David Elie is on the cusp of a significant personal achievement this summer: earning two bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University. His accomplishment also marks a monumental milestone for the institution itself, as ASU Online celebrates reaching 100,000 graduates. Elie, a resident of Round Rock, Texas, embodies the spirit of countless Sun Devils who, despite starting their higher education journey elsewhere and facing interruptions, discovered a renewed pathway to success through Asu Online Learning.
These are individuals for whom traditional higher education may have seemed out of reach. Perhaps geographic limitations, inflexible schedules, or life circumstances presented insurmountable barriers. However, ASU online learning provides an accessible and adaptable solution. Its asynchronous course structure empowers students to pursue their degrees on their own terms, whether they are balancing full-time employment and family responsibilities, dedicating themselves to military service abroad, or navigating the challenges of learning disabilities.
Graphic courtesy EdPlus at ASU
The Accessibility and Flexibility of ASU Online Education
For Elie, age 44 and an Uber driver, ASU online learning represented a pivotal opportunity during the pandemic. He is pursuing degrees in psychology and African and African American studies, made possible through the Uber program, which fully covers tuition costs for drivers and their families. “When the pandemic happened, that was a good time to pivot and explore new avenues,” Elie explained. His academic pursuits are deeply connected to his community aspirations: “A lot of my focus is within the Black community and I’m trying to find ways to be effective inside the community, whether that’s political or exploring trauma.” Elie credits the support system at ASU for his accelerated progress. “Working with the advisors has been great, and that’s how I’ve been able to do it,” he said.
ASU’s foray into online degrees began in 2006, evolving into the comprehensive ASU online learning platform we know today by 2010. It has since become the largest public, not-for-profit university offering online degree programs, delivering the same rigorous curriculum and esteemed faculty as its on-campus counterpart. This commitment addresses a critical societal need: bridging the degree gap. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 40 million individuals have started college but haven’t completed their degrees, potentially hindering their career advancement and economic potential.
The economic impact of ASU online learning graduates is substantial. In 2023, they contributed an estimated $2.7 billion to Arizona’s economy and a staggering $9.2 billion to the national economy. President Michael M. Crow emphasizes the transformative power of ASU online learning: “ASU Online has helped more than 27,000 Arizonans to graduate from college, impact the economy and transform their lives. Overall, ASU Online is a path for more than 100,000 people to graduate college who likely would not have finished their studies. The impact of that on the state and national economy is staggering.”
Maintaining Academic Rigor in Online Degree Programs
Building trust in online education was a key challenge in the early years. Phil Regier, University Dean for Educational Initiatives and CEO of EdPlus (the ASU unit housing ASU Online), recalled the initial skepticism. Even his own mother questioned his decision to lead the online enterprise. Concerns about academic integrity and the perceived lower quality of online programs, often fueled by the for-profit sector, were prevalent.
ASU directly confronted these misconceptions by prioritizing academic rigor and faculty collaboration. Regier emphasized, “We will only build a program if the learning outcomes are as good or better than what you’re delivering to face-to-face students. And the admission criteria have to be exactly the same for online and face-to-face.” This commitment ensured that ASU online learning was not a diluted version of the on-campus experience, but rather an equally valuable and demanding educational path.
Initially, ASU online learning focused on lecture-based disciplines like psychology and history. However, the university’s instructional design expertise rapidly evolved to encompass more complex fields. Developing online lab components, particularly for STEM degrees, presented a significant hurdle. “It took us a couple of years to get to the point where we knew how to do things like projects that required group work,” Regier explained.
STEM Education and Innovative Online Labs
A pivotal moment arrived in 2013 with the launch of the first online electrical engineering degree accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This achievement demonstrated the viability of delivering high-quality, hands-on STEM education online. “Once we figured out how to do electrical engineering, it gave the whole university confidence that there were a lot of things that you could do online,” Regier noted.
To provide essential lab experiences for online science students, ASU pioneered innovative solutions like on-campus “boot camps.” These intensive, week-long sessions allow online learners to complete hands-on lab work using sophisticated instruments, bridging the gap between online theory and practical application. Ara Austin, Senior Director of Online Engagement and Strategic Initiatives for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, developed this highly successful model. “The students come and that’s what they realize they have affinity for ASU and they run straight to the bookstore and buy an ASU sweatshirt,” Austin shared, highlighting the sense of community and belonging fostered through ASU online learning. These initiatives directly address the critical shortage of STEM professionals by providing accessible pathways for working adults to reskill and upskill in high-demand fields.
Comprehensive Student Support for Online Learners
Beyond academic excellence, ASU online learning distinguishes itself through its robust student support system. Success coaches, financial aid counselors, enrollment counselors, and academic advisors work in concert to guide and empower online students. Casey Evans, Chief Operating Officer for EdPlus, describes success coaches as “life coaches,” focused on motivation and skill-building. Time management is a common challenge for online learners balancing multiple responsibilities. “The biggest one is time management — how do I manage the work I have to do and the education I have to get with the life I have?” Evans explained.
Success coaches play a crucial role in building trust and providing personalized support. For many first-generation college students, these coaches become invaluable champions, offering encouragement, resources, and a listening ear to navigate the hurdles of higher education. Daphne Poerio, an ASU Online graduate, exemplifies the resilience and determination of many online learners. After a 12-year journey to earn an associate degree, Poerio transferred to ASU and thrived in the flexible online environment while working full-time. She lauded the responsiveness of ASU faculty and advisors: “My professors and my advisors were really awesome. If I ever had an issue, they were always responsive. I was impressed that such a big university would respond so quickly,” she said.
Transformative Impact on Careers and Lives
The impact of ASU online learning extends far beyond individual success stories. Graduates are making significant contributions to their communities and the economy. John Liechty, a Senior Vice President at Starbucks, is a testament to the transformative power of online education for personal and professional growth. Despite achieving executive leadership without a degree, Liechty felt a personal need to complete his education and participate in the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, ASU online learning’s partnership program.
Enrolling as a philosophy major, Liechty completed coursework during international flights, demonstrating the ultimate flexibility of ASU online learning. He graduated cum laude and found his studies profoundly impactful on his leadership approach. “It continues to impact how I think about decisions as a senior leader at Starbucks, having sat virtually side-by-side with so many of our partners in the classroom,” Liechty reflected. His story underscores the personal fulfillment and unexpected professional benefits that ASU online learning can provide, even for established professionals.
Looking ahead, ASU continues to innovate and expand access to higher education through online learning. Evans envisions incorporating narrative storytelling and gamification to engage the next generation of learners accustomed to digital platforms like TikTok. Initiatives like Universal Learner Courses further democratize access, offering a fresh start for students who may not have been ready for college initially. “This allows students a fresh start at ASU with the knowledge we need them to meet this criteria to do college-level work,” Evans explained, celebrating the transformative potential of ASU online learning to empower individuals to achieve their full potential, regardless of their past academic journeys.
