Non-traditional students: Understanding adult learners’ needs — from Faculty Focus by Mary Bart

Students dropout of college for a variety of reasons – some are not ready for the academic rigors, while others leave to raise a family, get a job, or join the military. Many of these students are now in their 30s, 40s and 50s. They’re more mature, and they’re ready to come back and finish what they started. Is your school truly committed to do what it takes to attract and support these students through degree completion?

The adult degree completion market offers a growing and potentially lucrative opportunity for higher education institutions nationally. According to Dr. Bruce Chaloux, president of the Sloan Consortium, there are more than 50 million working age adults with some college credit but no degree, or who have a high school diploma but never entered college.

During the recent online video seminar Effective Strategies for the Adult Degree Completion Market, Chaloux pointed out that many of these adults would like to get their college degrees, but only if they’re given practical “adult friendly” alternatives to traditional, campus-based programs.

The eight key factors that influence an adult learner’s decision to attend college are:

* Convenient time and place for classes
* Flexible pacing for completing the program
* Ability to transfer credits
* Reputation of institution as being adult friendly
* Need the degree for current or future job
* Receive credit for life/work experiences
* Financial aid or employer assistance
* Child care