In a continuing effort to advance learning and expand its online offerings to a global community, Lehigh will offer a new professional certificate in health analytics on its partner network edX, a 2U, Inc. company (Nasdaq: TWOU). In addition to the three new courses in health analytics, Lehigh also will add a course in machine learning.
Designed to create new pathways for those who want to advance their education and careers, Lehigh’s partnership with edX currently offers a professional certificate in business analytics. To date, more than 3,800 learners have engaged with the courses, which includes fundamental courses in python, economics and statistics.
Sabrina Jedlicka, deputy provost of graduate programming at Lehigh, said the edX partnership has put Lehigh in front of a global audience. “In a lot of ways, it is bringing people into the Lehigh ecosystem, from as far away as the rural parts of India,” she said.
Of those who have engaged with the content, about 35% reside in India and about 15% reside in the United States. Other learners are from the United Kingdom, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Canada, Vietnam, Pakistan, Brazil and Nigeria.
“That is the edX to-you philosophy—opening education to the world, which is a beautiful idea,” Jedlicka said.
Lehigh joined the partner network in 2023 as a way to expand its educational portfolio and keep up with shifting market trends, such as students’ expectations for flexibility in learning. The self-paced courses are estimated to take two to four hours per week, over six weeks, to complete. Lehigh alum Andrew Hermalyn ’10 is president of 2U’s Degree Program Segment. He is also on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Education.
Lehigh’s initial offerings in business analytics anticipated learner interest in the foundational courses in that area. As it expands its certificate program in health analytics, Jedlicka said, the university recognizes the importance of developing learners’ data visualization skill sets to meet workplace needs, including how to interpret data.
The edX partnership is seen as bringing value to alumni, students and staff. Alumni have the opportunity to be lifelong learners in the Lehigh community, while current students can learn out-of-the-field skills. Staff also can learn additional skills.
For more information, go to edx.org/school/lehighx
