College experiences online adult education enrollment growth

College experiences online adult education enrollment growth

The U.S. Department of Labor recently projected that in the coming decade, 90 percent of new high-growth, high-wage jobs will require some postsecondary education. As a result, thousands of nontraditional students - including working adults and parents - are returning to school in order to obtain higher education.

Institutions such as Linfield College have created continuing education programs, which offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree and certificates via the Internet. School officials recently announced that its Adult Degree Program's enrollment has increased by 34 percent over the past year. As of the fall of 2010, the program had 125 new online students.

"This significant growth in enrollment for online degrees and certificates is gratifying for Linfield's Adult Degree Program, showing that more adults are deciding to earn a degree mid-career, and they are choosing to participate at Linfield," said Janet Gifford, the initiative's associate director.

Linfield's registered nurse-to-bachelor's of nursing program saw the most significant growth in enrollment, from 106 students in the fall of 2009 compared to 149 learners this semester, which is an increase of 41 percent.

By Mark Danson