Four Ways Higher Ed Can Prepare Adult Learners to Go Back to School

Adult learners are quickly becoming more “traditional” learners within higher education, especially online. The Journal of Human Services predicts an additional 3.3 million online students in this adult learner category within the next decade. 

So, what can universities do to better support these learners’ needs?  

And what exactly do adult learners need to go back to school?  

Here are four tips to help support this growing population of students: 

1. Flexibility 

Adult learners are usually squeezing their education into an already jam-packed schedule of work, family and personal responsibilities. They need flexibility to be able to confidently and successfully pursue learning.  

One way adult learners can find flexibility in their learning is through part time studying options. They need to be able to dip in and out of learning experiences based on changing schedules and priorities. Adult learners need options to take time off between terms and spread their program over a longer period to make it more manageable.  

Adult learners also need more flexibility as to when they can fit learning into their schedules. Asynchronous or online learning (or both) is another great way to provide this flexibility, allowing them to learn in their own time. 

2. Connect to Their Career 

Because of the tremendous time and financial investment in education, adult learners are more concerned with learning directly connected to their workplace. They want to see the connection between the time and effort they put into learning and the result it will have on their career goals. 

Online institutions often offer specialized certifications and degrees that cater to niche markets, allowing learners to gain expertise in specific areas that are in high demand in the workforce or their specific field. This opportunity allows learners to meet industry needs by tailoring their learning to these high-demand skills, driving career advancement.  

3. Unique Support 

Adult learners value the support that institutions can provide—from financial advising to scheduling and choosing the best courses for their career aspirations. 

Adult learners may take longer to progress through a program, leaving gaps of time between their studies. With this in mind, universities should consider the advising and overall coaching that these learners will need to be successful.  

Availability of support is also important for adult learners. Since many may be studying after hours to accommodate their work and lives, having off-hours support is important. Flexible forms of support—like a chat option—also help cater to the needs of adult learners. 

4. Consider Education-as-a-Benefit 

As more and more adult learners look to join the workforce right after high school—Axios citied 40% of students aren’t planning to enroll in college in the fall—many of these students will be looking for a workplace offering education-as-a-benefit. 

Many online institutions partner with employers to offer tuition reimbursement programs, internships and job placement services. These partnerships not only make education more affordable for adult learners but also weave pathways for promotions, additional upskilling opportunities and increased professional development. By hiring people interested in education-as-a-benefit, their desire to learn and grow will start from day one—increasing the ROI of learning. 

Setting Adult Learners up for Success 

The lines between higher education and the workforce are continuing to blur, and adult learners are at the center—ready to learn, but often lacking the confidence that they can be successful. The more flexible, connected and supportive the learning experience, the better.