Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Strategy- Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 11:07

ORLANDO , Fla. – Compass Knowledge Holdings, Inc., a leader in e-learning solutions, has developed a strategy enabling law enforcement officers to earn bachelor’s degrees during off-duty hours.

This initiative is the latest example of Compass’ implemented capability to help accredited colleges and universities extend their reach to working professionals. “The Compass niche is working with colleges and universities seeking to expand e-learning opportunities for students throughout the country,” Compass CEO and President Dan Devine said. “We help make it possible for any working professional with a computer to access our programs.”

Compass’ most recent success was working with West Virginia’s Mountain State University to be selected as the “most favored bachelor’s degree program” by Texas’ largest police union – the Houston Police Officers’ Union. Large numbers of Houston officers are enrolling in Mountain State University’s Bachelor of Science degree program in Administration of Criminal Justice, also available to law enforcement personnel throughout the nation.

Mr. Devine added: “Our mission is to assist the academic provider in program management, quality control and student recruitment in a customized e-learning business environment. Using Mountain State’s unique, affordable and accredited capabilities, Compass responded to the union’s request for a flexible, personalized and service-intensive program. We work with academic providers to discover the best opportunity to serve working professionals who usually don’t have the time or resources for a traditional, on-campus degree plan. Knowing the capabilities of a school and the needs of prospective audiences enables us to become the glue that solidifies the educational process.”

Compass presently offers, through its University partners, degree and certificate programs to law enforcement, health care, and education professionals in the $3.6 billion global distance-learning marketplace.

In addition to Mountain State University, Compass works with University of Florida, University of Cincinnati and Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences -- which offer a master’s degree in Education Administration, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, a doctorate in Pharmacy, a bachelor’s degrees in Radiologic Sciences, and certificates in certain healthcare fields.

Enrollment in a health care program which Compass helped Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences initiate several years ago has grown from 12 to approximately 300 students. “We add value to both sides of the consumer/provider equation,” Devine said. “We do it by working to create appropriate e-learning opportunities through a simple business proposition -- knowing the programs colleges and universities offer and helping them cultivate audiences of working professionals.”