June 13, 2012
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University has a record summer enrollment for summer school, and there is still time for students to become a part of that record.
Campbellsville University has surpassed 4,000 summer credit hours generated for the first time in the history of the institution. More registrations are expected for the late summer undergraduate and graduate session.
The next summer session begins July 2 and runs through July 28. A late summer term begins July 2 and ends Aug. 25. Enrollment is still being accepted for summer and fall enrollment. Interested students should contact the Office of Admissions at (270) 789-5220 or admissions@campbellsville.edu.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, CU university president said, another record enrollment for summer school continues the “forward movement of Campbellsville University.”
He said, “Summer school options provide students a great opportunity to work toward earlier graduation at very affordable costs. We are committed to providing students with a menu of options in terms of scheduling and terms.”
The price for summer school at Campbellsville University is “competitively priced at $325 per credit hour, less than half price regular tuition,” according to Dr. DeWayne Frazier, associate vice president for academic affairs.
Frazier said a part of the growth can be attributed to the strong marketing campaign that the institution endeavored as well as the state of the economy.
“Students want to either get ahead in their studies and graduate early or boost their grade point averages by retaking courses where they earned grades that were not satisfactory,” he said.
However, another key to CU's growth has been the addition of more online courses where there has been an increase from 34 courses in 2011 to 106 in 2012.
“This has resulted in a nearly 400 percent increase in enrollments over last year where in 2011 the institution had 249 credit hours generated and in 2012 the number is at 974,” Frazier said.
He said in previous years, many CU students went home and took summer classes at the local community colleges or institution in their hometowns.
“This year, CU has captured a significant amount of that market by allowing the students the flexibility to take online classes,” he said.
Frazier said there are increasing numbers of CU students at the Louisville and Somerset Education Centers who are finding online as a great option for them.
“With summers and busy vacation schedules, online allows for the flexibility that many desire,” he said.
Frazier said the trend in online education continues to be seen across the country and Campbellsville University is moving forward with a strong program to meet the students where they are.
Andrea Nolley, a junior from Campbellsville, said she is taking Introduction to Communication this summer to finish school more quickly. She wants to complete her degree by next spring.
Rebecca Wright, a senior from Greensburg, Ky., said the class she is taking is her last general education course she will need before she graduates in December. By taking the class, it helps her graduate in December.
Julia Tan Sze Ting, a senior from Malaysia, said she is taking a summer class to get enough credits to graduate in December also.
“It's a different experience [taking an online class],” she said. “Everything goes by quickly as you attend class every day. That means you learn a lot in a week and assignments are due sooner as well.”
Stan McKinney, associate professor of journalism, said he enjoys teaching summer classes as “you get to know your students better because of the smaller size.”
He said he gets to cover more material in a shorter period, and the class is more informal and is less expensive for the student.
Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services, said, “I think the biggest contributor to our enrollment increase is because of our expanded class offerings and delivery methods.
“Providing the opportunity for students to take an online class while at their home during the summer months has certainly met the needs of our students.
“When you consider the convenience of this education option and the incredibly low summer rate per class, it's a win-win situation.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.