Choosing a Degree Program: Three Steps to Success
Navigating the crowded landscape of adult degree programs can be tough, but these three steps should put you on the track to academic and professional success.
1. Assess your goals for your education. The best program for you is totally dependent on your learning style and goals. If you have a specific career in mind, look for programs that will specifically prepare you for that career.
Be sure to ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I want to do after graduation and beyond?
- What is my present situation and how will it bear on my next education?
- What credentials, degrees, licenses, etc. do I need to succeed in the field I am interested in?
- Does this career school’s program fit all of my needs?
Based on your answers to these questions, make a long list of programs that may suit you and gradually whittle it down to a shorter list based on location, cost, program offerings, and whatever criteria are important to you. Once you have put together your shortlist, now it’s time to…
2. Compare programs. Don’t just read the schools’ marketing materials, because many schools will overstate the quality of their programs, faculty, student life, and other aspects of attending.
Instead, ask a lot of questions and get some hard data. Before you do anything else, make sure the school has the proper licenses and accreditations. Ask exactly what kind of classes and programs are offered, how much they cost, how large classes are, and the graduation rate. In addition to tuition costs, learn what material you will need to succeed and their approximate cost. Ask about the qualifications of the instructors, and post-graduation services such as job placement.
In addition to speaking with current students at each of the schools you’re considering, ask for the contact information of students who have graduated from the specific programs you might enroll in. Ask them where they’re working, how satisfied they are with their career, and how satisfied they were with their education.
At this stage, leave no stone unturned. Do your best to get the dirt on the programs you’re considering, so you avoid unpleasant surprises later on!
3. Delve into the student experience. Before you commit to a school, get a taste of what it’s really like to attend. Explore the campus, speak to students, and sit in on a few classes. Get an idea of what classes are like, what student life is like, and other factors that will impact your educational experience.
Adult education programs abound, and you will certainly find yourself with a wide array of options. The important thing is to find a program that will play to your strengths, help you work on your weaknesses, and bring you closer to your goals!
