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Online University Consortium Surveys Concur with Latest Industry Report: Traditional Universities' Degree Programs Preferred 2:1 Over For-Profit Providers SALT LAKE CITY --(Business Wire)-- April 22, 2004 -- Surveys conducted by Online University Consortium indicate traditional universities remain the preferred choice for online education and degree programs. These findings were substantiated in a recent report by Eduventures, prompting the Consortium to help clarify the market by making its industry checklist available for public download at http://www.onlineuc.net. The list features seven factors for choosing online education, and includes buyer preferences and recommendations for what to look for in quality degree programs.Results from the Consortium's surveys of corporate decision-makers at industry events, such as the Society of Human Resources Management conference, suggest that when hiring and promoting, employers prefer candidates with degrees from traditional universities 2:1 over for-profit providers. Eduventures' recent market update reinforces Consortium findings, stating, "As the market matures, brand strength will increasingly favor non-profit institutions." According to the report, traditional universities command significant brand equity, and will threaten market share of for-profit businesses, because students identify them as a familiar provider from which they will choose an online program for traditional reasons. "For-profit providers enjoyed an initial surge in popularity partly because of convenience," notes Greg Eisenbarth, the Consortium's Executive Director. "However, the market has shifted dramatically with the country's most respected universities now offering quality online degree programs for greater choice and flexibility." "Industry reports, including our own studies, continue to confirm that traditional universities remain the trusted and valued choice," adds Eisenbarth. "They provide a balanced education backed by a reputation and quality that remain unattainable by for-profits. For most individuals and corporations choosing an online degree program, this is critical to making a successful decision." The industry checklist and results from Online UC's initial preference studies can be reviewed at http://www.onlineuc.net/shrmstudy.html Eduventures' report, "Online Distance Education Market Update: A Nascent Market Begins to Mature" is at www.eduventures.com/research/industry_research_resources/onlinede.cfm About Online University Consortium Online UC uses the industry's highest quality education standards and most accepted learning practices to evaluate online degree programs from education providers. To date, twenty-eight of the world's largest corporate learning departments, representing in excess of 2.5 million employees, now employ these standards of education. For more information, call 435.649.2190 or visit http://www.onlineuc.net. |
