San Francisco-based Altius Education, a firm that helps universities launch online, fully accredited colleges, said this morning that it has raised $8M in a Series A funding roundThe round was led by Maveron LLC and Spark Capital, and also included The Noah Fund.

Altius helps schools create online, postsecondary education degree programs, particularly for junior collegesThe firm said the funding would go to grow Ivy Bridge College, an online two-year program it has established with Tiffin University.

Maveron's Amy Errett and Spark Capital's Alex Finkelstein join the board with the funding.