A growing movement in alternative higher education is one that emphasizes the liberating or empowering potential of education. It is oriented toward individual and social change. Proponents contend that conventional programs, which maintain dominant societal systems, hinder achievement of greater social, political, and economic justices. (MSE)

Three major stages are outlined for conducting evaluations of nontraditional programs: the preoperational stage, the implementation stage, and the post-operational stage. Utilization of the model in evaluating the Master of Liberal Studies Program at the University of Maine is described. (Author/MLW)

In 1979, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis launched the nation's first Learn and Shop College Credit Program in which college-credit courses are offered in training rooms of major department stores in suburban shopping centers. This program is described and student attitudes are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Eleven higher education institutions were involved in planning, and six in implementing a national project on experiential education sponsored by NISS during the years 1974 to 1976. The developmental work, purposes of the research intended to be accomplished, and reasons for termination of the project are described. (Author/LBH)

Twelve major areas (e.g., student outcomes, cost, entrance procedures) that require attention when evaluating a nontraditional degree program are identified. Priorities are suggested in terms of their long-term, overall importance in a complete evaluation plan and their immediate or short-term importance in the early stages of program…

It is suggested that (1) employers feel that despite an employee's career or professional education, he will have to be retrained, and (2) those in the field of career and professional education must convince employers that educated workers can be intellectually sensitive and committed. (MSE)

Pedagogical strategies for college humanities courses in prison are discussed and patterns of failure and of success are outlined. The pattern of failure ignores the difference between on-campus and incarcerated audiences, while the successful pattern blends hard learning with exposure to university-related cultural activities. (Author/MLW)

The feasibility of private liberal arts college involvement with adult and continuing education is examined in terms of a model, which sponsors an Employee Learning Program. Course offerings have received positive support from the college faculty and administration, cautious involvement by business and industry, and meager interest from organized…

A viable method of identifying alternative futures for continuing education is examined using the Delphi technique. The study synthesized information concerning the most important influences that a selected group of experts foresaw as shaping the sructure, programs, clientele, and financing of continuing education for the next two decades. (LBH)

Goals, courses, delivery systems, faculty, instructional materials and methods, and students of the Army continuing education program are described. Characteristics adaptable to civilian alternative higher education are summarized, including: credit for life experience or by examination, ad hoc faculty, performance testing, and student incentives.…

The Field Studies Program is an undergraduate, interdisciplinary experience in field-related education at the University of California - Berkeley begun in 1971. Self-study has generated a model of field-related education based on doing, thinking, and communicating that leads toward increased competency and consciousness. (Author/LBH)

Helping students learn how to learn should be a major teaching objective and a major teaching skill in nontraditional education. Evaluation processes, both in planning and implementation, should be consistent with knowledge, values, and goals of nontraditional education, and their basis should be a theory of adult learning. (Author/LBH)

Experiential education is viewed as a process of enculturation: a student explores the work culture and develops the personality characteristics prized by the culture. Implications are examined for selection, training, and evaluation of students in an undergraduate internship in a psychiatric residential treatment center for adolescents.…

The mentoring role at Empire State College is examined on the basis of mentors' behavior responses to mentor-defined problems. The critical incident technique was used to elicit reported and recalled incidents that either facilitated or impeded mentoring. (Author/MLW)

The Adult College Opportunity Program at California State College, San Bernardino, is described. Humanities core courses, which offer training in writing and thinking skills and practice applying those skills, are combined with a seminar series on adult development patterns and learning styles. (Author/MLW)