Colleges adding programs for working adults

NORTH BAY -- Higher education is becoming increasingly important as competition for jobs intensifies -- locally and worldwide -- and everyone from entry to executive level is looking to stand out.

North Bay colleges and universities are continually adding to their offerings to meet the demands of the ever-changing student body. Many schools are boosting evening programs and giving credits for professional experience.

But not all working adults pursue education just to ratchet up their value in the business world. Many older students are looking to follow a dream -- maybe a new wildly different career.

"Our law school students, who are typically working full time, come from a variety of occupations," says Sherie Hurd, vice president of marketing and administration at Empire College in Santa Rosa. "There's no mold. We've had a thoracic surgeon and a ferry boat captain who've come to us to get their law degree."

At University of San Francisco's North Bay campus, director Rosa Turner sees two different types of adults looking to pursue degrees.

"One is the adult whose lifelong dream is to finish their education, and the time and method of delivery -- classes one evening per week -- is right," she says. "The other type of student is looking for a promotion or new employment. They've discovered that they can't get as far as they'd like without their degree?. They've plateaued."

Following is a recap of some of this year's new course offerings:

Empire College will offer its specialized associate's degree paralegal program at night for the first time this fall. The program includes a 75-hour internship with a local law firm; law-related nonprofit agency; or legal department of a government office, insurance agency, or corporation. The college is working to finalize an internship at Sonoma County Superior Court as another option for students.

Empire's information technology department joined the Microsoft Developers Network Academic Alliance, which will provide students with software valued at more than $25,000 over the course of the program as part of their tuition.

Two of Sonoma State University's new offerings are aimed at those who have a bachelor's degree in one field but want to pursue a career in another.

In the fall, the university will offer an accounting certificate program. The program makes it possible for those with a bachelor's degree in any field to prepare for the CPA exam.

The direct entry master of science in nursing is expected to be available January 2005. After completing the four-semester program, graduates will be eligible to take the registered nurse licensing exam.

Starting in the fall, Dominican University of California's bachelor's degree program in business administration will have five new concentrations. Students can now specialize in management, marketing, finance and accounting, e-business and management information systems, or international business.

Additionally, beginning in the spring, the university will offer a degree completion program in strategic management at its Ukiah center or Mendocino College. The program is designed for transfer students from Mendocino College.

The service sector is one of the fastest-growing fields. College of Marin began offering its Customer Service Academy to businesses. The training program can be held at an employer's site or at a space provided by the college. The program covers basics such as communication and time management as well as more complex issues such as stress management and ethics.

Additionally, the college is adding two new associate's degrees: an associate of science degree in computer desktop networking and an associate of arts degree in international studies.

Napa Valley College is changing its scheduling this fall to accommodate working adults. Classes that were offered three times a week are now offered twice a week for longer periods. The number of Friday only, Saturday, and evening classes will be increased as well.

Santa Rosa Junior College's new occupational certificate programs include geographic information systems; natural resources management; watershed management; and horticultural specialties such as garden design with CAD, landscape management, retail garden center skills, and horticulture therapy practices.

The University of San Francisco's North Bay campus will offer a full-time day program for a bachelor of science degree in organizational behavior for the first time this fall. A combination of sociology, psychology, communications, and business, the bachelor's program can be preparation for work in any type of business.