Fairfield, CT - Fairfield University’s growing slate of 20 online graduate and certificate programs now includes four new, fully online master’s degree programs in Interior Design, Communication, Management, and an MBA in Business Analytics.
Fairfield University continues to move swiftly to offer professional preparation with a purpose through online learning, with the recent addition of four new master’s degree programs in Interior Design, Communication, Management, and an MBA in Business Analytics.
The move is part of the University’s long-range strategic goal to reach ever broader audiences in ever more innovative modalities, with particular focus on the online learning space. This focus is fueled by a recognition that online learning — particularly at the post-graduate level — is fast becoming the most desirable educational option for learners who are seeking to advance their careers, or prepare to enter new careers.
It is also consistent with the University’s mission as a Jesuit University, said Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD. “Throughout the almost 500 years of Jesuit education, the emphasis has always been about bringing educational opportunities to the frontiers, to provide opportunities for people to grow and develop as productive citizens through education, utilizing the most advanced technologies available,” President Nemec said. “We recognize that there are thousands of people that we can reach this way from all over the country, and even around the world. As a Jesuit institution it is our duty to take the lead in this space — to meet people where they are, and to share with them our values, our emphasis on academic excellence, and personalized care of the whole person, which is the distinctive character of our tradition.”
The four new 100-percent online programs will begin accepting registration this month (April 2021), joining a slate of current master’s programs that include: Cybersecurity, Healthcare Administration, Business Analytics (MS), Educational Technology, Marketing Analytics and Strategy, and a low-residency MFA in Creative Writing.
A variety of graduate certificate programs are also available, related to the fields of education and business. These certificate curricula stack directly into master’s degree programs, should students decide to continue their educational and professional pursuits further.
Some of the University’s nationally ranked (by U.S. News & World Report) graduate programs, such as the MS in Business Analytics, have been well-attended on campus, and in recent years have also become available 100 percent online.
The University provides every student with multiple tools for success, from state-of-the art technology and strong support on digital learning platforms, to an exemplary Career Center, which offers career-readiness counseling, leadership and professional development, and on- and off-campus recruiting opportunities. In continuing its mission to serve “the entire person,” Fairfield has also added services that recognize the multifaceted life of the adult learner, such as tele-mental health services.
University Provost Christine Siegel, PhD noted, “Fairfield University’s highly ranked graduate and professional programs are an essential component of our overall academic portfolio built on a long-standing tradition of excellence in teaching and learning. We are so proud to be bringing this tradition forward into the online learning space. Students in Fairfield University’s online programs will have the opportunity to engage with committed faculty, engage with like-minded learners, and broaden their professional networks as they pursue their own academic and professional goals.”
One advantage of the online learning experience is that it provides students flexibility as they “re-scale” their skillsets to pursue management level positions within their current professions.
“With our 24/7 access to tech support, an unmatched alumni network, and our mental health initiatives, which include tele-therapy and the development of a Student Success Coordinator position,” said Jill Buban, vice president of the Office of Digital Strategy and Online Education, “our goal for all Fairfield students remains the same: to cultivate learning, community, and communication — whether online or on campus.”
To learn more about Fairfield University’s many online graduate degree and professional certificate offerings, visit our Online Programs webpage at fairfield.edu/online-programs.