What Older Students Should Look For In A College
Many employers require applicants to have a college degree before they will even be considered for an open position. If you are hoping to improve your job prospects, then returning to college to complete your degree can be beneficial. Older students can sometimes feel out of place at a traditional college, so finding a college that caters to non-traditional students can be a great way to help ease your transition back into higher education.
Here are three things that you should be looking for as an older student when trying to select the right college to fit your needs in the future.
1. Flexibility
While students right out of high school might be able to survive as full-time college students, older students often have work and family responsibilities they must maintain while they are going to school. This means that courses taught only during the day could pose a serious challenge when it comes to completing your degree.
To avoid having scheduling conflicts stand in the way of your degree, you should look for a college that offers flexibility. Talk to an admissions counselor about the number of courses taught online or in the evening in your degree program. Being able to complete some of your classes online or after work hours will give you the flexibility you need to design a school schedule that fits into your lifestyle as an older student.
2. Experienced Faculty
Many older college students are looking to complete a degree so that they can apply their knowledge and skill within the workforce. It can be beneficial to seek out a college with faculty members who have extensive industry experience in your chosen field.
Instructors with hands-on work experience will be able to provide you with practical information that can only come through completing work-related tasks, rather than the theoretical instruction a strictly academic professor can offer. Some faculty members may even teach part-time and continue working in the industry, allowing you to form a network of contacts that could prove invaluable when it comes to looking for a new job after graduation.
3. Articulation Agreements
If you completed some college coursework when you were younger, you don't want the classes you completed to go to waste. It can be beneficial to look for a college with an articulation agreement in place with your previous institution.
These articulation agreements ensure that credits completed at another institution will transfer to your new institution and count toward your degree. Ensuring an articulation agreement is in place will help you save both time and money when returning to college as an older student.
When you know to look for an institution that offers flexible courses, experienced faculty, and established articulation agreements, you can find the Cincinnati college best suited to meet your needs as an older student pursuing a degree.