“The Compass team is privileged to have the opportunity to expand our partnership with Ohio University. The university has recognized our skill set as an effective balance to their own strengths,” said Dan Devine, CEO and Founder of Compass Knowledge Group.  “Compass brings an entrepreneurial spirit and proven performance management to support Ohio University’s strategic initiatives and expansion of their high quality academic programs.”

Ohio University, a Tier 1 institution, was established more than 200 years ago. It is the oldest higher education institution in its region and has been engaging in lifelong and distance learning practices for over 100 years. The online Master of Engineering Management degree is designed for engineers, scientists and technical professionals of all disciplines who seek to strengthen their technical and managerial knowledge and skills, to become more effective leaders and managers of technical teams. Engineering management students will have access to all of the resources of a top-ranked research university with a nationally recognized engineering faculty to support their professional development and career enhancement efforts.

Dr. Dennis Irwin, Dean of the Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology, stated, “Compass Knowledge Group understands that we are student-centered and our goal is to offer this high quality degree to motivated students who want to transition into another stage in their career.  Building on our successful partnership with Compass Knowledge and using their expertise in marketing, recruitment, course delivery design services and retention, we feel confident that delivering this program online will be successful.”

Ohio University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accrediting agency within the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA): www.ncahlc.org. The Russ College’s engineering and computer science programs are accredited by ABET, a specialized accreditation organization that oversees university programs in the subject areas of engineering, applied science, technology, and computing: www.abet.org.

About the Russ College of Engineering and Technology

The Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, educates well-rounded professionals with both technical and team-project skills who become our business, government, and industry leaders. Enrolling approximately 1,300 undergraduate students and almost 300 graduate students, the Russ College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across the traditional engineering spectrum and in technology disciplines such as aviation, computer science, and industrial technology. Strategic research areas include transportation, and energy and the environment. Named for alumnus Fritz Russ and his wife Dolores, the Russ College is home of the Russ Prize, the top bioengineering prize in the world.

About Ohio University

Established in 1804, Ohio University is the oldest public institution of higher learning in the state of Ohio and the first in the Northwest Territory. Ohio University has been cited for academic quality and value by such publications as U.S. News and World Report, America’s 100 Best College Buys, Princeton Review’s Best Colleges, and Peterson’s Guide to Competitive Colleges. The John Templeton Foundation has also recognized Ohio University as one of the top character-building institutions in the country. Ohio University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

About Compass Knowledge Group

Since 1993, Compass Knowledge Group has partnered with prominent, traditional universities to help them plan, implement and operate successful online academic programs. Compass provides the entire complement of online learning support services—including market research, program marketing, student recruitment, instructional design and technology, student retention support, faculty training and support, technical helpdesk, and online bookstore—enabling their partners to concentrate on delivering high-quality academics. Compass’ success is based on a history of predictable performance that far exceeds industry standards.

Compass’ core marketing, recruitment, retention, and instructional design services are available and applicable on all publically available LMS platforms. Most common platforms include Blackboard’s various products, Moodle, and Sakai. Compass is generally agnostic to the chosen LMS platform as we acknowledge how important it is for faculty to be comfortable with their chosen platform, and the potential for changing platforms in the future.

For university partners who also seek help ensuring high availability of a chosen LMS platform, Compass provides best-in-class Hosted LMS Services on select LMS platforms. Compass insists on the very best for our university partners. Our partners can be assured that the hosting, technical support, integration points, and potential customizations are backed by a team of experts who provide maximum performance and reliability for their online learning applications.

