I just finished my BS after 6 years (worked full-time also) and I'd love to go back and take courses "for fun". However, that's a lot of money that I could save or put into retirement. A LOT.
What are alternatives? I read a lot on my own, so if I could get my hands on some college syllabi for courses I like, I could read the required books. That would be a lot cheaper.
Any other ideas for "adult school" that wouldn't cost a fortune? I could do comm. college classes, but I went to the CC here and the courses are not challenging at all. I need a challenge to keep up interest.
2007-12-30 13:15:57 · 6 answers · asked by oparker20 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I've thought about auditing, but I still have to pay full tuition for the course. So that's about $500 not including any required materials. If I'm going to pay tuition I might as well just start grad school so I'd at least get a degree out of it. And my job will reimburse me for master's classes.
2007-12-30 13:24:55 · update #1
Most community colleges have extended learning courses.
These are professional training or just education for fun.
Sometimes they call it community education. These are not regular community college classes and they do not charge the same as tuition.
You can also look into college or just local based seminars and conferences. For classes and educational information not through the colleges you can go the cities chamber of commerce and talk with them. Also most parks department offer classes. You can also think of a certain vocation such as herbal healing and look for specific institutions that might offer those educational courses. If you join an association of some type then they should have several conferences you'd be invited to. Often the conferences offer certifications as well. (example: american psychological association).
And most universities have special programs that you may also be able to join. For example where I live the local university has a substance abuse prevention program. The courses are challenging, you can get certified, and the tution for these classes is through the program and much less than regular tution.
You could also choose a topic of interest to you and do your own research. Then you could put together an article for a journal on that topic or offer an extended learning class at the community college on that topic. You can use university resources to do the research such as their library, their professors, and their scientific journals.
2007-12-30 14:03:10 · answer #1 · answered by RedPower Woman 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some companies help with tuition assistance for continued education, you could check to see if the place you work for offer a similar program. To get syllabi, contact individual professors and departments (when you look at signing up for courses that information is usually included). You could also choose something of interest to you and research it yourself, writing articles or something (maybe you could get them published or something in the future). You may also consider signing up for one or two courses a semester to finish up a second bachelor's degree or perhaps your master's.
2007-12-30 21:27:29 · answer #2 · answered by littlekitty1985 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can take classes non-degree seeking and pay per semester. Granted it'll probably cost you around 800 bucks, I don't quite know what you were thinking as expensive. Try taking a foreign language class, those are always interesting and can lead to great opportunity in the future or even something as simple as a vacation.
2007-12-30 21:20:34 · answer #3 · answered by burgler09 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about college audio courses? You are able to listen to lectures from college professors at prestigious universities. You can review the course syllabus before deciding to purchase one. I have enjoyed learning this way. Some of the companies also offer DVD lectures as well. The nice thing about learning this way is that you can review the course materials any time you like. They are affordable and interesting.
2007-12-30 21:28:33 · answer #4 · answered by Rikki 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do the local universities have an "extension" program? If so, while these things aren't cheap, they are cheapter than just taking regular college classes. Also, you could ask if there is any kind of a discount for recent graduates - it might be worth their while to hook you into taking classes for many years to come.
2007-12-30 21:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by neniaf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on getting your degree.
Look into "auditing" a course at the college, where you can do the work but not worry about tests and grades.
2007-12-30 21:22:02 · answer #6 · answered by fcas80 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