FAIRHOPE — Adults considering furthering their education are invited to attend an Adult Degree Program information session on March 19 at noon and March 20 at 6 p.m., at the University of South Alabama Baldwin County Administration Building, 10 N. Summit St. in Fairhope. USA officials say the program is a great way for nontraditional students to earn a bachelor’s degree and map out a better future.

“It’s a wonderful degree to help students design their career, based on their own goals,” said Dr. Vaughn Milner, chair of the USA Department of Adult Interdisciplinary Studies. “It’s perfect for the global economy.”

The Adult Degree Program was established to give students a variety of options in earning a bachelor’s degree, and is designed for adults at least 25 years of age, or those who have assumed major responsibilities and commitments of adulthood. The sessions will give those interested a chance to learn more about the adult program, the convenient class schedules, individualized degree plans and student support services.

“It’s a great opportunity to get an overview of what this program has to offer,” she said. “We also have past students or current students at the sessions to answer questions about how to be successful in the program.”

Milner said the average college student tends to be older these days, and may have more family responsibilities, as well as a more demanding work schedule than the younger scholar of years past.

“That’s occurring not only here, but also nationwide,” she said. “The adult degree is going to become more common because of the aging of America.”

The USA Adult Degree Program is ideal for older students, Milner said, because it is geared toward folks who need to move through the learning process at their own pace — one step at a time. In fact, the university regularly presents the Tortoise Award to an adult student in the program, for whom the most time has lapsed between initial college enrollment (wherever that might have been) to graduation at USA.

Internet-based courses are another way the program is enabling adult students to fit learning into their lives. Milner said, “We’re offering more online courses to help adults meet their needs because they need flexibility. It’s nice to be able to get up on the weekends in your pajamas, have a cup of coffee and do your work while still being with your family.”

Dr. Christine Bogar, assistant director of student services, as well as academic advisor at USABC, said, “There are quite a few offerings. Some departments have moved quickly to offer online courses. It’s a great alternative learning opportunity for students.”

Milner said the Adult Degree Program networks with employers, businesses and community agencies in order to help students in the job market. But, she said the foundation for a new life is built immediately after enrollment.

“One of the strengths of the program is we recognize students are back in class after an extended period of time, and we know they feel vulnerable or unsure of themselves. We offer 12 months of advising each year, a course on becoming a student again and full-time advisors,” she said. “We try to make as many courses available in Baldwin County as possible.”

Personal and academic growth are equally important, according to Milner.

She said, “There’s an emphasis placed on social responsibility. We feel it’s important to live what we teach. We teach a cultural diversity course, and we work to expand social consciousness. Critical thinking is also one of our goals. Take your past experiences, and think about a situation. That’s why learning is so much fun. You’ve got experience to attach to this new information. Adults are usually very motivated learners. It’s great fun to teach adults.”

Bogar said, “Adults with previous college credit can usually apply most of their past academic work to their Adult Interdisciplinary Studies bachelor’s degree.” She added, “We have a very good relationship with Faulkner State Community College.” That bond, she said, is the key to offering upper level courses at the Fairhope campus that match the two-year degrees available at Faulkner.

When advising a new student, Bogar said, she guides them as they determine how best to proceed, based on what they ultimately want to do, and how to do it while fulfilling university requirements.

“We don’t want them to rush through their education, but we want to help them put it in a manageable time frame, Bogar said. She added, “It’s really exciting to see students coming back to school, seeing that their goal is attainable.”

To reserve a spot at one of the information sessions, call (251) 928-8133, or e-mail usabc@usouthal.edu.