Colleges, online Schools

Colorado Community College System (CCCOnline)

CCCOnline is an extension of the services offered by the multiple colleges that make up the CCC System. Through this collaboration, the system’s home colleges can offer complementary courses that they would not be able to provide as individual entities. There is no substantive difference between courses taken or credits earned online and those received on campus. Not only does CCCOnline involve all 13 of its member colleges, but it also includes a 14th college: Dawson Community College located in Glendive, Montana. Although CCCOnline does not grant online degrees or certificates, it does offer a number of courses in five general areas: career and technical education, liberal arts and communication, math, science and social sciences.

The spring and fall terms include both 10-week and 15-week courses. In the summer, students can choose between 10-week courses and an accelerated 6-week program. One standout element of CCCOnline is the guaranteed-transfer program, which provides a list of courses to help take the guesswork out of deciding which credits would apply to a transfer.

Colorado State University (CSU-Global Campus)

Colorado State University’s distance learning program, CSU-Global Campus, is home to more than 5, 000 students. CSU-Global Campus is dedicated wholly to delivering online education through the Blackboard learning system and virtual classrooms. Thanks to a streamlined scheduling process, courses start every eight weeks. Most classes have a weekly schedule that includes peer discussions, readings, assignments and exams. Some courses include limited classroom instruction in addition to the online components.

Choices include individual courses, undergraduate and graduate degrees, and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degree programs are available in areas such as agricultural business, anthropology, fire and emergency services administration, human development and family studies, liberal arts and psychology. The majority of CSU’s online offerings are at the graduate level, with dozens of degree programs, including applied statistics, tourism management, mechanical engineering, computer science and business administration. Professional development certificates are found in subjects such as project management, finance and business intelligence.

CSU also has a unique program in which students can earn digital badges that represent competency and mastery in a subject area. Student can tailor badge programs according to their needs and goals. In addition, the Division of Continuing Education and CSU OnlinePlus host free, non-credit Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs.

Colorado Technical University (CTU Online)

A private, for-profit university, Colorado Technical University (CTU) offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs across a broad range of subjects such as business, law enforcement, liberal arts, health sciences and homeland security. Many courses use Intellipath, the university’s online educational technology. This software is designed for adaptive, customized learning and tailors course materials on the basis of a student’s prior knowledge. CTU has earned accreditation from six accrediting bodies, including the Higher Learning Commission, the Engineering Accreditation Commission, and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.