THIBODAUX — Spring enrollment numbers released by Nicholls State University show that two academic programs introduced last spring have experienced resounding success, dramatically increasing their enrollment.
Nicholls Online — the university’s online degree program — enrolled 253 students this semester, more than three times the number of students recorded after the program launched in January 2013. This time last spring, 77 students were enrolled in one of Nicholls Online’s eight associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree programs.
In addition, a new online Master of Science in Nursing program — offered at Nicholls through the multi-university Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing — more than doubled its enrollment this spring, with 60 students enrolled versus 24 students in spring 2013. Graduate enrollment increased overall at Nicholls by 1.4 percent, with 595 graduate students attending school this spring.
“The success of these programs in attracting high quality students is great news,” said Dr. Bruce Murphy, president of Nicholls State University. “Nicholls will continue to develop and deliver programs that meet the emerging needs of the region and our students.”
As anticipated, due to increasing graduation rates, overall Nicholls enrollment is down slightly at 5,900 — a 1.7 percent decline since last spring. Nicholls awarded a record number of diplomas during its fall 2013 commencement, with 693 degrees earned.
Freshmen enrollment at Nicholls increased by 6.6 percent this semester due to a larger fall freshman class, with 1,652 students enrolled. Freshmen retention rates for first-time African American students increased to 91 percent this spring, a more than 7 percent increase in retention.
