Starting a college program

This program will allow students the opportunity to take post-secondary college courses at MATC during the regular academic year. Students do not pay for these classes if your high school board determines the classes are not comparable to classes offered by the high school. If approved by the high school board, the student will receive both high school and post-secondary credit for successfully completed classes.

On the surface, developing new programs seems a commonsense way to adapt with the changing times. Modern-day technologies are giving way to new specializations such as marketing analytics and business intelligence, and institutions are eager to capitalize on these emerging fields.

Yet the lengthy and costly process required to implement an entirely new program poses a major barrier for those seeking a competitive edge.

Yet, what if there was a way to offer instruction in new and emerging disciplines while loosening the restrictions of time and money? Individual departments or programs usually set these dates individually at various times within the academic year. Accelerated courses often use multiple start dates to accommodate the varying needs of busy learners, but some traditional and self-paced classes also offer them. Online colleges with weekly start dates are rare, though they do happen, usually for certificate or vocational degrees.

It's more common to see monthly or quarterly start dates. Independent study courses let learners explore their areas of interest through opportunities not formally offered in curriculum catalogs. The content of these courses is usually determined between the degree-seeker and an instructor; they arrive at a mutually agreed-upon plan of study.

This option works best for degree-seekers whose needs are not met by traditional curriculum offerings. These courses usually begin at a convenient time for both the learner and the instructor. Founded in , well before Arizona gained statehood, Arizona State University is now one of the largest universities in the country, enrolling over 51, students at its main campus in Tempe in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

The university also offers numerous online degree programs through its ASU Online platform. ASU Online offers plenty of start date options, with two 7. Since , Colorado State University Global has offered a variety of entirely online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Founded as the distance education wing of Colorado State University, the Global Campus enrolls over 12, students from all over the country, and even internationally. Columbia College, a private, liberal arts college established in , enrolls over 13, students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Though non-sectarian, it remains connected to the Disciples of Christ. Eastern Kentucky University enrolls over 16, students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Its online bachelor's degree and online master's degree programs serve the needs of busy students locally and abroad.

Founded in as Central University, the institution went through numerous changes before becoming EKU in Most online degree programs at Eastern Kentucky University Online utilize eight-week sessions and offer six start dates per year. Founded in by Evangelist Jerry Falwell, Liberty University enrolls a massive student population of over 75, in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, with many online degree programs among them.

The private, Christian university is especially well known for its connection with American conservative politics and Evangelism.

Liberty University Online offers numerous start dates throughout the year, with fall, spring, and summer semesters each divided into three eight-week long sub-terms and one semester-long sub-term. Regis University, a private Roman Catholic university established in , enrolls over 8, students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.

Dating back to a small college founded by exiled Italian Jesuits in , the institution has seen major growth and change over its history.

Depending on the program, Regis University Online offers six start dates per year. Robert Morris University enrolls a tight-knit student population of around 5, in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, including online degree programs through its RMU Online platform. Founded in , the private research university got its start as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. Rochester Institute of Technology, a private non-profit university established in , enrolls over 16, students through its RIT Online platform in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, with numerous online degree programs among them.

The university offers five seven-week sessions per year. Southern New Hampshire University, a private university established in , enrolls over 90, students in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. SNHU offers six sessions per year, starting roughly every two months. Thomas Edison State University, a public university established in , enrolls approximately 16, students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.

Virtual courses only is a good option when you're just starting up because the overheads are lower. Design of courses will require knowledge of what works and what doesn't work and you won't have much leeway for error in an age where people expect technology to work properly and seamlessly from the outset. Method 2. Seek advice from professionals with experience in starting a college.

Find experts that can help in business, finance and education. Meet with founders of other colleges for specific guidance and suggestions on how to handle roadblocks that you will come across. Seek out funding options to determine if you will be able to proceed with the process. If you will be setting up a non-profit college, look for foundations or individuals that would be interested in donating to support a college.

Make presentations to encourage community support. Research grant options for starting your college. These will vary depending on your region and jurisdiction, so do a wide search to try to capture as many options as possible. Naturally, look for people who are likely to find your educational philosophy aligning with their own thinking about the purpose of education. Look into options such as grants and loans if you will be operating as a for-profit institution.

Method 3. Write a business plan. Your business plan should include details about your philosophy, operational plans, budget, funding and your educational plans. Method 4. Research your state's educational institution requirements. Start with your state Department of Education. You will most likely be required to apply for a license to operate.

You may be approved with a provisional license to get your college started and then be required to submit additional information for a final or ongoing approval. Once you have researched the license requirements for your state, you will be able to determine at what point you should submit the application for approval to operate a college.

Form your founding committees. You can form a founding committee consisting of fellow participants and supporters for advice and information. This committee should consist of people with a variety of expertise in areas such as law, education and business.

You will need to recruit a formal board of trustees if you will be operating as a non-profit organization. Incorporate and file for non-profit status. You will file your business entity status with your state, usually through the Secretary of the State. You can make a non-profit c 3 status election through the IRS by going to www.

Finalize your funding options. Secure your loans, grants or donations. Hold fundraising events to gather additional support. Develop your infrastructure. Designing your policies and procedures will be guided, in large part, by the regulations of your state and the department that oversees the formation of colleges and institutions of higher learning. This is why the earlier research step was so important. Your infrastructure includes operational, educational, curricular, business, legal, hiring, training, admissions and enrollment procedures.

Determine your location. Will your college be virtual, have a physical location or both? Decide on the degrees and classes that will be offered. Some of this will have been determined by your state requirements. Develop a curriculum for your college based on the requirements of your state for granting degrees.

Begin networking with and interviewing potential faculty and hiring key staff members. You will be able to hire faculty based on your enrollment, but you will need to have a pool of qualified teachers to draw from.

Method 5. Market your college. Marketing is essential to recruit your students.