Mizzou’s online enrollments still trending up
Mizzou’s distance student population grew another 24 percent in Fall 18. In fact, distance enrollments have grown for five consecutive fall terms.
Fall 18 distance student snapshot:
3,071 distance students took 6,229 classes and generated 17,589 credit hours.
Number of students: Distance student head count grew by 24 percent.
Enrollments: Distance students took more classes in Fall 18. Enrollments are up 22 percent over Fall 17. Undergraduate enrollment is up 12 percent and graduate enrollment is up 25 percent.
Student credit hours: Distance students totaled 17,589 SCH in Fall 18, an increase of 20 percent over Fall 17.
Notes:
- These data are from Dec 2018.
- Students are coded as distance (DIST) if they are enrolled in a distance degree program regardless of their geographical location. To maintain distance status, the student must take 51 percent of semester credit hours in distance/online classes each semester.
Online course and program quality
As reported in last semester’s update, in AY18 the MU Distance Education Strategy Team named two working groups charged with enhancing the online student experience.
The Online Course and Program Quality Team is working to better inform MU about best practices for online education and make recommendations to the MU Distance Education Strategy Team regarding implementation of best practices.
The Distance Student Support Services Team is working to identify gaps between support services available for campus and distance students. The team will make recommendations to the MU Distance Education Strategy Team regarding priority services that should be expanded or added for distance learners.
MDHE tracks online delivery
The Missouri Department of Higher Education is now tracking program delivery method. To better prepare for sharing that information, the Provost’s Office has a new process.
While no approval is needed from MDHE to offer an online version of a program, the Provost’s Office wants to ensure academic units go through their internal governance process when an in-seat/on-campus program is going to be offered online as well. When that process is complete, the dean’s office in your school/college should send a letter to the Provost’s Office detailing the new distance option in the program. Questions about this process should be directed to Matt Martens, Faculty Fellow for Academic Programs.
Would your department like to offer stand-alone undergraduate certificates?
MU has Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) approval to offer stand-alone undergraduate certificates.
If you already offer a degree-dependent undergrad certificate and want to offer it as a stand-alone certificate as a distance program, you may do so and no additional approval from MDHE is necessary.
Want to start the process of creating a stand-alone certificate to attract new distance students? Please contact Mizzou Online Program Coordination if you would like to research market demand and potential distance student audiences for a new or new-to-online certificate.