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Adult Education OpportunitiesThere are continuing education opportunities for Foreign Service employees and family members both overseas and in the Washington, D.C. area. A certain posting may offer more after-hours leisure, employment options for spouses may be limited, or it may be a time when you want to progress professionally or personally. This paper builds on the material in Education Options for Foreign Service Family Members to help those who want to take advantage of an opportunity to continue their education. Education should be seen as a lifelong process, not something that is confined to the young. Some reasons you might decide to continue your education are to:
There are several ways to continue your education. Which one (or combination) you choose depends on your individual circumstances. Traditional degree programs can be taken part-time or full-time at a college or university in the United States or overseas. Individual credit courses can be taken at many different kinds of academic institutions. Noncredit courses are offered through adult education divisions of community colleges, county agencies, and recreation departments. Correspondence courses and external degree programs are offered at many colleges. Continuing education credits (CEU's) for professional credentials can be earned from on-campus and off-campus courses. Training programs can be taken at work, plus valuable information is available from conferences, workshops, and professional development pro-grams through professional associations or independent groups. For prospective students in the Washington area, the public library is a good source of information on adult education programs in your community. Overseas, there may be college catalogues, course directories, guides to independent study, and other reference materials available in the Community Liaison Office. Other places to look for information include the guidance office of the American school, a student advising center, a Fulbright Office, or, in some countries, local public or university libraries. Distance Education Clearinghouse The following web sites offer links to Distance Education information and resources. Peterson's Distance Learning - http://iiswinprd03.petersons.com/distancelearning/default.asp University of Missouri-Columbia - http://cdis.missouri.edu/go/fltr.asp University of Wisconson-Extension - http://www.uwex.edu/disted/desites.html The Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System Distance Education Resources - http://www.ihets.org/learntech/distance_ed/resources/index.html American Military University - http://www.apus.edu/amu/home/default.asp University of Phoenix Online - http://www.online-learning-info.com Evening Programs Adults with family and/or work responsibilities often find that evening programs, offered by many colleges and universities, are the best way to complete a degree in the shortest possible time. These programs may be especially attractive to students who have a minimum of 60 credits from accredited colleges. The advantages are:
At many schools, the core curriculum is divided into modules. Students take one course at a time with each course following consecutively. New courses start 1 week after completion of the last course, so there is no lag time between courses. Many college programs offer the opportunity to earn up to 30 credits for life and work experience. Foreign Service people can use their international experience to advantage in this type of program. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Graduate School For general information or a course catalogue, contact the Public Affairs Office at: USDA offers day, evening, weekend, and self-study courses, residential training programs, and technology-delivered instruction. It is open to all adults and has no admission requirements. It does not grant degrees but does grant Certificates of Accomplishment. Some courses have been recommended to receive college credit by the American Council on Education’s Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction (ACE/PONSI). USDA evening and weekend courses include accounting, career development, foreign languages, science, paralegal, computers, business management, and others. Contact: USDA correspondence courses include English and writing, math and statistics, management and supervision, computer communications, accounting, editing, engineering, library techniques, paralegal studies, elderlaw, and others. Contact: USDA programs include the following:
College-level Examination Program The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) serves high school students, enrolled college students, international students, and adults returning to college. It is designed to allow students to get college credit for knowledge learned outside the classroom. The heart of CLEP is a series of examinations rewarding you for what you know, whether you learned it in school, on the job, through reading, by observation, or in the course of your life experiences. There are five general examinations and 30 subject-specific examinations. The general examinations are in English composition, humanities, college mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. The tests are at the level of courses taken in the first 2 years of college. Subject examinations include com-position and literature, foreign languages, history and social science, mathematics and science, and business. The general and subject examinations are multiple choice questions limited to 90 minutes. The subject examinations, requiring a higher degree of specialized knowledge and training, demonstrate the specific knowledge and skills you may have gained through job experience, outside course work, or independent