Big increases in the numbers of students signing up to take courses that WCU offers over the Internet can be at least partially attributed to the high gas prices, said Pat Brown, dean of the university’s Division of Educational Outreach.

Enrollment in WCU’s online programs is up 25 percent this summer, compared to the summer of 2007, and registration for courses that will be offered online in the coming fall is 30 percent higher than it was at the same time last year.

Brown said enrollment in WCU’s online programs has been surging in recent years, with double-digit percentage increases, and current enrollment numbers show that trend is continuing – albeit with a boost from gas prices. In addition to saving on the cost of driving to class, advantages to taking online courses are the convenient instructional format, which allows students to do school work on their own schedules, and the fact that many courses can be completed in eight weeks, Brown said.

WCU’s online offerings include eight graduate degree programs, six undergraduate programs, two certificate programs, licensure programs for lateral-entry teachers and school principals, a master’s program in special education, and a number of liberal arts and prerequisite courses.

The majority of students who sign up for online courses are working adults who are earning professional degrees, but the university also is seeing significant increases in the number of first-time freshmen and resident students taking online courses this summer, Brown said.

Prospective students interested in online courses offered at WCU can visit the Web site www.wcu.edu/44.asp or call the Division of Education Outreach at (828) 227-7397 or toll free (866) 928-4723.

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Last modified: Wednesday, June 25, 2008