Queen’s University is a leader in providing online learning and currently offers more than 20 online programs and more than 150 online courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Having received over $5 million in external funding, more than any other university in Ontario, to grow courses and programs, Queen’s online learning has seen tremendous growth in recent years.

To ensure that these online offerings are meeting the needs of students and will continue to do so moving ahead, the university has formed the Online Credentials Strategy Working Group, which is tasked with assessing the current state of online academic programming at Queen’s with regard to academic, operational, and budgetary concerns.

At this time the university needs to consider what opportunities are available and where it should go in the future to continue to grow and support quality online learning opportunities for students, explains Jill Scott, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) and the working group chair.

“In a very short time, Queen’s has emerged as a leader in online learning both at the undergraduate and graduate level,” she says. “With a large number of degree programs and more in the works, this is the time to consider where online learning fits within our strategic priorities and how we can best support excellence in online education and an exceptional student learning experience.”

The focus of the working group will be on senate-approved credentials as well as non-credit courses and programs that are delivered fully online, including those developed for domestic students, international jurisdictions, and professional learners, which together comprise Queen’s online offerings.

A planning process for online learning has been underway since the fall of 2017, and the working group will be holding six focus group sessions to gather information. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16. The remaining sessions will be held Tuesday, May 22, Wednesday, May 23 and Thursday, May 24.

 The sessions will include questions such as:

• where online learning fits in our vision for Queen’s
• what infrastructure is required to support growth and potential
• how online learning links to our internationalization goals

“Queen’s has ambitious goals for internationalization and online learning will be an important component of our efforts to enhance our global reputation,” says Kathy O’Brien , Associate Vice-Principal (International) and a working group member.

The work of the group is to be completed by November 2018. Regular updates will be provided to Senate Committee on Academic Development and Senate.

Each of the six consultation sessions is open to students, staff and faculty. 

Times, locations, and sign-up is available online.

Online Credentials Strategy Working Group members