UNM's newest online program promises accelerated benefits for NM college students

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of New Mexico launched its fully online bachelor's degree in strategic communication on August 20, 2018 – but students can get on board in mid-October when second-half Fall semester classes begin.

"In this managed online program, students can take 12 courses in a little more than a year," said David Weiss, chair of UNM's Communication and Journalism Department. "Students can quickly and efficiently complete a degree previously interrupted by life or earn extra credentials for a current or desired job."

The new program allows students to complete each course in eight weeks. It's designed for people who are busy, but want to finish their education or branch out in their career. The program is especially well-suited for graduates or transfer students from New Mexico colleges and universities and for busy NM professionals.

Judith McIntosh White, a C&J associate professor and a partner in creating the new program, added that the UNM program brings unique institutional strengths to serving the state's students.

"C&J instructors understand that NM students may bring challenges to online instruction, such as being located in rural areas with limited access to facilities," she explained. "We are aware of such challenges and we offer solutions. Additionally, New Mexico is home to many cultures – our strat comm program is experienced and skilled in accommodating all of them."

"UNM's been teaching the face-to-face version of our strategic communication program for more than seven years – and before that, we taught campus-based public relations and advertising courses for over two decades," White added. "But since I earned a degree while working fulltime, I had a passion to make our undergraduate degree available to those who can't show up in person for a regular campus-based program nor spare the time to earn a four-year traditional degree."

Success stories from the face-to-face strategic communication program include placement of students with NASA, at public relations and advertising agencies, in institutions such as UNM athletics and UCAM, and in graduate and professional programs.

"Our online program will strive to mirror the success of the F2F version," White said.

For more information, contact program faculty adviser Dr. Judith White at 505-264-8382, stratcommonline@unm.edu or visit the program website

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unms-newest-online-program-promises-accelerated-benefits-for-nm-college-students-300700525.html

SOURCE University of New Mexico