Soldiers Finding Best Route to Education is Online

Ian Newland, 28, shown with his wife and children, was awarded a four-year scholarship for online studies from the Sentinels of Freedom, a San Ramon, Calif.-based nonprofit that serves severely wounded soldiers.

(Steve Sokolic/AP Photo)

Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and recovering from a grenade attack, Iraq war veteran Ian Newland wanted to pursue a business degree after his discharge from the Army last year. What he didn't want to have to do was set foot in a classroom.

And thanks to the Internet, he doesn't have to.

The world of online higher education has given thousands of vets like Newland; and active-duty soldiers; the opportunity to work at their own pace.

"Being online, I can work on my college work at 3 a.m. if I'm feeling rambunctious," said Newland, 28, who often does homework when he can't sleep.

Online education is increasingly attractive for military veterans, according to Denver-based Jones International University, a Web-exclusive institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. About 350 current or former soldiers are pursuing a degree at Jones, three times the number last year. The university has a total of 2,000 students.

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"Being fully online, we go to wherever that service member goes," said Bruce Ricketts, vice chancellor for military programs for JIU, which has pursued military students. Some students keep up with their classes from Iraq and Afghanistan. "A deployment doesn't mean that your education necessarily has to stop," Ricketts said.

Other universities with online programs that accommodate service members and veterans include American University, the University of Phoenix and Troy University, according Eduventures, a research and consulting firm specializing in higher education.

Jim Selbe, assistant vice president for lifelong learning at the American Council on Education, said about 50 percent of active duty service members receiving tuition reimbursement from the Department of Defense are taking online courses.

In fiscal year 2007, Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force personnel took more than 710,000 online and traditional courses, according to the council's most recent data.