GRADUATE AND NON-DEGREE ENROLLMENT PLANNING

A Progress Report

May 15, 1998

Further study is needed to finalize enrollment plans for the graduate programs and for non-degree programs through the Division of Continuing Studies. Both plans require more specific direction from the Education Plan, which will be developed during the summer and fall. In addition for graduate programs, the planning is challenging because the University has not invested as much energy in both research and marketing as has been allocated over the years for the undergraduate enrollment effort. Therefore, information is not as readily accessible for our planning purposes.

Graduate Enrollment Plan

The deans and program directors of the graduate programs have provided two rounds of information and data to the Enrollment Planning Committee—January 15 and April 20, 1998. Each program is unique, and the factors that impact enrollment vary widely. Generally, some of the emerging trends suggest:

• That there is potential for growth (both enrollment and net revenues) in most graduate programs, provided that investment is made in sharpening the offerings, adding new tracks and, in some cases, adding new degree programs.
• That capacity does not appear to be an issue, at least for the next five years, except in the case of some faculty offices and student housing for a couple of degree programs which may have regional and national appeal.
• That greater attention and resource allocation is needed for marketing and enrollment support services for graduate programs. (A university-wide marketing study has been assigned to Marj Johnson to determine the best approach to an all-university marketing plan and organization for the future. Recommendations are due on August 1, 1998.)

Non-Degree Enrollment Plan

Division of Continuing Studies

This is a summary of programs and projected program growth in the Division of Continuing Studies through 2001-1002. Currently DCS programs fall within five categories:

Education Professional Development (EPD)– This includes all credit (5000 level) and non-credit (Continuing Education Units – CEU’s) courses and events on and off-campus throughout the year including summer, which are primarily designed for K-12 educators.

Other Professional Development (OPD) – This includes all credit and non-credit courses and events, which are designed for professionals other than K-12 educators throughout the year. This includes such programs as our Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Human Resource Management Certificate, on-campus business seminars, and on-site education and training programs in businesses in cooperation with the School of Business and Economics.

Distance Learning – The distance learning program consists of continuing education courses for a variety of professionals (primarily Education professionals to date) and a selected set of general education or foundations courses for undergraduates.

Summer UG Program – DCS has responsibility for all 0001-4999 level courses offered during the summer sessions.

American Cultural Exchange (ACE) – These are the intensive English language courses offer in a partnership with ACE. The contract is managed by DCS and is based on both a rental and per credit generation formula. The credits are pre-undergraduate level (i.e., 0001-0999 level).

We currently have about 26,000 enrollments during the year for all of the above programs. By far the EPD program is the dominant one with 20,000 or more of those enrollments. The second largest program is the DL program with about 3,300 enrollments.

The future growth of the current or new DCS programs depends a lot on the direction of the Education Plan. With the current set of programs the EPD program will continue to dominate by sheer size. However, if we are looking at where programs will grow it is more likely in the DL and OPD program areas. The ACE and summer programs are likely to stabilize at about their current levels.

With reasonable growth we could be in the 30,000 enrollment range by 2001-2002 with these DCS programs. The OPD programs should grow in a variety of areas including business, mental health, nursing and religious or theological education for both clergy and laymen. The DL program will continue to grow with programs for professionals other than Educators, new interactive web-based undergraduate courses and one or more Master’s degrees for those in more distance locations from campus.

Information appearing on this page is not final and should be considered planning in process, unless otherwise stated. The Comprehensive Plan is an emerging set of documents which are provided here for the Seattle Pacific Community.