Students have been looking to UMSL to continue their educational pursuits this summer. The university has seen a 6.5 percent credit-hour enrollment increase in its 4-, 8- and 12-week courses compared to 2019. (Photo by August Jennewein)

This summer, amid economic uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, more students have turned to the University of Missouri–St. Louis to develop their job skills and make progress toward their degrees.

UMSL has seen a 3.4 percent increase in the number of students enrolled in 4-, 8- or 12-week sessions with more than 5,100 students taking part in classes this summer, and the total number of credit hours in which students have enrolled has increased by 6.5 percent compared to 2019.

“UMSL is committed to providing students access to an affordable, high quality education under any circumstance, but challenging economic times have a way of highlighting the importance of earning a degree and accumulating the skills employers are looking for,” said Elizabeth Eckelkamp, UMSL’s associate provost for student success. “We’re happy that we can meet the needs of our students and help them position themselves to be successful.”

The university has also worked to ease the financial burden on its students by waiving online course fees for all 4-, 8 and 12-week sessions with courses held remotely this summer.

UMSL is one of the top providers of online education in the country. For three years in a row U.S. News and World Report has ranked UMSL No. 1 in Missouri and among the top 15 percent nationally for best online bachelor’s programs.

The university is continuing to waive online course fees – normally $62.30 per credit hour – through the fall semester, which will begin on Aug. 24.

UMSL will resume in-person classes in the fall semester but has developed blended courses that incorporate the strengths of both face-to-face and online learning while increasing its fully online offerings to maximize flexibility for students.