KU Edwards Campus spring enrollment highest in 12 years, sees largest growth in undergraduate programs
Enrollment continues to climb at the KU Edwards Campus (KUEC). More than 2,000 students enrolled in a total of 12,756 credit hours in programs administered by KUEC for the Spring 2020 semester, making it the highest spring enrollment at KUEC in 12 years and a 4.9% increase from Spring 2019. This is a continuing trend as Spring 2019 was a 5.3% increase from Spring 2018, which was up 10.4% from the year before.
All students enrolled at KUEC come with previous college credit, ready to complete their junior and senior years – many coming from KUEC’s community college partners Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College and Metropolitan Community College – or to pursue graduate programs. Undergraduate programs comprised the largest enrollment growth in Spring 2020.
“We provide clear pathways and dedicated support to students from area high schools and community colleges to complete their bachelor’s degree from KU,” said Shannon Portillo, KUEC’s assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs. “As we continue to enhance these education pathways through transfer student scholarships, academic coaching, career advising, networking and more, we promote social mobility for our students by making a bachelor’s degree more affordable, convenient and accessible while connecting the educational experience with career opportunities.”
Undergraduate programs, which saw the largest growth in Spring 2020 compared to Spring 2019, include the following:
- Bachelor’s in biotechnology*: up 23.3%
- Bachelor’s in business administration*: up 14.3%
- Bachelor’s in law and society: up 50.8%
- Bachelor’s in social work: up 20.8%
- Undergraduate certificate in accounting*: up 47.4%
*Supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle
Spring 2020 enrollment saw continued growth in science, business and technology programs supported the Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT), which increased in student credit hours by 10.6% year over year.
KUEC keeps a finger on the pulse of workforce needs in the region and beyond as it launches new programs offering in-demand skills, equipping employers with highly trained talent. New undergraduate programs this year include American Sign Language & Deaf studies as well as environmental studies as a response to regional and national demand.
Graduate programs also experienced a significant uptick. Those with the largest student credit hour increases include:
- Master’s and certificate in Applied Behavioral Science*: up 29.3%
- Master’s in applied statistics and analytics*: up 23%
- Master’s in integrated marketing communications: up 35.9%
- Certificate in professional workplace communications* and master’s in communication studies: up 24.6%
- Master’s in project management*: up 47.7%
*Supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle
“We offer accessible, relevant and convenient educational programs for working adult students, whether they are coming back to college to earn an advanced degree or transferring from a community college,” said David Cook, vice chancellor of KUEC. “Our transfer communities, new program launches, online offerings, on-campus support and more ensure we continue to make the KU Edwards Campus the premier destination for further education and career advancement.”
