As if taking English 101 in your pajamas wasn't good enough, now McHenry County College - and soon other area colleges - will offer whole degrees from the comfort of your computer.

McHenry County College students now can earn associate degrees in science, art or general education through online degree programs.

"Now we can legitimately say you can get a degree online," said Julie Giuliani, director of Distance Education at McHenry County College.

Although its electronic program is far from the first to receive accreditation, the college is on the leading edge of the trend of colleges adding whole degrees online.

Harper College in Palatine, for example, is only now preparing some online business degree programs. College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn doesn't yet offer accredited online degree programs.

"That is one of our goals though," said Annette Haggray, dean of Academic Alternative and Instructional Support for the College of DuPage.

Steve Crow, executive director of the Higher Learning Commission, the accrediting agency for the Midwest, estimates about 350 colleges or universities - or roughly a third of the members of the commission - now have accredited distance learning degree programs.

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By Patrick Garmoe Daily Herald Staff Writer

Article source: Daily Herald