Education Spites Economy With Enrollment Upswing

The state of the economy says it shouldn't be happening -- more and more people signing up for classes despite limited funds and a burgeoning depression. Yet, that is exactly what is happening, with a particular nod toward online courses. How can this be? Experts point to nothing less than necessity. Jobs make the difference in an economic downturn, and nothing helps boost a career like a fresh new degree.

Morris and thousands of other students across the country are finding that the virtual classroom provides a flexible pathway to earning a degree, boosting credentials or transitioning between jobs. And in the midst of rising unemployment rates and a beleaguered economy, many of the nation's distance-learning programs are experiencing unprecedented growth.

Officials at Excelsior College - which boasts being the country's oldest distance-learning institution - say a considerable upward enrollment trend in recent months is partially because of current job market conditions.

"I think people are recognizing what is happening in their particular fields, and some are realizing that, as the job market gets tighter, those with credentials tend to fare better," says William Stewart, assistant vice president for institutional advancement at Excelsior, who notes that overall online class enrollment this spring is at least 23 percent higher than last spring.

But why the online degree programs? Convenience and flexibility seem to be the names of the game. After all, a new degree is well and all, but most people can't afford to give up their day job for the sake of possible upward mobility. An online degree offers the choice of studying at any convenient time of the day -- as long as you have the self-motivation to make sure the work gets done.

"The only benefit to taking an online class is that you have the opportunity to hand in an assignment at any hour of the day," says Morris, 20. "But if you're not good with time management, you could have a hard time with it."

School officials say they expect to see larger and larger enrollments for online and community colleges over the next few years, in spite of (and, apparently, also because of) whatever the economy throws our way.