Weber State’s online programs allow students to earn degrees anywhere, anytime
OGDEN, Utah — At Weber State University’s most recent commencement, some students stepped foot onto the Ogden campus for the first time to receive their degree.
WSU’s online courses and programs provide students with a flexible way to earn their degrees without sacrificing support from professors or relocating to Utah.
Texas resident Angela Rappin wanted to attend a university that would accept the work she had already put in toward a degree in radiation therapy, but had trouble finding a local school that would take her credits. 
“I spent hours researching programs across the country and it just became complicated,” Rappin said. “But then I found Weber State.”
WSU not only accepted her previous credits, but also offered the radiation therapy program online with monthly Zoom meetings for each class. Her courses were divided into sections, which included vocabulary lessons, worksheets, and tests.
Another challenge Rappin faced was finding a willing clinical partner. After many phone calls, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Irving, Texas, allowed her to complete the required clinics. She did three clinics a week for eight hours each day.
“Radiation therapy is my dream and so having the ability to gain an education from a 20-hour drive away was just perfect,” Rappin said.
Similarly, recent graduate Rick Range chose Weber State’s automotive technology program because he could further his education in his field while still living in California.
“I always wanted to get my bachelor's from Weber State, but life and relocation happened,” the Vasellia resident said. “So I gave up on that dream, until I met John Kelly.”
Kelly is an automotive technology professor at WSU, but Range knew him from his popular YouTube channel, which has amassed nearly half a million followers and 66 million views.
Range met Kelly at a pilot program for Electrified Transportation Pro+ Training & Certification, where Kelly convinced him that he could do the automotive technology program online.
“When he told me that, I felt my dream reignite,” Range said. “I enrolled 31 years after completing my associate’s degree and I was able to finish while working and taking care of my family.”
Automotive is a hands-on field, but Range gained experience through his associate degree and teaching automotive technology at Bakersfield College. While most of his degree was online, he spent five days at WSU Davis applying what he had learned about electric vehicles.
Weber State offers some fully online programs, whereas others can be tailored for remote learning with department approval.
Students in these programs are able to complete both general education and major-specific courses from start to finish online.
Some programs are available entirely online only once students have completed general requirements, either at WSU or another university. Students who are interested should visit specific department pages or consult an advisor for more details.
Chloee Robison, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu