Adult Learner Success in Accelerated Associate Degree Programs at a Regionally Accredited Multi-Campus Proprietary Institution

The advent of the global knowledge economy and changing demographics have
pressured the American postsecondary system to develop flexible alternative educational
opportunities for adult learners. One of the most widespread institutional responses has
been the development of accelerated courses and degree programs. Accelerated degree
programs offer educational opportunities in time frames of less duration than the
traditional semester or quarter formats. Concerns for maintaining educational quality
make it imperative to develop best practices for the effective design of time-intensive
curricula. The study
found a strong correlation between student experiences rated in terms of Donaldson's and
Graham's principles and perceptions of the relevance and applicability of their learning in
their "lifeworlds." No significant correlation was found with GP A. Additionally, no
significant correlation was found between perceived success in learning and final GP A.
The graduates of associate degree programs at a regionally accredited multicampus
proprietary institution in Florida comprised the study sample.