Our hosting data centers adhere to the most demanding standards for security and redundancy available only in professional data center operations. Compass provides the physical environment necessary to keep servers up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring that critical data is kept safe and secure. Internet access and network security is provided by a high-availability configuration of redundant routers, firewalls, servers and subsystems with a mission to provide continuous access to the hosted LMS platform by faculty and students. Our systems track, monitor and protect the network so there’s no need to worry about security

Students commonly work in online courses that use an asynchronous teaching style, providing scheduling convenience for learning activities.  As such, support hours should expand to align with this reality.  When expanded support hours are available, studies suggest that more support calls are made after the standard Monday-Friday, 8-5 period, validating the need for expanded technical support hours.  Compass addresses this with a large team of specialists who serve and support hundreds of thousands of students in multiple LMS platforms.  As such, the team’s aggregate knowledge and experience is leveraged to assist each student and faculty member, thereby increasing their overall satisfaction with their learning experience.  We are committed to providing consistent, efficient, cost-effective support services to all of our partners and their students in a timely manner.

Hours of Operation

Inbound help desk services are provided and available twenty four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, and fifty two (52) weeks per year.

LMS Help Desk Provides

• A university branded toll-free phone number that can receive inbound calls from locations within the continental USA.
• A live voice from a skilled customer service representative (CSR) to answer inbound telephone calls.
• Option for support via live chat or email.
• End-user telephone support for the use of learning management software provided by Blackboard, Moodle, and Sakai.  Support is extended to the most recent production release, plus one (1) major release back.
• Thorough tracking and recording keeping of support inquiries, status, and resolution.
• A privileged login account into the help desk records to view support call activity.
• Excellent customer service.

At Compass we hear a great deal of concern coming from our partner community about the new regulations enacted as part of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) regarding authenticating the identity of online students. Rumors abound about what this means for institutions with respect to cost and accreditation. At the heart of this issue is really the age-old question of academic integrity. “How do we prevent online students from cheating?” is a frequent question we hear from faculty who are new to online learning. In this article we will dispel the myths and misinformation surrounding the language in the HEOA regarding student identification. We will also address the question of how faculty can minimize the opportunity for online students to cheat.

Student Authentication

The HEOA legislation, as it currently stands, requires institutions that offer courses or programs through distance education to have processes in place that verify or authenticate that the student who registers in such a course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and who receives the academic credit.

Some of the initial rumors surrounding the bill suggested that institutions of higher learning may be required to adopt sophisticated and perhaps expensive technology that would serve as a bridge to verify online students as the “real” students enrolled in online courses.  However, this is not the case. The HEOA simply requires institutions that offer distance education to have security mechanisms in place, such as identification numbers or other pass code information to be used each time the student participates in coursework online. This includes methods such as:

• A secure login and pass code (as through the Course Management System);

• Proctored examinations;

• New or other technologies and practices which are effective in verifying student identification.

Most learning management systems are password protected, and are thus in compliance with the HEOA. In addition, the HEOA legislation makes it clear that any authentication policy must protect student privacy and it must notify students at registration or enrollment of projected additional charges for identify verification.

So, how does this impact accreditation? Belle Wheelen, Chair of the Council of Regional Accrediting Commission, posted the following information on the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WCET) website earlier this year:

Accreditors are required to ensure that institutions use, at minimum, a secure login and pass code or proctored exam and, as they become available and widely accepted, new identification technologies and practices.  Additionally, whatever strategies of authentication are used must protect student privacy, and institutions must notify students, before they enroll, of any additional costs that they might incur because of this verification.

In addition, Fred Lokken, Chair of the Instructional Technology Council and Russ Poulin, Associate Director of WCET, in a Magna Publications Online Seminar conducted on April 15, 2010, stated that:

They [accrediting agencies] do not have specific requirements in those areas, but they are interested in trying to find out that campuses have something in place and that they are working on it. The feeling is that presently, the regional accrediting agencies are not planning on making this a huge issue in terms of their accrediting visits coming up. But it is still a requirement that they have to report back through the DOE.  The feeling is that right now, accrediting agencies are kind of in an exploration and fact finding mode at this point of time.

In summary:

• Institutions that offer online courses to students are presently in compliance with the HEOA if they have, at a minimum, a pass code/password system in place as means to authenticate students, or proctored exams, or technologies and practices which are effective in verifying student identification.

