The OHIO Online advantage: A strategic model for accessible, high-impact online education

An OHIO Online student earning their online undergrad or grad degree through ��ý's distinctive model.

��ý has developed a nationally distinctive model for online education, one that combines a balanced portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty-led instruction, and deep student support infrastructure.

While many institutions have prioritized graduate-only online expansion, ��ý has intentionally invested in building both undergraduate and graduate offerings at scale. This dual focus reflects OHIO’s mission to expand access while maintaining academic rigor and workforce relevance across all levels of postsecondary education.

This model is rare in the online education space and increasingly important as universities seek scalable strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.

A dual-level online strategy rooted in equity and outcomes

��ý’s online portfolio includes a wide range of bachelor’s programs and professionally oriented graduate degrees. At the undergraduate level, students can begin or continue their college education through flexible, high-quality programs—whether they’re just starting out or returning to complete a degree. Options include nationally ranked programs in Psychology (#9 in the country), Business, and the in-demand field of Interior Architecture. Graduate programs, meanwhile, are designed to help working professionals build specialized expertise and advance in their careers.

��ý’s online programs are intentionally structured to support lifelong learning, serving students at every stage of their academic and professional journey. Many degrees are designed with built-in pathways that make it easier to move from undergraduate to graduate study. For example, students in the Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) program can transition directly into programs including OHIO’s online MBA, continuing their education without disruption.

Cross-level and cross-disciplinary collaboration

A key differentiator is the integration of faculty expertise across undergraduate and graduate programs. Faculty often teach at both levels, ensuring pedagogical alignment and curricular relevance. This cross-pollination strengthens instruction at the foundational level and brings industry-aligned insights to advanced learners.

The University also emphasizes interdisciplinary program development. Notable examples include:

Master of Science in Project Management, offered in collaboration between the College of Business and the Russ College of Engineering.
The College of Health Sciences and Professions partners with the College of Business and the Russ College of Engineering and Technology to give MHA students the opportunity to complete certificates in Business Analytics or Project Management.
The College of Business partners with the College of Health Sciences and Professions to offer an MBA concentration in Healthcare Administration, allowing students to tailor their degree to the healthcare industry.

Such collaborations demonstrate OHIO’s agility in designing programs that reflect the realities of an increasingly interconnected workforce.

Faculty-centered online instructional excellence

OHIO Online is built on a foundation of instructional quality. The University invests in preparing faculty to deliver effective, student-centered online learning.

Online courses are typically taught by the same full-time faculty who teach on campus, preserving academic continuity and reinforcing ��ý’s commitment to excellence across delivery formats.

“We ensure our online students learn from the best,” said Dr. Gabriel Giordano, Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Programs in the College of Business. “Our top residential faculty teach in our online programs.”

Scalable, personalized student support

��ý’s infrastructure for online student support is central to its model. Services include personalized advising, 24/7 tutoring, and weekly virtual office hours with faculty.

Programs are designed with flexibility in mind. The RN to BSN program, for example, uses a five-week course format to accommodate the demanding schedules of working nurses. Students can pause and resume their studies enabling true personalization.

Career services are embedded throughout the online experience. A dedicated team provides personal branding support, coaching, connections to employers and the Bobcat Alumni Network, ensuring that students remain focused on post-graduation outcomes.

Innovation informed by market intelligence

Programmatic innovation at OHIO Online is driven by faculty expertise in identifying and addressing emerging market needs. The College of Business, for example, continuously updates its offerings based on industry trends. Its online MBA program includes 11 specialized concentrations—including one of the first AI-focused MBA specializations in the state.

“Before AI, it was analytics,” said Giordano. “We built specializations around what the workforce needed, and we continue to anticipate where those needs are going.”

This proactive approach ensures ��ý’s online graduates are prepared to lead in dynamic, evolving sectors.

A legacy of online leadership

��ý’s commitment to online education began in the early 2000s with the launch of its fully online RN to BSN program, a pioneering effort among brick-and-mortar institutions at the time. That foundational program now enrolls students across the country and is continuously updated to reflect the evolving needs of the nursing profession and healthcare landscape, including best practices in nursing, informatics, and health workforce well-being.

The College of Business also emerged early as a leader in digital education, launching online graduate programs such as the Master of Athletic Administration (2010) and the online MBA (2012), both of which continue to attract students nationwide.

A scalable, student-centered model for the future of online education

��ý’s balanced approach, serving both undergraduate and graduate learners, provides a comprehensive yet cohesive model for online education, reinforcing its reputation for high value education and experience for its students.

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