Undergraduate Study and Degrees

Are you seeking an associate's or bachelor's degree? Many adults are finding a growing number of program options available through e-learning, allowing them to maintain their work and family responsibilities while continuing their education. Learn more about the programs available that can meet your particular needs. And get information, tools and tips for pursuing an undergraduate degree by reviewing the links below.

Are you a new adult learner beginning your college studies, a returning student after years of inactivity or a recent student ready to continue your undergraduate studies through e-learning? Join the increasing number of adult students continuing their education. Based upon your circumstance, we have paths for you within the Electronic Campus.

Completing your undergraduate degree will open up new opportunities for you to further you career, to prepare for a career change, or to pursue graduate study at a later date. Here are some tips you should consider as you begin your search.

1. Have a good understanding of what the degree requirements are and how long the program might take to complete based upon the amount of coursework your schedule will permit. This will be based, in large part, on whether you plan to study full-time or part-time. Are you committing yourself to a long-term program when you are looking for a short-term solution? Consider alternatives that move you towards a higher degree, e.g., assessment of prior learning and credit-based certificate programs in your skill areas. These can be real time shortcuts for you.
   
   
2. Be realistic is assessing your work and family situation and the time commitments you must make to pursue and to be successful in your studies.
   
   
3. Research the support services available to you at work, home and at the college or university of your choice (we can help with the latter with the tools in the Electronic Campus, including Campus Tours and specialized information and services for adult learners noted below).
   
   
4. Know where you stand academically BEFORE making a formal commitment. If you have accumulated credits from other institutions, have those evaluated, at least informally, by your institution of choice. Credits may be too "old," or not meet specific requirements, or may not be transferable for some other reason. Many SREB states have transfer credit programs and planners to assist you in this important activity.
   
   
5. Know what your financial commitments will be over the time you plan to study (beyond just tuition and including books, materials, technology, etc.) and plan accordingly. Financial assistance, depending on your situation, might be available. Links are listed below.

There are resources available to you to help you in thinking about the points noted above and they are only a few clicks away at the Electronic Campus.

• If you are an adult taking college courses for the first-time, visit our First Time College Goer page.
  
  
• If you are a returning student with past credits that you hope to transfer, visit our Transferring Academic Credit page.
  
  
• If you have work experience that might be assessed and that can give you academic credit towards your degree, visit the Prior Learning Experience page.
  
  
• If you need to search for undergraduate courses available online, use the Search for Courses tool.
  
  
• If you need to search for undergraduate degree programs available online, use the Search for Programs tool.
  
  
• If you need to consider financial assistance options available to you in support of your undergraduate education, visit the Financial Assistance module.