UT Arlington spring 2011 enrollment hits new record

ARLINGTON - Enrollment for the Spring 2011 semester has hit an all-time high, with 33,788 students attending The University of Texas at Arlington – a record driven by improved recruiting and retention and expansion of online degree programs.

Spring semester enrollment has traditionally dipped from fall enrollment. But UT Arlington's College of Nursing and College of Education and Health Professions have bucked that trend with four consecutive semesters of growth since fall 2009.

UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo said he expects the growth to continue in the foreseeable future as the University recruits more high-achieving applicants and raises its research profile. More undergraduates are continuing their studies and are on track to earn their college degree, another positive indicator, he noted.

"More students and families are aware of UT Arlington's reputation as a comprehensive University with a strong research program, a vibrant campus life and an exceptional education at a reasonable price," Spaniolo said. "We remain committed to improving the quality of our academic programs, both in traditional classroom settings and through an array of online courses designed to deliver education where people live and work."

Enrollment in the College of Nursing climbed to more than 6,600, up from about 5,000 students just last fall – placing UT Arlington in the upper ranks of the nation’s largest nursing schools.

The College of Education and Health Professions now counts more than 3,700 students in undergraduate and graduate programs, a figure up 400 students from fall 2010.

Both colleges offer a mix of classroom-based and online programs designed to help working professionals and others earn degrees that can help them advance in their fields.

Donald R. Bobbitt, provost and vice president for academic affairs, noted that the number of continuing undergraduates in campus-based programs is up 6.8 percent from spring 2010, evidence that UT Arlington's student success efforts are paying off.

UT Arlington opened University College in the fall to give students a one-stop shop for access to academic advising, tutoring, counseling and other support services designed to improve retention and graduation rates. The University also recently added a University Studies degree plan for general interest students by providing an alternative degree to one in a particular field of study.

"All of these initiatives represent our best efforts to give our students every opportunity to succeed, earn their college degrees and join the next generation of highly-skilled UT Arlington alumni who help drive our economy," Bobbitt said.

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Media contact: Kristin Sullivan, Kristinsul@uta.edu, 817-272-5364

The University of Texas at Arlington, www.uta.edu

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