U of Arizona finalizes Ashford acquisition. What's next?

Faculty shared ideas for moving forward and Arizona's president raised a new way to absorb the for-profit college during a meeting ahead of the deal's close.

By Hallie Busta • Dec. 1, 2020

Why 4-year colleges are tapping Amazon to help deliver cloud computing degrees

Amazon Web Services is one of a handful of tech employers, including Google and Microsoft, helping colleges offer credentials in the field.

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 25, 2020

Noodle snaps up HotChalk assets, growing marketing capacity

The decision helps the OPM expand its internal services as consolidation across the sector continues.

By Hallie Busta • Nov. 20, 2020

Ashford U's accreditor signs off on ownership change

The new entity must be "differentiated effectively" from the University of Arizona and its affiliates, the WASC Senior College and University Commission said.

By Hallie Busta • Nov. 16, 2020

President Speaks: How Southern New Hampshire is getting tuition to $10K per year

Paul LeBlanc gives an update on the university's progress toward a goal of offering students a lower price point and a wider range of modalities.

By Paul LeBlanc • Nov. 10, 2020

Higher Learning Commission removes barrier for Walden U sale

The accreditor dropped its governmental investigation designation for the school after the Justice Department declined to take up a lawsuit against it.

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated May 4, 2021

Western Governors spins off college readiness program as a nonprofit

The move helps open the new online academy up to work with other colleges. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Nov. 5, 2020

American Public Education's purchase of Rasmussen U grows nursing footprint

The $329 million deal comes as more for-profit colleges look to expand in healthcare education.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 30, 2020

These companies are redesigning 'Zoom University'

Two startups run by ed tech experts are tailoring videoconferencing software for use in virtual college classrooms, but their approaches differ.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 27, 2020

2U, Netflix partner to bring tuition-free boot camps to HBCU

Up to 130 students and recent alumni from Virginia's Norfolk State University will be able to enroll in the fully online programs.

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 22, 2020

How COVID-19 is changing the business of online learning for colleges

The sector went remote in a flash. We explore how the changes could impact the kind of virtual instruction schools offer.

By Natalie Schwartz , Hallie Busta , Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Oct. 20, 2020

Did colleges' quick move online ready faculty for a long-term shift?

You can't "unexpand what people now know," one instructor said. But logistics, cost and burnout are likely barriers to permanent virtual expansion.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 20, 2020

Hands-on professional programs weigh a future online

The pandemic forced disciplines such as medicine and law to make unforeseen and unprecedented adjustments that may stick around.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Oct. 20, 2020

Colleges look to OPMs as pandemic intensifies shift online

The companies are helping schools quickly move online while laying groundwork for future business, accelerating pre-pandemic trends.

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 20, 2020

Faculty confidence in online learning grew this summer, survey finds

However, instructors say they want more hands-on practice with teaching digitally and help supporting students. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 6, 2020

The shift online has colleges looking to share courses

Dozens of institutions have joined consortia for exchanging online classes since the pandemic began, and new options have sprung up.

By Alia Wong • Updated Oct. 5, 2020

College faculty, officials feel prepared to teach online: report

A survey of nearly 900 instructors and administrators looks at the pandemic's impact on attitudes toward online learning.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 23, 2020

Noodle Partners teams with for-profit college operator to launch tuition benefit platform

WorkforceEdge intends to make it easier for companies to offer educational benefits to their workers and track their progress.

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated Sept. 21, 2020

Grand Canyon Education announces MOU with Valparaiso U

The proposed partnership for online and hybrid healthcare and grad programs is part of the public company's shift from for-profit college operator to OPM.

By Hallie Busta • Sept. 1, 2020

Moody's: Coronavirus is accelerating shift to online education

Analysts point to several recent deals that indicate public universities will continue investing in distance learning even after the pandemic subsides.

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 27, 2020

U of Arizona and Ashford are the latest case study in online expansion

Faculty pushed back on officials' plan to buy the for-profit university as a way to quickly scale online, while regents are promising oversight. 

By Hallie Busta • Updated Aug. 25, 2020

U of Arizona faculty resisted Ashford deal, letter shows

A missive obtained by Arizona Public Media indicates several professors implored the university to call off the arrangement.

By Hallie Busta • Updated Aug. 8, 2020

2U reports 'unprecedented demand,' but challenges lurk ahead for OPMs

Although the pandemic has been a boon for distance education, online program managers can still expect headwinds.

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 4, 2020

U of Arizona to buy Ashford, setting up an online affiliate for adult learners

The deal is similar to that between Purdue and Kaplan universities and comes as more public institutions look to expand online.

By Hallie Busta • Updated Aug. 3, 2020

How colleges with hybrid instruction can support online students this fall

Using the right technology, setting clear expectations and being mindful of the differences between in-person and remote learning are key, experts say.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 22, 2020