Should I Go Back to College?

 Millions of adult students successfully return to college to obtain a degree. However, they often have numerous responsibilities to consider when making the decision. These responsibilities can include marriage, children, work, community obligations, or care of elderly parents. The time and commitment needed to complete a degree program and balance these responsibilities can be a challenge.

Adults can also be concerned about fitting in with the younger, “traditional” students, or that they may be “too old.” However, so many adults are returning to college that they are no longer being considered “non-traditional” students. Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Education show that adult students are the fastest growing educational demographic, and these numbers are steadily increasing. In 1970, 28 percent of all college students were 25 years of age or older. In 1998 the number of adult learners had increased to 41 percent. The number of students age 35 and older in degree-granting institutions has soared from about 823,000 in 1970 to an estimated 2.9 million in 2001 — doubling from 9.6% of total students to 19.2%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The Institute for Higher Education Policy reports that students aged 40 and older increased by 235 percent from 1970 to 1993. (Life After Forty: A New Portrait of Today’s – and Tomorrow’s – Postsecondary Students.) The Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) reports that students who are over 25 make up 47 percent of the new and returning student population on many of today’s college campuses.

With increased longevity and an unstable economic future, more adults 55 to 79 are determining what they want to do in the upcoming years. The American Council on Education report, Framing New Terrain: Older Adults & Higher Education, shows more older adults are starting to return to college, pursue new career directions, start new businesses, and realize lifelong dreams. (For more inspiring information on these trends, please see our Special Reports section.)

The good news is, going back to college has never been easier. Many colleges and universities offer re-entry student services and campus childcare centers, and flexible course scheduling with classes one night per week, on the weekends, or in accelerated format. Students can now complete their degree program online on the Internet or through computer multi-media, broadcast television or correspondence courses. Statistics from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) show nearly four million students taking college courses through distance education. (For more information, see Online Education Gets Accolades, How Do Employers View Online Degrees, Tackling Online Degree Programs, and Should You Get Your Degree Through Distance Learning, which includes tips on how to choose a distance learning program.)

 Is it necessary to return to college for additonal training and education?  What’s your take?

 

http://www.back2college.com/library/faq.htm

Belhaven University’s Online Program Announces Reduced Tuition Rates

January 27, 2011: Belhaven University’s Online Program will be reducing their tuition rates effective March 7, 2011! Belhaven’s Online program offers degrees in Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Management, Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Leadership, and Mississippi Alternate Teacher Certification. “When you consider Belhaven University’s online degrees, because of our long history, you know the quality and service will be there. Our new tuition rates make Belhaven online degrees a great value when you compare our quality, service, and price,” says Audrey Kelleher, Vice President of Adult and Graduate Marketing and Development. The new tuition prices are as follows:

Undergraduate = $320 per credit hour
Graduate = $520 per credit hour
Mississippi Alternative Teacher Certification = $445 per credit hour

Each program has a $225 resource fee for each course, which includes all required textbooks, the shipment of books to the students prior to the start of all courses, use of the Belhaven Warren A. Hood library and all online library data bases and electronic books, and academic support services to assure successful completion of the program. These new rates will hold through June 2012.

Belhaven proudly stands among the select Christian colleges and universities that offer a unique general core curriculum encouraging the development of a personal worldview. The university believes a Christian worldview is a key to preparing men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas. Founded in 1883, Belhaven University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs.

Get Ahead of the Competition with an MBA.

It’s no secret that there is a lot of concern about the state of today’s economy, and rightfully so. With all of the ups and downs, corporate collapses and mergers, and the infamous “bailout”, who wouldn’t worry? Well, I for one get anxious, but I don’t consume myself with worry. Why? Because I believe strongly in the American free enterprise system and the spirit of capitalism. I believe in the resilience of the American worker and the ability to push through the tough times. It’s what makes this country great.

Because of my optimism that our economy will rebound and again flourish, I think now is the perfect time to return to college and pursue an MBA. By diving in now, you are positioning yourself to get ahead of your competition, many of whom may be sitting on the sideline, waiting for things to “settle down”.  When the job market picks up again, companies will be looking for the most qualified candidates. Wouldn’t it be nice to say you have your MBA or are almost finished with it? I believe the MBA is the most versatile graduate degree out there (so much so that I have one!). Why do I think that? Consider some of the benefits of having an MBA:

  • Advance with your current employer into management
  • Attract new opportunities with other employers
  • Teach college level business courses
  • National statistics that show a clear distinction in pay between those who have an MBA and those who do not
  • Choose a variety of career paths: management, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, consulting, economics, or information systems, to name a few
  • Start your own business enterprise
  • The confidence of knowing you have an advanced business degree

Can you be successful without an MBA? Of course. That’s proven, but it does not diminish the fact that having an MBA gives you options, and that’s what I love about it. When you have options, it makes life easier because you do not feel so boxed in. Rather, you have more opportunities and choices about where to take your career.