Get the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding online program management. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us for more information or to request a free consultation.
Pearson is the pioneer in the marketing, recruitment, and retention categories of online learning. We’ve spent two decades building and perfecting these services and have developed an impressive infrastructure and staff.
What does Pearson look for in potential academic partners and/or new programs?
We partner with institutions that sincerely want to be in online education but feel as if they are missing some critical element to make that happen. Our ideal partners are committed to maintaining high academic standards and are entrepreneurial in terms of educational delivery. They recognize that success in the online learning arena means being flexible, market-driven, and performance-based.
Before we start, we conduct a thorough assessment and share our best strategic recommendations for high-potential programs and institutional readiness. We will make our mutual decision to partner based on evidence-based research and experience.
Pearson makes a sizeable up-front investment for each programme - we only make money if we bring you qualified students who stay continuously enrolled. A long-term contract is in the best interest of both parties. It ensures that we will invest enough to make the program successful for years to come with high enrolments of qualified students. Our agreement includes performance criteria that the university expects and that we have determined are attainable within a specified time frame. If our services do not perform to that level, either side can terminate the partnership.
Yes. The institution and its appointed representatives are responsible for the academic integrity of the program. Their regional and professional accrediting bodies determine the academic standards of all programs, including online programs. Faculty are responsible for creating the course curriculum, selecting materials, designing learning activities, and assessing student learning. Pearson can support faculty in the instructional design of the course, selection of appropriate technologies and multimedia, and of course websites.
What is Pearson's academic model? Will academic partners need to conform to that model?
Our online learning experts work closely with your faculty to understand your program’s curricula and recommend a model that meets your academic requirements. Ultimately, academic decisions are made by the institution and will have our full support.
Who builds and maintains the online classroom?
If the institution does not have dedicated instructional design and technology support for faculty, we can provide this service. We have a team ofinstructional designers and technologists who are well-versed in online pedagogies. They will work closely with faculty members to design, develop, and deploy online courses. We provide on-demand design and technology consultation as well as personalized training in managing the virtual classroom.
Who maintains intellectual property rights to courses?
Pearson honors the intellectual property policy of each academic partner. The content of a particular course is owned by the faculty developer or institution, depending upon the institution’s intellectual property policy.
Does Pearson provide any faculty support?
Yes, our retention advisors support both faculty and students by providing training on course management system tools, responding to common technical issues posed by students, assisting students with textbook acquisition, posting announcements, monitoring student participation, and making student referrals. They provide a one-stop link to the critical services of the university so faculty can focus exclusively on teaching and learning, free from program and course logistics.
How do university staff interact with Pearson?
We work closely with individuals across your institution to seamlessly integrate our processes with yours. Our staff see themselves as an extension of your staff, and they represent themselves that way to students. They immerse themselves in your institution’s processes, policies, and culture. In fact, at launch we bring the entire program team to your campus to begin that immersion process and build long-lasting relationships.
Who determines where and to whom Pearson markets?
Our Marketing team creates a marketing plan at launch. They then collaborate with the program administrators at your institution to finalize and implement the plan. All marketing initiatives and materials are approved by your institution before being launched to prospective students.
Each week we update university program staff about our progress and enrolment prospects. Each term the Partnership Director and Marketing Manager create a new marketing plan based on performance data from the previous term and share this with your institution. It is an ongoing, collaborative process.
How does Pearson recruit students?
This answer is different for every program. The extensive research we perform prior to signing a partnership agreement includes information on how best to reach the target audience. These channels include professional organizations, web advertising, print ads, direct mail, and a variety of other areas and tactics. We know from the start how and where to find qualified students, and we test and re-test strategies to find the most effective media mix.
How are students oriented and supported?
Student support begins at the first contact with the prospective student and ends when he or she graduates from the program. Our recruitment and retention counselors are in regular phone and email contact with individual students to answer questions, provide information, and counsel them on what it takes to be successful as a distance learning student. They orient students to the program and assist them with administrative details and paperwork.
Do institutions retain academic control? Who determines academic policies?
Your institution plans and administers the educational experience. We faithfully represent and support that educational experience. The same academic policies and controls that govern on-campus programs generally apply to online learning programs. Our personnel become well-acquainted with your institution’s policies and work closely with your institution’s student services departments to be consistent in representing them to prospective and current students.
