It is estimated that 2,715 individuals in the area served by California State University, Sacramento are interested, educationally qualified, and willing to pay the fees for enrollment in External Degree programs. Those interested in external degree programs have a mean age of 33, are predominantly male, married, and employed full-time in professional or mangerial positions. It is evident that external degree programs attract a more mature, better-educated, self-reliant, and professionally more responsible student body than typical on-campus day programs. Convenience of time is the major reason for wanting to study in an external degree program. Second was the belief that family or personal needs would be met better, and third, the perceived relevance of external programs to job or work situations. Some of the major personal reasons for returning to an external degree program was the development of new skills and knowledges. The second most important reason was to prepare for a new vocation or job, and third, self-enrichment. Practical considerations weigh heavily in the choice of external degree programs as well as in the kinds of programs or majors one might anticipate selecting under this model of instruction. (Author/PG)