Peterson’s Partners with Norwich University to Promote Online Graduate Programs
In response to increasing demand for online distance learning opportunities, Peterson’s, a leading provider of educational and career guidance and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE:TOC; TSX:TOC), today announced that it has expanded an agreement, signed in February of this year, with Norwich University to promote the school’s online graduate degree programs via an online Microsite Content Center.
Based in Vermont, Norwich University is the nation’s oldest private military college, enrolling both military and civilian students, and offering a unique array of distance learning programs for graduate students.
Residing on Peterson’s main Web site, www.petersons.com, the Microsite Content Center provides prospective students with detailed information about Norwich’s online MBA, MSIA (Master of Science in Information Assurance), Master of Arts in Diplomacy, and MJA (Master of Justice Administration) programs. The program of study leading to the Master of Arts in Diplomacy includes coursework on terrorism and international conflict management. Soon students will be able to take advantage of cutting-edge research and technology available from Norwich’s new National Center for the Study of Counter-Terrorism & Cyber-Crime, a federally-charted non-profit institution dedicated to the identification, analysis and evaluation of new technologies to be used in the war against terrorism and associated cyber-crime.
A key component of the agreement is Peterson’s Instant Inquiry(SM), which enables interested students to submit e-mail requests for more information directly to university admissions officials. This system allows Norwich University to accurately monitor and track qualified student leads generated from the Content Center. Promotion of the Content Center will continue throughout the duration of the agreement and includes prominent placement on the homepage of Petersons.com as well as on the site’s Distance Learning and Graduate Programs channels.
“Norwich University’s Online Graduate Programs have benefited tremendously from our relationship with Peterson’s,” said Dr. Fred Snow, Dean of Norwich University’s Online Graduate Programs. “Their help in establishing the exposure of our programs has been invaluable. We consider them a close ally in our marketing.”
“Norwich University’s unique online Master’s programs are perfect for many of today’s students who intend to work and raise a family while pursuing a graduate or professional degree,” said Mary Gatsch, President of Peterson’s. “We are thrilled that Norwich has selected Peterson’s to support its efforts in reaching the ever-growing audience of distance learners.”
A September report by Eduventures, an independent research company that focuses on the learning sector, reveals that there are currently more than 350,000 unique students enrolled in online degree-granting programs, bringing institutions approximately $1.75 billion in tuition revenues during the 2001-2002 school year. The report also notes that the market for fully online degree programs is growing at an annual rate of 40 percent.
About Norwich University
Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians, and adult students. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge, U.S. Army. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States of America, celebrating 50 years of the honor code, and the birthplace of our nation’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
About The Thomson Corporation and Peterson’s
The Thomson Corporation ( www.thomson.com), with 2001 revenues of $7.2 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software applications and tools to more than 20 million users in the fields of corporate and professional training, assessment and testing, higher education, reference information, law, tax, accounting, financial services, and scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation’s common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE:TOC; TSX:TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations, and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning. As part of The Thomson Corporation, Peterson’s is one of the nation’s most respected providers of lifelong learning books and onlineresources focusing on the educational search, financial aid, and test preparation markets. Peterson’s leading book imprints include ARCO. Peterson’s serves 110 million education consumers annually.
