The University of Hawaii is offering its first fully online associate of arts degree program catering to working residents and those with families.
Starting March 1, students can apply for an online program to earn an associate degree in liberal arts in 2-1/2 years, compared with two years for a full-time student.
Over the next two years additional degree programs will be offered, according to a news release. Starting in fall 2020, students can begin coursework toward a bachelor’s degree in social work and interdisciplinary studies. Other degrees being considered include psychology, business administration, public administration and economics.
The associate degree program will include five-week courses offered by the seven UH community colleges. Students will earn their degrees from Leeward Community College in December 2021 and may go on to pursue online bachelor’s degrees at the Manoa and West Oahu campuses.
UH counselors will be available online and during extended hours.
“We know that many of Hawaii’s residents want to earn a college degree but have many competing demands which make it difficult to take classes at the college campus. This program allows students to learn on their own schedule and to focus on one class at a time,” said John Morton, UH vice president of community colleges, in a news release.
The university already offers more than 1,300 courses online.
“We know that every person who can earn a degree can improve their socioeconomic situation and have a positive impact on the community,” UH President David Lassner said in the release. “We are embracing the challenges of the changing landscape of education. We want to provide as many people as we can with the tools to make that happen.”
The program is particularly important for residents who live in remote or rural areas, said Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, UH Community Colleges academic affairs program officer. “We designed the program to reach students our UH colleges aren’t currently reaching,” she said.
For more information, go to uhcc.hawaii.edu/online.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said the University of Hawaii was starting its first fully online degree program. The UH-Manoa School of Social Work has had an online degree since 2017.
