Universities globally are aspiring to grow through investing in the delivery of online learning programmes. However, the attrition rate for online learning is high. It has been noted that those students with a sense of belonging to their course experience increased enjoyment and reduced anxiety and are therefore less likely to withdraw. Yet too…

Hatfield Polytechnic offers a degree program in Contemporary Studies designed for adult students, barticularly women who wish to study part-time during the day. Discussion of the program focuses on curriculum content, rate of study, admissions requirements, counseling, preparatory courses, child care arrangements, and student financial aid. (JMD)

The Southwestern University School of Law (California) program of part-time daytime legal instruction for students with child-care responsibilities is described. The traditional curriculum is adapted to the special scheduling, mentoring, and child-care needs of mothers and has been effective in promoting student academic success. (MSE)

A variety of programs at Ivy League colleges to attract and retain adult students are described. Issues to be addressed in establishing and administering such programs are outlined, including program organization, admissions policies, academic quality, faculty attitudes, management of student life, counseling, financial aid, and college mission.…

The state of knowledge about adult part-time learners and the programs designed to serve them are reviewed. The primary sources of information were recent data collection projects sponsored by state and national agencies to determine the characteristics and needs of adult learners and potential learners. Selected program descriptions were also…

An exploration of Project Transition, an outgrowth of the University Without Walls program for adult learners, is presented. The development on nontraditional educational thinking is recounted from a personal standpoint, including the realization that return to education in mid-life often signaled a larger decision to reshape personal identity,…