RSU encourage on-line programs

Rogers State president encourages on-line degree programs

Dr. Larry Rice, the president of Rogers State University, told Grove Rotary Club members that the university is recognized for high-quality academic programs as well as distance learning options.

He noted that the Claremore campus is the only state supported school in the area that offers the opportunity to live on campus.

The school offers a variety of bachelor's and associate degrees at its campus in Claremore as well as Bartlesville and Pryor.

He noted that the average student has a debt of only $16,000 when RSU students graduate. Many at the Bartlesville and Pryor campuses have no debt as many of those classes are aimed at supporting industrial plants near the campus sites.

Rogers State was officially made a state university in 1999, after a history that dates back to 1909. The university is governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is also an NCAA, Division 2 school. The NCAA designation allows student-athletes to compete with other schools and provides scholarship opportunities.

The campus is also affiliated with the Oklahoma National Guard, which allows students to join the Guard and receive relatively free education and after graduation, they are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the National Guard.

Dr. Rice had high praise for reaching out to online students. Full-time students total about 2,000 while part-time students add another 1,400 to the university's enrollment.

He told Rotary members about the school's online MBA program which provides a totally on-line degree to complete the 36-hour program in eight-week formats. That means the degree can be earned by 18 months. The program offers accounting, entrepreneurship, management, and sport management.

The school is also known for its public television program. It is the only public television station licensed to a public university in Oklahoma. The programming provides education, cultural and general interest show to 1.2 million viewers in Northeast Oklahoma and the Tulsa area.