The Path to College: For Adults Returning to School

The path to college

For Adults Returning to School

The decision to go back to school can be daunting. An adult considering a return to college juggles multiple responsibilities and must consider carefully how this decision will impact career decisions, family time and personal obligations.

How much will school cost? How long will it take to complete a degree? How much time and money can be saved with past college credits and work experience? How much time away – from work, family and social responsibilities – will be needed for college classes and school work? With so many options to choose from, how does someone pick a school, a program, a degree path?

This Path to College is the first in Regis University’s Working Answers series designed to help adults navigate the complex and prolific world of higher education.

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To learn more, call 800.383.9160 or visit Regis.edu/CPS

PAVING YOUR OWN PATH TO COLLEGE The world of education is in the midst of transformation.

In 2005 the U.S. Department of Education reported adult enrollments in higher education were projected to grow by almost two million students between 2000 and 2014.

Universities paid attention, and those not already offering adult education began exploring how to meet this demand.

This is good news for the adult student. Universities with a long tradition of educational excellence are now designing programs specifically for adult students, taking into account they are returning to school in the midst of living a busy life.

Professional experience is valued and leveraged, formats are flexible and accelerated and the online classroom is better than ever.

With all the options available, selecting a program that is a good fit can feel as overwhelming as the decision to go back to school in the first place. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success.

Selecting a Program of Study What sort of career path are you looking for? Are you hoping to move up within your current field or are you looking for a career switch? By researching the job you think you want, whether it’s in your current field or an entirely new industry, you can begin to understand what type of education you’ll need, how much the job pays, and even what kind of schedule you can expect to work.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/) is a great online tool that can help you research jobs. Use this website to look up jobs by industry or by specific job title and learn about the projected growth as well as the income potential and educational requirements. Narrow your search down to three or four desirable positions you can investigate further.

Do some real market research about positions you’ve narrowed down. Look for openings in your area using job search websites such as Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com, SimplyHired.com, and LinkedIn.com. This will help you understand what hiring companies in your area are looking for, including education, skills and experience requirements.

Some will include the salary for that position, providing insight into your income potential.

By now you should begin to have a good idea about what program of study you will need to accomplish your goals.

Now you can identify the schools that offer those programs of study and begin the school selection process.

TIP: There are hundreds of ways to name a program. If a school doesn’t offer the program you are looking for, do they have something similar? For example:

Entrepreneurship Graduate Computer Science Degree

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• B.S. in Business

• MBA in Strategic Management

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•M .S. Information Technology Management Degree •M .S. in Systems Engineering or Software Engineering

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International Business

• Emerging Markets (if Spanish speaking) • Business degree with a flexible specialization

Management

• Bachelor of Arts in Organization Development • B.S. in Business with a management specialization

Graduate Human Resources

• M.S. in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in Human Resource Management and Leadership

Public Administration

• Master of Nonprofit Management • Master of Arts with a specialization in social and global issues

To learn more, call 800.383.9160 or visit Regis.edu/CPS

Selecting a School University accreditation is important. Accreditation is an external review process to ensure educational institutions meet standards for quality education and services. It may also be a requirement for the career you seek, so it’s important to confirm what university offers your desired accreditation.

The six regional accreditation agencies are: iddle State Association of Colleges and Schools M (Commission on Higher Education) ew England Association of Schools and N Colleges (Commission on Technical and Career Institutions and Commission on Institutions of Higher Education) orth Central Association of Colleges and Schools N (The Higher Learning Commission) Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities outhern Association of Colleges and Schools S (Commission on Colleges) estern Association of Schools and Colleges W (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities)

National vs. Regional Accreditation ___________________________________________________ ___ Some schools have national accreditation. Unlike regional accreditation, national accreditation isn’t based on a school’s location but the type of school.

Traditionally, this has included technical, career and online schools. Because of the specialized nature of the degree earned and the curriculum at these institutions, it is hard to compare with traditional degree programs. Regionally-accredited schools often do not accept credit from nationally-accredited schools; however, nationally-accredited schools will accept credits from schools that are regionally or nationally accredited. For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree that is nationally accredited, a regionally-accredited institution may not recognize your credits for transfer or application.

To learn more, call 800.383.9160 or visit Regis.edu/CPS

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Comparing Schools

BENEFITS

University 1

University 2

University 3

Using a table like the Program of study one here could help Delivery (online , in person, both) you compare schools.

