Nontraditional student

Non-traditional students is an American English term referring to students at higher education institutions (undergraduate college or university) who are older than the typical college student (usually aged 18-22) and/or students typical of age but attending colleges or programs that provide unconventional scheduling to allow for other responsibilities and pursuits concurrent with attaining a degree.

Population

Non-traditional students may include those who pursue full-time study, but many study part-time. Older students may be returning to school, and for a number of different reasons: often having pursued unconventional career paths or training for a career change. Some women who have been stay-at-home mothers return to college after their children have left the home.

Programs

Many colleges offer programs within their regualar curriculum to serve non-tradtional students. In particular women's college offer programs for older women who would like to return to school, such as Agnes Scott College's Irene K. Woodruff return-to-college program, Mount Holyoke College's Frances Perkins Program, Smith College's Ada Comstock Scholars Program and Wellesley College's Davis Degree Program.

A few select schools offer degree programs oriented entirely towards non-traditional students such as the Fordham College of Liberal Studies at Fordham University and the School of General Studies at Columbia University.

External links

• The Irene K. Woodruff return-to-college program - Agnes Scott College
• School of General Studies - Columbia University
• Fordham College of Liberal Studies - Fordham University
• Frances Perkins Program - Mount Holyoke College
• Ada Comstock Scholars Program - Smith College
• Non-Traditional Programs - Wellesley College