The recent turbulent economy has forced many people to pursue a degree in order to update their credentials and to give them better opportunities in the workplace. For some schools, online options are becoming increasingly more attractive, as these offerings can enable them to handle increases in enrollment.
For example, spring enrollment at the University of Texas (UT) at Arlington has hit an all-time high, according to the school’s website.
Officials said that the new record could be attributed to improved recruitment and retention of students as well as the expansion of online degree programs. They added that spring semester enrollment is traditionally lower than that of the fall. But, the school’s Colleges of Nursing as well as Education and Health Professions have helped the school maintain its high numbers.
“More students and families are aware of UT Arlington’s reputation as a comprehensive university with a strong research program, a vibrant campus life and an exceptional education at a reasonable price,” James Spaniolo, president of the school, quoted on the website. “We remain committed to improving the quality of our academic programs, both in traditional classroom settings and through an array of online courses designed to deliver education where people live and work.”
Officials noted that enrollment in nursing programs currently stands at more than 6,600 students, which is an increase of 1,600 learners from last fall.
Furthermore, the College of Education and Health professions now enrolls 3,700 students, which is up from 3,300 from the fall semester.
Online courses attributed to school success in enrollment
Likewise, Calhoun Community College recently announced that it has reached a record-high in enrollment for the spring semester, The Athens News-Courier reports.
Officials told the news source that student enrollment has increased 7.5 percent in the since last year. The school now has nearly 12,000 individuals taking classes at their institution.
One of the biggest increases comes from the school’s distance education program, which currently enrolls 1,145 students in online courses. Meanwhile, 5,463 individuals are taking courses at the Decatur campus, while another 4,528 are at the Huntsville Cummings Research Park campus.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to reach an increasing number of students through our academic and technology programs here at Calhoun,” Marilyn Beck, president of the school, told the news source.
According to the 2010 Sloan Survey of Online Learning, an estimated 30 percent of all college and university students now take at least one web-based course.
Student retention and online course help school set enrollment record
Finally, Adams State College (ASC) recorded its largest spring semester enrollment numbers in 10 years, the Alamosa News reports.
The school experienced a big increase in students taking online courses. Nearly, 648 undergraduates are enrolled in web-based degree programs, which translates to a 25 percent increase over last year.
Overall, the school’s total enrollment sits at 3,421, which represents an increase of 7.2 percent over last spring. Student retention from the fall to spring semester has grown by 4 percent over the last three years.
Officials told the news source that graduate student enrollment growth of 2.5 percent continues to be driven by online master’s programs. Masters in business administration (MBA) and counselor education are among the most sought-after postsecondary curricula at the school. The number of students in the school’s MBA program has increased by 70 percent since last year.
“I think all of these developments show that students from across Colorado and around the Southwest are now seeing the great opportunities available to them at ASC,” Michael Mumper, senior vice president for enrollment management and program development, told the news source.
For more on nursing programs visit onlinenursinggradtuate.com.
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California College San Diego recently announced that it will be launching FastFlex programs to help students graduate faster.
Officials said that the FastFlex programs are designed for working professionals, stay-at-home mothers and students who want to enter the workforce quickly. Each course is delivered in a hybrid format, meaning class time is divided between online and in-person instruction.
Students can earn an associates degree or associate in occupational studies in 20 months on the FastFlex schedule. Furthermore, a bachelors degree in fields such as healthcare, business and information technology can be obtained in 36 months.
Officials said that the web-based curriculum is the same as the traditional version of this course of study. They added that classes begin January 31 and financial aid is available to eligible students.
According to the 2010 Sloan Survey of Online Learning, online enrollment numbers have increased by 21 percent since 2009, which exceeds the 2 percent growth in the overall higher education student population.
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According to Wikipedia, the University of Phoenix (also known as UPX or UOPX), is a for-profit (privately run) institution of higher learning.
What sets the University of Phoenix apart from all the other universities out there? This is a good question and one that I searched high and low for since I have considered this particular university on several occasions. This is what I found based on the UPX website:
- The University of Phoenix is an Accredited University
- The Faculty has real-world experience
- Course schedules are flexible for anyone’s schedule
This list sounds fantastic doesn’t it? I mean, I know that prestigious universities do hold some sort of an accreditation which is a plus but what about the “real-world” experience and course flexibility? I have had a few professors state that they ”experienced a cake walk throughout their college and career like going to school full time then getting a job after graduation.” This is so rare anymore and hard to come by so it’s nice to hear professors relate with your busy life schedules.
What kinds of academic programs, courses and certificates are offered at the University of Phoenix? You will be happy to know that there is a wide variety for you to choose from. Here are just a few you can expect to see on the website:
Academic Degree Programs
At the University of Phoenix you can expect to see degree programs like:
Master’s Degree programs
Doctoral Degree programs
Bachelor’s Degree programs
Associate’s Degree programs
You can apply to any one of these programs:
School of Business- The School of Business program at the University of Phoenix is offers an “advanced curriculum.”
College of Education- The College of Education programs offers Initial, Advanced, and Non P-12 programs.
College of Nursing- The College of Nursing offers “LPN/LVN to Bachelor of Science Nursing, RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing.”
School of Advanced Studies- The School of Advanced Studies allows you the opportunity to lead your community and refine your researching skills.
College of Social Sciences- The College of Social Sciences program offers a “diverse bachelor’s and master’s program for those wanting to go into the helping profession.”
For a complete list of programs you can find it on the UPX website.
If you are just looking to take individual courses at the University of Phoenix, you can opt to take college-level courses for professional development, continuing education, or just to take a course for your own personal interest.
What about certificate programs? The University of Phoenix also offers a certificate program in whatever area of interest to help you move up in your career if you are unable to complete a full academic degree.
Now that I have briefly discussed what the University of Phoenix has to offer you may be curious of how the admissions process works and most likely you are kind of hesitant to hear what the tuition is like at UPX. I understand that many of us get turned off very quickly when we see the amount per credit hour. This can add up very quickly but be encouraged, as there are financial aid options available to you like I discussed in previous posts.
Admission Process
The admission process at the University of Phoenix is fairly simple yet requires 3 steps from you which you can view at the website.
Tuition and Fees
The tuition and fees vary by the type of degree you desire to pursue for example:
If you are interested in an Associate’s Degree in Education the tuition (per credit) is $385.
A material fee in this program is about $90.
Application fees vary. At this time there is no application fee to enroll in this particular program.
For more information on tuition and fees at the University of Phoenix go to Tuition and Financial Options.
If you have already received a degree or certificate from a previous college or university, you may be able to convert your college credits or job training into a college credit at UPX. Your courses are then evaluated for a seamless transferring process. Go to credit transfer for more information.
Hopefully, this brief information has given you a better outlook on what the University of Phoenix is about. If you want to learn more about this recommended university you can go directly to the UPX website for further information and guidance. There is a section on the website where you can request more information be mailed to you or they do have online chat support.
So what do you think? Would you consider attending University of Phoenix? Maybe you have already attended this university. If so, what have your experiences been? I would love to hear from you as this university is on my list of potential online universities.
Source: University of Phoenix Website
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