Combating the Enrollment Downturn in IS/IT Programs

This study examines the extent and reasons for the downturn in IS/IT program enrollments since 2001. The current enrollment cycle will be compared with earlier enrollment cycles since the beginning of the modern MIS program in the 1970s. Several notable “mega-trends” that affect the enrollment cycle are suggested, and based on these “mega-trends” and other reasons underlying the downturn, innovative strategies to reverse the trend are proposed. Included among these are the following: 1) New corporate-academic partnerships; 2) Innovative curriculum adaptations; 3) Incentive program; and 4) Good “old-fashioned” marketing strategies. One can take heart from the preliminary conclusions of this paper that enrollment cycles in the IS/IT field are not new and that a turnaround will most likely occur whether we as a profession take action or not; however, we need to be more proactive and not leave our fates entirely to chance.