• As new identification technologies are developed and become more sophisticated, less expensive and more mainstream, accrediting agencies or associations and institutions will consider their use in the future and we can assume that institutions will be adopting these measures accordingly.

• Institutions must protect student privacy as part of the authentication process and if there are extra fees associated with this as part of the online course, students need to be made aware of this prior to enrollment.

Academic Integrity

The Higher Education Act of 2008 attempts to improve academic integrity in online courses through compliance. However, at Compass we believe that prevention through adopting new online teaching and governance practices is another strategy which can be used to promote academic integrity. Online learning has the reputation of being anonymous and, therefore, more prone to academic dishonesty. Good online instructional design and pedagogy are highly interactive and multi-dimensional—two strategies that also discourage cheating.

There is little research to support claims that online students cheat significantly more than face to face students. What the research does show is that there is a perception that the opportunity to cheat as an online student is greater than for their on-campus counterparts. The distance learning community is aware of this perception and, as a result is adopting best practices for online teaching to enhance academic integrity.

For example, in February, 2009, in a joint collaboration between the WCET, the UT TeleCampus of the University of Texas System, and the Instructional Technology Council published “Best Practice Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity in Online Education”.  This document reflects exemplary principles and practices from online instructors and administrators from 170 higher education institutions in the United States in five core areas: Institutional Context and Commitment, Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty Support, Student Support, and Assessment and Evaluation. Some of these principles include:

• Use of multiple assessment techniques in place of high stakes exams.

Most distance learning providers use multi-faceted assessment strategies rather than high stakes proctored exams. Assessments are designed to be frequent, varied, and authentic to the application of learning. Instructors rely on interactive discussions, writing assignments, quizzes, capstone projects, group work, and online exams. Assessments are often modified from semester to semester.

• Greater reliance on written assignments and threaded discussions.

Students demonstrate learning outcomes through written assignments and interaction with the instructor via discussions. Instructors become familiar with students’ writing styles through online discussions. Many online instructors report that they have greater confidence in the authenticity of their online students’ work than their classroom students.

• Use of test banks, and timed test delivery.

Test questions are randomly drawn from banks of questions, so each student gets a different set of questions. Most tests are designed to be open-book, but once a student begins a test, they have a limited amount of time to complete it, and usually only one attempt.

• Raising awareness among students about what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate academic behavior in an online course.

Many cases of academic dishonesty arise from students’ lack of awareness, such as when it is okay and not okay to collaborate on coursework. Many providers now include in course syllabi a college’s academic integrity statement and a link to campus policies; a description of academic dishonesty and information on repercussions for academic dishonesty; links to plagiarism information as well as acceptable sources, and descriptions of permissible and non-permissible collaboration. Some colleges use an honor code approach where communities of learners discuss and agree upon honor codes for courses or programs and the use of ethical decision-making case studies as a part the curriculum.

We can all agree that these examples represent good pedagogical practice whether the course is online or face-to-face. The HEOA language has shined a spotlight on what online educators already know: academic integrity is crucial to the acceptance of online learning as a means for delivering high quality education. Institutions must be diligent in their efforts to find both a technical and a pedagogical means to ensure students’ identification and performance in online courses and programs.

References

Academic Integrity and Student Authentication. (n.d).

Are Your Online Students Really the Ones Registered for the Course? Student Authentication Requirements for Distance Education Providers. (2009).

Best Practice Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity in Online Education. (2009).

The Federal Register. (2009). October 27,Volume 74, Number 206, p.55413-55435

Gilman, T. (2010). Designing Effective Online Assignments. The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 22

Guidelines to Promote Academic Integrity in Online Classes (n.d).

Lokken, F., & Poulin, F. (2010). Changes in Federal Distance Education Policy: How You Can Respond. April 15, 2010.

Watson, G. & Sottile, J. (2010). Cheating in the Digital Age: Do Students Cheat More in Online Courses? Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 13(4).

Wheelen, B. (2010). Greetings from the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions.

