Operation of 'Online Degree' for Advanced Departments in General Universities' Bachelor's Programs from 2024

Expansion of Online Degree Program Eligibility with Related Directive Revision
Applications for Advanced Fields Accepted in the First Half of 2023

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] From 2024, general universities will be able to operate online bachelor's degree programs in advanced fields either independently or jointly.

On the 7th, the Ministry of Education announced that it has partially revised the directive related to 'Online Degree Programs at General Universities' to expand the scope of system operation for bachelor's degree programs in advanced fields, and plans to conduct a selection review for universities (graduate schools) that will utilize the system in the second half of this year.

The online degree program at general universities is a system established in February last year that allows universities, other than distance universities, to operate the entire degree program 100% online with approval from the Ministry of Education. Previously, only master's and bachelor's degrees (jointly with domestic and foreign universities) were permitted, and in February, six universities and seven programs were approved. It has been well received by students as it allows them to adjust their learning pace or repeat learning without restrictions on time or place.

The Ministry of Education revised the directive on the operation of remote classes at universities, etc., in September to allow online degree programs for 21 advanced bachelor's degree fields. Accordingly, bachelor's degree programs in advanced fields can now be operated jointly with domestic and foreign universities or independently/jointly by domestic universities. The advanced fields include 21 areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Next-generation Semiconductors, Next-generation Displays, Next-generation Communications, IoT Home Appliances, AR·VR, Future Cars, Biohealth, Customized Healthcare, Innovative New Drugs, and Advanced New Materials.

Departments can be operated exclusively with students outside the quota, such as international students or working professionals, and various academic system improvement plans such as intensive completion systems and contract departments can be linked with online courses.

The Ministry of Education will conduct the approval review for online degree programs in two rounds. Applications will be accepted until November 4 for existing target programs including master's and some bachelor's programs, and the approval review will be conducted in the second half of the year.

The advanced field online bachelor's degree programs, which became operable due to this directive revision, will undergo a separate review in the first half of the 2023 academic year and will be operated from the 2024 academic year.

After submitting documents, an approval review committee composed of experts from various fields such as education, engineering, and humanities and social sciences will evaluate the quality of the curriculum and readiness for remote classes through written and face-to-face assessments. The Ministry plans to select and approve curricula that lead digital innovation through EdTech-linked learning tools and teaching-learning strategies.

Shim Moon-gyu, Director of University Academic Policy at the Ministry of Education, said, "We expect that this improvement in the online degree program system will accelerate educational innovation in advanced fields," and added, "The Ministry of Education will do its best to support the field so that the experience and capabilities accumulated by universities in non-face-to-face classes can lead to digital transformation of universities."