College Planning

Adult Learners

College Planning

Starting college for the first time or returning to complete your degree is a big step, but the boost in your earning potential once you get your degree makes the effort worth it.

Many adults return to college to support a career change or to update their job skills. Others may have experienced a life-changing event, such as a marriage, divorce or relocation. Whatever the reason, a college degree can truly change a person’s life. A college degree will give you a competitive advantage in the marketplace and provide you the skills and knowledge valued by employers. Also, a college graduate will make about $1 million more in a lifetime than a high school graduate.

Beyond increased earning potential, there are many benefits to completing a degree, including:

Greater job security.
Better opportunities for career advancement.
An enriched knowledge base and new perspective for work and life.

Managing work, family obligations, community involvement and school work can be challenging, but Oklahoma colleges and universities have flexible degree options that meet the needs of adult learners, including:

Campus locations close to your home or office.
Evening and weekend programs.
Online course offerings.
Accelerated degree programs.

The State Regents offer many programs and services to help you return to college or begin your college education. For more information, visit the online Student Center for adult learners, email StudentInfo@osrhe.edu or call 800.858.1840 (405.225.9239 in Oklahoma City).

Reach Higher

Focusing on adult students, the Reach Higher program is designed to help adults who have earned some college credit complete a degree while balancing family, work and financial obligations. Reach Higher offers two pathways for adults:

FlexFinish

Target Audience: Working adults who need flexible options to balance work, family, and studies.
Programs Offered: Associate degrees in Enterprise Development (General Studies or Business Administration) and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership.
Flexibility: Provides on-campus and online class options, including eight-week courses and multiple enrollment periods throughout the year.
Benefits: Offers personalized schedules, help with course planning, and a network of support services at participating institutions.
Eligibility: Generally requires a minimum number of college credits (e.g., 18 for an associate degree, 72 for a bachelor's) and a 2.0 GPA or better.

DirectComplete

Target Audience: Adults with some college credit looking to complete a degree in a field linked to one of Oklahoma's 100 critical occupations.
Focus: Connects students with degrees that address workforce needs and critical occupations in Oklahoma.
Support & Resources: Provides comprehensive services like personalized guidance, financial aid information, access to childcare, tutoring, and more through campus navigators.
Eligibility: May have more specific criteria, such as age and income limits, a commitment to pursuing a degree in a critical occupation, and a requirement to enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester.

Essentially, FlexFinish prioritizes flexibility and broader degree options for working adults, while DirectComplete is more focused on aligning degree completion with specific workforce needs and provides comprehensive support tailored to that goal.

More than 21 institutions across the state participate in this program. Learn more and find a campus near you at ReachHigherOK.org.