Coffman, a professor in the Department of Communications and Theater, said he met a couple of his students for the first time during last spring's graduation ceremonies. Slowly but surely, the Internet is exerting its effect on higher education, much as it has revolutionized the way people communicate and conduct business. After a modest beginning two years ago when 36 students began taking classes online, the MSU-Billings online department is offering more classes and degree programs. MSU-Billings isn't the first university to offer online courses, nor is its program the most comprehensive, but it has explored specific market niches. While developing its online education program, MSU-Billings decided to concentrate on degree completion, a variety of general education courses and professional development.
Convenience is one of the most obvious reasons for taking college classes over the Internet.
For Cartwright, taking classes online eliminated 500 miles of driving each week. Donna Barone lives in Billings but decided to take online courses because it didn't require as much juggling in her work schedule. You don't have to go to campus or buy a parking permit. Convenience aside, one of the most frequently asked questions from people considering online classes is how they stack up compared to traditional college courses. Coffman, who is one of the first professors on the MSU-Billings campus to teach online courses, said he was initially skeptical about the technology.