Programs of Scale

PROGRAMS OF SCALE

Why Programs of Scale?

Indiana University is an established leader in online education. For more than 40 years, it has innovated in the digital space. The result: some of the nation’s most respected online degrees and certificates. Over the past 10 years, IU has provided a strategic brand and organization to its more than 200 online programs through IU Online. While our efforts during the past decades have succeeded, we can do more. In IU 2030, IU President Pamela Whitten challenges the university to triple the number of online students it serves

There are multiple reasons for this. First and foremost, online education is a driver of access. IU Online students are ethnically diverse and overwhelmingly female. They include veterans and active members of the military services. More than half of our students take care of a family member, and three-quarters work. Increasingly, students who elect not to have a full-time residential experience look to online programs. Working adults who want to continue their education for bachelor’s completion or graduate degrees are less inclined to give up their job to come back to school full time. Online programs allow them to do both.

Second, students of all ages want online education. Increasingly comfortable in an online environment, even K–12 students use learning management systems like Canvas and have “remote learning days.” Older students find it more convenient and less daunting to step into online learning. Students of all ages are used to having their digital world in their pocket or purse, and online education fits nicely in this space.

Third, we can’t ignore the basics of enrollments. IU has long devoted resources aimed at extending IU’s resources to students. The five regional campuses embody this commitment to meeting students where they are. In addition, IU has had a leading presence in Indianapolis for more than a century. There are other examples from over the years, like the School of Continuing Studies, employer-based courses, and community centers. All exemplify IU’s mission to serve students beyond the campus borders. Online provides an opportunity to reach even broader audiences

Finally, there’s the need to remain relevant. To be a meaningful educator in the 21st century, IU must play a leadership role in educating students in the digital space—because that’s where they will be learning. IU must embrace the opportunity to educate larger numbers of students through the use of innovative online classrooms. If we don’t, we will simply be spectators as other universities and colleges meet the needs of students.

Our Programs of Scale (ProS) represent IU’s response to meeting these challenges for the benefit of our students and stakeholders.

What is a Program of Scale?

In conversations about ProS, most people focus on the marketing and enrollment goals. While it is true that there will be a significant amount of marketing for these programs, a ProS encompasses far more than simply increased marketing. ProS will provide:

• Shorter-term classes (e.g., eight-week classes)
• More frequent entry dates
• Extensive instructional design support for faculty
• Cohesive course design
• Intensive advising and success coaching

Selection of programs

Not all online programs will be ProS. In selecting programs, we looked for two things: market potential and program readiness and commitment. If we want to be a leader, we need to identify programs that will attract large numbers of enrollments—numbers similar to those of large programs on IU’s core campuses (1,000 to 3,000 students). 

While this sounds large, it isn’t out of the ballpark. Some online IU programs (like Kelley Direct’s MBA) already enroll around 1,000 students. Some of the core campus programs enroll substantially more students than our target for ProS.

Not all programs have this potential, so not all programs have the potential to become ProS. This is why we do market analysis for programs before launching them as ProS.

Second, our academic partners need to be ready and committed to offering a ProS. They have to be willing to enroll and serve significant numbers of students. They need to be enthusiastic about this opportunity. If departments don’t want to grow or are ambivalent about offering a ProS, it’s best to not go down that path.

To launch this model, IU Online conducted market analyses of key programs in the current portfolio of online programs. After finding what we felt were good candidates, we approached the departments to determine their readiness and commitment. Currently, we have successfully launched nine programs as ProS. They are:

• BS in Business Administration (IU Regionals)
• BS in Computer Science (IU Regionals + IU Indianapolis)
• BS in Criminal Justice (IU East)
• BS in Data Science (IU Regionals + IU Indianapolis)
• BS in Informatics (IU Regionals + IU Indianapolis)
• BS in Mathematics (IU East)
• BS in Psychology (IU East)
• RN to BSN (All IU Campuses)
• Master of Public Health (Fairbanks School of Public Health in Indianapolis)

Goals

Our goal is to enroll an additional 15,000 students between now and 2030. It is an ambitious goal; but based on our analysis and additional support from IU’s president, we’re confident it is achievable. 

 Yes, enrollment growth is a key goal, but equally important is our focus on:

• Retention of students from semester to semester
• Successful graduation
• Reduced DFW rates
• Increased student satisfaction 
• Employer satisfaction
• Employment outcomes
• Completion of microcredentials as part of the program