The number of nontraditional students enrolled in higher education is rising, but retention of these students is a challenge. This study used a qualitative framework to examine the experiences of nontraditional undergraduate students in a university setting. Nine participants completed open-ended questionnaires, and we transcribed and coded the…

Prior learning assessment (PLA) is the process of evaluating learning, regardless of when or where the learning occurred, and, if the learning is at the college level, awarding college credit to the possessor of that learning. This article provides an overview of the PLA program at a large public U.S. institution and presents the findings of the…

This paper begins to address the question--can institutions of higher learning assume homogeneity? Conversations had with returning college students, concluded that an emerging group has increased dramatically in numbers at the college level. This new student profile includes those who: are noticeably older, study part-time, work full-time, are…