In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on March 3, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the Administration and Conference Center Building on the St. Thomas Campus, the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies – Strategic Communications to be offered as part of the UVI Online program.
With the inclusion of the BA in Strategic Communications, UVI, in collaboration with Level Playing Field (LPF), will offer 16 degrees in an online format this spring. Classes are expected to begin on March 15.
“I am confident that we will be able to meet that launch date,” said UVI President David Hall. “There has been a lot of work that has had to occur in developing platforms for us to be able to host these programs.” Several University systems had to be changed, including UVI’s Banner system, financial aid and changes with the registrars’ office, he said.
“We do have applicants who have been applying for these programs,” said Dr. Hall. The actual numbers of those who have been accepted and that have been enrolled will be shared with the Board as the process continues.
The Communication Program of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), the Curriculum Committee of CLASS, and the faculty of CLASS approved the strategic communications degree based on the Level Playing Field framework.
In December 2017, the Board approved the creation of 15 online degrees. In February 2017, the Board approved of a service agreement with Level Playing Field to provide instructional course design, technology infrastructure and academic support for online courses and degrees.
The University of the Virgin Islands has been working toward this goal for several years. The University’s strategic plan, Pathways to Greatness, approved by the Board of Trustees in June 2012 with input from faculty, staff and students, required the institution to develop and offer online degrees.
As customary, President Hall recognized those UVI employees or units that have performed exceptionally with the President’s Appreciation Award. “One of the major accomplishments during this reporting period has been the development, approval and implementation of 15 online degrees,” said President Hall. “This is the most strategic development in the University that has the potential to address ongoing educational and revenue concerns or challenges in the Territory and nationally.”
More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI website – http://www.uvi.edu/ - and from this direct link.