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Eastern Connecticut State University takes its graduate education online, opening campus to the world
“A Natural Extension”
SPONSORED BY EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY
Eastern has selected four graduate programs to be conducted completely online: Accounting, Special Education, Applied Data Science and Management. “We’ve focused on these four areas of Eastern expertise where we know there is demand from professionals all over the country,” says Dean Pandey. “This is how we can leverage the Eastern brand for continued learning.”
One of the online programs is Applied Data Science, taught by Dr. Garrett M. Dancik, who holds a master’s degree in statistics and a doctorate in bioinformatics and computational biology from Iowa State University.
It’s never too late to get your graduate degree. That said, it can often feel like there’s not enough time to go back to school. You’re an adult. You have a job, a life, a family to support. Further education would no doubt improve all three of those things, but right now, that might seem like a long-term investment with too much sacrifice up front.
But that’s not necessarily the case.
For years, Eastern Connecticut State University, the public four-year institution based in Willimantic, has been working to make its graduate studies programs more user-friendly to working adults looking to continue their education. After the remote-learning leap brought on by the pandemic, Eastern has doubled down by shifting to an online model for four key graduate programs: Accounting, Special Education, Applied Data Science and Management.
We’ve spent the time up front to make sure these programs are higher quality, with longtime tenured faculty involved.”
“It’s about meeting adult learners where they are,” says Niti Pandey, Dean of the ECSU Graduate Division. “We want to respond to the needs of the workforce. Online education can level the playing field by being more accessible.”
“The Eastern Experience” Online
Founded in 1889, Eastern has a long tradition of educating Connecticut’s finest. In fact, 92 percent of students are from in-state and more than half of them live on a campus that is at once scenic and vibrant with culture and curiosity. The goal of these new online programs is not just to extend the Eastern education of local undergrads — it’s also to reach beyond the state’s borders and offer a first-rate grad-school experience to students all over the world.
“We want to make sure these students have the full Eastern experience,” says Dean Pandey. “We don’t want to lose that with our graduate programs.”
The programs launch in Spring 2024 with rolling admissions to the intensive seven-week courses offered by semesters. That way, students can apply whenever they want.
If you are interested in applying for this unique opportunity to further your education, get more information or register for programs in Accounting, Special Education, Applied Data Science and Management.
An Eastern education is waiting for you — no matter where you want to experience it.
We emphasize hands-on
learning through case studies and real-world examples.”
“We emphasize hands-on learning through case studies and real-world examples,” says Dr. Dancik. “We teach practical skills, such as data visualization and communication.”
The Applied Data Science program culminates with a capstone project, in which students will work with an industry co-sponsor on an actual data science problem — simultaneously offering real-world experience and an opportunity to network in the industry.
“For Accounting, because spring is tax season and our working students are busy, we made sure to have fewer courses in the spring and more in the summer and fall terms,” said Dean Pandey. “By designing the program this way, we are trying to be responsive to the students’ needs.”
In the same way autumn months are easier for accountants and tax professionals, the summer tends to be the best time for professionals in education to pursue their graduate studies.
“We focus on skillsets that are very relevant for today’s business world,” says Dr. Sukeshini Grandhi, Professor of Business Administration. “Many students might have an undergrad degree in business. I’ve always said that you’ll see the same principles and concepts, but you won’t understand until you’ve experienced it. When you come in with work experience, you’re making these connections. And if you’re in a leadership: How do you hire people? How do you manage talent? This is not just human resources; it’s about thinking ahead about your work force.”
Meanwhile, the online course in Accounting offers people interested in a career as a Certified Public Accountant an easy way to fulfill the 150-credit requirement for the CPA exam. Eastern’s online MS in Accounting program is known for its curricular innovation and offers 30 required credit hours in accounting, financial management, managerial economics, and organizational behavior. Students will be challenged to develop an advanced and functional knowledge of accounting, use critical thinking and data analysis, and understand the professional and ethical standards of the accounting profession.
Dr. Garrett Dancik
These online programs give students the flexibility to watch lectures and complete course work at their convenience. All they need is a laptop and an internet connection. But just because the class is online and at the students’ pace doesn’t mean that it’s impersonal or isolated. Classes are capped at 25 students to ensure a level of intimacy. There is group work, one-on-one sessions and weekly assignments to ensure that students are engaged with the course and with each other. Further, students have direct access to their instructors for virtual office hours once a week. (They also have the support of Eastern’s IT Help Desk to troubleshoot any technical issues.)
Dean Niti Pandey
Dr. Grandhi emphasizes that students in the graduate course will learn the textbook theory, but they’ll also participate in discussions with faculty and fellow students to interpret what that theory means in the real world.
“A lot of it is active work,” says Dr. Grandhi. “You read things; you post your reflections online. Then you have active interactions between peers and professors. We also have an hour of open office hours where that discussion can continue. Just because we’re asynchronous and online, doesn’t mean our professors won’t be available. There’s still
Dr. Sukeshini Grandhi
a personal touch, just like Eastern undergrads come to know in-person on campus.”
“For Accounting, because spring is tax season and our working students are busy, we made sure to have fewer courses in the spring and more in the summer and fall terms,” said Dean Pandey. “By designing the program this way, we are trying to be responsive to the students’ needs.”
In the same way autumn months are easier for accountants and tax professionals, the summer tends to be the best time for professionals in education to pursue their graduate studies.
Eastern’s 30-credit Master of Science in Special Education is designed for teachers who are currently certified and other school personnel that have relevant experience that are seeking K-12 cross endorsement. “Our program is uniquely designed to meet the growing special educator shortage in Connecticut and across the United States through a school-community-based approach,” says Department Head Dr. Kwangwon Lee. “It is designed for teachers who want Special Education certification, as well as students who are working toward a degree without that endorsement.”
The approach to learning here is a community-based hybrid model using theory, research, and practice to enhance the ability of educators working with special-needs students and their families. “Our program focuses on preparing special educators to work with students with disabilities, their families, related service providers, and community agencies,” says Dr Lee. “We believe that by preparing our students to collaborate with community and related service providers, students with disabilities and their families will receive better services and have better outcomes.”
Students end their course with a practicum at a school or agency near where they live or work — no matter where that is.
Eastern's MS in Management is comprised of seven-week courses designed to be completed in one year or at the pace that suits each learner. The courses are taught by experts in their fields, and students walk away with critical skills for management roles like critical thinking, communication and quantitative and ethical reasoning.
Dr. Kwangwon Lee
These programs are taught by full-time professors and professionals who are experts in their fields and bring to bear the institutional knowledge and resources Eastern is known for.
“We’ve spent the time up front to make sure these programs are higher quality, with longtime tenured faculty involved,” says Dean Pandey. “They know our students. They know our mission. And they are excited to have this ability to be innovative and creative.”
