Adult Education
When colleges and universities are mentioned surprisingly education is not one of the first words to come to mind. Sports, partying, protests, fraternities and other non-educational events and organizations are often tied to the modern concept of the university. Generally the picture of a university student is an 18 to 25 year-old who possibly works part-time or through work study but is usually a full-time student. This sort of university student is the one that is often catered to by colleges and universities. However, Adult education has become a bigger focus in current educational plans and debates. Once largely ignored by universities, the advent of online colleges has pushed this population of students into the forefront.
For profit online colleges have tapped into the needs of adult working students and taken hold of a group out of the reach of traditional colleges. Once forced to struggle to commute to campus for a small selection of evening and weekend classes, adult students are now able to enroll in online colleges that conform to the schedule of any average working adult. Day classes, long commutes, and expensive parking are all eliminated from the adult education provided online. Internet classes allow adults to study coursework on their own time and at their own pace. Also, through the Internet, adults are able to courses without sitting in classrooms with students half their age. The Internet equalizes all students, enabling students to interact without stereotypes and stigmas often unintentionally assigned in traditionally classrooms.
Along with the convenience of creating your own schedule, virtual campuses offer many of the same amenities of traditional campuses. Online discussions, instant messages, bulletin boards, and other online methods of communication allow almost the same level of interaction available in classrooms. Email and Internet drop boxes give instant communication with professors. CD-ROMs augment online video lectures and curriculum developed by experienced instructors. Online degrees offer a level of professionalism and flexibility necessary in adult education.
In addition to online colleges, many traditional colleges and universities offer branches devoted to working professionals. Though viable online colleges have achieved regional accreditation, professional departments under the umbrella of brick-and-mortar colleges and universities offer the stability and familiarity of on-campus colleges while addressing the needs of working adults. Creating professional departments and programs that hold class on evenings and weekends allow adults flexibility and also networking opportunities with like-minded students. For those who are uncomfortable with an online degree, professional schools are a welcome option.