DENVER, Apr 17, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- eCollege(SM) (Nasdaq: ECLG), the leading provider of technology and services for online higher education programs, today announced eCollege AU+(SM), the latest generation of the company's leading eLearning platform. eCollege AU+ is built on the customization, usability and accessibility offered through eCollege AU(SM), released in January of this year.

eCollege AU+ separates eCollege's traditional CampusPortal(SM) into modules that can be integrated with its teaching platform, as well as with other administrative applications. eCollege AU+ also introduces new advanced feature sets including audio archive capabilities for live sessions and assignment management and tracking functionality.

"While other companies talk about new products, we are preparing to release our second major product upgrade of the year, providing our customers with industry leading functionality to drive the success of their programs," said Oakleigh Thorne, chairman and CEO of eCollege. "AU+ is currently going through our normal exhaustive QA process for release in the third quarter, and, like all of our releases, it will be immediately available to all customers at that time."

New and enhanced features for eCollege AU+ Teaching Solutions(SM) include:

-- Audio-Plus-Archiving - ClassLive(SM), the industry leading

synchronous tool set will now include audio and archive capability for

synchronized audio-visual playback not available through any other

eLearning platform.

-- Assignment Dropbox(SM) - the course feature that enables students to

submit coursework and faculty to retrieve it, will be organized in

virtual "baskets" by unit or assignment, and tied directly to the

grade book; this will result in more efficient management and tracking

of coursework.

-- Course Calendar - the new and improved course calendar features will

provide more customization for users, enabling them to set reminders

and control display options, and download the calendar to a PDA

(personal digital assistant).

A new look and feel across all eCollege AU+ Campus Solutions(SM) will enable users to better organize information on the home page, and easily add new digital campus module packages. Among the new offerings are the following:

-- Portal Calendar Package - integrates all course calendars and

personal items into one master calendar, which can be downloaded to a

PDA, with color-coding and customizable features to identify courses

and activities.

-- Web Access Package - provides access to headline news, online

shopping, personal stock portfolio, and other Web resources; and it

easily facilitates the promotion of on-campus activities and events.

-- Community Package - allows for online interaction, information

sharing and communication outside of the courseware through clubs and

study groups.

-- Alumni Package - empowers institutions to maintain relationships with

students after graduation, and serve the needs of alumni

organizations.

As with the initial release of eCollege AU, all applications and support services have achieved unprecedented levels of accessibility for blind, deaf and mobility-impaired faculty and students. eCollege has exceeded standards set forth by Section 508, the U.S. Federal Accessibility Standard for electronic and information technology.

About eCollege

eCollege (Nasdaq: ECLG) is the leading eLearning technology and services provider to educational markets. eCollege designs, builds and supports high quality online degree, certificate/diploma and professional development programs for colleges, universities, school districts and state departments of education. eCollege's clients include such institutions as National University; University of Massachusetts Amherst; University of Colorado; Drexel University; DeVry University, Inc.; The New England College of Finance; and the Kentucky Virtual High School. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Denver. For more information, visit www.eCollege.com .

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks. Actual results may differ materially. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our network infrastructure and computer systems failing; technical testing processes which could delay the release of the product; substantial and increasing competition in the online education market; future technological advances by our competitors; and such other factors as are discussed in our most recent Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which you are encouraged to review in connection with this release. We believe that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, however, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. We are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

eCollege, eCollege AU+, eCollege AU, Teaching Solutions, Campus Solutions, and ClassLive are service marks of eCollege. All other trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: Kristi Emerson of eCollege, +1-303-873-3788,

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