Adult Students Changing the Face of Higher Education
In today's fluctuating marketplace, many adults are re-schooling either to gain the educational skills required for a career change or increase their value to their current employer. Educational options have greatly evolved since these adults were in high school or college.
ââ¬ÅSince there are many more options available to adult students than before, it is imperative to qualify a university to make sure it meets individual educational needs,ââ¬Â said Mark Pyszkowski, campus director, University of Phoenixââ¬âChicagoland Campus. ââ¬ÅBy keeping the following guidelines in mind, it will be easier to select an institution of higher education suited to an individual's learning needs and long-term goals.ââ¬Â
Tip 1 ââ¬â Investigate the School
Qualifications Ensure the institution is accredited by visiting the United States Department of Education web site at www.ed.gov for a listing of educational institutions that meet accreditation criteria.
Ask for the school's student retention rate; the industry average in retention is 56 percent. High turnover in a school can be a warning sign of an unsatisfactory educational experience.
Tip 2 ââ¬âIntegrate Classes with your Schedule
One of the major reasons adults leave post-secondary school is due to lack of time and flexibility with their school schedule.
Many programs available are designed for busy working professionals. Rather than multiple courses or weekday classes, many institutions offer weekend or evening courses that allow students to take one course at a time, allowing students to focus exclusively on course specific learning objectives.
Tip 3 ââ¬â Life Experience Counts
A common complaint among adults returning to school is that they have many years of ââ¬Ëreal-world' work experience and then have to begin schooling with preparatory classes.
Many institutions will work with students to evaluate college level learning achieved outside the classroom for its possible application towards academic credit. Ask your educational institution if they have a program to leverage knowledge gained through your career, work experience or certificated learning to assist in meeting your educational goals.
Tip 4 ââ¬â Financial Aid is not limited to Students Coming Directly from High School
Speak to a financial counselor at an educational institution to learn about options and qualifications for financial aid and visit the National Association of Student and Financial Aid Administrators at www.nasfaa.org, www.studentloan.com or www.educaid.com.
Many corporations will also pay or reimburse tuition for employees. Investigate options through your managerial staff or training/human resources department.
Tip 5 ââ¬â Surround Yourself with Professionals
The same education model that works for a younger student beginning a college experience might not be appropriate or challenging for an adult returning to school. Investigate the median student age of higher education institutions to surround yourself with a challenging peer-to-peer educational experience.
Determine the class size that is most comfortable for your learning preferences. Some students prefer small 13:1 ratios of students to teachers, while others enjoy lecture environments of 50:1.
The University of Phoenixââ¬âChicagoland Campus opened in February 2002. The university currently offers 12 undergraduate and graduate degree programs at its classrooms in Schaumburg and Warrenville. Prospective students can call 800-697-8223 for more information.
The University of Phoenix, which has served working adults for over a quarter of a century, has made its mission to remove barriers and to provide access to education for busy adults by providing accessible scheduling and degree programs centered on professional goals. The University's focus on small interactive classes, personalized teaching and comprehensive academic accountability systems have won praise and recognition by noteworthy academic and business leaders. As of November 30, 2003, 186,169 students attend classes in any one of 139 campuses and learning centers located in 29 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, or via the Internet through the University's Online campus.