Copyright ©2010 by Compass Knowledge Group, LLC

In the FIU 2010 Top-50 Women-led Businesses in Florida list, Pickar ranked 17; the fourth year running that she and Compass have been recognized. “It is a distinct honor to be a key leader of a growing and successful company in Orlando, especially during these tough economic times. I owe this award to the 180+ professionals who commit their talents and energies to serving our university partners and their students who are earning degrees via online learning, Ours is a business that meets important educational needs for our global economy,” Dr. Pickar said. “Being part of the FIU network devoted especially to developing and supporting women leaders to build successful businesses also gives us access to resources to help us meet our business objectives.”

In Florida, women leaders make a substantial contribution to the state’s economy. With over 700,000 women-led organizations throughout the state, not only do they provide valuable goods and services, but Florida’s women leaders are creating new job opportunities for many of the state’s residents. Women-led businesses continue to grow and expand in spite of the economic turndown and contributed as much as $125 billion to the state’s economy. The Top-50 Women-Led Businesses in Florida list includes prominent Florida women who hold the position of President, CEO, Chair, or primary-owner.

About Compass Knowledge Group

Since 1993, Compass Knowledge Group has partnered with prominent, traditional universities to help them plan, implement, and operate successful online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Compass provides the entire complement of online learning support services – including market research, program marketing, student recruitment, instructional design and technology, student retention support, faculty training and support, technical helpdesk, and online bookstore — enabling their partners to concentrate on delivering high-quality academics. Compass’ success is based on a history of predictable performance that far exceeds industry standards.

About The Center for Leadership at Florida International University
The Center for Leadership at Florida International University is committed to equipping leaders across all sectors with the competencies needed to succeed in complex, multicultural organizations. To realize its potential an organization must effectively develop and utilize the leadership capacity of its people. As the pace of globalization and competition accelerates, this ability is becoming an increasingly critical foundation for success. In recognition of this challenge and of the leading role that South Florida plays as a hemispheric hub, the Center for Leadership engages in cutting-edge research in the area of leadership development, conducts leadership development programs for organizations to assist them in building leadership capacity, and supports the leadership development agenda of Florida International University.

By providing the entire scope of online services, Compass helps institutions achieve success – well beyond industry norms – in six main areas. One of those areas is enrollment quantity and quality. Our goal is not to attract more students to a program, but to recruit responsibly. It is to attract more of the right students in order to meet mutually agreed-upon enrollment goals. Hear the story of one of our partners, Eastern Kentucky University, as they discuss the success they’ve had in enrollments and how Compass has helped them along the way.

The Virtues of Persistence and Partnership

There is an often-quoted saying that “If you build it, they will come.”  Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) built it, and almost nobody came. This “stall” phenomenon in online education is becoming more the norm than the exception.  Markets are crowded, banner ads fill virtual space, and more and more schools are growing online. But like any market, those who deliver what they say, those who are informed about the market, and those who pay attention to detail will be successful, no matter how many schools join in. Such was and is the case with Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Justice and Safety.  They initially fell short, Compass Knowledge Group helped them adjust, and now they are very successful.

After EKU launched the online Loss Prevention and Safety program in 2006, they had only 6 or 7 students. In there second intake, they had a disappointing 14.  You have to understand the consequences of this.  There were tremendous hopes, and a lot of eyes on them.  The President had used them in her speeches; they were the beacons.  So, EKU had a sit-down meeting with their partners at Compass Knowledge Group to evaluate what was going on. The Compass team came prepared with reams of research they had done on curriculum and the marketplace views of the program. Together they analyzed the data and came to the conclusion that the curriculum and the program title did not fit. They were not retail safety as the title implied, but rather emergency management, homeland security, and occupational safety. Compass strongly recommended EKU change the name of the program, segment concentrations, and implement a new marketing strategy. In that one day, Compass helped identify why things weren’t working and developed an action plan for improvement. And, it worked.

