Back to school, rewritten: 1.2 million ASU learners and counting
From high school classrooms in LA to career upskilling in 157 countries, more than 1.2 million learners are moving forward with ASU in ways that fit their lives. ASU photo
For generations, “back to school” has meant a single day circled on the calendar. But today, that moment looks different for millions of learners.
Education now starts when life allows: on a Tuesday night after work, over a school break, during a career shift or return to the workforce. Whether learners are earning their first college credits in high school or returning after years away, ASU programs are helping them move forward in ways that fit their lives.
More than 1.2 million unique learners worldwide have now enrolled in ASU learning offerings, including through Universal Learner Courses, career certifications and stackable credentials. These programs — created and delivered by ASU’s colleges and schools — are changing where, when and how education happens.
“We’re not just expanding access — we’re reimagining how education is designed, delivered and experienced,” said Marco Serrato, vice president of ASU's Learning Enterprise. “When ASU’s colleges, faculty and partners come together across disciplines and delivery models, we can meet learners in moments that traditional systems overlook — and help them keep moving toward their goals, no matter where they start.”
A second chance — or first step — toward a degree
Through ASU’s Earned Admission pathway, nearly 9,000 adult learners have been admitted to ASU, returning to or entering college for the first time. Instead, they begin with entry-level college courses and only pay for credit after they pass — offering a low-risk path forward for students restarting or reconsidering their education. Students set their own pace as they manage work, family or other commitments.
For Katie Marquez, a third-generation Sun Devil now entering her third year as an ASU undergraduate student, the program has made college possible while keeping her role as corporate billing director at Mountainside Fitness.
“It has already opened so many doors for me,” she shared.
Katie, who will graduate in spring 2026 with a degree in elementary education from Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, said the flexibility and low-pressure environment also gave her the confidence to explore subjects she might have avoided before.
“I took an astronomy class — that’s something I never thought I would take,” she said. “It gave me an opportunity to not feel stressed about having to pass a class right away and to be able to enjoy what I’m learning.”
These credit-eligible offerings through ASU’s Universal Learner Courses also serve as an academic on-ramp for international learners, homeschoolers and career changers. The ULC catalog includes 75-plus first- and second-year classes across disciplines — from business to astronomy — all taught by ASU faculty and open to anyone.
For Daniel Perry, Earned Admission was a way back into higher education after leaving his previous university on academic probation. By completing ULCs and applying past credits toward a new degree, he rebuilt his academic standing and graduated last fall with a 4.0 GPA in technological entrepreneurship and management
“It feels like I finally finished what I started,” he said.
Early college in high school
In Los Angeles, graduates of many Archdiocese of Los Angeles (ADLA) high schools are collecting their diplomas with as many as 24 college credits already on their transcripts. The credits come through Accelerate ASU, a dual enrollment program that offers more than 70 online college courses without GPA or transcript requirements. To date, more than 23,000 high school students have participated across 40 countries, earning college credit before ever applying.
These online courses — taught by ASU faculty and supported in-person by high school educators — are helping students build academic confidence and college momentum.
“Some of our schools simply don’t have the resources to offer specialized career pathways like data analytics or health care,” said Edgar Salmingo Jr., director of early college and online learning for ADLA. “With ASU, we can give students those opportunities without having to build out entire programs from scratch. ... I would say close to 100% of students feel more prepared for college after taking ASU courses. Many start out thinking, ‘This is too hard. I don’t know if I can handle it.’ But by the end, they’re saying, ‘Oh, I can do this.’”
The model reaches internationally as well. At IGB International School in Malaysia, students in the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme earn university credit and career certificates alongside their IB coursework.
“Our families value global university access,” said Gregory Brunton, head of school at IGB. “ASU’s outstanding reputation, flexibility and breadth of academic offerings provide our students with meaningful pathways — such as the custom academic track — to begin university-level work in a supportive and low-risk environment.”
Career skills with immediate and long-term value
For some learners, “back to school” means updating skills for a job they already have or preparing for a career that’s rapidly changing. ASU's CareerCatalyst offers more than 400 courses and 200 stackable credentials, many of which are self-paced or designed to accommodate working professionals. The learning offerings are designed and delivered by ASU’s world-class faculty across the university’s colleges and schools including:
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
- Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
- New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Thunderbird School of Global Management
- Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions
- W. P. Carey School of Business
In the past year, artificial intelligence has become a key focus area. From foundational awareness to advanced integration, ASU’s AI learning portfolio spans business, health, education, public service and engineering — empowering professionals across sectors to use AI responsibly and effectively. Developed by the W. P. Carey School of Business, current offerings include a W. P. Carey Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Business, AI in Learning Analytics and Talent Development certificate and AI and Sustainability certificate.
“Our approach to teaching AI at ASU considers not only the technical skills but also business skills and mindful principles, which emphasize ethics, responsibility and trustworthiness,” says Pei-yu Chen, Red Avenue Foundation Professor, chair of the Department of Information Systems and founding director of the Center for AI and Data Analytics at the W. P. Carey School of Business. “By integrating these elements, we ensure that our learners are prepared to practice principled innovation and lead with integrity in the AI-driven future.”
For learners pursuing advanced credentials, W. P. Carey offers graduate-level certificates in AI, analytics and supply chain management, all of which stack into master’s degrees. These pathways allow working professionals to gain immediate career value while building toward long-term goals.
Scaling access and opportunity
ASU’s global learner base now spans 157 countries. Through the newly expanded ASU en Español initiative, Spanish-speaking students can access university-level coursework aligned with local workforce needs and delivered in their own language.
In Latin America, for example, demand for technology talent has nearly tripled in recent years, creating the need for training opportunities. Programs such as the Digital Intelligence for Everyone certificate, Foundational Sustainability Skills and Competencies certificate and the Business Analytics and Big Data in a Global Economy certificate (offered through ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management) are helping learners build in-demand skills.
“Access to education is not only critical to ASU’s success but also needed if we are to craft solutions to our shared global challenges,” says Miki Kittilson, dean of the College of Global Futures, which was responsible for developing and delivering several learning offerings. “Our courses through ASU en Español empower learners to shape their own futures with the knowledge and tools needed to lead in a rapidly changing world.”
“This work is perfectly aligned with the ASU Charter,” adds Todd Sandrin, dean of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. “In New College, by designing with language and context in mind, we advance the concept of 'learning is for everyone.'”
One learner in Mexico, who was also earning a master’s degree in engineering, shared: “I gained valuable insights into how technological advancements can reshape industries and societies.”
As different as their goals may be, today’s learners are navigating education on their own terms, and on a continuum. What matters most isn’t when they start or return — it’s that they feel ready, supported and confident when they do.
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