2U, Inc., the company behind global online learning platform edX, announced this week a new partnership with the University of Surrey to launch and support the delivery of online master’s degrees and online professional certificate programs. An initial five online degree programs will welcome students in 2024, with a portfolio of at least 15 master’s degrees and at least 15 professional certificate programs being delivered by 2026. This will expand access to this highly ranked UK university for students worldwide.
Surrey’s partnership with 2U will deliver Surrey Online Learning: an acceleration and transformation of the university’s provision of online learning. 2U’s expertise will help Surrey establish a scalable model and quickly expand its digital capabilities to worldwide audiences. The collaboration aligns with the university’s mission to expand access to life-changing education and personal and professional success.
“We’re partnering with 2U and their edX platform to accelerate Surrey Online Learning provision,” said Professor Tim Dunne, Provost and Senior Vice-President at the University of Surrey. “The University of Surrey has global strength in innovation and research, and is renowned for being one of the best universities in the UK for delivering excellence in teaching and employability. Through Surrey Online Learning, we will offer flexible and affordable educational pathways that are compatible with and relevant to modern careers, combining accessibility with strong student outcomes.”
Surrey’s suite of online degrees will build on the success of its on-campus programs, with the online curriculum developed in partnership with LearningMate. The first five degrees expected to launch in 2024 will be in the areas of artificial intelligence, business, psychology, marketing, and sustainability. The professional certificate programs, which will focus on technology, healthcare, business, communications technologies, and sustainability, will provide learners with an opportunity to build and enhance critical professional skills on their way to determining if a full degree in a corresponding subject is part of their educational journey.
“2U prides itself in being a digital transformation partner that can support strategic long-term thinking, accelerate innovation, and help drive positive student outcomes across new formats and modalities,” said Andrew Hermalyn, President of the Degree Program Segment at 2U. “The University of Surrey has major ambitions to expand its online learning capabilities, and we are honored to be their partner to help build their online presence from the ground up.”
“LearningMate is honored to partner with the University of Surrey on its transformative online learning initiative in collaboration with 2U. We’re excited to contribute to the development of cutting-edge online master’s degrees and professional certificate programs that align with Surrey’s commitment to excellence,” said Prasad Mohare, Senior Vice President at LearningMate. “Our focus on innovation and accessibility will be showcased in the initial offerings. LearningMate is dedicated to supporting Surrey in expanding access to impactful, career-relevant learning opportunities in the evolving landscape of online education.”
In the newest U.S. News & World Report online program rankings, both undergraduate and non-MBA graduate business programs at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University ranked No. 3 in the country for online programs. The undergraduate programs are No. 3 ahead of Syracuse University, University of Arizona, and Indiana University.
The peer-reviewed rankings, which were released publicly today, also named W. P. Carey’s Online MBA No. 7 in the country, ahead of University of Maryland, University of Texas, and Florida State. Online graduate programs (non-MBA) are No. 3 ahead of Duke, UNC—Chapel Hill, and University of Florida.
Additionally, U.S. News named W. P. Carey among the best in a variety of online programs and specialties, including:
- No. 3, online MBA in management
- No. 4, online MBA in analytics
- No. 4, online MBA in marketing
- No. 4, online MBA programs for veterans
- No. 5, online MBA in finance
The U.S. News rankings are the output of several factors, including student engagement, expert opinion, faculty credentials and training, services and technologies, and student excellence.
“Online programs at W. P. Carey are known for their excellence alongside the access they provide,” said Ohad Kadan, the Charles J. Robel Dean of the W. P. Carey School of Business. “Our Online MBA has been ranked in the top 10 every year since U.S. News began its ranking, showing that we continue to lead the way in online business education.”
“We are incredibly proud of the W. P. Carey Online MBA program,” said Kate Eaton, assistant dean for MBA programs at W. P. Carey. “Students complete our program with vital business skills they immediately put to work, adding value to their companies and communities. We appreciate U.S. News and our peers’ acknowledgement of that value.”
W. P. Carey is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the country for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Learn more at wpcarey.asu.edu/rankings.
Acadeum, creator of the largest course-sharing platform used across a network of more than 460 colleges and universities, today announced the launch of its newest product designed to help academic leaders access a library of more than 380 online credentials aligned with the fast-changing needs of today’s workforce. With the launch of Acadeum Skills Marketplace, participating institutions will be able to tap into a vetted network of workforce-aligned credentials that will make it possible for institutions to turn on an e-commerce storefront to offer current students, alumni, faculty and staff, and local employer partners a range of non-credit courses and credentials outside their existing course catalog and curriculum.
“Colleges and universities must ensure that students can compete in an increasingly fast-changing, and often volatile, labor market,” said Dr. Marjorie Hass, president of The Council of Independent Colleges. “Augmenting degree pathways in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences with skills, experiences, and credentials give students a holistic education and a competitive edge in the workforce.”
The launch of Acadeum Skills Marketplace comes against a backdrop of surging demand for—and acceptance of—non-degree credentials among students and employers. Research indicates learners are interested in accessing more workforce-relevant courses and certifications, but new programs remain costly and difficult for institutions to create and launch on their own. A 2023 survey from the Higher Learning Commission found that nearly 73% of its institutions offer non-degree credentials, while 25% offer them with the help of external content providers.
To help meet the growing demand for micro-credentials among students and employers, institutions within the Acadeum network can now tap into a growing digital catalog of non-credit offerings—as well as assisting institutions in embedding these offerings into curricula. Colleges and universities can utilize Skills Marketplace to expand these non-credit academic offerings and credentials to current students and alumni, as well as create return pathways for stop-out learners. Initial Skills Marketplace teaching providers participating include MedCerts, Coursera, Pearson Certiport, and Muzzy Lane.
“Meeting today’s evolving workforce needs and skill demands requires a new set of pathways that can weave together a number of education and learning experiences,” said Rafaeil Castañeda, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development at MedCerts. “This is an exciting opportunity for colleges, employers, and certification providers to collaborate and meet learners where they are — provide flexible and validated opportunities to career success.”
The Skills Marketplace leverages Acadeum’s cutting-edge technology that enables colleges and universities to seamlessly share courses and academic resources across national and regional networks through strategic partnerships with organizations like the Council of Independent Colleges, the League for Innovation in the Community College, and the Southern Regional Education Board’s HBCU-MSI Course-Sharing Consortium. A growing number of institutions, including Hawai’i Pacific University and Southeastern University, are already using Acadeum’s Technology Platform as a tool for augmenting their existing academic offerings with additional career and workforce-aligned credentials.
“At a time when some are questioning the value and return on investment of higher education, savvy college, and university leaders are finding ways to break through the stale debate—and finding ways to harness degrees and credentials alike to unlock opportunities for their students,” said David Daniels, CEO of Acadeum. “Our vision is to create a marketplace that enables academic leaders to blend together the best of both worlds and to create educational experiences that prepare students to enter and advance in the world of work.”
To learn more about Skills Marketplace and Acadeum, please visit www.acadeum.com.
