The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) today announced that Baker College is one of the first two higher education institutions to earn the new OLC Quality Scorecard Exemplary Endorsement, which recognizes outstanding online learning programs.
OLC is the leading professional organization devoted to advancing the quality of digital learning worldwide. The other institution receiving the Exemplary Endorsement is the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. The Quality Scorecard was introduced in 2011; the Exemplary Endorsement is new this year.
“The concept of quality in online education can be elusive and complex,” said Kathleen Ives, D.M., CEO and executive director of OLC. “The OLC Quality Scorecard enables administrators to identify, measure and quantify elements of quality within their online education programs. Baker College and UWL offer tremendous models of excellence in online learning, and we are delighted to recognize their exemplary programs with the Quality Scorecard’s highest level of endorsement.”
The OLC Quality Scorecard uses research-based benchmarks and standards of excellence to help higher education institutions evaluate their online learning programs. Institutions use the scorecard to determine strengths and weaknesses of their programs, and to initiate planning efforts to address areas that require enhancement.
Jill Langen, Ph.D., Baker College Online/Center for Graduate Studies president, said, “This Exemplary Endorsement by a panel of our peers is further evidence that Baker College delivers an extremely high quality digital education to our students."
Baker College offers a doctoral degree in business administration, and master’s degrees in the fields of business, nursing, psychology, information systems, educational leadership and occupational therapy. Undergraduate degrees include certificate, associate or bachelor’s in business administration, computer information systems, nursing, health sciences, criminal justice and psychology, among others.
All programs can be completed without a visit to a Baker College campus; undergraduate degrees are also available via a blended program with a Baker College on-ground campus located throughout Michigan and in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Peer review and endorsement
The interactive OLC Quality Scorecard is completed by the institution and submitted for peer review.
Institutions scoring 180 or higher are granted the OLC Seal of Endorsement, valid for two years. Institutions like Baker College that score 202 or higher are granted an additional seal, acknowledging and verifying their “exemplary” programs, which are endorsed for a period of three years.
More information about the OLC Quality Scorecard is available at http://onlinelearningconsortium.org/consult/quality-scorecard.
About Online Learning Consortium
OLC is the leading professional organization devoted to advancing the quality of online learning worldwide. The member-sustained organization offers extensive resources for professional development and institutional advancement of online learning, including original research, leading-edge instruction, best-practice publications, community-driven conferences and expert guidance. OLC members include educators, administrators, trainers and other online learning professionals, as well as educational institutions, professional societies and corporate enterprises. Visit http://onlinelearningconsortium.org/ for more information.
About Baker College
For more information about Baker College’s online undergraduate and graduate programs, contact Chuck Gurden in the admissions office at 800.766.4390 or adm-ol@baker.edu, or visit www.baker.edu.
The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Baker College grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. Every Baker College graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker College was one of the first in the state to offer students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.