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Chaminade University offers more online classes

By Roger Mari - bio | email 

HONOLULU (KHNL) - About 600 students at Chaminade University are earning their degrees online, through a partnership between the university and e-college.

Over the past few years there has been a steady increase in online enrollment. Chaminade University has been serving students online for the past nine years.

The program started with only a few courses but now offers a wide range of classes attracting more students who are looking to save money while earning their degree.

"It saves them the time and the cost of commuting and it's also convenient for faculty in that they don't have to drive to classes to meet with students," said Skip Lee, Chaminade online programs director.

It not only a good way to save money, it's a chance to sharpen learning skills. Students are required to interact with their online classmates, and their professors.

"In a traditional classroom you can probably sit in the back of the classroom and cruise through a whole class and never have to answer a question, where if it's an online class every student has to respond to each discussion question."

Kammie Wilson works on campus and is also an online student. She saves money on gas, and also has time to aim for a bachelors degree in psychology, while raising two kids.

"About an hour a night after I put my kids to bed then I go online or read what I have to read or work on my paper," said Wilson.

More students enrolling, for more online classes translates to less people on the roads in Honolulu, and smarter people all over the world.

There are four terms per year, each term averaging 1000 students.

It's not too late to enroll for the next term which begins October 6th.