Accrediting body (in good standing?)

Tuition and fees Number of allowable transfer credits Testing for experience? (CLEP, DSST, etc.)

Duration of program (are classes offered in accelerated options?)

Paying for School Data-driven evidence shows going back to school to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree results in a positive investment in one’s career and overall personal development.

sSource: tial Earning Report on Inipartment Colorado Deucation of Higher Ed

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$43,804 $39,094

School of

$56,671 $53,705

There are numerous options available to reduce the time needed to complete your degree and help you financially.

Remember, university admissions counselors are available to guide you through this process and answer your questions.

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Earn credit for experience. Cash in on your reallife experience and knowledge. Many colleges and universities allow experienced students to trade in their career experience and other skills for college credits through prior learning assessments. You also can save money and earn college credits by passing inexpensive College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Dantes Subject Standardized Test (DSST).

2. Maximize any past college experience or military training. If you have attended college, find out if those credits can transfer in. Also, some schools offer credit for military training. Leveraging all of your past experiences can help cut down on the number of classes you’ll have to pay for and attend.

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3. Apply for financial aid. Don’t assume you make too much money at this stage of your life to qualify for financial assistance. Scholarships are also available for adult students. It’s important to note the deadlines for financial aid and apply as early as possible.

Fastweb.com is an online scholarship-matching service with a database of more than 1.5 million scholarships.

You simply enter in your information, and Fastweb searches its database for scholarships you may qualify for.

4. Plan ahead and set up a 529 plan. A 529 plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. Parents, aunts, brothers and sisters can contribute to their adult relative’s college savings account. Ask for funding for birthdays, holidays, or other special occasions.

5. Ask for tuition assistance from your employer. Many employers will cover at least some portion of their workers’ educational costs, and up to $5,250 of the tuition assistance money you get is tax-free.

6. Pursue higher education wherever you can. Do you work for a large company that offers a “Corporate U” or a similar workforce training program? Many of these classes are accredited by the American Council on Education (ACE) and could later translate as college credit at some universities.

7. Be cautious of tuition versus fees. Some universities may lead with low cost tuition, but will add on numerous fees, driving up the total cost of tuition. Other schools may have higher tuition, but will accept more of your transfer credits or perhaps offer more scholarships. Look at the full picture when calculating your costs, including how many credits you can transfer in, what type of testing is available for life experience, and any fees that may not be included in tuition costs.

To learn more, call 800.383.9160 or visit Regis.edu/CPS

Finding the Time and Making it Work Once you have completed your research, the question becomes how to make it happen. As an adult with numerous responsibilities, finding the time to go back to school can be tricky. Don’t give up. Remember, thousands of adults go back to school every year and make it work.

The key is figuring out how to rearrange the life you have so that you can get the life you want.

The Theory of Margin Howard Y. McClusky introduced the Theory of Margin in 1959 as a way to explain the need to balance the stresses and demands (load) on a person with his or her coping resources (power).

By load, we mean the demands made on a person by self and society. By power, we mean the resources, i.e. abilities, possessions, position, allies, etc., which a person can command in coping with load. Margin may be decreased by increasing load and/or reducing power.

We can control both by modifying either our power or load. When our load continually matches or exceeds our power and if both are fixed and/or out of control or irreversible, the situation becomes difficult to sustain. If, however, load and power can be controlled, and better yet, if a person is able to lay hold of a reserve (margin) of power, he/she is better equipped to meet unforeseen emergencies, is better positioned to take risks, can engage in exploratory, creative activities, and is more likely to learn, etc., i.e. do those things that enable him/her to live above a plateau of mere self-subsistence (p. 83).

BALANCED

UNSUSTAINABLE

The Theory of Margin can be used as a tool to evaluate many scenarios in life, including the decision to go back to school.

There will be times when you have no margin and times when you are running a deficit. With any luck, you will also have times in your life when things slow down and you have some margin. Many people found themselves with a lot of margin when they lost jobs after the recession of 2007. Also, those who have found themselves under-employed may have more margin than they are used to as well. Identifying your margin is the first step in creating some extra space in your life for school.

Once you’ve thought about and identified your margin, what adjustments can you make to increase your power (resources) and/or decrease your load? For some people this may mean getting help with the kids one night a week. Someone else might enlist the help of their spouse in picking up some extra chores on the weekends. Each person’s situation is going to be unique.

