As the adult learner population in higher education continues to increase, there has been a renewed focus on how to best serve this student population in recent years. While adult learners are more likely to take online classes and to enroll part-time, engagement and retention efforts have not heavily focused on part-time online adult learners,…

This brief examines enrollment patterns, demographics, education patterns, and financial aid use for Minnesota undergraduate students who are adult learners. The analysis also explores the changes in those patterns and characteristics as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For purposes of this brief, the differing characteristics of two important…

Adult learners, and women in particular, have to combat a number of specific barriers to participate in lifelong learning opportunities. Frequently, delivery modes of adult learning programmes do not take these varying demands into consideration (McCulloch & Stokes, 2008). However, when they do, positive results ensue. This case study…

A study examined the characteristics, experiences, and performance of undergraduates enrolled in part-time degree programs at polytechnics and colleges in Great Britain. Data were collected from questionnaires completed by 2,876 (of 4,227 contacted) part-time undergraduates enrolled in 66 courses in 1985. The median age of the respondents was 30,…

Despite the abundance of information available regarding enrollment trends in higher education, few institutions are adequately prepared to offer educational experiences tailored for the newest phenomenon on campus, the adult part-time student. This group is expected to make up almost half of the undergraduate student body by 1992. Many of these…

Enrollments of students over 18 years old in part-time education and training programs were studied in 1981, with special emphasis on adults studying the humanities. Information is provided on: the characteristics of adult students enrolled in humanities courses, the subjects that they studied, reasons adult students studied the humanities, the…

Examines the impact of new student populations on community colleges. Notes the proliferation of remedial programs, individualized instruction, and diagnostic testing and placement services in response to student learning problems and the expansion of noncredit offerings, experiential learning credit, and cooperative education programs responding…

The 413 members of the North American Association of Summer Sessions were surveyed to determine programming for college summer sessions in the 1980's. Summer session directors were asked about who the students of the 1980's would be, what programs should be developed, where programs should be held, and what time frames for course offerings would…

This report gathers national data on trends and participation in continuing higher education. Charts are derived from data collected by the National University Continuing Education Association (NUCEA), as well as by government and private organizations. The five sections of the report contain data on factors leading to growth in continuing higher…

Ways that urban corridor campuses might respond to the increasing enrollment of part-time and commuter students were reviewed by the University of Wisconsin Urban Corridor Consortium Task Force on Part-Time and Commuter Students. Members of the consortia are the following University of Wisconsin campuses: Green Bay, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Parkside,…

Theories on adult development and learning and some of the Ontario universities' programs and services for the adult learner are examined, and Athabasca University, Alberta's answer to the British Open University, is described. Peter O'Donnell discusses adult learners' needs and explains how Athabasca University serves this specific type of…

Based on data from a variety of sources, these 12 fact sheets summarize current enrollment, instructional, and administrative trends at the existing 1,230 public and private two-year colleges. A general profile of the colleges is first presented, focusing on the number and type of institutions, enrollment, student characteristics, number of…

Nontraditional students are the fastest-growing segment of the postsecondary population. About 41% of students are over 25, and nearly 12% are over 40. Previously, the bulk of financial aid went to traditional-age, usually full-time, students in degree programs. Today, however, the sheer numbers of nontraditional students, including distance…