Meeting Adult Learner Needs through the Nontraditional Doctoral Degree New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Number 129

As the world has grown more complex, so have the learning needs of adults who wish to be professionally and personally equipped for a continually changing global environment. Increasingly, so-called nontraditional students have sought additional educational opportunities and advanced credentials for intellectual growth, career advancement, or both. With demand for this highest level of credential increasing, institutions are rethinking their doctoral programs, and nontraditional doctoral programs have evolved to accommodate the needs of adult students. These programs combine academic rigor with applied knowledge, scholarship, convenience, and flexibility and come in a variety of formats. The colleges and universities-public and private, nonprofit and for-profit-that respond to this increasing market have discovered both a surprising number of committed students and a new revenue stream. This volume of New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education explores the emergence of the nontraditional doctoral degree, the characteristics of the nontraditional doctoral student, faculty concerns, program innovation, and unique programs at four institutions. Both scholars and practitioners will find it an interesting and engaging introduction to the topic. Book jacket.