students. The idea is to support students who want to move quickly through their education for a variety of reasons such as job advancement and convenience. The option is especially popular for adult online students who already have family and job commitments.
The Master of Science in Mass Media Arts in Journalism began offering some seven-week classes two years ago. MMAJ will continue to offer a couple of classes in the seven-week model each regular term.
Fleisher said national trends in online education have been going in this direction, but to be certain that this was right move for Clarion University, online students were polled. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of this length of class.
"We've surveyed the students. We've asked them," Fleisher said.
In addition to students, the university conducted two focus groups of adults who were not students in any of the university's programs. The focus adult groups also showed strong support of seven-week classes.
The traditional online class is 15 weeks, which includes finals week. Once students complete a session of seven-week classes, they are able to sign up for another session of seven-week classes.
Some participants of the adult focus groups said they liked the idea of taking two back-to-back seven-week courses so they could focus on one class at a time rather than taking two classes at a time over a 15-week period. Students will be allowed to take up to six credits per seven-week session.
"I'm so excited about it," Fleisher said.
Only offering seven-week classes to these programs allows the university to work out any behind-the-scenes issues that may occur such as processing financial aid and registering for classes, Fleisher said.
The seven-week model for classes will probably not be extended to all classes. Fleisher explained that it depends upon the type of class. The classes that are research-driven or clinical in nature may always need to be 15 weeks.