2008

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of on-line degree programs. In the past decade enrollment at online programs continued to grow faster than projections (Rogers, 2005). Since 2001 enrollment in online university courses has tripled (Hsu cited in Simpson, 2006). Allen and Seaman (2003) estimated enrollment at 1.6 million in 2002 consisting of 1.32 million in Public colleges and universities, 240,000 in Private nonprofit and 37,000 in Private for profit schools. Approximately 272,096 of the 1.6 million participated in Masters Degree programs, while 209, 517 pursued Doctoral/Research degree programs. Of the approximately 578, 986 learners who took all their courses on-line in 2002, approximately 109, 250 pursued a Masters degree and 67, 703 pursued a Doctorate.