Concurrent enrollment at Oklahoma State University is on the rise, with participation in course offerings skyrocketing from 615 students in the 2021-22 school year to 1,297 already this year — a 111% increase. With convenience and cost-effectiveness leading the growth, numbers are expected to continue climbing in future years.

While it may seem like a simple financial benefit for the university, Kristen Kulling, OSU’s concurrent program coordinator, sees these classes as an opportunity for future Cowboys to expand on the land-grant mission.

“Many homeschool and rural students wouldn’t have access to these opportunities without concurrent classes,” Kulling said.

Teaching, research and Extension are all pillars of OSU, and participation in concurrent course offerings allows high school students to become part of the Cowboy family, learn the Cowboy Code and finish the mission more quickly. The goal for Kulling and other program coordinators is to get students on campus with more freedom to enjoy what the loyal and true is all about.

“Part of the benefit to the concurrent program that I see is that students earn these credits, and when they get to college, they have room in their schedule to do an internship or study abroad experience,” Kulling said.

With the ongoing pressure for students to graduate faster, more individuals are choosing to expedite the process before they ever set foot on a college campus. OSU is an institution that allows them to do just that, offering courses in multiple programs and the opportunity to complete them at their own pace.

“Our classes are asynchronous in the Cowboy concurrent program, so (students) are able to fit it into their busy high school schedule,” Kulling said. “They don’t have a certain time that they have to be on their computer, so that works out really well.”

Kulling not only addresses the growing need for concurrent classes but also their benefits, instilling confidence in young students and giving them the best opportunity to graduate in good academic standing.

“Students usually have a higher GPA when they graduate with their degree from OSU if they have those concurrent classes under their belt in high school,” Kulling said. “... they are able to build confidence in themselves that they can achieve a college degree.”

Cost-saving measures are also being taken for OSU’s concurrent students. With the state of Oklahoma giving tuition waivers to juniors enrolled in up to nine hours and seniors enrolled in up to 18, students already have a leg up. Additionally, OSU has decided to provide financial assistance with a tuition waiver — meaning most students can participate in courses for just the cost of a textbook.

“I think that eliminating fees has really, along with the tuition waiver, helped expand our diverse course offerings,” Kulling said.

OSU has seen participation in these courses from 112 schools, with eight out of state — an increase of 35% over the past four years. Kulling, along with her colleagues, has continued outreach to school districts through participation in Regents counselor meetings, information nights for parents, Inspire Orange, Pathways to Promise, Junior Day and more.

In the coming years, Kulling expects to see continued growth in concurrent enrollment at OSU as the university expands course offerings and school partnerships worldwide. To her, these courses are much more than a simple college credit, but a pathway to lifelong success for students.

“It’s expanding the outreach of what’s possible for students to achieve when they come to OSU, ultimately, to pursue a four-year degree,” Kulling said.

Story By: Kenzie Kraich | kenzie.kraich@okstate.edu