Teach Online at SPH

Inviting all BUSPH faculty to a workshop on distance education.

PHX Perspectives | March 7th, 2019

Over the last 14 consecutive years, distance education enrollments have increased, despite the continued decline of overall student enrollment (Babson Survey Research Group). For graduate programs, overall enrollments rose by 2% between 2012-2016, yet the numbers of graduate students taking at least some online courses rose by 27% in the same time frame.

Characteristics and goals of online students: in 2016, 36% of students were career changers transitioning into a new field (industry switchers), 32% of students were aiming to get academic credential in current field (career accelerators), 16% were lifelong learners (academic wanderers), 7% were high school grads on a traditional academic path (aspiring academics) and 4% were high school grads interested in career prep (career starters). In 2017, 35% of students were career changers transitioning into a new field (industry switchers), 30% of students were aiming to get academic credential in current field (career accelerators), 17% were lifelong learners (academic wanderers), 10% were high school grads on a traditional academic path (aspiring academics) and 8% were high school grads interested in career prep (career starters)

Characteristics and Goals of Online Students. Source: 2018 Online Education Trends Report.

The 2018 Online Education Trends Report indicates that the majority of online students are non-traditional and career-oriented, and their perception of online learning is increasingly positive – 79% of all online students and 76% of alumni think that online education is “better than” or “equal to” on-campus education. At the same time, we are seeing an increasing use of micro-credentials, such as certificates and badges, for non-degree programs, and a growing interest by employers in skill-based hiring.

The Office of Lifelong Learning at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) aims to expand the reach of our world class education through online learning in both the degree and non-degree programs. Our first fully online Executive MPH program is slated for the Fall 2020 release with the first 2 online courses having been piloted in the Fall 2018 and 2 more being added later this year. Population Health Exchange (PHX) – our platform for non-credit professional and continuing education, offers practical training and skill development on a variety of public health-related topics. Taught by many of the same instructors as in our graduate degree programs, PHX online offerings come in many shapes and forms, designed to appeal to participants of different ages and professional aspirations. Our delivery models vary as well – webinars, virtual live short programs (e.g. Engage and Inspire your Audience with Story Maps), fully asynchronous online courses comparable to our for-credit offerings (e.g. Essentials of Biostatistics with JMP), and others.

The PHX Perspectives blog is a platform that creates an opportunity to share public health stories and viewpoints. Anyone interested in submitting a piece, which should be 600-800 words long, should contact phx@bu.edu. Population Health Exchange reserves the right to reject or edit submissions. The views expressed are solely those of the author and are not intended to represent the views of Population Health Exchange or Boston University School of Public Health.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 9:00am-12:00pm

Faculty Development Event

RSVP to reserve your spot using the form below

Author

Ella Epshteyn photo

Ella Epshteyn

is a Digital Learning Designer in the Office of Lifelong Learning at BUSPH and a part-time EdD candidate in Higher Education Administration at Northeastern University. She holds a Master of Medical Informatics degree from Oregon Health and Science University and a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Northeastern University. Her research and professional interests include accessibility of digital media in higher education, and faculty development in the use of instructional technology.