Online Students Climb at UC San Diego Extension

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Online students now comprise 22 percent of continuing education enrollees at the University of California San Diego Extension, according to Elizabeth Meyer, director of online learning.

During the 2010-2011 academic year, fully online classes UC San Diego Extension at served a record 12,610 enrollees in 909 courses, up from 791 classes the previous academic year.

Meyer credits the strong demand for fully online courses to the sluggish economy and changing attitudes.

“Successful working professionals recognize that keeping their skills fresh is a good career move, especially in a down economy,” says Meyer.  “We’ve made it easy for them by offering individual courses and full certificate programs online. Project management, sustainability, accounting, digital arts, education, and healthcare all have increased online enrollments.”

Another myth that has been debunked is that students must be technically savvy to participate in online classes.

“No doubt taking an online course is a different experience from taking a traditional classroom-based course,” says Meyer.  “Students need to feel comfortable sending e-mail, be familiar with programs like Microsoft Word , and have time management skills to get assignments done, but that’s it.”

Overall UC San Diego Extension served a record 56,589 enrollees in 2010-11, which translates to 25,972 students in 4,327 courses. Additionally another 38,141 individuals were trained throughout the western United States by UC San Diego Extension certified instructors.