MAKING EDUCATION FLEXIBLE, ACCESSIBLE ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREES HELP WORKING PROFESSIONALS FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION


For at least three Winthrop alumnae, the rollout of Winthrop’s new online graduate degree programs came at the perfect time.


Three hours away in Walterboro, Jennie Meetze ’14 searched the Internet for art administration programs but never considered Winthrop because it was too far to commute.


“I got the email about the program, and it was exactly what I want to do,” said Meetze, who has a bachelor’s degree in integrated marketing communication and a minor in psychology. “Winthrop is where I spread my wings as an undergrad and it felt like coming home, so I chose to go with Winthrop.”


This fall, Winthrop began offering four online graduate degrees: Master of Business Administration, Master of Education in Special Education Intervention, Master of Social Work and Master of Art in Arts Administration. More degrees may be added in the future as the university, working with Wiley and Sons Educational Series, seeks to offer more options and flexibility to online learning.


Jessica McMillan enrolled in the online Master of Social Work program, and appreciates being able to complete the program’s work at her own pace while juggling a job and family.


4


NUMBER OF NEW ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREES


30-39


NUMBER OF COURSE HOURS TO COMPLETE ONE OF THE FOUR DEGREES


Jack DeRochi, dean of Winthrop’s Graduate School and associate vice president for academic outreach, said the university has been pleased with the reaction to the Winthrop brand and to see it translate to the online market. It is an enrollment area that is expected to grow quickly.


“The success of this project stems from a collaboration with our faculty and staff, and with Wiley,” he said, adding that another benefit is that in building the online programs, the university has improved its services to all students.


Meanwhile in Darlington, Jessica McMillan ‘16 wanted to specialize in social work. A case manager with the S.C. Department of Social Services and mother of two young children, McMillan saw the need to beef up her skill set. She already has a degree in psychology and a minor in business administration.


“I know Winthrop is a school with a good reputation, and other schools’ programs were not as good a fit,” McMillan said. “I love the ability to be self-paced with this degree.”


Once she finishes the three-year social work program, she hopes to become a licensed social worker.


JUGGLING SCHOOL AND WORK BALANCE


Meetze works a full-time job at the Colleton Museum & Farmers Market. She expects to balance her school work, which is 100 percent online, with her programming coordinator duties.


“Online programs are great,” Meetze said. “I have two dogs, a partner and lots of hobbies. If I had to go to night school I would not have time for anything or anyone. This online degree gives me the flexibility I need to get things done.”


2 Jennie Meetze 40


NUMBER OF TOTAL GRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFERED


1912 YEAR FIRST WINTHROP MASTER’S DEGREE AWARDED


Within two years, Meetze will finish her degree after taking two, seven- week courses a semester during the 36-hour program.


With the new degree, Meetze hopes to gain a new set of administration skills as well as build onto what she already knows coming from a museum background. “I most want to know how to engage demographics that do not frequent our facilities,” she said. “We have so much to offer to everyone, and with this program I


am hoping to engage new people.”


The master’s degree also will help Meetze advance to achieve her goal as a park manager for the National Park Service.


BECOMING A ROLE MODEL


Online degrees are particularly helpful for those who travel. Michelle Mendez ’16 enrolled in the online M.B.A. program because of her hectic work schedule. As a continuous improvement manager for a manufacturer that provides product for the utility and automotive industries, she travels frequently to conduct continuous improvement classes and attend workshops. A Rock Hill and Columbia resident, she commutes to her job in Newberry.


The online degree will help her become the first person in her family to receive an M.B.A., and she’ll show her children the importance of higher education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Winthrop with an emphasis in management.


“I will also be able to better understand the business from a financial perspective and be able to increase my knowledge on how to help develop and mentor future leaders in our organization,” Mendez said. “I like the fact that I can study and do the work when it is convenient for me.”


For more information on Winthrop’s four online graduate programs, please visit https://online.winthrop.edu/online-programs.


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