Enrollments have far exceeded expectations.  While the experiment is still ongoing, the results are evident; the online program has quadrupled in size. They’re emerging, not just nationally, but internationally, while still in the growth phase.  “Our partnership with Compass frees us up so our faculty can focus on great academics and our Compass team takes care of students’ logistical issues. They also bring us lots of academically qualified students that can do the work,” said Tim Matthews, Director of Distance Learning.  “At the end of the day, the desire is to find students that are a good-fit for the online safety, security, and emergency management program. That makes us all successful.”

Compass Knowledge Group

Who We Are
We partner with prominent, non-profit institutions to help them build successful online academic programs. We were the first and continue to be the premier services provider in this industry. Our success is based upon a history of predictable performance that far exceeds industry standards.

What We Do
Marketplace & Institutional Assessment
Program Marketing
Student Recruitment
Retention & Student Support
Online Course Development & Faculty Support
Online Technologies
Financial Investment

Orlando, FL, (June, 2010) – Compass Knowledge Group, the expert provider of distance learning services, today announced that their Founder and CEO, Daniel J. Devine, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the technology category in Florida.  According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses.  Mr. Devine was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate on June 10. 
“It is such an honor to receive this prestigious award and represent the company that I founded almost two decades ago,” said Dan Devine. “We have a passion for the business of higher education. We exist to satisfy students’ demands for innovative learning options while ensuring that university standards, tradition, identity, and integrity are not only preserved, but enhanced.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate their 24th anniversary this year.  The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

As a Florida award recipient, Mr. Devine is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010 national program.  Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 13, 2010.  The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.

Florida sponsors include Bowne, Carlton Fields, Fifth Third Bank, RFB Communications Group, Smart Business Network and Tribridge.

About Compass Knowledge Group

Since 1993, Compass Knowledge Group has partnered with prominent, traditional universities to help them plan, implement, and operate successful online academic programs. Compass provides the entire complement of online learning support services – including market research, program marketing, student recruitment, instructional design and technology, student retention support, faculty training and support, technical helpdesk, and online bookstore — enabling their partners to concentrate on delivering high-quality academics. Compass’ success is based on a history of predictable performance that far exceeds industry standards.

About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the U.S.

The new site is a valuable resource for universities seeking information on how to be successful in online learning. Included are the six definitions of success that identify the outcomes universities should expect from their online programs, and the chain of activities that maps out the steps necessary to achieve that success. Because much of the website features rich, personal stories told by Compass Knowledge’s university partners, the new site is also a valuable source of encouragement for institutions considering entering the distance learning market.

“As a services provider to prominent, traditional universities, Compass Knowledge is the gold standard,” said Daniel J. Devine, founder and CEO of Compass Knowledge Group. “Evidence of this level of excellence can be found in the resources we provide our university partners and the industry, including our new website, our highly intelligent and motivated staff, and the success stories that grow out of our lasting university partnerships.”

Also included on the new site is a series of articles that stretch across three primary themes: the business side of online learning, what universities should expect from their online programs, and organizational and foundational issues that arise when implementing online learning programs.

About Compass Knowledge Group

Since 1993, Compass Knowledge Group has partnered with prominent, traditional universities to help them plan, implement and operate successful online academic programs. Compass provides the entire complement of online learning support services – including market research, program marketing, student recruitment, instructional design and technology, student retention support, faculty training and support, technical helpdesk, and online bookstore — enabling their partners to concentrate on delivering high-quality academics. Compass’ success is based on a history of predictable performance that far exceeds industry standards.

“Entrepreneurship begins with inspiration and matures through hard work and a dedication to making your business ideas a reality,” says Dan Devine. “Compass Knowledge Group began almost two decades ago with the goal of bringing superior higher education opportunities to working professionals. By following our service standards of integrity, courtesy, quality, and efficiency we have developed into an industry leader and a model for entrepreneurial success. I’m proud of the accomplishments of CKG and to be nominated for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 24^th anniversary this year.  The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year national program.  Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 13, 2010.  The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

About Compass Knowledge Group

Since 1993, Compass Knowledge Group has partnered with prominent, traditional universities to help them plan, implement, and operate successful online academic programs. Compass provides the entire complement of online learning support services – including market research, program marketing, student recruitment, instructional design and technology, student retention support, faculty training and support, technical helpdesk, and online bookstore — enabling their partners to concentrate on delivering high-quality academics. Compass’ success is based on a history of predictable performance that far exceeds industry standards.

