UPCEA Updates

Your one-stop shop for the latest Association happenings, plus thoughts from the desk of CEO Bob Hansen.

How to Develop Leaders in the Online, Continuing, and Professional Education Landscape

By UPCEA | February 10, 2025

Introduction  The online, continuing, and professional education landscape has experienced rapid growth and transformation in recent years. With technological advancements and an increasing demand for flexible learning options, institutions are tasked with delivering high-quality programs in a dynamic environment. As this field evolves, the need for strong, effective leadership becomes even more critical. Leaders in…

UPCEA Congratulates Members Recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Ranking of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs

By UPCEA | February 6, 2025

Thirty of the thirty-one Top 25 Ranked Institutions are UPCEA Members WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 6, 2025) — UPCEA, the online and professional education association, is pleased to congratulate the many UPCEA members recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. U.S. News rankings include more than 1,790 online programs, covering…

Should I Get Microcredentials To Complement My Four-Year Degree In Today’s Job Market? (Forbes)

By UPCEA | January 30, 2025

“Think about a professional stepping into the workforce—equipped with the strategic insights cultivated during a four-year business degree and bolstered by technical expertise gained through microcredentials. This balanced blend of broad understanding and specialized skills does more than make them competitive; it prepares them to lead and drive transformative change. Employers are no longer satisfied…

Reflections from Convergence 2024: Credential Innovation in Higher Education, hosted by UPCEA and AACRAO

By UPCEA | December 18, 2024

The running joke was that this fall’s Convergence, UPCEA’s second collaboration with thoughtful partner AACRAO, was referred to as Convergence Two: Electric Boogaloo, for the verve and excitement around bringing together another sold-out/SRO gathering of credential innovators–in the buzzy city of New Orleans, no less. And though I am fairly certain that pop-y, choreographed dancing…

Collegis Education logo and UPCEA logo

According To the New UPCEA and Collegis Report, 71% of Prospective Graduate Students Prefer Fully Online Programs

By UPCEA | December 16, 2024

Findings highlight the need for strategic outreach to address master’s degree enrollment challenges in a competitive market [Washington and Illinois] – December 16, 2024 –  A new report released today by UPCEA, the online and professional education association, and Collegis Education, a higher education solutions tech-enabler, highlights the growing interest in online master’s degree programs…

Building the Future of Credentials: Explore the LER Accelerator Inventory

By UPCEA | December 12, 2024

By the LER Accelerator coalition We are excited to share the official launch of the LER Accelerator Inventory, a comprehensive collection of resources designed to support institutions in adopting and implementing Learning and Employment Records (LERs). As members of the LER Accelerator coalition, we are proud to contribute to this valuable initiative to create a more transparent, interoperable, and…

Welcome, new board and committee members!

UPCEA Welcomes New Board and Committee Members for Terms Beginning in March 2025

By UPCEA | December 12, 2024

WASHINGTON, December 12, 2024 – UPCEA, the online and professional education association, is pleased to announce the election of new officers and new directors to serve on the UPCEA Board of Directors. Elected in November, these individuals will assume their roles at the conclusion of the 2025 UPCEA Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado on March…

As online learning programs grow, so does the need for data-informed decisions (eCampus News)

By UPCEA | December 4, 2024

“While online learning has matured in many respects, there is still significant potential for growth, innovation, and improvement, according to a new report that underscores the need for data-informed decision-making in shaping the future of online education. The new research report, “Benchmarking Online Enterprises: Insights into Structures, Strategies, and Financial Models in Higher Education,” was released…

Other Blogs and News:

UPCEA 2024 Research: Unlocking Insights, Solving Higher Ed’s Biggest Challenges

The state of higher education in the U.S. is tumultuous with no clear and obvious pathway to success.  College and university leaders have never experienced what is currently going on regarding higher education, the economy, and the political landscape.  However, information can guide us, just as it did for UPCEA members coming out of the…

Read More

How to Develop Leaders in the Online, Continuing, and Professional Education Landscape

Introduction  The online, continuing, and professional education landscape has experienced rapid growth and transformation in recent years. With technological advancements and an increasing demand for flexible learning options, institutions are tasked with delivering high-quality programs in a dynamic environment. As this field evolves, the need for strong, effective leadership becomes even more critical. Leaders in…

Read More

UPCEA Congratulates Members Recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Ranking of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs

Thirty of the thirty-one Top 25 Ranked Institutions are UPCEA Members WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 6, 2025) — UPCEA, the online and professional education association, is pleased to congratulate the many UPCEA members recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. U.S. News rankings include more than 1,790 online programs, covering…

Read More

Federal Funding Pause Blocked by U.S. District Judge, Memo Rescinded | Policy Matters (January 2025)

At 11th hour, judge blocks Trump’s pause on federal funding (Higher Ed Dive) “UPDATE: Jan. 28, 2025: A U.S. District judge halted the government’s temporary freeze on federal funding just minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to news reports. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan in Washington, D.C., blocked the…

Read More

Should I Get Microcredentials To Complement My Four-Year Degree In Today’s Job Market? (Forbes)

“Think about a professional stepping into the workforce—equipped with the strategic insights cultivated during a four-year business degree and bolstered by technical expertise gained through microcredentials. This balanced blend of broad understanding and specialized skills does more than make them competitive; it prepares them to lead and drive transformative change. Employers are no longer satisfied…

Read More

U.S. Department of Education Reveals New Distance Education and Program Integrity Rules: Final Outcomes and Responses to Concerns Raised by UPCEA

The Department of Education recently published new distance education and program integrity rules that address a number of topics raised during negotiated rulemaking sessions held in early 2024. Many of the proposals shared in the Department’s July 24, 2024, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) have been rescinded. Of those that remain, most are scheduled to…

Read More