The higher education ecosystem is shifting. Lines are blurring. Continuing professional education--with its focus on nontraditional students, applied learning, support of workforce development, and use of innovative and technology-based pedagogy--was commonly perceived to function outside the core of the academy, which focused on a liberal-arts…

As universities respond to rapid changes in course delivery methods, economic shortfalls, and a re-examination of who their students are, continuing education (CE) units find themselves with an opportunity to influence significantly the direction of the response. Continuing education has long led the way in reaching out to previously unserved or…

In this article, the author uses the occasion of the centennial of University Extension at Harvard to document how this unique educational institution came into being and why it became associated with Harvard University. He traces the prominent role played by the Lowell family in establishing the Lowell Institute of Boston in the late 1830s and…

This article describes two models for enhancing the social integration of nontraditional students in academic programs. The first explains ways to develop onsite communities for both graduate and undergraduate degree-seeking students at New York University. The second model is used with undergraduate students at Washington State University seeking…

Responses from 60% of 1,280 graduates of an extended degree program (1977, 1980, and 1983) revealed the following effects of the program: 85% increased pay, 80% increased job responsibilities, 80% improved job satisfaction, 88% improved job skills, 81% experienced increased status or respect, and over one-third changed careers (especially the 1977…

A survey of 23 faculty active in the Adult Liberal Studies program examined faculty attitudes about older students in higher education. Faculty generally felt that adults have better skills and more cognitive skills than traditional students. Faculty also were pleased with the structure of the adult program. (CH)

To examine the outcomes from traditional undergraduate degree programs, 7,577 recent college graduates over 30 were surveyed. Factor analysis structured 24 outcome variables into 5 categories in which adults felt their education had a major impact: self-directed learning, human/artistic development, communication skills, logic/problem solving, and…

Although many doctoral candidates are adult learners, the dissertation process does not reflect such adult learning concepts as learning style differences, collaboration, empowerment, and reflection. The assumption that there is only one way to do doctoral work and only one type of student that can succeed in it should be challenged. (SK)

Observation of mixed-age undergraduate classes and analysis of students' interactions showed that older students tended to dominate the discourse; the cognitive level of discourse was not altered by the presence of older students; and andragogical practices may not be the most effective strategies for mixed-age classes. (SK)

The traditional expert/novice model of dissertation supervision may be inappropriate for graduate students who are already established professional educators. An alternative approach considers teaching/learning styles, students' reflection on their practice experience, and collaborative inquiry. (SK)

Triangulation of 3 sets of data (176 student nominations of faculty for excellence; interviews with 68 adult graduate students and surveys of 181 adult undergraduates about outstanding teachers) showed that adults considered some teacher-centered and some student-centered attributes as effective. Undergraduate or graduate status was very important…

A survey of 181 adult students in a university's division of continuing education or university without walls (UWW) programs received 145 responses indicating greater satisfaction among the UWW students than those in traditional majors. Academic advising was especially satisfactory, because UWW advisors may be more aware of adult development…

When adult students in off-campus classes (n=192) completed the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, females were closer to the feeling type, males to the thinking type. Among these nontraditional students, females had distinct personality differences compared to a sample of traditional-age female students; male nontraditional students were relatively…

Responses from 153 faculty and 146 undergraduates (including 35 nontraditional students) indicated that faculty viewed nontraditional students as different and better learners. Although faculty said critical thinking/problem solving were top goals, students felt instructors used lecture and emphasized subject matter. Students, especially…