Miami-Dade College names Houston airports IT officer as CIO

The University of Massachusetts is expanding its online reach by taking over Brandman's network of schools for adult learners.

The university's provost announced the first two weeks of instruction will be switched to an online format.

Exceutives said the online courses provider will also expand into new fields, such as health care.

Business school leaders said the technology makes it easier for professors to interact with students who aren't physically present in the classroom.

The combined company will keep its free offerings and offer more university degrees online to benefit international students and nontraditional American learners, the founders said.

The $54,000 grant will allow the Baltimore university to add 24 access points, accommodating students using outdoor spaces for studying and socializing, Loyola Maryland's CIO said.

Lowering the cost of education for students is a key long-term goal, higher education leaders said during an online event.

University leaders said the technology, which could replace live patients, allows students to familiarize themselves with a broader range of symptoms and rare cases.

"We've been trying to find more ways to introduce some joy in the process," said the CEO of the application platform that's accepted by hundreds of institutions.

Pearson+, which gives users access to 1,500 digital titles, follows similar textbook-rental services offered by its competitors.