More than 30,000 students took courses from Minnesota Online last year, an increase of more than 40 percent since 2004, according to Gary Langer, an associate vice chancellor at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Langer, who oversees online education for the 32 Minnesota state colleges and universities, credited the growth to an impressive selection of courses that meet personal and professional needs for a wide range of individuals. Students can earn diplomas, certificates, associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees in more than 100 programs offered by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the seventh largest system of two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the country.
The online student body consists of working adults, parents, and traditional-age college students in programs varying from business administration to nursing. "Our colleges and universities offer high-quality courses and programs for individuals who live in Minnesota, the United States or abroad," Langer said. In addition, Minnesota Online provides resources to help student plan and manage their online education seven days a week.