Arizona State University (ASU) Online is celebrating a significant milestone, reaching 100,000 graduates. This achievement underscores ASU Online’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to achieve their academic and career aspirations through a wide array of Asu Online Majors.
For many, like David Elie, who will soon earn two bachelor’s degrees from ASU Online in psychology and African and African American studies, online education represents a transformative opportunity. Elie, an Uber driver from Round Rock, Texas, exemplifies the flexibility and accessibility that ASU Online offers. He is one of the many individuals who started college but didn’t finish, finding in ASU Online a pathway to degree completion and personal growth. The asynchronous nature of ASU Online courses caters to students who juggle work, family responsibilities, military service, or other commitments, proving that it’s never too late to pursue higher education and explore various ASU online majors.
ASU Online’s journey began in 2006, evolving into the largest public not-for-profit university offering online degree programs. It addresses a critical need: millions of Americans have some college education but lack a degree. By offering a comprehensive selection of ASU online majors, the university empowers these individuals to bridge the degree gap and advance their careers. The economic impact of ASU Online graduates is substantial, contributing billions to both the Arizona and national economies.
ASU Online distinguishes itself through several key factors, notably its extensive range of ASU online majors and its dedication to student success. President Michael M. Crow emphasizes the transformative impact: “ASU Online has helped more than 27,000 Arizonans to graduate from college, impact the economy and transform their lives. Overall, ASU Online is a path for more than 100,000 people to graduate college who likely would not have finished their studies. The impact of that on the state and national economy is staggering.”
Explore the diverse ASU Online majors that cater to a wide range of academic and career interests, as highlighted in this infographic detailing student demographics and program popularity.
Building Trust and Excellence in ASU Online Majors
The formal establishment of ASU Online in 2010 marked a pivotal moment in online education. Phil Regier, University Dean for Educational Initiatives and CEO of EdPlus, played a crucial role in shaping ASU Online. Initially tasked with developing an online MBA program, Regier and his team discovered the effectiveness of online learning, even with early-stage online tools. This success paved the way for expanding ASU Online to offer full degree programs, particularly at the undergraduate level, across a spectrum of ASU online majors.
Overcoming initial skepticism was a key challenge. Concerns about the rigor and credibility of online education were prevalent. ASU Online addressed these concerns by ensuring that its online programs, encompassing all ASU online majors, maintain the same learning outcomes and admission standards as its on-campus counterparts. This commitment to quality has been instrumental in building trust and demonstrating that online learning is a rigorous and valuable educational pathway.
ASU Online’s initial offerings focused on lecture-based disciplines like psychology and history. As expertise in instructional design grew, the university expanded its ASU online majors to include more complex fields, including those requiring lab components. The development of online lab courses and innovative solutions like virtual labs and on-campus boot camps has broadened the scope of ASU online majors, making STEM fields accessible online. The 2013 accreditation of the online electrical engineering degree by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology was a landmark achievement, solidifying the credibility of ASU online majors in demanding disciplines.
Personalized Support: A Cornerstone of ASU Online Majors
A distinguishing feature of ASU Online is its comprehensive student support system. This network includes success coaches, financial aid counselors, enrollment counselors, and academic advisors, all dedicated to guiding students through their academic journey within the various ASU online majors.
Success coaches, in particular, act as life coaches, providing motivation and helping students develop essential skills like time management. Casey Evans, COO of EdPlus, emphasizes the crucial role of coaches: “The biggest one is time management — how do I manage the work I have to do and the education I have to get with the life I have?” For many first-generation students, success coaches become invaluable champions, offering encouragement, resources, and personalized support to navigate the challenges of higher education and succeed in their chosen ASU online majors. This personalized approach ensures that students feel supported and connected, regardless of their location or circumstances.
Balancing Life and Learning with Flexible ASU Online Majors
Daphne Poerio’s story exemplifies the determination and resilience of ASU Online students. After 12 years of part-time study to earn two associate degrees, Poerio transferred to ASU Online to pursue a bachelor’s degree while working full-time as a medical assistant in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her journey highlights the flexibility of ASU online majors, allowing students to balance work, family, and education.
