Have you always wanted to attend college but weren’t sure how that goal could be accomplished? Perhaps you needed to work full-time to support yourself and your family. Or maybe you wanted to focus on raising your children, or had other family obligations, such as caring for a sick family member.
Other reasons for postponing may have included the overall cost of attending college, and you chose not to apply for a student loan. Whatever your personal reasons for not attending college before, you can do so now.
There are a variety of options available for adult learners. If you’re concerned about the cost of obtaining a degree, you may, for example, qualify for scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and books.
If you have small children, you may be able to place them in a campus daycare center. When you need to continue working during the day, you may also be able to take evening or weekend classes. Furthermore, there are campus advisors and other resources available to assist you.
What would you like to study? It’s possible that your career goals and interests have changed since you were in high school or even your 20s or 30s. You may want to consider one or more of these bachelor degree programs:
- Communication Studies
- English
- Family Studies
- Human Development and Family Studies
- interdisciplinary Studies
- Psychology
If you want to complete an undergraduate program to increase your earning potential, you may be interested in the results of a 2012 Pew Research report. This report had the following data on median annual earnings:
- High School Diploma: $28,000
- Some college: $30,000
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree: $45,500
The average starting salary for degree holders is $45,000 a year. In 2013 alone, it was found that individuals with bachelor’s degrees earned 98% more per hour than those individuals without a degree. Furthermore, 89% of college-educated Millennials were able to obtain full-time employment.
When surveyed, 83% of college graduates stated that their degrees made a difference. While your reasons for completing a bachelor’s degree are unique to you, just imagine the difference having this education can make on your life.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you may have realized that an advanced degree can increase your employment options and promotional opportunities. If this is the case, you may be interested in one or more of these programs:
- Masters in Adult Education
- Masters in Business Administration
- Masters in Communication Studies
- Masters in Medical Laboratory Science
When you have a degree in Medical Laboratory Science, for example, enrolling in a Medical Laboratory Science masters program can potentially increase your opportunities. While you can obtain an entry-level position with a bachelor’s degree, you may need a Medical Laboratory Science masters in order to hold certain positions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, in addition to your degree, you may need to obtain certification. This does, however, depend on the state within which you work.
If you plan to specialize in a specific area, after completing your Medical Laboratory Science masters, you may want to pursue certification. The BLS indicates that employers usually have a preference for certified medical technologists and technicians.
In addition to increased job and promotional opportunities, a four-year degree, as well as an advanced degree, can assist you with discovering a meaningful career.