Considering The Non-Traditional Student:

Wayne State’s 'Department of Interdisciplinary Studies' Is A Case Study

Angela Januzzi

August 31, 2007 

Wayne State University’s department of interdisciplinary studies, the major “hub” for non-traditional and older students of the school, is facing the chopping block due to the Board of Governors’ demands to cut costs. The threatened cut of the program is more controversial than most programs in such budgeting situations, though, because nearly all 700 of the undergraduates enrolled in the program (and 50 graduates) are over the age of 21—and many are in their 30s and 40s. Supporters say that while the degree itself would be eliminated, the courses compiling the degree would still be offered elsewhere in the college’s other schools or departments.

Still, the overwhelming involvement of non-traditional students in the program seems a general representation of higher educations’ outlook on non-traditional and older students. If schools wish to increase their enrollment capabilities to the best of their potential, the non-traditional and older student-base must not be neglected.

While Wayne State has been praised for its distance education programs and its effort to reach older students with non-traditional schedules, most schools are not so accommodating. Direct response enrollment management can assist schools in determining if their programs are among those that would attract a market just waiting to be included: the non-traditional student.  

Source: Powers, Elia. “Hub for Older Students Fears It End.” www.insidehighered.com. Posted: August 31, 2007.