Drexel e-Learning, Inc., the University’s recently established, for-profit subsidiary, specializes in offering innovative, Internet-based distance education programs for working professionals in the United States and around the world.

Led by President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Thomas Samph, Drexel e-Learning offers accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as well as certificate programs in nursing, business, information sciences, engineering and teacher education. All courses and programs follow the same academic standards of Drexel’s on-campus programs and are taught by Drexel faculty. “There is no distinction between on-campus and e-Learning students,” said Samph. “In fact, when an e-Learning student completes the program, his or her diploma and University transcript are the same as those of students who earn their degrees on campus.”

To make a Drexel education accessible to more individuals in a variety of fields, Drexel e-Learning has partnered with corporations and professional associations, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), to offer programs to their employees and members. It has partnered with 12 community colleges nationwide, including Miami-Dade Community College (Fla.), Harrisburg Area Community College (Pa.) and College of DuPage (Chicago) to allow graduates with associate’s degrees to complete their bachelor’s degrees at Drexel. Drexel e-Learning is also collaborating with institutions like the Franklin Institute to promote online programs for teachers.

Drexel e-Learning has also formed relationships with hospital networks in an effort to address the country’s critical nursing shortage. Nurses at the York, Pa.-based WellSpan Health, Saint Vincent Medical Center in New York, N.Y., and South Jersey Health System in Bridgeton, N.J., can earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees or certificates with Drexel’s online nursing offerings. In November, Drexel e-Learning signed an agreement with Catholic Health East (CHE) to provide more than 10,000 CHE nurses in 11 states the opportunity to further their education and training without interrupting their careers.

“The online format of these programs offers convenience for working nurses who would otherwise have to quit their jobs to go back to college,” said Samph. “Through these relationships with major healthcare systems, we want to assist in recruiting, retaining and further developing qualified nursing personnel in an era of acute nursing shortages.”

Collaborations with hospital networks also include an innovative Web site to recruit new nurses, www.careersfornurses.com. The site, launched by the Drexel e-Learning, features employment opportunities and educational benefits offered at hospital facilities for nursing professionals, students and recent graduates.

Nursing students at e-Learning partnering organizations can receive credit for in-hospital training. Additionally, special tuition rates are available to the members of all partnering organizations and to Drexel University alumni. For more information on Drexel e-Learning visit www.drexel.com.