Abstract:

This paper provides insight into the unique role being played by Distance Education departments in meeting the unique needs of post-traditional learners in the US. In particular, it shows how, through the creative use of budgets and personnel, Distance Education departments can “pioneer” new services in other administrative areas of the institution.

Post-traditional college students are increasingly becoming the primary constituents in universities across the United, States, with some studies estimating them to be as much as 75% of the student body (NCES, 2015). Based upon this rise in importance, university administrations have been scrambling to meet the unique needs of these post-traditional learners. The preeminent need for more flexible course offerings has traditionally been met by Distance Education departments. However, the needs of post-traditional learners involve evolution on the part of other administrative areas, such as registration and finance (NASPA ,2016; NASPA, 2013; Soares, 2013; Jenkins, 2012).

This paper highlights the increasing importance of nontraditional students, outlining their unique administrative and educational needs. In addition, the paper delineates specific strategies that distance education departments can deploy to assist other operating areas of the institution in: 1) Better understanding the needs of post-traditional students, 2) Modifying their programs and practices to better meet the needs of post-traditional students, and 3) Better marketing their programs to post-traditional students.

This paper provides specific examples whereby the Distance Education department at a major university in the southwest of the US has worked creatively with other administrative departments, such as registration and finance, to assist them in modifying and/or expanding their services to better meet the needs of post-traditional students in a more holistic fashion. This, in turn, leads to greater student satisfaction and positive growth in attendance.

Keywords:

Post-traditional students, distance education.