When the economy slows, enrollment in graduate business programs increases. It’s a trend administrators anticipate. But they couldn’t predict how campuses would be affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In San Diego, a military town, enrollment dropped almost immediately as active duty and military reservists were deployed. New locations had to be found for National University courses taught on military bases. Civilian students, stunned by the attacks, took time off from school.

At Keller Graduate School, enrollment dropped by 50 percent for the sessions that began in October and November. “People were not ready to start with all these things going on,” says Thomas Horstmann, San Diego center director. Keller students knew that they could resume classes later since the school schedules five 10-week sessions. Enrollment for the term that started Feb. 5 was “higher than expected,” says Horstmann. “Maybe people are more comfortable now.”

At the University of California, Irvine, a student interning in New York and a faculty member in Asia couldn’t get back to the campus after Sept. 11. A student in the university’s executive MBA program had to withdraw from classes. He worked for a major business reinsurer and was reassigned to New York City. “We gave him a refund and hope he’ll be back,” says JoAnne Starr, assistant dean of student services at UC Irvine.

While some campuses saw enrollment drop in September and October, applications are on the rise again for graduate business programs. However, the number of international students could drop this year if students have trouble obtaining visas. “We’re seeing a rise in domestic enrollment and a decline in international,” says Starr. “Diversity in the classroom is important (because) business is global.”

Starr is among the administrators familiar with the cyclical rise in enrollments during a slow economy. “When there’s an economic downturn, interest in and applications for full-time programs go up. You see it across the country,” she says. “People feel it’s time to step out of the marketplace. It usually happens during the first 12 to 18 months of an economic downturn.”

Sometimes circumstances like the loss of a job lead a person to enroll in a full-time MBA program. For those working full time, an economic downturn may bring worries about job cuts. These people may enroll in a part-time MBA program to demonstrate their value to a current or prospective employer, says Starr.

In addition, people enroll to take advantage of their employer’s tuition reimbursement programs, says Maria Gier, Chapman University associate dean. “During a recession, we see an increase in enrollment. I believe folks want to show employers they’re bettering themselves.”

War and economic jitters aside, enrollment in MBA programs is on the rise across the nation. The Graduate Management Admission Council reports that 77 percent of part-time MBA programs reported increased enrollment during the 2000-2001 school year. Enrollment rose between 1 percent and 10 percent for 40 percent of institutions, reports the council, a not-for-profit association focused on creating access to graduate management and professional education. In addition, enrollment in executive MBA programs increased up to 10 percent at 33 percent of surveyed business schools. Survey results were based on the responses of 74 of the 138 business schools contacted last October.

A nationwide surge in graduate school enrollment was reported by The New York Times in January. The economy, especially the failure of dot-com businesses, was cited as the reason for increases in enrollment in programs for graduate degrees in business, law, journalism and education.

At local campuses like the University of San Diego, enrollment reflects a balance created by the economy-generated increase and the drop in enrollment after Sept. 11.

Sailors and Marines in USD’s graduate business program were deployed before the fall semester ended. “Professors made excellent accommodations for them to fax or e-mail to finish their courses,” says Stephani Richards-Wilson, assistant director of the graduate business program. She also notes that students employed in the defense industry are working more hours and are taking leaves of absence from grad school.

National University saw enrollment drop during September and October for international students and those taking classes on military bases, says Sydney Blake, chair of the business and technology department. Instructors are again teaching on bases, however faculty must present passes and sign in. Instructors were not allowed to drive onto North Island Naval Air Station until February, says Blake. Before that, they rode a shuttle bus onto the base.

Sept. 11 had an effect in the classroom.

“It was personal,” says Blake. “Somebody knew somebody in the affected area. There was more courtesy in the classroom; people helped each other. They were more emotional. After people came together, they got crabby” as they worked through emotions like anger.

At National University, people in online courses reached out. Classmates in Germany and Russia sent condolences through the Internet. In the months after Sept. 11, Blake says coursework provided a focus for students — especially if they started the course before the attacks and were familiar with the material. However, concentrating on school was a challenge for students who started Blake’s project course the week of the attacks.

Enrollment in National University’s graduate programs began to rise in November. In January, National saw a 5 percent increase in enrollment in the management program and a 14 percent increase in forensics and the criminal justice program. On-site programs include courses taught at Sempra Energy and San Diego Gas & Electric Co. Blake attributes the increases to students “seeing what’s happening in the market.”

Chapman University also experienced a drop in enrollment as military students were deployed, says Gier. However, Chapman’s enrollment is on the rise again. While this is a familiar trend, Gier says more students are now enrolling in programs for degrees in organizational leadership, education, school administration, counseling and psychology. “People are looking into where they could be of help,” says Gier.

She moved to San Diego from Littleton, Colo., shortly after the Columbine High School shootings. Gier saw enrollments rise in “helping” degree programs after Columbine and after the Santana High School shootings last March.

Sept. 11 was discussed in some classes at the University of Redlands, says Judy Myers, associate dean of admissions. As for enrollment, Myers says, “We haven’t seen a surge; enrollment has been steady.”

The University of Phoenix experienced a slight delay in enrollment last September and October, says Bruce Williams, vice president and director of the university’s San Diego campuses. However, enrollment in the university’s local MBA programs increased 23 percent during the year of November 2000 through November 2001. The number of students rose from 547 to 673.

“We always see greater enrollment when the economy is in a recessionary state,” says Williams. “People look at their situations (and say), ‘If I’m in a between-career situation, why not take advantage of this opportunity to get into school and get skills?’” In addition, UOP’s master of counseling program increased by 77 percent, rising from 71 to 126 students seeking master degrees in marriage, family and child counseling. Williams says shifts in the economy might lead students to these studies. “It’s the kind of career path they may have had in the back of their minds. That’s my perspective; it’s nothing scientific,” he says.

It remains to be seen whether Sept. 11 affects the enrollment of international students at Alliant International University (formerly United States International University). For the winter session that started in January, enrollment was slightly higher with about 10 more students, says Ali Abu-Rahma, assistant dean of the business administration college.

However, enrollment figures for fall won’t be known until later because Alliant enrolls students throughout spring and summer for that session. Abu-Rahma adds that instructors may have incorporated discussions of Sept. 11 into lesson plans. Faculty and students are international, he says, and “whatever happens in the world is a topic of discussion. It does impact what we do.” Otherwise it’s business as usual for Alliant’s business program, he says, adding that no change occurred in the doctorate in business administration program enrollment.

At San Diego State University, the economy hasn’t affected the executive MBA program, says director Candace Williams. And there have been no noticeable trends at California State University, San Marcos, says Keith Butler, MBA program operations manager. On campuses with changing enrollment, those changes often reflect changes in students’ lives. At campuses affected by Sept. 11, students in the military have put their education on hold. “It was sad when they left. We don’t know they’ll return,” says USD’s Richards-Wilson.

For the working professionals now enrolling in MBA programs, going to school can provide more than the opportunity to earn a degree. Williams, of University of Phoenix, says people can network in the classroom. For the person between jobs, “there is something about being in school that helps people feel they’re being productive,” he says, “that they’re moving ahead.”