Ohio University Expands Online Career Training Options - Popularity of Online Courses Explode, Especially in Areas of Medicine and Business

The e-learning movement, a segment of adult education that has only scratched the surface of potential enrollees, has taken hold particularly in higher education. According to the United States Distance Learning Association, 90 percent of four-year public schools and more than half of four-year private schools offer some form of online education.

Athens, OH (PRWEB) January 16, 2005 -- In response to overwhelming interest in online, non-credit, career training courses, Ohio University and other well-known institutions have expanded their course offerings to accommodate what are considered 'hot trend areas.

The e-learning movement, a segment of adult education that has only scratched the surface of potential enrollees, has taken hold particularly in higher education. According to the United States Distance Learning Association, 90 percent of four-year public schools and more than half of four-year private schools offer some form of online education.

Lisa S. Dael, program coordinator in Community and Professional Programs for Ohio University, said that enrollment in their medical courses is extremely hot at the moment, especially in the areas of medical transcription, dental assisting, medical coding, and pharmacy technician training.

According to the current edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Transcription is among the ten fastest growing occupations in the U.S. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that demand for dental assistants will rise and continue to be one of the fastest growing professions through the year 2012. Courses and online certification programs such as the ones offered at Ohio University via Gatlin Education provide the students with easy training in the areas that are most needed in the job market today," Dael said. Prospective students call in on a daily basis to inquire and register for these courses, and we only see the trend increasing in the future."

On the business end, Dael said, students from all walks of life seem to find the Project Management course a must have. The 40 hour course is used by many to qualify for a Project Management Professional certificate. With over 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants at work today in the United States (according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor), Dael has found that many students have registered for the Administrative Professional with Microsoft Office certification program, which includes 240 hours of up to date skill-based training. These courses are offered through Ohio University via Gatlin Education Services, Inc., the largest provider of asynchronous web-based, instructor-supported training to colleges and universities. GES open-enrollment programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for many in-demand occupations.

For program and course descriptions, go to http://www.ohio.edu/noncredit/certificates.htm. For enrollment information, contact Lisa S. Dael in Community and Professional Programs at 740-593-9925 or dael@ohio.edu. Direct media inquiries to Sandy Bell at 972-934-2850 or sandybell@sbellinc.com.

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