Fall 2007 Enrollment Update

OSU Extended Campus Reports Significant Online Degree Enrollment Increase

November 2007

Oregon State University's Extended Campus online undergraduate degree programs have seen an impressive enrollment boost this fall, boasting an 18 percent increase in the number of degree-seeking undergrads that complete their coursework entirely online and off campus.

Extended Campus, or Ecampus, offers a contemporary way for students of all ages to begin and complete their degree, even without stepping foot on the Corvallis campus. Through the aid of technology, Ecampus offers more than 15 accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees throughout Oregon and beyond the state's borders, allowing students to complete their degrees through online courses.

Additionally, Ecampus increased their entire enrollment of undergraduate, graduate and professional students (including campus-based students) by 17 percent, going from 2,704 in fall 2006 to 3,170 in fall 2007.

Lisa Templeton, director of marketing and communications at Ecampus, believes that with the growing popularity and flexibility of online learning, students choose OSU Ecampus because of the quality online coursework.

"The design of the course and course structure may be different, but the student learning outcomes of our online courses are the exact same as the site-based course equivalents," Templeton said.

While online OSU students do not reside the Corvallis area, they continuously comment on the accessibility and availability of their instructors and advisors when it comes to interaction, communication and building relationships.

"If an online course is designed well it can be highly interactive," Templeton continues. "Many of our faculty members say that they are surprised that they get more students to participate in their online classes than in their site-based classes."

Geoscience is just one of many growing course subjects offered online through Ecampus. Department Head Roger Nielsen believes offering geoscience courses online helps extend OSU's academic resources.

"Ecampus allows us to reach an audience that otherwise might never have the opportunity to take a geoscience course," Nielsen said. "Ecampus helps us provide a more open portal to our group of excellent faculty who are doing world-class research."

In what looks like the future of higher education, OSU Ecampus continues to develop courses and degree programs for the virtual classroom to provide a flexible learning solution for today's multitasking student. That is why Dan Edge, department head of fisheries and wildlife, promotes the growth of new online courses and degree programs.

"Learning online is something that students begin to do in high school-going to college that way is second nature to that generation," Edge said. "Older learners are also becoming proficient at online services and activities."

For more information about OSU undergraduate, graduate and professional programs offered from a distance and online, contact OSU Extended Campus at 800-667-1465 or visit the Extended Campus Homepage.

About OSU Extended Campus: Ecampus extends OSU to students around the state, nation, and the world, and each year delivers more than 400 accredited OSU courses via the Web, video/DVD and other technologies. Students can complete their degree, add a minor or take courses for graduate credit or professional development.

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