Non-Traditional Students and Their Impact on Higher Education
What is a non-traditional student? A non-traditional student is any college student obtaining their education outside the traditional face-to-face classroom. How many college students, both undergraduate and graduate, have earned a degree or two through an online platform? Probably several. Online learning has now outpaced face-to-face instruction, meaning there are more non-traditional students in higher education than not.
Hundreds of thousands of students enrolled in different campuses across the United States are learning via face-to-face instruction. However, even some of those students still participate in online learning courses. Some of this depends on the availability of the course and the availability of the students and their professors.
Face-to-face instruction in higher education institutions has pivoted in a non-traditional way as colleges and universities have shifted toward skills-focused instruction, ensuring that their graduates are prepared for the workforce. Many higher education institutions—particularly four-year institutions—need to evolve to stay relevant in a potential future where individuals are hired based on their skills rather than their degree, so there’s been a movement in instruction. Some four-year universities and community colleges focus on preparing their students with the relevant skills and education they need to perform in their profession.
As businesses and organizations often turn to universities for potential employees, this is a win-win for both parties. College degrees are not irrelevant. However, the way college degree programs have been designed in the past might be. Therefore, a non-traditional shift in curriculum is needed.
More employers are collaborating with colleges and high schools to help skill development curricula be based on available jobs; a degree doesn’t mean much if you don’t have the skill set to do the job.
Speaking of high school students, the demand for continuing education programs offered through local community colleges and vocational trade programs continues to grow. These opportunities, which used to be considered more non-traditional than not, are now becoming the norm.
What does the data tell us?
Universities are beginning to embrace the needs of non-traditional students, who want a choice in where, when, and how they learn. Additionally, better or more effective pathways to degree completion are needed. The demand for stackable growth and micro-credentials in higher education is also in demand. Lastly, as more employers relax degree requirements and embrace alternative credentials or seek professional candidates with relevant skills and experience, higher education institutions are seeking to provide professional preparation along with academia.
The data tells us that times are changing in higher education; they’ve already changed. Evolution is needed, and non-traditional students are excited about the endless opportunities at bay—we should be, too.
Written By: Meredith Biesinger
Professional Writer/ Education Specialist
Meredith Biesinger is a licensed dyslexia therapist in Mississippi, in addition to being an experienced classroom teacher and K-12 administrator. Meredith also works as a consultant, where she bridges the bridge the gap between K-12 school districts and ed-tech organizations. With a passion for literacy, she is also a professional writer and syndicated author. With a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and a B.S. in English Education and Creative Writing, she has had rich and diverse opportunities to teach students and education professionals in different parts of the country as well as overseas.
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