McClusky, H.Y. (1970). An approach to a differential psychology of adult potential. In S.M. Grabowski (Ed.), Adult Learning & Instruction (pp. 80-95). Syracuse: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Education and Adult Education Association of the USA.

DECREASED MARGIN

INCREASED MARGIN

EXCESS MARGIN

To learn more, call 800.383.9160 or visit Regis.edu/CPS

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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS The Big Picture and the Not-So-Small Details The financial investment is only one consideration when making a decision to get your degree. For adults with fulltime jobs, families and social responsibilities, it’s not just about understanding why college is a worthy choice. It’s also about figuring out how furthering your education will weave into your current life.

Remember that success is a family effort. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your family and friends about the idea of going back to school. Have conversations about how important it is to you, and discuss what going back to school might look like. Your friends and family can be your biggest advocates and might have ideas you haven’t thought of.

Get the education you deserve. The world of higher education has changed, and most well respected universities offer some level of degree programs that cater to adult learners. In these programs, adult students can receive the same caliber of education the university is known for, in accelerated formats that fit their busy schedules. Other working adults like you, who are balancing work, life and school, will be your classmates.

Most importantly, don’t underestimate yourself. You’ve worked hard to be where you’re at today, and along the way you’ve overcome numerous barriers. You have the experience and know-how to get things done, and you’ve already proven to yourself that you can see things through.

APPLY TODAY! Admissions Counselors are here to help you determine your best path to college.

303.458.4300 | 800.383.9160 | Regis.edu/CPS

Now, apply those skills and that knowledge to going back to school and create the future you want.

Campus locations North Denver (Lowell) Campus 3333 Regis Blvd.

Denver, CO 80221

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Loveland Campus 1605 Foxtrail Drive Loveland, CO 80538

Denver Tech Center Campus 6380 S. Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 200 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Colorado Springs Campus 7450 Campus Drive, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Thornton Dual Language Campus 500 E. 84th Ave. Thornton, CO 80229

To learn more, call 800.383.9160 or visit Regis.edu/CPS 11.20.2013

Degree Completion Options for

COLLEGE BOUND ADULTS

“ Regis University is a great place for someone who is looking to get their degree, or for someone who wants to finish that degree they started years ago. We offer flexible schedules, accelerated classes and a very liberal transfer policy.

Regis will accept up to 98 undergraduate transfer credits, and transcripts never expire.”

— Rene DeAnda, Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Example degree path for a B. S. in Marketing — using a variety of testing, transfer and scholarship options offered at Regis.

Credit by Exam Credit through the American Council on Education (ACE) for the following classes: • Accounting I

• Accounting II

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests for the following classes: • BA 381: Legal Environment of Business • EC 320: Principles of Microeconomics • EC 330: Principles of Macroeconomics

Total Credit Hours: 6 Total Cost: None Total Credit Hours: 9 Total Cost: $345

Classes taken at Community College Undergraduate Core and Foundational Classes

Did you know?

Regis University is the top private transfer destination for Colorado community college students transferring to a four-year university.

Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education 2013 Transfer Report, fall 2010 to fall 2011

• Oral Communication. . . . . . . COM 115 (Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Speaking) • English Comp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ENG 121 and ENG 122 • Lit/Humanities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUS 217 • Global Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HUM 118 and HUM 200 • Social Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HUM 115 and PSY 105 • Math. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAT 120 • Natural Science. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BIO 105 • Philosophy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PHI 111 and PHI 112 • Religious Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . GEO 105 and PHI 114 • Marketing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAR 216 and MAR 240

77 credit hours, 25 classes, $8,963 in community college tuition

Foundational to Marketing Major Classes • Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAN 226 • Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUS 226 • + 7 elective classes (21 credit hours)

Classes taken at Regis University 36 credit hours,

• Leading Lives that Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HU 366 12 classes, • Business Systems in a Sustainable Society. . . . . BA 300 $15,990 in • + 10 Upper Division Marketing Major Classes

university tuition

Financial Snapshot Total tuition for both institutions, and test fees

$25,298

Community College Scholarship

$5,000

Employer discount: 10% off Regis tuition through Alliance partnership

$1,599

Total savings on tuition

$6,599

Final total cost

$18,699

To learn more, call 800.383.9160 or visit Regis.edu/CPS

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