The 2017 fall semester is underway and College of the Rockies has seen a substantial increase in the number of students enrolled. Overall, there are 14.6 percent more students at the College’s campuses or in online courses than in fall 2016.
Program areas that have seen the most significant growth include Adult Upgrading, English Language training, Business Administration, and University Studies with additional growth in Kinesiology and Tourism Recreation Management.
College of the Rockies Registrar and Manager of Institutional Research, Jason Colombo, feels there are a variety of factors leading to the large increase.
“The increase in students for our Adult Upgrading and English Language programs are likely directly related to our ability to once again offer these programs tuition-free,” he says. “We have also seen a significant increase in the number of international enrolments, with an additional 139 students from other countries attending the College this semester. However, we have also seen a large increase in our domestic students, with those numbers increasing by seven percent.”
“This growth in number of domestic students indicates that more students are realizing College of the Rockies is an excellent option for their post-secondary education,” Colombo adds. “There are many advantages to starting or completing a credential at a small college and with our partnerships with other institutions, it is easier than ever to start at College of the Rockies, with our lower tuition and costs of living, and then transfer to another institution to complete your credential at a university.”
College of the Rockies currently has dual admission agreements with the University of Victoria and the University of Lethbridge, providing an opportunity for students to complete their first two years of an Arts or Science program at the College before transferring to their guaranteed space at one of the universities to complete their degree. Transfer agreements also exist with many other post-secondary institutions in both BC and Alberta.
Students can also complete an entire four-year degree at the College. The Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Practices offers students the option for a four-year business degree with a unique focus applicable in today’s business world. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Bachelor of Education programs, offered in partnership with the University of Victoria, are also available entirely at the Cranbrook main campus.
The College offers numerous certificate, diploma and associate degree options as well as foundation and apprenticeship level trades training.