Inspired by the nurses she worked with, Poerio chose community health as her major. The flexibility of ASU Online allowed her to integrate her coursework with her professional experience, applying classroom knowledge directly to her work with underserved populations. She appreciated the responsiveness of professors and advisors, noting, “My professors and my advisors were really awesome. If I ever had an issue, they were always responsive. I was impressed that such a big university would respond so quickly.” Poerio’s success story underscores the transformative potential of ASU online majors for working professionals seeking career advancement or a career change.
Once we figured out how to do electrical engineering, it gave the whole university confidence that there were a lot of things that you could do online.
Phil Regier
University dean for educational initiatives and CEO of EdPlus
Addressing the STEM Gap Through ASU Online Majors
ASU Online is proactively addressing the shortage of professionals in STEM fields by offering a robust selection of ASU online majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Biological sciences is among the most popular undergraduate majors, reflecting the growing demand for STEM-educated professionals.
To ensure that online STEM students receive hands-on lab experience, ASU Online has implemented innovative solutions. Week-long on-campus “boot camps” provide intensive lab sessions using sophisticated instruments, giving online students practical skills comparable to on-campus programs. Ara Austin, Senior Director of Online Engagement and Strategic Initiatives for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, developed this boot camp model, which has become highly popular. Austin notes, “The students come and that’s what they realize they have affinity for ASU and they run straight to the bookstore and buy an ASU sweatshirt,” highlighting the strong connection students develop with ASU through these immersive experiences related to ASU online majors in STEM.
ASU Online’s STEM programs cater to working professionals seeking to upskill or reskill for careers in high-demand fields. By offering accessible and rigorous ASU online majors in STEM, ASU is bridging the skills gap and contributing to a stronger workforce.
Personal Fulfillment and Leadership Development Through ASU Online Majors
For some, pursuing ASU online majors is about personal growth and fulfillment. John Liechty, Senior Vice President for U.S. Retail Operations at Starbucks, is a prime example. Despite achieving executive-level success without a bachelor’s degree, Liechty felt a personal drive to complete his education. He enrolled in ASU Online through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, choosing philosophy as his major.
Liechty’s experience demonstrates the flexibility of ASU online majors for busy professionals. He completed much of his coursework while traveling internationally, leveraging the asynchronous format to study during flights. He excelled academically, graduating cum laude and earning the Dean’s Medal for his school. Liechty emphasizes the unexpected benefits of his philosophy degree, stating, “I thought I would engage in a passion subject and it would have nothing to do with my day-to-day work and be a break from the pressures of being a retail executive, but it turns out that I call upon my studies regularly in my day-to-day work.” His story highlights how ASU online majors can contribute to both personal enrichment and professional effectiveness, even for established leaders.
The Future of Accessible Education and ASU Online Majors
ASU Online’s innovation lies in making higher education more accessible and aligned with ASU’s charter of inclusivity and impact. Looking ahead, ASU Online continues to evolve to meet the needs of future learners. Casey Evans points to the importance of adapting curriculum and engagement strategies for a generation accustomed to digital content: “We have to get smarter about building the curriculum and engaging people who are used to consuming hours of TikTok a day. Narrative storytelling like Dreamscape Learn and gamification need to be unpacked.”
Initiatives like Universal Learner Courses further expand access by providing a fresh start for students who may not have been ready for college initially. These courses allow students to demonstrate their readiness for college-level work, opening pathways to ASU Online and its diverse ASU online majors for a broader population. Evans concludes, “Watching a student who came in through earned admissions get into Barrett, The Honors College demonstrates that people are not one thing. They change over time, and to be a little part of that transformation is phenomenal for us.” ASU Online remains committed to innovation and accessibility, ensuring that quality higher education and a wide range of ASU online majors are within reach for all learners.
