Distance education popularity increases in South Dakota

A report to the South Dakota Board of Regents showed total credit hours for courses delivered electronically increased by 45 percent when comparing the 2005 spring semester to the same time a year ago. Registrations for Internet-delivered courses increased 14 percent over the same time. Total student headcount in all distance courses offered by the public universities was up 18 percent.

"One of our goals is to make public higher education more convenient and accessible to South Dakota citizens," Regents President Harvey C. Jewett said. "Distance delivery offers options for people who don't live near a university campus, or for those with work, family, or personal considerations."

A majority (53 percent) of the students enrolled in distance delivery in spring 2005 were located off campus. But Jewett said a surprisingly large percentage � 47 percent � was taking distance-delivered coursework while actually enrolled in classes on campus.

"This just shows that distance delivery is meeting the varied needs of today's busy college students," he said.