Many Mount Olive College students are adults
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on September 1, 2004 1:58 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- College classrooms are no longer exclusive to recent high school graduates.
This year alone, nearly 2,600 students at Mount Olive College will be considered non-traditional. Those students, with a median age of 31, will not only be trying to obtain a college education, but they will be balancing full-time jobs and family responsibilities with school.
The increase in working-age adults pursuing their college degrees is due to pressures in the job market where those with college degrees have enhanced promotion opportunities over workers with experience, but no degree, said Dr. Carol Carrere, director of institutional research and planning at Mount Olive College.
The number of adult learners is on the rise around the nation, making colleges and universities aware of the need for programs that are molded to meet the desires of this group.
Barbara Kornegay, vice president for enrollment, said, "Innovative higher education institutions like Mount Olive College have improved access to education for adults by offering flexible programs that accommodate the complicated lifestyles of working adults."
The adult programs at Mount Olive College offer classes that meet one night a week for four hours and complete a sequence of courses which provide the academic major toward a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Management and Organizational Development, Early Childhood Education or Religion. This time condensed format allows students with full-time jobs to continue their regular work regime. Courses are presented in sequential order, and books are provided to the students the week before each course begins along with the next week's assignments.
"This means students will not have to wait in long lines registering for classes or buying books," said Mrs. Kornegay.
For the adult with little or no college credit, the Heritage Program is a three-semester program that provides students with the core courses needed for associate or bachelor degree programs.
For information, call Allison Sullivan 1-800-653-0854, ext. 1208.