The University System of Maryland has struck a deal with a non-profit online learning company to allow students from across the state to earn cost-free global college credits.

From WBAL,

The University of Maryland University College, the nation’s largest public online institution, is expanding by joining forces with a nonprofit online learning company.

The company, edX, is founded by some pretty big names in education. The partnership will allow students across the state to earn cost-free global college credits.

The global partnership will open the doors to more online learning for thousands of students across the University System of Maryland.

“We’re looking forward to this being a way in which we can increase access and affordability and quality for all students, including those that are a part of our institutions,” said M.J. Bishop, the director of USM’s Center for Innovation and Excellence in Learning.

The deal has been in the works for almost a year between USM and edX, a company founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. USM put up $2 million to support the new online partnership.

…

Maryland is the second state to sign on with edX.

Coppin, Bowie State University and the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore will be the first historically black institutions to partner with edX.

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