Enrollment for University of Wisconsin Online Bachelor's Degree is Up 36 Percent Across Four UW Campuses

MADISON, Wis., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Wisconsin-Extension announced that fall 2011 course enrollments for the online Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management degree are up 36 percent. This degree is offered jointly by four University of Wisconsin campuses—UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout and UW-Superior.  The Sustainable Management program is the first of several collaborative online bachelor's degrees being offered by the University of Wisconsin.  Citing the results of a recent employer survey, the UW-Extension credits growing employer acceptance of online degrees as one of the reasons for the increase.  

"Students who enroll in online college degree programs often balance education with a part- or full-time job, so they have valuable experience long before graduation," said David Schejbal, dean of continuing education at the UW-Extension. "Many employers surveyed recognize that working students in online programs are self-disciplined and work well independently. They also have well-developed time management skills."

In a survey conducted by the University of Wisconsin System eCampus, nearly two-thirds of U.S. employers said that students learn valuable workplace skills through online learning. In general, people who graduate from online degree programs such as those offered across the UW System are viewed by employers as motivated, self-directed people who can successfully manage multiple priorities.

"We hire students who graduate from the UW System online program because they are generally self-starters who are very dedicated to their trade and continuous education," said Rich Hackner, principal and midwest region manager for GDS Associates, Inc., which hired the first Sustainable Management graduate. "They are assets to our company because not only have they received an education from a top U.S. university, but they also tend to have real work experience."

The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management offered by UW System campuses upholds the same rigorous admissions criteria and educational standards as on-campus programs.  Course enrollments for the program are at 373, up from 274 in fall 2010. The average age of the students is 36.

In response to the growing demand, the four campuses added online certificates in Sustainable Management, and an online master's degree is in development.

For more information please visit http://sustain.wisconsin.edu.  

Contact:
Anna Schryver
University Relations
608.225.5476
[email protected]

SOURCE University of Wisconsin-Extension