Working With Adult Learners
Part 1
Originally Published on MCNY’s Admissions Blog.
In the world of higher education, traditional college students are defined as first-time, full-time students who live on campus, are right out of high school and depend on their parents for financial support. Only 29% of American college students fit this definition, whereas 71% are adult learners, commuters, financially independent and/or part-time students . Non-traditional college students are the majority of college students. Based on this, it’s probably time for us to redefine what a traditional college student is and how we provide services for all who walk through our doors.
(Source: ACE — Higher Education Today blog — Data source: U.S. Department of Education, via WSJ Real Time Economics blog)
Helping adult learners means understanding that they have more responsibilities than just attending class and doing homework. They may fit one or more of the following:
• Full-time employees
• Head of the household
• Parent
• Single parent
• Primary caregiver for a family member
• Homeless/living in a shelter
• Commuter (car/bus/train/etc.)
• Out of school for years
Alone, any of what’s listed above can be a lot to deal with on a day-to-day basis, but adding college to the list increases the difficulty. Without policies for adult learners, we risk failing on our obligation to help the students who come to us for education. We risk lower retention rates, lower graduation rates and increasing student debt and default rates.
Here’s a few initiatives colleges can implement to help adult learners get into school, find the support they need and ensure they graduate:
1- Make the admissions process simpler
This does not mean lower your standards. This means put customer service at the forefront of everything you do. Simplify your paperwork to allow students to fill out less and still give you everything you need to evaluate them as a student and stay compliant. One form with multiple purposes is better than seven forms with singular purposes. This cuts down on the amount of times they have to give their name, address and SSN, and also makes their files (paper or digital) less cumbersome.
2- Be flexible
With a diverse population like adult learners, it’s hard to get them all in one place at one time. Offering flexible class options (mix of day, evening, weekend and even online) allows students to not only plan their classes around their work and family obligations, but may also help them to graduate on time. Flexibility goes beyond classes, administrative offices need to be open longer (utilizing swing shifts to cover the hours with current staffing) and even open on weekends. Admissions, learning centers, student affairs, career services, and financial aid are just a few of the offices that should be available at non-traditional times to help. Developing a culture of flexibility will show your students that you care and want them to succeed.
3- Help them finish faster
Immediate decision days and more streamlined paperwork helps them get accepted faster, but accelerated programs that allow students to finish degrees in less time than other colleges are a big deal to adult learners. This helps them possibly find their way into their dream career quicker, earn a raise or promotion faster, free up time to spend with their families and help them achieve some economic stability.
These items do take a shift in culture and ideology, a desire to break from what colleges have “traditionally” done, but will go a long way in making your campus adult learner-friendly. Even some small steps will go a long way in welcoming, maintaining and graduating adult students. With “non-traditional” students accounting for 84% of students on campuses across the US, colleges can ill afford to ignore this population.
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Founded in 1964, Metropolitan College of New York has a long history of serving adult learners. MCNY offers accelerated associates, bachelors and masters degrees with flexible class options geared towards student who work full-time and have responsibilities beyond that of traditional college students. Offering degrees in business, education, emergency management, healthcare systems, human services, liberal arts and public affairs administration, our programs offer practical work experience that helps students gain valuable experience in their chosen fields which puts them in position to instantly make an impact for their employers. If you’d like more information about MCNY and the degrees offered, visit www.mcny.edu or call 1–800–33-THINK.
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Posted by Stephen Ostendorff
Stephen is the Director of Admissions at Metropolitan College of New York and has been immersed in higher education and enrollment marketing since 2000. Having served in admissions, student affairs, residence life and as a faculty member, he takes a holistic, integrated approach to helping students achieve their academic goals. Follow him on Twitter — @Ostendorff
