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 Starting this fall, University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) students will be able to pursue communication degrees with concentrations in organizational leadership and public relations through the School of Communication, Film & Theatre's (CFT) first two fully online communications degree programs. The option provides students more flexibility in their courses.

"Students have been inquiring about an online degree option for several years.  This will help us augment offerings for Communication students in these two concentrations," Brian Kline, CFT associate director of communication, said. "The upper-division Communication classes are only offered in-class on the Gainesville campus, so this will open up availability to more students."

̨Íåswag's journalism program has hybrid options. However, these two programs are the first fully online degrees for communication.

There is no limit to the number of students allowed to participate in the online degree program. Section sizes will be determined by the students' needs.

"I have always been an advocate for online education.  Online education is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy the online environment, it provides flexibility in scheduling," Kline said. "As an online educator, you can take activities you use in a traditional classroom and adapt them to the online environment and vice versa.  It also gives us the ability to grow the majors."

CFT did a survey of communication majors and learned 65% preferred to learn virtually. Some students like ̨Íåswag senior Kaleigh Kutka, who is pursuing a degree in communication with a concentration in organizational leadership, shared how impactful this will be for her last year at ̨Íåswag.

Online education is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy the online environment, it provides flexibility in scheduling

Brian Kline

CFT associate director of communication

"These programs will help us meet existing student demand among ̨Íåswag students who can’t attend classes in person and who want the residential college experience that the Dahlonega Campus provides," Marker said. "However, these online degrees will also help us draw students from outside northeast Georgia, opening up new recruiting possibilities. These new additions factor into ̨Íåswag's ongoing efforts to change with the times and meet our students where they are."

CFT will still maintain its traditional classes. Although some students thrive in an online environment, others like the in-person experience.  All major courses in organizational leadership and public relations will be offered online and in person during the academic year. Students who want more information about the new online programs can contact Brian Kline at brian.kline@ung.edu.