About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program

Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the U.S.

Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are
pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.

Florida sponsors include Bowne, Carlton Fields, Fifth Third Bank, RFB Communications Group, Smart Business Network and Tribridge.

ORLANDO, Fla. – (May, 2010) – The University of Cincinnati (UC) has extended its partnership with Compass Knowledge Group, the expert provider of distance learning services, by renewing the Educational Leadership principal licensure program and launching two new degrees with concentrations as part of the online Masters of Education program..

The Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction and the Master of Education in Special Education programs offer exciting new online curriculum options for students interested in maximizing their professional contributions in education-related careers.

Recognized as having one of the most innovative teacher education programs in the country, UC offers students an opportunity to learn and benefit from each other through the convenience and community of online learning.

The Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction offers multiple concentrations, including: General Studies, Gifted, Math Specialist, National Board Certification Preparation, Reading Specialist, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), TESOL, and Teacher Leadership. Students within these concentrations will learn to plan, develop, implement and evaluate instructional programs to educate K-12 students.

The Master of Education in Special Education challenges students to motivate developing children and accept their differences as they educate. UC’s unique cohort-based curriculum allows students to network with other teachers who seek the challenge and reward of working among students with disabilities. Degree-seeking students will gain an understanding of the behavioral, social, and academic development of special education students, which leads to more effective interaction and greater learning opportunity. This degree will give special education teachers the ability to improve and enhance their skills, as well as allow those teachers who may want to go into special education the opportunity to do so.

“These new degrees provide opportunities for existing teachers to improve their performance in the classroom. By connecting students with a dynamic community of dedicated professors, accessible research, and a devoted student support team, the programs help transform teachers into leaders.” said Dr. Lawrence Johnson, Dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services at UC.

“Quality is as important to us as it is to the universities we partner with,” said Dr. Gloria Pickar, Compass Knowledge Group President and Chief Academic Officer. “We work together to deliver online programs that not only provide students with an exceptional degree but an enhanced student experience. Students enrolled in the Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction and the Master of Education in Special Education programs will have a unique opportunity to earn their degree in a way that leverages the strengths of traditional programs with new online technologies and time-tested philosophies.”

About Compass Knowledge Group, LLC
Since 1993, Compass Knowledge Group has partnered with prominent, traditional universities to help them plan, implement and operate successful online academic programs. Compass provides the entire complement of online learning support services – including market research, program marketing, student recruitment, instructional design and technology, student retention support, faculty training and support, technical helpdesk, and online bookstore — enabling their partners to concentrate on delivering high-quality academics. Compass’ success is based on a history of predictable performance that far exceeds industry standards.

About University of Cincinnati
THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, A FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE
The University of Cincinnati, Ohio’s premier urban research university traces its origins to 1819, the year in which Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio were chartered. In 1870, the City of Cincinnati established the University of Cincinnati, which later absorbed the earlier institutions. In 1906, the University of Cincinnati created the first cooperative education program in the United States.
For many years, the University of Cincinnati was the second oldest and second largest municipal university in the country. In 1968, UC became a “municipally sponsored, state-affiliated” institution, entering a transitional period culminating on July 1, 1977 when UC joined the university system of Ohio. Today, the University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research University (Very High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Commission, and is ranked as one of America’s top public research universities by the National Science Foundation.
The School of Education resides within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services and has more than 50 full-time faculty members. All programs in the School of Education meet the rigorous accreditation standards of the State of Ohio and National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education* (NCATE).

*NCATE-2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 500 Washington DC 20036-1023 phone: (202) 466-7496 fax: (202) 296-6620 Web site: www.ncate.org