Distance online degree

Continuing your packaging education just got a little easier. The School of Packaging at Michigan State University is taking its master's of science degree online. Nearly 200 people have expressed interest in this new program and 25 students have already enrolled in the first class, which begins this month.

"The School of Packaging has received numerous requests for long-distance learning experiences from individuals, companies and institutes," says Bruce Harte, director of the School of Packaging. "Almost all are from people currently employed who cannot take the time to seek resident instruction."

Students can complete the 30-credit program without ever coming to the MSU campus, home of the first university to offer degrees in packaging and the international leader in cutting-edge packaging research.

The first class will provide a graduate-level course in plastics in packaging. Other courses in the program will focus on timely issues in advanced packaging dynamics, permeability and shelf life of products and stability and the ability to recycle certain packaging materials.

Ron Iwaszkiewicz, a specialist in long-distance learning in the School of Packaging and director of the online master's program, says he believes this the next logical step if MSU hopes to maintain the status as the world's premier program and to recruit the best.

The target audience for this Web-based, off-campus, distance-learning program is working professionals and students from other institutions of higher education in the U.S. and abroad. Iwaszkiewicz expects the program to be most attractive to professionals who want more education but don't want to leave their jobs, as well as to would-be students overseas.

The requirements for the Internet-based program are the same as the on-campus program.

In addition to the master's program, the School of Packaging will also offer online certificate programs. "We expect the certificate programs to appeal to those people who want to expand their knowledge base or an area of interest, but don't have the desire to pursue an advanced degree," says Iwaszkiewicz.

School of Packaging (517) 432-5179 www.msu.edu