Feb. 7, 2005

The Public Sector Is in the Race, Too

It always bothers me when the for-profit sector claims the adult education market as its own invention.

Looking for a job?

Browse all job listings:

Faculty: 3,466
Administrative: 1,661
Executive: 159
FEATURED EMPLOYERS

Continuing education for adults and other non-traditional students has been around for a long time. In the United States, university extension grew out of a 50-year tradition of classes and lecture series for adults sponsored by libraries, town lyceums, and mechanics institutes starting in the early 19th century.

And continuing adult education found a permanent home in colleges and universities. The first umbrella organization for the extension effort was the National Society for the Extension of University Teaching, founded in 1890. Today, hundreds upon hundreds of degree-granting institutions provide educational programs and services to hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of non-traditional and adult students in the U.S. alone.

Gerald A. Heeger is president of the University of Maryland University College.

Want it on paper? Print this page.
Know someone who’d be interested? Forward this story.
Want to stay informed? Sign up for free daily news e-mail.

Comments

Heeger takes cheap shot at for-profits

Terri Bishop, Sr. VP of Public Affairs at University of Phoenix, at 3:08 pm EST on February 14, 2005

Public sector is not a leader

I have one of my master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. Presuming that it does not consider all stakeholder groups, just shareholders, does not correlate with the ever increasing enrollment at Phoenix. Public and private institutions alike expect their admissions staff to achieve goals since budgets depend on it. The bigger picture is missing though. Phoenix filled a niche that public schools ignored in proportion to the growing savvy and needs of adult learners. For sure, Phoenix is all about quality education and the business of providing it. This seems like the right track to be on. Phoenix provides no tenure track positions so students never have instruction from stale or dated faculty. Wisely, Phoenix utilizes practitioner faculty so there is a true balance between theory and reality. Phoenix is a tough school and not everyone should think of attending, especially the online programs, which are very intense. I suggest going to Peterson’s website and taking the test provided that helps a learner assess appropriateness for online instruction. There is a need for both bricks and mortar and online instruction and the good news now is “one shoe no longer fits all!”

HUSSAR, at 11:02 am EDT on August 29, 2005

Jobs Related to The Public Sector Is in the Race, Too

or search for jobs directly.

Counselor
Bard College

The Counseling Center at Bard College invites applications for a full-time, 10-month clinical position. The successful ... see job

Transufsion Medicine Faculty
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota is a premier employer and a talent magnet attracting leading faculty and staff from around the ... see job

Middle Eastern History
American University in Cairo

About The American University in Cairo: Founded in 1919, AUC’s campus has moved to its new, state-of-the-art campus in New ... see job

Associate Professor or Professor — Moral Philosophy and/or Political Philosophy
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota is a premier employer and a talent magnet attracting leading faculty and staff from around the ... see job

Department of Criminal Justice, Comparative Criminal Justice and/or Transnational Crime
Bridgewater State College, MA

BSC is one of the largest and most exciting centers for higher education in the commonwealth. Here in our idyllic setting, ... see job

Director of Finance and Administration
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center-Downtown Denver

Posting Description: The Department of Surgery Director of Finance and Administration at the University of ... see job

Vice President of Administration
Morton College

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Master’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field, or CPA. Knowledge of state and federal ... see job

Nurse Practitioner, 35 Hours Per Week/42 Weeks Per Year
Babson College

Nurse Practitioner — Health Services, Full-time (35 hours) 42 weeks per year, Benefit eligible position

Reports ... see job

Chief Information Officer
Salem State College, MA

Salem State College is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. Persons of color, women and persons with ... see job

Lecturer — Slavic Languages & Literatures
University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA Slavic Languages and Literatures keeps on file until the end of each academic year (but does not acknowledge) all ... see job

The Public Sector Is in the Race, Too

Related stories

Comments

Heeger takes cheap shot at for-profits

Public sector is not a leader

Jobs Related to The Public Sector Is in the Race, Too

Counselor Bard College

Transufsion Medicine Faculty University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Middle Eastern History American University in Cairo

Associate Professor or Professor — Moral Philosophy and/or Political Philosophy University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Department of Criminal Justice, Comparative Criminal Justice and/or Transnational Crime Bridgewater State College, MA

Director of Finance and Administration University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center-Downtown Denver

Vice President of Administration Morton College

Nurse Practitioner, 35 Hours Per Week/42 Weeks Per Year Babson College

Chief Information Officer Salem State College, MA

Lecturer — Slavic Languages & Literatures University of California, Los Angeles