Harvard, for less: Extension courses' new allure

Extension and continuing-education schools have long served midcareer adults and people with some previous college credit. They still account for most extension students, and many do not accept students under 25 or without college experience.

But schools that accept younger students say interest is increasing, driven largely by economic considerations, although at Harvard it is also fueled by the fact that it is Harvard.

"There is a group of what you might call traditional college-age students who are with us now," said Robert E. Wiltenburg, dean of University College, the extension school of Washington University in St. Louis.

Dean Wiltenburg said that the number of students in his undergraduate degree program tripled in the last five years, and that most students studying full-time were 25 or younger.

•	Harvard, for Less: Extension Courses' New Allure New York Times, Friday, Nov. 18, 2005 Byline: Pam Belluck

	Story also ran in 3 others:  Spartanburg Herald Journal (SC), Gadsden Times (AL) and The Ledger (FL)