An Indiana-based university recently unveiled its plans to significantly expand its online college degree programs.

School officials stated that the institution hopes to enroll 10,000 students in its online college courses by the 2012-2013 academic year. The college's dean of continuing education and conferences said that at least 60 percent of the web-based classes will originate from the university's campus-based curriculum, while the remaining offerings will be available through partner schools in the Indiana College Network consortium.

The university's associate dean of distance learning said that this expansion is designed to benefit scholars who cannot commute to campus, such as military personnel, working professionals and parents. The school hired a Chicago-based marketing firm in order to raise awareness about the new online education programs.

Budget constraints combined with a growing trend of web-based learners prompted the college to revamp its digital offerings. According to Eduventures, a research firm, participation in online college classes will exceed 3.5 million - or 18 percent of all higher education students - by 2013.