Theories of adult development are reviewed and considered in relation to the role of higher education and the educational methods employed. The literature is divided according to two perspectives: issues and tasks that are characteristic of chronological periods in the adult life cycle; and developmental stages that have no strict relationship to…

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are developmental tasks unique to the older female student returning to undergraduate school. These students are attempting to meet obligations to family, society, and self, while engaging in educational pursuits often experienced by others before assuming family or income-producing obligations;…

A questionnaire was administered to determine the needs of external degree students in the South Bend, Indiana University External Degree Program. The results (48% response rate) were compared with those of an earlier study with Northwestern New York postsecondary students. It was found that 50% of South Bend students, as compared to 27% of the…