The Pursuit of Post-Secondary Education
For generations, when the term “college student” was used a set of assumptions came to mind. The individual who was being referred to was going to be between the age of 18-22, single, childless, and unemployed. The experience of higher education that this college student would have also came with certain expectations. The student would live on campus in student housing, take their courses in a classroom setting, and complete their degree by remaining enrolled full time for four consecutive years.
These characterizations about college students and the college experience remain valid for a portion of students in America in 2019, but the face of post-secondary education is changing a great deal. It is changing both in terms of the student profile, and in terms of the experience and modality of their education.
One of the notable changes that can be seen regarding the college students is that they are older than what has been considered the norm (18-22). Recent studies show that 40% of students pursuing post-secondary education are 25 or older. In addition to being older students, these students often have families. It has been determined that 28% of students have children. Attending school while caring for a family has led to another significant change as well. Studies show that 62% of students are employed, and 26% of these students work a full-time job. Collectively, these changes in the profile of the typical college student have led to changes in the college experience.
Older students, who have families, and who are working are not normally interested in or able to live in student housing and commit to full time on campus studies. This has led to a new reality in which 59% of students do not live on a college campus. These students need flexible courses and programs that allow them to work at their own pace and place. With their additional responsibilities and expenses, it is also important that their college experience is affordable.
The flexibility and affordability that are desired by college students today has led to a rise in the usage of online education. The Education Department’s National Center for Education Statistics most recent findings were that 33.1% of students took at least one online course in their post-secondary education. Though this number included college students of all ages, online education appears to be an increasingly attractive option for students who meet the changing college student profile.
This modality of higher education may be particularly helpful for today’s students because studies have shown that 50% of students who start postsecondary studies leave before graduating from their program. If older students can find flexible and affordable educational opportunities to return to their previous pursuits, many people will be able to complete the degrees and certificates that will help them provide for them and their families.
This should be of interest for students, educators, and employers alike as it has been estimated that by 2025, there will be 11 million more credentialed jobs available to workers than are currently graduating. The hope should certainly be that students who meet the new college profile discussed above could utilize flexible and affordable college options to become the credentialed workers that are needed for our growing and changing economy.
Getting students to the point where they can earn the credentials needed for these jobs can be a complicated process. Many of the most in demand degree programs have a series of prerequisite courses that students must have completed before they can be accepted. Taking these courses can be very difficult for a student who is working, supporting a family, and is living on a tight budget. They are not in a place where they can stop working or have the chance to attend a campus in order to take these courses. This is where a company like Portage Learning can provide an essential service to these students. Portage Learning provides prerequisite courses that are fully online, self-paced, and affordable. In serving students in this capacity it allows Portage Learning to fulfill its mission to help students bridge the gap of educational opportunities.
Works Cited
Lederman, Doug. “Online Education Ascends.” November 7, 2018.
Not your parents’ college experience
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/brand-connect/gates-foundation/not-your-parents-college-education/
The changing face of U.S. higher education
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/brand-connect/gates/the-changing-face-of-us-higher-education/
