Changing economic times, the desire for career enhancement, and increased earning capacity are just some of the reasons adults nationwide are returning to college in order to complete degree or certification programs.
Workers who have been displaced through corporate layoffs or downsizing and individuals who are employed but who have been unable to complete their education because of work and/or family commitments are also finding their way back to the halls of higher education. Technology has also allowed some to enter “cyber halls” by taking courses now made available online. Other accommodations, such as flexible class scheduling and opportunities to receive college credit for prior work experience, provide incentives for adults to earn certificates or degrees, and the positive impact on the area’s economy is substantial.
Tom Edd Wilson, President and CEO, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
“We are living in a world where more people have more opportunities for professional satisfaction than ever before,” says Tom Edd Wilson, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, “but it’s also a highly competitive world. To be prepared to take advantage of opportunities, you have to be better trained than ever before. Continuing education is not just an option today; it’s a necessity. Many businesses support their employees as they seek professional development and academic degrees.
“In fact, the Chamber, during the 2006 calendar year, averaged 35 hours of professional development per staff member, and 90 percent of the staff took advantage of at least one professional development
opportunity.”
The evolution of the working world, the demand for qualified individuals, and the advantage of technology have created an environment which requires continued education for many. “In a world of fast-paced change, learning does not stop with graduation,” comments Dr. Richard Casavant, Dean of the College of Business Administration at UTC. “The important skill to be taken from education is to learn how to learn. Learning should never cease because business and life itself run on knowledge, especially new knowledge. The responsibility of higher education institutions is to offer the opportunities for the continuation of learning.”
Dr. Jim Catanzaro, President of Chattanooga State Technical Community College, estimates that 50 percent of the college’s 16,000 enrolled students are adults, many of whom are pursuing degrees. In some cases, these students are making a career change by choice or are seeking advancement in their current careers.
“A major shift in society has occurred into the information age and beyond,” explains Catanzaro, “and that shift has meant that many of the jobs that were around in the mid-1990s are not here in abundance now. The jobs that are here require new sets of skills and knowledge; plus, during an economic downturn, we receive a lot of people coming to us who are under-employed or unemployed.”
Several area colleges and universities offer degree and certificate programs geared for adults, offering flexible hours, reasonable investment, and job placement assistance.
Bethel College
While its home campus is located in McKenzie, Tennessee, Bethel College has branched into the Chattanooga area with its Success program, which is tailored for working adults and allows many to complete their undergraduate degree in half the time required of most traditional educational tracks. Each student receives a laptop computer to aid in completion of research and assignments, and small class sizes mean more individualized attention. Classes are scheduled on a single night per week. Success program participants graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Management or Organizational Development. Classes are held in downtown Chattanooga and in the Eastgate area. The Bethel MBA program is also structured with working people in mind, featuring online course work and face-to-face instruction one day per month.
Bethel College is affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Find out more about Bethel College and the Success program online at www.bethel-college.edu or call (731) 352-4000.
Bryan College
Offering majors in 19 fields with 36 concentrations to complement these programs, Bryan College graduates achieve two-year associate degrees, four-year BS or BA degrees, or the MBA degree. In addition to these options, the college’s Aspire program is recognized as an outstanding value. Designed for working adults with a minimum of 48 hours of previous college experience, Aspire allows students to affordably complete undergraduate degrees in approximately 14 months. Classes meet once a week for four hours, and new classes begin eight times per year. Since its inception at Bryan’s main campus in Dayton, Tennessee, the Aspire program has expanded to include locations in Athens, Cleveland, East Ridge, Kimball, at the Krystal Building in downtown Chattanooga, and on the campus of Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Two groups of MBA candidates begin their course of study through Aspire each year as well.
A Christian liberal arts college, Bryan is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information on Bryan, call (800) 277-9522. For information on the Aspire program call (423) 634-1114. Visit online at www.bryan.edu.
Chattanooga State Technical Community College
Fully engaged in building career opportunities for its students, Chattanooga State provides courses of study culminating in two-year associate degrees in a variety of disciplines, as well as technical and institutional certificates. Students seeking marketable skills, displaced workers, and those looking to enhance opportunities in the workplace enter areas of study such as Allied Health, Engineering Technology, Management, Paralegal Studies, Veterinary Technology, Early Childhood Education, Fire Science Technology, Media Technology, Accounting Technology, and more. Classes meet during daytime or evening hours to accommodate the schedules of working students. The Regents Online Degree Program presents some computer-based course selections.
With its main campus on Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga State also includes Lee Highway and Eastgate locations in greater Chattanooga and campuses in Dunlap, Kimball, and Dayton. A career planning and counseling center assists students as they enter the workforce. To learn more about Chattanooga State, call (423) 697-4404 or go online at www.chattanoogastate.edu.
