Adults who want to further their career in the retail or tourism industries will soon be able to do so from home. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will launch its first online master’s degree program in retailing and tourism management in fall 2017.

“In many cases, in order to advance in these fields you need an advanced degree,” said Scarlett Wesley, director of graduate studies for the department. “This is an opportunity to reach those professionals already working in the industry who want to take that next step with their careers but can’t quit their jobs and come to campus.”

The online program will offer the same content professors teach in classrooms. The same professors who lead the on-campus classes will also lead the corresponding online course. Each online class will have an identical platform to keep classes within one course consistent and create a familiarity for students. Students in the online program will have an opportunity to complete an internship instead of a thesis to graduate.

“The Retailing and Tourism Management Department has worked long and hard to make sure our students receive a high quality education,” said Vanessa Jackson, department chair. “The online master’s degree is an extension of this commitment.”

Interested students still have to meet the same guidelines and registration deadlines for the online program as students in the on-campus program.

To learn more, visit https://rtm-hes.ca.uky.edu/MS_Online or contact Wesley at 859-257-7778.