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Meeting the needs of students online - Distinctively Christian, Uniquely Virtual

by Staff

JACKSON, MISS (ANS) -- Imagine completing your college degree on the mission field in Asia, while your professors are in Mississippi! That's now possible, thanks to Belhaven College's Virtual Online Education Program.

Since 1883, Belhaven College, in Jackson, Miss., has been a leader in providing comprehensive Christian education. President Roger Parrott says, "the new Virtual Online Education Program emphasizes our commitment to helping students all over the world, including missionaries, their children and others, receive a Christ-centered education," while also keeping up with family, ministry and work responsibilities. President Parrott, a leader in the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization for 20 years, says the Virtual Online Education Program equips Christians both academically and spiritually for positions in mission, ministry or business.

President Parrott adds that the Virtual Online Education Program combines Belhaven's 15 years of adult education success, with a strong commitment to using virtual technology to meet the needs of students who are increasingly seeking online education. According to one education report, over 75% of all prospective college students are interested in enrolling in online education courses.

The Belhaven Virtual Online Education Program offers a Bachelor of Science in Management and an Associate of Arts. The program is accelerated and Provost Dr. Dan Fredericks says it's anticipated that most students will complete the Bachelor of Science program in less than four years. Fredericks adds that classes are also available for home-schooled high school students who want to enhance their education or be dually enrolled in college without being on campus.

Belhaven's Virtual Online Education Program allows students to do everything online - from registration and turning in assignments to group projects - from anywhere in the world. Fredericks points out that Belhaven's program is unique among higher education distance learning courses because students also participate in a once-a-week, live, online, two hour webcam class with professors and other students. This allows students to stay connected and motivated, reducing the traditionally high drop-out rates experienced by other online college programs.

Applications are being accepted for Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 Belhaven Virtual Online classes. For more information, go to www.belhaven.edu or email virtualadmission@belhaven.edu.

Belhaven College, a Christian Liberal Arts College in Jackson, Miss., has branch campuses in Houston, Orlando and Memphis, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities. Credits earned through the Belhaven Virtual Online Program are transferable.