Flexible Learning Experience Launches with 70 Percent Enrollment Capacity

Reaching fall semester enrollment of 409 students, Utah State University’s new Flexible Learning Experience (FLEx) courses have quickly reached over 70 percent capacity. With the second 7-week semester FLEx courses set to begin Oct. 22 and open entry courses continually available for enrollment, FLEx is expected to reach near 100 percent capacity enrollment in its initial launch.

“We are really encouraged by the early high enrollment numbers we have seen so far,” said Robert Wagner, vice provost for USU’s Regional Campuses and Distance Education — the department charged with creating the new program in partnership with USU’s Provost’s Office and academic departments. “Students want flexibility in when, where and how they take their courses. FLEx is right on track to give them the choices they demand, while keeping USU at the forefront of developing learning and teaching technologies.”

FLEx offers students two types of 100 percent online courses: 1) Open Entry/Open Exit — courses allowing students to enroll at any time during the calendar year and complete the course at their own pace. These courses must be completed within a limited time period, but can be completed more quickly if a student accelerates his or her studies, 2) Condensed Term — courses with intensive studies that are completed within a 4- or 7-week term.

FLEX is ideal for students wishing to take courses outside the traditional semester start and end dates, those trying to accelerate their degree completion and those balancing a complex life-work-school schedule. Another benefit of the program is that it will alleviate enrollment bottle-necks in general education and popular courses with large numbers of students.

Related link:

USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education

Writer: Jay Wright, 435-797-2080, jay.wright@usu.edu