William Carey University has posted a 15% enrollment increase for its spring trimester.
Total enrollment at WCU’s Hattiesburg, Tradition and Baton Rouge campuses is 4,742, which is 668 students more than spring of last year.
“I am thrilled at the steady increase in our enrollment. In recent years, we have stressed programs that lead directly to employment, and I believe our efforts are having success. I commend all faculty and staff who have worked hard to make this happen,” said President Tommy King.
This news came as William Carey students returned to campus Feb. 22 after spending much of the winter in virtual classrooms. Spring instruction is being delivered in several ways, including small in-person classes as well as online and hybrid classes.
Programs reporting enrollment increases included the Winters School of Music, the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the School of Pharmacy. The School of Education, which operates at both the Hattiesburg campus and at the Tradition campus in Biloxi, marked the largest increase with an almost 34% growth over last spring.
“The increase in enrollment is encouraging,” said Teresa Poole, dean of the education school. “Our enrollment reflects students preparing to become teachers or current educators pursuing an advanced degree to increase their knowledge, which will ultimately benefit teacher quality in K-12 classrooms.”
The university also experienced record-breaking enrollment increases in summer and fall 2020.
