Enrollment Up at Extension School

Officials of Harvard's Commission on Extension Studies said last week they expect enrollment in the fall extension program to increase by ten per cent over last year.

Following a record registration of 867 students on Wednesday, John F. Adams, assistant director of University Extension, said he believes 5000 persons will register for the fall semester compared to 4500 in 1977.

Michael Shinagel, director of University Extension and dean of Continuing Education, said last week he attributes the rise in enrollment to the extension school's newly-expanded program, which includes almost 300 courses in 44 fields.

Bingo

Shinagel said the low cost of courses is another factor which attracts students. Most one semester courses cost only $80 if taken for credit. "The low tuition rates and the outstanding academic program are a winning combination," he said.

Adams said the rise in enrollment also reflects increased interest in liberal arts courses with a "vocational bent," such as expository writing and accounting.

The growth of extension education in general has become a national phenomenon, Shinagel said, adding that more adults are participating in some form of continuing education than ever before.

The extension school advertises in local papers to publicize its program and to reduce fears inspired by Harvard's reputation. Economic considerations are minor, Shinagel said. "As it is, we have one of the lowest ad budgets of any competing institution," he added.

Harvard's extension program, unlike other universities', appeals to a more educated group of men and women, Shinagel said. Over 60 per cent of Harvard Extension students have a bachelor's degree, and about one-quarter have masters degrees or higher.

Post-Professionals?

"A doctor or lawyer might want to take a writing course or a foreign language," he said, adding "we have a unique kind of clientele."

Enrollment in the extension program increased by ten per cent from 1976 to 1977.

Extension courses are similar or identical to courses given at the college and are mostly taught by Harvard professors, although some courses are led by faculty from member institutions of the Commission on Extension Courses. These include Tufts University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wellesley College.