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Oct. 15, 2008
Universities partner on joint academic programs Top continuing education units across North America combine resources and expertise
A new model for creating innovative university programs is shaping up, one that speeds development, spreads cost, and taps a wider reservoir of academic expertise. That model is exemplified by Actions, Solutions, Growth: University Partners (ASG).
ASG is an association of ten to twelve continuing and professional education leaders at large nonprofit and for-profit universities in North America. Its mission is to combine resources and expertise of member institutions to create joint educational programs difficult for one university to develop on its own.
ASG member institutions represent some of the leading continuing education units at universities in North America. Current educational offerings include the online certificate program in Biotech Project Management, offered jointly by University of Washington Educational Outreach and University of California, San Diego Extension; and the online certificate program in Web Intelligence, a program collaboration of University of British Columbia Continuing Studies, University of California, Irvine Extension, and the Web Analytics Association.
In addition, University of Washington Educational Outreach and University of British Columbia Continuing Studies, in association with the University of British Columbia Sustainability Office, partnered to present the first Summer Institute in Sustainability held in June 2008 at UBC. Future ASG plans include development of an online certificate program in Decision Making for Climate Change, launching as early as fall 2009, by the continuing and professional education units of the University of Washington, Northwestern University, University of California, Irvine, and the University of British Columbia.
"In taking an ASG-associated program, students benefit from the expertise and resources of two or more institutions," said Dave Szatmary, Vice Provost, University of Washington Educational Outreach. Financial benefits can be realized as well. "Developing new, cutting edge educational programs in these difficult economic times becomes more feasible when institutions can work together to share costs and risks," said Gary W. Matkin, Ph.D., Dean of Continuing Education, University of California, Irvine.
ASG's approach also aids in development of interdisciplinary programs. "Through ASG, it's possible to bring together courses from different universities that are leaders in the particular subject areas to create a unique interdisciplinary program for adult learners that could not be offered by any one institution," said Judith Plessis, Executive Director, Continuing Studies, The University of British Columbia. Upon successful completion of all courses in a program, participants receive a joint certificate issued by the sponsoring universities.
ASG member institutions include:
- Capella University
- New York University School of Continuing & Professional Studies
- Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies
- Penn State Outreach
- University of British Columbia Continuing Studies
- University of California, Irvine Extension
- University of California, San Diego Extension
- University of Oklahoma Outreach
- The University of Texas at Austin Continuing & Innovative Education
- University of Washington Educational Outreach
- University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) (ex officio)
- Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies