Students are getting older, working more, and local universitiesand colleges are doing everything they can to help.
A National Center for Education Statistics report onpostsecondary education says college enrollment has continued toclimb since the early 1980s, but the fastest growing programs arenot of the typical four-year variety many people associate with thecollege experience.
Between 1990 and 2000, the number of associate degrees fromtwo-year schools grew at a faster pace than the bachelor programsof four-year institutions.
Selena Grimes, director of Institutional Research at SouthwestTennessee Community College, said there are many reasons for thisgrowth explosion , including flexibility.
"We work closely with industry to determine what they want in aworkforce," Grimes said. "We can change our curriculum faster thana four-year university in order to meet those industry needs."
Grimes also mentioned cost and length of programs as benefits ofan associates degree program, but she says the biggest reason forthe increased demand for two-year degrees is technology.
"A majority of our associate degree programs are in technology,"Grimes said. "Let's face it, you don't need a four-year degree todo what you need to do on the computer.
"A (two-year) degree is just to get you in the door."
Two-year degrees also tend to attract older students, accordingto the study. One of the most telling statistics was 63.7 percentof two-year attendees described themselves as independent on theirtax forms. At four-year institutions, that number was just 37percent. This suggests that many who enroll in two-year programsare returning to school after testing the workplace. Notsurprisingly, two-year students are nearly four years older thantheir four-year counterparts.
But the four-year student is getting older as well. Their medianage in 2000 was 24.2, up from 23.5 in 1990.
Four-year students are working more as well. The number ofstudents who work full-time while going to school is up 3 percentsince 1990.
Vice Provost for Extended Programs Dan Lattimore said adultscome back to school becausethey realize the need for highereducation.
"The underlying reason is they need the degree," Lattimore said."Business and industry has begun valuing that experience."
Another reason older students are returning is the developmentof online programs. The Regents Online Degree Program, which beganin 2001, allows students the flexibility to work and go to schoolat the same time.
Sixty-eight percent of RODP students are 25 years and older,Lattimore said.
"The average student in our program is 40, female and has twokids," Lattimore said. "(Online) is the only way she can receiveher degree."
In some instances, the RODP is set up to build upon associatedegrees students might already have.
