Non-traditional study (its nature and its appropriateness in adult higher education) is examined from the viewpoint of an adult educator in higher education. Six factors are cited which should be included in a feasibility study of non-traditional studies to help determine the studies' appropriateness. (AG)

Many colleges and universities have turned to private subcontractors for help in developing off-campus programs to attract employed adults and others who have shown little interest in traditional curriculums. Considers the use of subcontractors from the point of view of universities as well as that of accrediting commissions. (Author/RK)

The characteristics and educational needs of adult students, who now outnumber traditional college-age students, are described. Nontraditional baccalaureate degree programs, such as external degree programs, designed to accommodate adult needs, are discussed. Developments within the military and within academic institutions to promote programs for…

A consortial effort of nine state universities in six Midwestern states, the University of Mid-America develops mediated credit and non-credit courses for use off-campus in teaching-at-a-distance programs. (Author)

One response to the new climate in higher education has been a proliferation of what has come to be termed "nontraditional" studies. These studies include time-shortened degree programs, credits and/or degrees by examination, extended campus programs, special programs for adults, and secondary school-higher education coordination. Presents the…

Proceedings of an international conference on adult and external degree programs are presented. Selected papers are drawn from the areas of distance learning, support services, intra-institutional, curriculum, and teaching. They include: "Uses of Distance Education for Graduate Professional Degrees" (Ruth J. Person and Raymond Vondran); "Library…

In 1998, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools established a fifteen-member Task Force to study the practices and procedures employed in adult degree completion programs. An adult degree completion program is identified as one that is designed especially to meet the needs of the working adult who, having acquired sixty or more…

The present study is the first part of a longitudinal study following the progress of the first generation of Open University students through the university. It concentrates on the initial cohort of students, those entering in 1971. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to collect data, and covered in some detail the students' educational and…

The paper presents some of the organizing principles that have emerged in the process of designing higher education programs for adults. The analysis relies on some of the recent research and literature on adult development, life stages, and learning interests. The organizing principles were not predetermined, but have resulted from years of…

Research evaluated the effectiveness of varying television (TV) lesson formats. Adults ranging in age from 17 to 58 viewed lessons in accounting and psychology in four formats featuring: 1) a storyline running through a lesson; 2) a news magazine format dealing with different concepts in one lesson; 3) a non-authoritarian narrator; and 4) an…

A study sought to determine the rate of retention of adult students in the University of Minnesota College Program for Individualized Learning (PIL) for the 1983-84 academic year, as well as factors that might relate to this retention rate. A review was made of the 67 applications submitted by students admitted to PIL during that year to determine…

In 1977, almost 60 percent of all Open University courses were using audio and visual media in combination: either sound broadcasting with visual materials or audio-vision with the sound distributed on cassette or discs. Research has shown that students prefer radio-vision to radio alone. It appears that future growth may be in the area of…

The College of New Rochelle's School of New Resources is described including: adult participation in decision making (selection and development of courses, faculty recruitment, and courses and programs evaluation), and descriptions of extension centers and campuses (AFSCME-AFL/CIO, Co-op City, South Bronx, New York Theological Seminary, and…

Central Michigan University's Institute of Personal and Career Development (IPCD) extends educational opportunities to adults who determine from their career experiences that they need additional professional competencies. The program is based on competency objectives which were evaluated according to broad criteria referenced tests. Upon…

In a speech on the development of formalized systems for distance education, the British Open University is highlighted. Three themes are addressed: (1) objectives, methods, and evaluation of Great Britain's Open University, (2) examination and comparison of similar institutions in other countries, and (3) development of guidelines for initiation…