Online Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Greater opportunities abound for people looking for online educational opportunities than ever before.

But, did you know that the University of Phoenix awards more bachelor's degrees to African-American students than any other US educational institution and has the largest Black student enrollment? Want to know why?

Historically black colleges and universities have simply not offered the range of online degree and academic programs students are looking for.

Less than 20% of the nation's private historically black colleges are offering an online-degree program. And only just over 32% of public historically black colleges and universities are offering one or more online degree programs. Other schools are offering only a handful of courses, like they are doing at Allen University, and most of the rest have no online offerings at all.

Why the lack of online degree options?

Some attribute the lack of online programs to culture - schools targeting African Americans often pride themselves on the close, nurturing environment the offer, something that could be lost if students were not attending classes in person on campus.

Others attribute the lack of online programs to simple economics - these, often smaller schools simply do not have the infrastructure to provide streaming video and courses online.

One worry expressed by administrators at all universities is that online student dropouts could increase their overall dropout rates to the point where their accreditation may become at risk.

Growing online educational opportunities

The good news is there are growing numbers of schools offering online degree programs for all students. And a number of commercial enterprises have started up recently to help colleges and universities develop online degree programs. With as many as 69% of African American students who do not finish their education stating they had to leave for economic reasons, offering affordable online and distance learning alternatives provide students with more options and historically black colleges and gives universities increased enrollments and a chance to reclaim students who might have opted for other schools offering online degree programs.