Partnering for Progress: Exploring the evolving role of OPMs in higher education

As demand for online courses continues to rise in higher education, many institutions struggle to develop, promote, and sustain high-quality online programs, in part due to limited capacity. In response, Online Program Managers (OPMs), private companies that collaborate with colleges and universities to create and provide online offerings, have become increasingly prominent over the past 15 years. These partnerships allow institutions to scale online courses and programs without having to contribute significant upfront investments. However, there remains a general lack of awareness about what OPMs are, the scope of their services, and the trade-offs involved. This article aims to shed light on the advantages and potential drawbacks of OPM partnerships. Because OPMs can be crucial to the success of online initiatives, placing constraints on their collaboration with higher education could impede efforts to expand access and enhance the quality of online learning.