New 'global' college program geared to working adults

DENVER - Colorado State University is teaming up with the state's 13 community colleges to offer Internet courses leading to a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

Leaders of all the schools gathered on the Lowry Campus to announce the program. CSU Global Campus classes begin Oct. 27.

"Community colleges will provide online education for the freshmen and sophomore years," said Community Colleges President Nancy McCallin. "CSU Global will provide online education for the junior and senior years, as well as for Master's programs."

McCallin says an effective online degree program is important, because 80 percent of community college students are also working at jobs.

Janice Smuda is a good example. She's been working for state government for 23 years, while raising three children. She said the CSU Global Campus offers her the best shot at obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership.

"The demands from my job are great, and going to a traditional class is really hard," she said. "With CSU Global, I can sit in my pajamas and do my classwork, and no one will ever know."

CSU Global's director of Instructional Development, Dr. Maria Puzziferro, says the system should avoid problems transferring credits from a community college to a university degree program.

"Many non-traditional students have been taking classes for a long time, and we can help them fill in the gaps in their credits," said Puzziferro. "We will accept the credits and apply them to their Baccalaureate degree, so when they receive their Bachelor's it will be from CSU Global Campus."

For more information, go to www.csuglobal.org or to www.cccs.edu after Sept. 12.