Well, for thousands of adult students from coast-to-coast, continuing education is the key to achieving a two-year or four-year college degree. Continuing education is a term unique to North America. In essence, continuing education is comparable to adult education. Continuing education was created to benefit adult non-traditional students. It is designed for those with ages past the traditional college student. The concept of continuing education is true to what the term implies … it is a continuation of formal learning for those who have already achieved a level of education.
 
In America, the continuing education experience involves an adult student formally enrolled in a college with the purpose of participating in credit-granting courses. Typically, adult students can not abandon their employments, so continuing education is basically a part-time activity. Continuing education universities are also known as a university extension or an extension school.
 
Adult students exploring continuing education options may be surprised to discover that the University of Wisconsin (Madison campus) was the first institute of higher education to offer continuing education degree programs back in 1907. Since then an array of highly respected universities/colleges have established continuing education divisions that offer courses on evenings, weekends and online to oblige working adults.
 
You may also be surprised to know that recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Education show that continuing education students are the fastest growing education demographic; and the number of students at continuing education universities are steadily increasing. With an unstable economic climate, more adults’ (ages 55-to-79) are becoming continuing education students to achieve new career goals or start new businesses.
 
Before you determine what two-year or four-year degree to pursue, you need to define your continuing education goals. Why do you want to go attend college? Is your objective to change careers or complete a degree program started in the past? When you focus on your personal motivation – you can best define your own educational goals and select the right continuing education university.
 
If your goal is a career in a vocational or technical field then an associate degree program is for you. These undergraduate degrees are earned n about two years of continuing education study. The credit received at an accredited continuing education university can go towards earning a higher degree.
 
With an associate degree, tuition costs are obviously less than a four-year program. And because less time is spent in school, you can enter the workforce sooner.
 
Bachelor degrees are four-year courses and also are considered undergraduate degrees. To earn a continuing education bachelor degree, you will be required to participate in such classes as English and math in addition to your major field of study. Continuing education for a bachelor degree is essential for those seeking a master degree. Usually job seekers with a four-year degree are hired before two-year degree applicants in a variety of white-collar job opportunities.
 
Master degrees require at least two-years and are acquired from continuing education universities with a graduate degree program. You will need to complete undergrad courses and take the graduate record exam before enrolling in these programs. A master’s degree will bring you more career opportunities and earning power.
 
Doctoral degrees are a graduate degree that can take from three-to-five years to compete. Once you have earned a masters degree you can work towards a PhD. A doctoral degree will maximize your options for an exceptional career.
 
No matter what continuing education university you attend or what continuing education degree you achieve … employers realize that the completion of higher education is an indicator that you are highly motivated and eager to achieve professionally.
 
For any adult, going back to school can be a difficult commitment. You may be wondering about how to balance career, family time, academic study and other obligations. But with continuing education you can achieve your educational objectives. In every state, there are caring continuing education universities offering degree programs that fit your life.