Timeline: Timeline of Online Education

1892

First Correspondence Course Offered

The University of Chicago is the first traditional American educational institution to offer correspondence courses. https://thebestschools.org/magazine/online-education-history/

1922

First Course Broadcast Over Radio

Pennsylvania State University is the first college or university to broadcast courses over the radio. https://thebestschools.org/magazine/online-education-history/

1934

Federal Communications Commission Formed

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is formed. Under the influence of the Association of College and University Broadcasting, they help to keep frequencies open for collegiate broadcasting. https://thebestschools.org/magazine/online-education-history/

1953

First Course Offered via Television

The University of Houston begins offering course credit for television correspondence courses. https://thebestschools.org/magazine/online-education-history/

1965

Telephone Correspondence through University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin begins to implement a statewide telephone correspondence format for their physician training. https://thebestschools.org/magazine/online-education-history/

1976

First Virtual Campus

The first virtual campus, Coastline Community College offers its degree program entirely through telecommuting courses, also known as telecourses (using telephone, television, radio, records, and tapes).

1981

First Online College Program

Western Behavioral Sciences Institute offers the first online college program through its School of Management and Strategic Studies. https://thebestschools.org/magazine/online-education-history/

1985

First Online Graduate Program

First accredited online graduate program offered by Nova Southeastern University.

1997

Blackboard Launches

Blackboard Course Management software launches, effectively opening the market to a wide range of online options that were previously considered too unwieldy to handle.