A Q & A About Florida’s New Online University

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Century Tower at the University of Florida. UF Online will open in January.

Last week the Florida State University System Board of Governors approved the business plan for a legislatively-created online university at the University of Florida.

The school, UF Online, will start offering classes in January. Students will be able to earn their baccalaureate degree completely online (though they may need to complete some lab at a state college or other facility). The school will offer degrees in seven majors to begin: Biology; business administration; criminology and law; environmental management in agriculture and natural resources; health education and behavior; psychology; and sports management.

We sat down with Andrew McCollough, associate provost for teaching and technology at the University of Florida, to talk about UF Online

McCollough says he doesn’t yet know who the typical UF Online student is, but expects the school initially will have a stronger appeal to transfer students. He also explains why the University of Florida is emphasizing that the UF Online will be similar to being an student on campus.

In ten years, the school expects to enroll 24,000 students and offer 35 degrees.