A multifaceted society values flexibility, tolerance, and respect for differences, typically studied in humanities and social sciences. Well-balanced and diverse curricula should provide both technical preparation and broad-based interdisciplinary skills, recognizing the problems created by the growing number of part-time students. (Author)

Interviews with 36 adult part-time students found that, even in late adulthood, family background and parental support (moral and financial, help with housework and child care) influence educational participation. Parental disapproval or the need to provide elder care were negative influences on participation. (SK)

A survey of preservice teachers in a part-time distance learning program (n=76) and a full-time university program (n=87) in Britain revealed that the part-time course recruits different types of students; both groups felt their training was of a high quality; and barriers to entry into teaching were related to age, family situation, and…

Feedback about their learning experiences was obtained from part-time students at Hong Kong Polytechnic through videotaped focus groups. Video clips were used to develop an orientation program for new adult students and for staff development seminars on working with adult students. (SK)

Explains the growing importance of higher-level qualifications for adults in the UK, highlighting statistical trends in commitment to learning and qualifying-the result of taking part-time courses in higher education. Most part-time undergraduates fund their own tuition. Mature students' backgrounds and perspectives partly account for their rising…

This study examined the way part-time students cope with fitting in study on top of other demands on their time. To measure the deployment of coping mechanisms, an instrument was developed based on previous qualitative work. The earlier work had identified three coping mechanisms--sacrifice, support, and negotiation of arrangements--operating in…

An examination of the literature suggests that universities play a part in developing generic capabilities needed nowadays for societies, through immersing students in a stimulating campus environment. Part time students, though, spend less time on campus than their full time counterparts, and far less time than on-campus residents, so could be…

We develop a model derived from human capital theory that explicitly recognizes the role of opportunity costs, particularly employment opportunities, in determining full-time/part-time enrollment patterns for college students. Using national data from the 1990/1994 Beginning Post-secondary Survey, we test this model by comparing those initially…

Purpose: The paper aims to investigate an aspect of undertaking a part-time Masters of Business Administration (MBA) that has been discussed informally but has not been researched--that a proportion of MBA students who start their studies within a marriage are likely to end up with the qualification, but without the spouse.…

The apparent absence of learners from the spaces and times of the institution is usually seen as a negative element of distance learning, positioning distance learners as other to the "norm" of the present, on-campus, traditional student. This paper explores the narratives of a group of distance learners, highlighting that these learners primarily…

The purpose of this study was to select an institution that has mandated mentoring as part of its mission and to examine students' perceptions of the mentoring they received. The study selected Empire State College (ESC), a college that is part of the State of New York University system in the USA. ESC is an institution with a 36-year history of…

The purpose of this study was to examine students' levels of engagement in educational practices by enrollment status, time of enrollment, and size of college in community colleges. Specifically, this study assessed the quality of the undergraduate education through students' self-reported data about their academic and nonacademic activities. The…

Adelphi University has awarded 76 Masters in Business Administration degrees to people in the New York City area who attended its Classroom on Wheels, one specially equipped car on each of four commuter train lines. The program, reaching over 1000 people since 1971 is run and promoted solely on tuition. (JT)

A report on New York State's Aid for Part-Time Study Program (APTS) for the 1985-1986 academic year is presented. APTS was created as a campus-based award program where recipients and award amounts are determined locally by the participating institution. The program provides up to $2,000 in annual awards to part-time undergraduate students…

A study examined the characteristics, experiences, and performance of undergraduates enrolled in part-time degree programs at polytechnics and colleges in Great Britain. Data were collected from questionnaires completed by 2,876 (of 4,227 contacted) part-time undergraduates enrolled in 66 courses in 1985. The median age of the respondents was 30,…