You can learn THAT online?!?!?

Online learning has been popularized through programs in business, technology, education and even nursing.  However, over the years, the diversity of programs you can take online – even those which require extensive clinical hours – has grown.  For a little fun this summer, I dug around to find the most unusual online learning programs from an accredited university or a recognized industry association I could.  Here are some of the programs I unearthed:

• Enjoy a frosty craft brew? Perhaps you’d like to learn the business of craft brewing before moving your operation out of the garage and into the public. There’s a certificate at Portland State University to help you with that.
• Can you spot a diamond in the rough? Perhaps you’d like to become a Graduate Gemologist.
• Maybe you’re into Casper and friends and want to go the Paranormal Investigation route.
• Maybe you’d like to learn to grow your own organic vegetables, but don’t have your own row to hoe. This program at Washington State University allows you to learn the basics and then intern with an organic farmer, organic business, or organic certifying agency to get your hands dirty.
• You can become a leader in the energy industry, with a bachelor of applied science at Bismarck State College.
• Learn to help people undergoing dialysis by earning a certificate that provides both theoretical and practical training. Or become a surgical assistant and support surgeons in fields from obstetrics to neurosurgery.
• You can move up the healthcare ladder by earning your Nurse Practitioner degree through Duke University or Georgetown University
• Perhaps you’d like to be among the first Canadian Architects trained online?
• Maybe your heart resides with the animals and earning a veterinary technician degree would help you put your compassion to work.
• You can even learn to become a professional pilot, prior pilot’s license not required but can be applied towards prior learning credits.

I also found lots of programs from unaccredited institutions in everything from blackjack dealing to tarot reading to becoming a wedding minister.  There is that saying that ‘you can be anyone online’ or as Brad Paisley said “I’m so much cooler online.”  So, what about your institution?  What is the most unusual program you offer online?  What isn’t offered online right now that you’d like to see offered online? 

I’ll leave you with one idea – Coming this Fall from UConn: an online graduate certificate in Puppet Arts.

11:25am edit: *This is by no means an exhaustive list, I’m sure there are lots of other good programs in these fields and other unusual programs – please, add them to the comments – join the fun!

Cali Morrison

Communications Manager, WCET

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Photo Credit: Steve Hanna