Education & Distance Learning Enthusiasts- Excelsior College/Zogby International Distance Learning Survey; Adults Ages 25 to 54 See Accredited Distance Learning Programs as Critical Avenues to Job

Home | Education & Distance Learning Articles | Article

Excelsior College/Zogby International Distance Learning Survey; Adults Ages 25 to 54 See Accredited Distance Learning Programs as Critical Avenues to Job

PR Newswire - July 13, 2004

ALBANY, N.Y., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time of rapid change in the economy, adults in their mid-20s to mid-50s perceive accredited distance learning programs as critical to improving their economic situation, according to a recent national survey commissioned by Excelsior College and conducted by Zogby International.

Adults between 25 and 54 -- most of whom are well past traditional college age -- are increasingly looking to obtain college degrees, and the numbers almost triple when an accredited distance learning degree is discussed as an option.

While 7 percent are currently taking courses toward a degree, more than twice that number (17 percent) said they plan to take college courses in the future. When asked about an accredited distance learning option, 50 percent said they would be much more or somewhat more likely to continue their education if they could get an accredited degree through distance learning.

"The survey results underscore how far distance learning has come and the important role it is likely to play in the future in helping adults improve their lives," said Dr. Chari Leader, vice president for enrollment management, Excelsior College. "The world is rapidly changing, and most adults cannot afford to quit their jobs in order to earn college degrees so they can advance in their jobs or change careers. They see distance learning as a solution to this dilemma."

These days, it is not unusual for people to change jobs seven times and to have between three and five different careers during their lifetime. Job advancement and salary increases are important goals of most working Americans.

Three-fourths of those surveyed in the 25 to 54 age group who are taking college courses or plan to take courses said they want a college degree to improve their economic situation, whether to increase earning potential (24 percent), advance in their current careers (16 percent), improve future options (14 percent), change careers (13 percent) or for job security (8 percent). Only 19 percent said they wanted a degree for a non-economic reason -- personal satisfaction. Another 6 percent cited "other" reasons.

Despite strong interest in college degrees for advancement in the workplace, very few people are employed by companies or organizations that pay for them to take college courses. Among all adults, fewer than one-quarter (22 percent) work for employers who reimburse employees or pay colleges directly for courses taken by employees.

These trends are even more significant for minorities. More than 43 percent of African-Americans and 22 percent of Hispanics said they plan to take colleges courses. When distance learning is mentioned as an option, 52 percent of African-Americans and 66 percent of Hispanics indicate they would be much more or somewhat more likely to continue their education. Yet, only 26 percent of African Americans and 24 percent of Hispanics work for employers who pay for college courses.

"Given the results of this survey, accredited distance learning colleges have the opportunity to make as significant an impact on minorities in America as the advent of traditionally black colleges," said Dr. Linda Jolly, Excelsior College provost. "Employers should be looking to distance learning to develop their workforces."

Excelsior College, a distance learning pioneer with more than 30 years in the field, has always attracted a large number of minority students. It currently has 10,414 (35 percent)minority students enrolled, out of a student body of 27,509.

The Excelsior College Distance Learning Survey was conducted by Zogby International between June 2 and June 5, 2004. Zogby interviewed 1,152 adults 18 years and older chosen at random nationwide. A total of 637 of the respondents were between 25 and 54 years of age. The margin of error is +/- 2.9 percent.

Recognizing that college-level knowledge can be obtained in many ways, Excelsior College provides access to many different avenues for earning college credit, focusing on what students know, rather than on where or how they learned it. Undergraduate credits are earned through a variety of accredited sources, including traditional classroom courses, for-credit exams, distance learning and online courses, and recognized military and corporate training. Excelsior's graduate programs are all delivered online. Through these means, the college makes associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees more accessible to busy, working adults.

Excelsior College (http://www.excelsior.edu/) is the only institution in the country offering degree programs based exclusively on outcomes-based assessment of learning. Founded in 1971, it is a recognized leader in the field of distance education. The college is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The baccalaureate degree programs in electronics engineering technology and nuclear engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The American Council on Education (ACE) recognizes Excelsior College Examinations for the award of college-level credit.

CONTACT: William M. Stewartor of Excelsior College, +1-518-464-8775, wstewart@excelsior.edu; Rich Meddaugh of Sawchuk, Brown Associates, +1-518-462-0318, meddaughr@sawchukbrown.com, for Excelsior College

Web site: http://www.excelsior.edu/

1 2 Next »

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this article with hundreds of other Education & Distance Learning enthusiasts from around the world, please feel free to visit the discussion forums & post a message.

Discuss this article in the discussion forums now.

Popular Education & Distance Learning Discussions From The Past

Re: RA institutions (1 posts)
by chris - Last post on: 08-26-03 16:47
Yes. They are involved in advocating for greater autonomy for Masters level providers. In some ways I feel they are engaged in a futile struggle when they try to get equal licensure for MA/MS and Ph.D. level clincial psychologists. They have a very tough/impossible road when trying to con... (Read More)

Need a Computer...or a Hooker? (2 posts)
by GDE - Last post on: 08-02-04 05:15
If you need to reach Gregg DesElms...call toll-free in the continental United States and Canada 1-877-383-5148. ------------------------------------------------------------ Be sure to call Gregg toll-free and let him know you support his fight to bring more Asian prostitutes to Minneapolis. ... (Read More)

Re: family medical history (1 posts)
by tock@sbcglobal.net - Last post on: 08-05-03 18:24
"No" wrote in message news:e8PWa.8$y95.15941@news.uswest.net... > My mother died in 1999 and to the best of my knowledge she did not have a > will and there was no Executor of her estate. I did not have contact with my > mother for almost 20 years prior to her death, I am concerned as to wha... (Read More)

Hi!! I'm new here. (1 posts)
by momoftwo - Last post on: 07-09-04 21:39
I've never been in a newsgroup before. I'm kind of curious as to how they work. Is it like a basic message board format? I see THOUSANDS of rooms and don't know where to go. LOL. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! Randa Waldrop Medical Transcriptionist www.mtacc.net rwald... (Read More)

You must register before posting in the Education & Distance Learning discussion forums. It's free & only takes a few seconds. Please also remember that no advertising is allowed...
Enter The Forums Here