Online University for Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Literature sets up shop in NH

CONCORD, NH – Signum University, an online only, nonprofit university focused on fantasy and sci-fi literature, has received approval from the Higher Education Commission to offer classes in the state of New Hampshire. Currently incorporated in Delaware, it is working with the New Hampshire Secretary of State to transfer its incorporation to the Granite State. The school offers a number of online courses focused on authors like poet Edgar Allan Poe, horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, as well as others like J.R.R. Tolkien (“The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”), and Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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Class themes include Celtic mythology in young adult literature, Germanic Philology, Shakespeare in the Middle Ages, and why “Star Wars” has been a global cultural phenomenon for more than four decades.

Signum is seeking approval from the Legislature to grant degrees in the state under SB 138. The proposed legislation will allow the school to grant a Master of Arts in Language and Literature.

The school was founded by Corey Olsen, who is president of the university, in 2011.

“Signum University aims to challenge the traditional model of higher education with a unique approach and a digital campus that helps keep tuition low,” Olsen said. “Approval of our graduate degree program by the Higher Education Commission is an important milestone for Signum, and the forward-thinking support of the New Hampshire Department of Education demonstrates its dedication to maintaining a rigorous and fair evaluation process and its commitment to the 21st Century student.”

This is the first approval of a new university in New Hampshire in more than six years. The department is currently working with others colleges and universities interested in establishing themselves in New Hampshire in the near future.

“New Hampshire, as a hub of innovation and creativity in education, is a great home for Signum University and we are happy to welcome them to our state,” stated Frank Edelblut, commissioner of education. “The university offers unique and enticing courses born out of very popular contemporary literature. I imagine that these course offerings will be engaged by younger and older students alike. Now using the online format, students around the globe interested in science fiction and fantasy literature will not have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to take courses.”