UTPB Launches 7 New Online Degree Programs

Tatum Guinn
CBS 7 News
July 19, 2012
tguinn@cbs7.com

Odessa, TX - It's now even easier to get the degree you want from the comfort of your own home or while working in the field.

Starting this Fall, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin will be offering several degrees that are just a click away.

The face of UTPB is changing; students no longer have to go to campus to get their higher education. They can now earn a degree through their computer screen.

"We have added seven new online degrees. Four undergrad and three masters programs," Dr. William Fannin, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs for UTPB, said.

Bachelor degrees offered include: communications, psychology, sociology and business administration.

Masters degrees offered include: bilinugal/ESL, educational leadership and special education.

Dr. Fannin says these programs are tailored for the non-traditional student.

"Online format is one that helps in terms of time and place,” he said. “They can schedule it when they need to."

"I have a full time job and I have a family and kids in elementary school that need a lot of my time. So for me, online classes were good," online student, Maricela Armendariz said.

Just because students aren't going to class doesn't mean the classes are easy.

"You have to very disciplined," Armendariz said.

Dr. Fannin agreed.

"They're the exact same courses, exams and curriculum as would be face-to-face, they're just offered in a different way," he said.

Having a variety of degrees programs online, Fannin says it will open doors for the university.

"This is a new opportunity for our faculty to reach a student body that they may not have reached before either because of distance or time," he said.

For more information about these courses, visit: degree.utpb.edu.