Expectations of Adults Returning to College versus Outcomes

Because of the increase in recent years in
educational programs designed to accommodate the
working adult in the completion of a bachelor's
degree in a non-traditional format, this study
focused on adult students who had been in (had
either graduated or dropped from the program prior
to graduation) or were currently involved in the non-
traditional format. The purpose of this study was
to determine adult student expectations in
relationship to educational outcomes and benefits
experienced both during the process of and after
obtaining the baccalaureate degree.

Research on the traditional-age college student
suggests that extending one's education beyond high
school by attending college and obtaining a
bachelor's degree is beneficial to both the
individual and to society. However, because of the
paucity of research specific to the adult segment of
the college population it was not known if the same
would be true for the adult population. It is for
that reason that a grounded theory approach was
taken.

Autorentext

Shirley Roddy has worked in the field of education for twenty-five years and in 1995 initiated the adult education program, now known as the College of Adult and Graduate Studies, at Mid-America Christian University. She earned her Ph.D in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma.

Klappentext

Because of the increase in recent years in educational programs designed to accommodate the working adult in the completion of a bachelor's degree in a non-traditional format, this study focused on adult students who had been in (had either graduated or dropped from the program prior to graduation) or were currently involved in the non-traditional format. The purpose of this study was to determine adult student expectations in relationship to educational outcomes and benefits experienced both during the process of and after obtaining the baccalaureate degree. Research on the traditional-age college student suggests that extending one's education beyond high school by attending college and obtaining a bachelor's degree is beneficial to both the individual and to society. However, because of the paucity of research specific to the adult segment of the college population it was not known if the same would be true for the adult population. It is for that reason that a grounded theory approach was taken.