Q: Can you tell me if the research you have identified as it related to course half life, marketing and margins relates to credit programs as well as non-credit?
A: The course half-life would be very different in credit programming. Many credit programs are required as part of a degree curriculum, and thus, these would change only when changes in the curriculum were made. Operating margins are also different for credit programming because of the funding formulas in place within different institutions. In addition, because enrollment in some credit programs is highly variable, but the programs are somewhat static in terms of the schedule of offerings, it is difficult to apply the same standards as are used with non-credit programs. If, for example, a course is part of a required curriculum and is offered only in alternate years, the course would typically run, regardless of the number of registrations.
Regarding marketing, many of the marketing strategies that are successful for non-credit programs will be successful for credit, as well.