Dean Michael Shinagel
Senior Lecturer on English
Academic Year 2009-2010

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) completed another successful year with increased course enrollment in both Extension and Summer Schools. In 2009-10, the Extension School’s 100^th year, 13,835 students enrolled, a 2 percent decrease from the previous year.  However, these students accounted for 28,488 course enrollments, a 2 percent increase over 2008-09 course enrollments. The higher course enrollment is attributable, in part, to 460 enrollments in new January session courses and an increase in Extension School degree candidates, who typically take more courses per term than non-degree students. In 2009-10, distance course enrollment increased 15 percent over the previous year to 10,628, accounting for 37 percent of total course enrollment.

The Extension School offered more than 650 courses in diverse liberal arts and professional fields ranging from finance and biochemistry to elementary Greek and microfluidics. Demand for courses in sciences and management continued to be very strong. The Extension School offered a record number of online courses (154), including 40 Harvard College and GSE courses and 18 web conference courses that enrolled students from around the world. Eight previously offered distance education courses were offered for noncredit online to the public at no charge through the Open Learning Initiative. Throughout the year, a number of events took place in celebration of the school’s centennial year, including a convocation presided over by President Drew Faust and a series of panel discussions on current topics.

The 2009 Harvard Summer School enrolled 6,200 students, a 2 percent decrease from 2008.  These students accounted for 8,274 course enrollments, an 8 percent increase over the previous summer.  Thirty-three percent of students were international, representing 103 nations. The Summer School Secondary School Program for academically motivated high school students remained strong, enrolling 1,269 students.

In 2009, the Summer School offered nearly 300 on-campus courses and a small selection of distance education courses (12), providing students an opportunity for focused study in unique subjects like Beginning Hindi. Students completed prerequisites and degree requirements in subjects such as chemistry and economics. 554 students attended twenty-five study abroad programs offered in 19 countries. Led by Harvard faculty, these programs offered an intensive educational experience for the 307 Harvard undergraduates and 9 graduate students who studied abroad.

The Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement increased its membership modestly to 580 retired and semi-retired academics and professionals participating in peer-led seminars.

The DCE anticipates steady enrollments in Extension School and Summer School programs. Applications to several Extension School degree programs have grown, reflecting a national trend of increased interest in pursuing degrees from the nontraditional, adult learner population. The DCE expects to experience greater demand for distance education and intensive January courses over the next several years. Within the Summer School, study abroad programs and biological science courses continue to receive strong interest. As it enters its 2^nd century, the Division remains in position to serve the educational needs of local, national, and international students while making a valuable contribution to the academic and financial well being of the University.