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Monica Luangrath is wrapping up her Bachelor’s Degree this fall without the pressure of having to commute to a classroom. Single mother of three Lucia Munoz appreciates being able to balance a full-time job and college classes from home. Student-athlete Stacey Hains needs a college class schedule that allows her to pursue other interests.
All three are among the increasing numbers of California State University, Stanislaus students who are using the Internet to take a variety of classes online at a time when some traditional courses are being cancelled due to state budget cuts. An all-time high of more than 1,400 enrollments in 42 online classes have been recorded for the Fall 2009 semester, and student interest in online courses is increasing steadily since CSU Stanislaus launched its pilot program in 2006.
“I am so grateful to CSU Stanislaus that they are offering online courses because it has enabled me to continue working my 8 to 5, Monday through Friday job, continue being a full-time wife and mother, and to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies,” Monica Luangrath said. “It it weren’t for the online courses, there’s no way I would have been able to keep up with all of my responsibilities.”
For Lucia Munoz, the ability to take online classes through CSU Stanislaus has been her only option. She values the opportunity to interact with other online learners and the instructors.
“Online learning has been a blessing for me because it has made it possible to continue with my education and reach my goal of achieving a college degree,” Munoz said. “I have learned just as much and, at times, more online than in the traditional classroom.”
Since taking a class online during the summer and “absolutely loving it,” Stacey Hains, a pitcher for the CSU Stanislaus women’s softball team, feels that being able to take more online classes can accommodate her demanding schedule and enhance her learning opportunities. A Business Administration major who plans to become a teacher, Hains said she is looking to complete some of her teaching credential classes online.
“Being a student-athlete as well as having a job makes time hard to find,” Hains said. “Online classes are super convenient because I can go on the Web at any time during the day to get my work done. They allow me to do everything else in my life, as well as actually learn the subject in an interactive environment.”