Covenant College
For individuals age 23 or older with some transferable college credits and at least five years of work experience, the Quest program of Covenant College may be just the ticket to completion of a bachelor’s degree. Classes are scheduled one night a week for four hours and sometimes on Saturdays. Students are not required to attend classes at the main campus on Lookout Mountain. Covenant campuses are also located in downtown Chattanooga, Dalton, Rome, and in the Atlanta area. Designed to allow the student to complete the junior and senior years of college in less than two years, Quest offers a BS degree in organizational management. The total curriculum consists of 15 courses and 45 semester hours.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Covenant College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America. The college also offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) program and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education curriculum for adults who have completed two years of college. To learn more, visit the website at www.covenant.edu or call (706) 820-1560. For Quest call (423) 266-7784.
Miller-Motte Technical College
Associate of Applied Science degrees are offered at Miller-Motte Technical College in Business Management, Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Surgical Tech, Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, and Dental Assisting, while certificates may be earned in esthetics technology and nail technology, and diplomas are available in massage therapy and cosmetology. A bachelor’s degree is available online.
Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, Miller-Motte offers its students the opportunity to gain marketable skills, maximize their employment potential, and increase their earnings. Since a number of its students are already employed, Miller-Motte class schedules are flexible, meeting both during daytime hours and evenings. Most associate degrees are designed for completion in seven to eight quarters of study. The college also assists students in job placement following graduation. To find out more, see the website at www.miller-motte.com or call toll free (888) 794-9357.
Northwestern Technical College
Students interested in earning an associate’s degree as a computer support specialist may choose the online option to attend classes at Northwestern Technical College in Rock Spring, Georgia. Computer-based learning is one example of the college’s commitment to accessibility and convenience for students. More than 100 associate degrees and certificate programs in such fields as Business and Information Technology, General Business, Human Services, and Industrial Technology equip graduates to pursue careers in a variety of fields. Day, night, and weekend classes are available.
Northwestern Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and its affiliations with numerous associations and professional organizations facilitate the learning process, while also opening doors to future employment opportunities. Contact the school online at www.northwesterntech.edu or call (706) 764-3510.
Southern Adventist University
Graduate programs in business, nursing, counseling, religion, or education are available through Southern Adventist University. MBA and Master of Science in Education courses are offered online to accommodate students who work, while several undergraduate courses may also be attended via computer. VCAM (Video Conferencing Application Management) courses are available in the graduate and undergraduate programs. Some online courses are completely computer-based, while others are attended on campus and include online enhancements.
Southern Adventist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities. To learn more about its graduate and undergraduate programs call (423) 236-2000 or visit www.southern.edu. For information about online or VCAM courses see online.southern.edu.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Graduate School provides courses culminating in one of three doctoral degrees, 18 master’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, and one education specialist designation. Working students may take advantage of flexible hours, which include evening classes. UTC’s College of Business offers advanced degree programs, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accountancy (MAcc).
Additionally, a 16-month Executive MBA (EMBA) program has proven extremely successful. Professionals with three to five years of meaningful experience and a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited university are eligible to apply. EMBA classes meet on alternating weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. UTC’s College of Business Administration is accredited by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and has been recognized by Business Week and
The Princeton Review as one of the best business colleges in the country.
Undergraduate classes are also scheduled during the evening and on Saturday depending on the course of study. For more information call (423) 425-4666 or visit online at www.utc.edu.
Virginia College
Online master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees are available through Virginia College School of Business and Health in such disciplines as Business, Paralegal, Health Care, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, and Personal/Professional Growth. Whether students choose an online or classroom environment, flexible schedules and assistance in career placement allow Virginia College students to complete coursework and enter the job market prepared for success. The school also features small class sizes and an affordable cost.
Virginia College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Located in the Eastgate area, Chattanooga’s campus offers degrees in Business Management, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Health and Medical, and Office Management. For more information, see the website at www.vc.edu or call (888) 232-7887.
Quality of Life, Impact on the Community
The real benefit provided by a college degree or certificate is in the improvement of the quality of life for the graduate. It follows then that the overall quality of life in the community improves as well.
“We had a fellow come in who had graduated from our Aspire program a little over a year ago,” remarks Dr. Bob Andrews, Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies at Bryan College. “He was very excited when he told us that he had doubled his salary after graduating. Now, doubling is a lot, but we have students telling us that they can’t wait to graduate because it will mean more income for them. Aspire is designed for working people. They may have dropped out because of jobs or children or something. Life has happened to them, and now they want to complete their degree, but just can’t afford to quit their jobs. The payoff for the students is pretty enormous,” Andrews concludes. Given the demand for the educational experiences and programs which meet the needs of adult students and the business community in which they work, area colleges and universities are destined to play an even greater role in the economic vitality of the Chattanooga
area.