Best Colleges for Adults Returning to School (Including International Students)

If you're an adult who is contemplating returning to college to complete your education, gain your first higher education degree, or to earn a degree in a new field, time is probably of the essence. You may find the prospect of getting a bachelor's degree in the traditional four-year time span a bit daunting. Perhaps you're working or have a family to care for. You'd like to earn that degree in as short a time as possible.

Or, maybe you're an international student. You've got your heart set on studying in the United States and earning your degree from an American college, but money is tight and you need to earn your degree quickly so you can get a job.

What's the solution for either or both scenarios? Maybe it's a college with an accelerated path to graduation.

What is an Accelerated Degree Program?

Accelerated degree programs are a growing phenomenon. Most high school graduates know it can be hard to get a good job without a college degree, so they go on to enroll in a four-year program. But for older people or those coming from abroad, a four-year path can be challenging, particularly if the student needs to work or take care of a family.

Fortunately, college can be completed much sooner than the traditional four years that lead to a bachelor's degree. Accelerated college degree programs are designed for students who can work steadily through the year, without a break, and complete their course work in as little as two and a half years.

Accelerated programs consist of shorter sessions than the traditional 16-week semester. Sessions are usually five, eight or 10 weeks, with much of the course work available online. While you will take as many courses to complete an accelerated degree as you would for a traditional degree, you will take them at a faster pace.

Are You Up to an Accelerated Pace of Learning?

While the obvious appeal of an accelerated degree program is getting finished faster, you need to consider some things realistically before you enroll. Accelerated bachelor programs require a large investment of time, and a lot of energy.

Besides the obvious demands of staying organized and maintaining your focus on your studies without much of a break in the rapid pace, there are other things to consider:

• Some courses will be tough to absorb in a short time period. Math and computer courses are two subjects where students benefit from having time to absorb the material. Make sure you are focused and manage your time well so you can study for your tests and quizzes.
• For those with many distractions in their lives, such as jobs and family that need attention, it may be hard to focus on the course material. Be sure you understand the commitment college requires and find a way to balance all aspects of your life.
• Accelerated means faster than average. So be prepared for classes coming at you quickly. Time management and dedication cannot be mentioned enough. When the going gets tough, you need something to keep you going.

Does the college you are considering understand the needs of adult and international students who want to work at an accelerated pace? Finding such a college, with experienced faculty and staff who can help non-traditional students master their course material, can vastly improve a student's chances for success.

Other Advantages of an Accelerated Program

Besides the time element, there are other reasons international and older students may prefer an accelerated program.

Many non-traditional students find themselves concerned about being an older student among young classmates. Although older students generally do as well in traditional classrooms -- they tend to have fewer social distractions than their younger classmates -- they may feel more comfortable in a college that caters to non-traditional students.

Are You Ready for Your First Step Towards College?

If you are interested in studying as an international student in the fields of technology, business, criminal justice, health science, or more, consider ECPI University for your education. With year-round classes and accelerated learning, you could earn a bachelor's degree in as little as 2.5 years. For more information about this exciting opportunity, connect with a helpful admissions officer today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.

For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.