UTPB to Offer More Online Programs
By: Shelby Levins
Updated: December 22, 2010
Dr. Bill Fannin explains in an interview on Good Morning West Texas.
Bachelor's in Humanities Online
For people who have completed several of their general education credits in college, but never finished, a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Humanities can be earned in the College of Arts and Sciences at UTPB through online courses taught here and at UT El Paso. The subjects range from communication to drama to English, history, art, and music. The addition of a bachelor's degree could mean a raise or promotion or even a career switch, according to Dr. Roland Spickermann, coordinator of the accelerated completion program. "Conceivably, students with Humanities degrees can even take the teacher certification courses and tests in Humanities-related fields (except music), and teach," Spickermann added. Other benefits of a B.A. in Humanities include the ability to read, write, and think critically and have a well rounded background.
A Facebook page, "UTPB Humanities BAC" has been set up, and Dr. Spickermann plans to set up a site on UTPB's island in Second Life so students have gathering points. For more information about applying to UTPB for the bachelor's accelerated completion program, a collaboration with UTPB, UT El Paso, and UT Arlington, please contact the UTPB Office of Admissions at 432-552-2605.
Bachelor's in Sociology Online
Once students have satisfied their general education requirements, they can now obtain a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Sociology Online at UTPB.
Dr. Joanna Hadjicostandi, associate professor of sociology, is coordinator of this new online program. There are 34 semester credit hours required for a major, including the core courses: Introduction to Sociology, Introductory Statistics, Sociological Theory, Social Research Methods, and Senior Research Seminar.
The additional 18 semester credits can be chosen from a wide variety of courses designed to give sociology majors or minors a sensitivity to the human and social condition within group settings, diverse cultures and societies, formal and informal organizations. It is this foundation which will lead UTPB sociology graduates into careers in social science teaching; industrial, volunteer, and government organizations; human resource management, consumer behavior, ministry, and demographic analysis to name a few.
During the spring semester, introduction to sociology (SOCI 1301) and the sociology of work (SOCI 3347) will be offered online at UTPB. For more information about the sociology online degree, please contact Dr. Hadjicostandi at Hadjicostandi_j@utpb.edu.
Several Master's of Arts in Education Online Programs
Within the School of Education, an online master's degree in special education with a specific focus on autism and developmental disabilities in early childhood is being funded by a four year grant totaling $1,065,396 from the U.S. Department of Education. There is also a completely online Master's of Arts in Educational Leadership, as well as an online Principal Certification (for students with some type of master's degree in education). These two new online programs have been added to the existing online Superintendent Certification program.
Online courses are available in all of the areas listed above. Spring registration is ongoing now, and late registration begins January 10 (first day of classes) and continues through January 19.
For more information, visit http://www.utpb.edu


