Universities of Wisconsin launch website to market online degrees

The Universities of Wisconsin want to make it easier for students seeking online degree programs. 

And in turn, market those programs to prospective students across the country. 

For years, the online-only University of Phoenix has marketed its degree programs across Wisconsin. 

UW President Jay Rothman said it’s time to let Wisconsin know about the more than 200 fully online degree programs offered by the Universities of Wisconsin. 

On Feb. 1, the system launched Wisconsin Online at online.wisconsin.edu. The website provides access and information about the UW’s 10 associate, 99 bachelor’s and 95 master’s degree programs.

“We have taken a more deliberate approach to this,” Rothman told WPR. “Our role is to use the trusted brands as the Universities of Wisconsin to offer a world class, online educational program.”

The UW has 18,000 “traditional” students who have now gone fully online, Rothman said. 

But the new online portal is also focused on the more than 700,000 people in Wisconsin who have some college credit who now want to finish their degree online, Rothman said. 

“We have a number of students who also want to get their MBA this way,” Rothman said. “So it is simply a way to further address and meet the students where their needs are. “

A recent study by the Wisconsin Policy Forum found that 91 percent of projected job openings with a median salary of $75,000 or more require a bachelor’s or advanced degree.