Many universities around the U.S. have faced enrollment setbacks due to the challenges of the pandemic and its economic impact. Due to an active strategic enrollment campaign, Missouri State University held its ground with a 0.2% increase in the number of students registered for fall classes at the census count during the fifth week of the semester.
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice exceeded both national and MSU marks in its enrollment growth. Our number of criminology undergraduate majors grew by 4.6% while criminal justice graduate students increased by 26%. Reflecting signs of momentum in distance education, the number of online criminology majors jumped by 46% in fall 2020, with nearly one-quarter (23%) of our undergrads now designated as online students.
We are thankful to the Provost Office which has supported our Department’s enrollment enhancement initiative. This has resulted in a more robust social media marketing campaign and efforts to build a stronger departmental brand. We are also thankful to Department faculty who have participated in recruitment events–most notably our first Criminal Justice Open House that brought over 40 prospective students to Strong Hall to meet with professors and employers.
Onward and upward!