TWU Continues Enrollment Growth Trend

1/29/04

DENTON — Texas Woman’s University has posted its fourth consecutive semester of double-digit enrollment growth and set a new record for spring semester student credit hours.

Enrollment this spring is 9,461 students, up 13.4 percent from 8,345 students in spring 2003. Enrollment on the Denton campus increased from 6,349 students last spring to 7,301 students this spring. Houston center enrollment increased from 1,037 students to 1,152 students. Enrollment at the Dallas centers increased from 959 students to 1,008 students.

Spring 2004 student credit hours total 92,183. The previous record was 90,948 student credit hours during the spring 1995 semester. Student credit hours, not headcount, determine the university’s state funding.

“We’ve exceeded expectations,” said Dr. Carolyn Gunning, TWU interim provost. “Our enrollment demonstrates TWU is providing the right mix of programs to meet the needs of students across Texas.

“Online programs are making it possible for many students to attend TWU, and for many other students to take more classes than they might otherwise,” she added. This spring, 2,709 students are taking one or more classes online, compared to 1,721 students in spring 2003.

Undergraduate enrollment increased this spring by 421 students to 5,044 students. Graduate student enrollment increased by 694, for a total of 4,416 students.

“Graduate student enrollment is up by nearly 19 percent; that’s a sizeable increase,” said Dr. Jennifer Martin, dean of the graduate school. “And the increase is spread across most of the programs at the university.”

Some graduate programs experienced significant enrollment increases from spring 2003 to spring 2004. Enrollment in the library sciences program grew by 225 students; the Executive MBA program grew by 77 students.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program has 128 students this semester. TWU launched the MAT program in fall 2003 with 77 students, nearly double the program’s goal for that semester. University officials anticipated an additional 40 students this spring. The actual increase was 51 students.

The MAT program prepares students who have bachelor’s degrees, but do not have teaching credentials, for initial teacher certification. Students who successfully complete the program earn teacher certification and a master’s degree at the same time.

“The teaching certification with the added value of a master’s degree is part of the appeal to students,” Dr. Martin added.

Undergraduate enrollment is up 9 percent this spring, with most undergraduate programs across the university experiencing growth. Undergraduate programs that experienced more than a 35 percent increase in enrollment included math, dietetics and institutional administration, criminal justice and fashion design.

“Coordinated recruiting and marketing efforts, an improved website and better communication with prospective students about TWU has boosted undergraduate enrollment,” said Teresa Mauk, TWU executive director of enrollment management. “We’re getting the word out about what TWU has to offer, and students are listening.”

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For Further Information Contact:

Roy Kron
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: rkron@twu.edu