reading. CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program. Nearly two-thirds of accredited institutions of higher education give credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP examinations. Colleges have found that CLEP students are motivated, intellectually curious, and independent learners - qualities colleges look for and value in their students. The Official Study Guide for the CLEP Examinations contains descriptions of the exams, sample exam questions and answers, updated lists of reference materials for test preparation in every subject, test-taking strategies, and general information about credit by examination. It can be purchased in bookstores or ordered from: A booklet, CLEP Colleges, lists addresses and phone numbers to contact for testing schedules. It also lists colleges that award CLEP credits. For a copy, write to: High School Diplomas The General Educational Development (GED) testing program was developed to give U.S. and Canadian citizens who have not graduated from high school the opportunity to demonstrate the level of achievement normally acquired through the completion of a traditional U.S./Canadian high school course of study. The five GED comprehensive examinations cover writing, social studies, science, interpreting literature and arts, and math. Emphasis is on intellectual ability such as evaluating, analyzing, drawing conclusions, and the ability to understand and apply information and concepts. The tests are administered in all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and the 10 Canadian provinces. The GED practice tests are available in English, Spanish, French, Braille, large print, and audiocassette. They can be ordered from: Many GED preparation books and software programs are available in libraries and bookstores. A television series carried by both cable television and many public television stations in the United States provides a good general preparation for the test. The GED tests may also be taken overseas on a limited basis by U.S. and Canadian citizens. They can only be administered through a U.S. Embassy or a military installation that is approved by the General Educational Development Testing Service (GEDTS). For information, contact the Administrative or Public Affairs Officer at the American Embassy or the Education Officer at a U.S. military base near you. The Chief Examiner designated by the GEDTS monitors testing and verifies eligibility. The requirements are that you:
For information on eligibility requirements, and to arrange to take the GED, contact the appropriate school system. If you do not have legal residence in the U.S. or Canada, you must be at least 18 years of age if you are a U.S. citizen and at least 19 years of age if you are a Canadian citizen. You must provide proof of age in the form of an official photo identification, and if you claim legal residence in a state or province, you must provide proof of residence. If you meet the requirements, contact the Chief Examiner to arrange a test date and time. Submit the application with proof of age, citizenship, and legal residence to the Chief Examiner for signature before mailing it with the fee to GEDTS. Testing materials will be sent to the Chief Examiner at the Embassy or military testing center. The GED Examiner must return the completed test materials to the GED Testing Service Office for marking. If you pass the GED overseas, you may request a diploma from a state or province that does not require residence: Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Vermont, plus Alberta, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. If you are a civilian who wants to take the test at a U.S. military base or if there is not a center in your area, contact: Manager, International Testing or Director, Data and Scoring Services Other Links http://www.acenet.edu/calec/ged/centers-TT.html External Diplomas for Adults Another way for adults to obtain credentials is through an external diploma program (EDP) offered by many U.S. school systems. Unlike traditional examinations where test-takers are timed and tested in 1 day, EDP asks candidates to demonstrate their ability in a series of assessment tasks completed at home or in private office visits. Skills demonstrated through this applied performance assessment process are those needed by an adult functioning in the modern world: oral and written communication; listening, reading, and following instructions; computation and problem solving; sensitivity to cultural diversity; team-work; career development and entry-level job skills; awareness of social, consumer, govern-mental, and scientific issues; familiarity with computers and calculators; and ability to manipulate, analyze, synthesize, and apply data. Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia offer a self-paced program that includes a diagnostic test for writing, reading, and math skills, and an assessment test for 65 general competencies. Completion time varies from 4 months to 1 year depending on the individual. Upon completion, a high school diploma is awarded by Fairfax County Public Schools. For more information contact the Fairfax County Public Schools: http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OACE/ahsc.htm Other schools offer adult high school completion courses featuring daytime and evening programs for adults 17 and older who have previously attended, but not graduated from, high school. For information about these programs, contact the appropriate school system. Washington Area Schools For more information about external degree and weekend college programs through-out the United States, write or call: Adult Education Opportunities Abroad Foreign Service people can attend many colleges and universities abroad. There may be a U.S. college or university at post, a local college or university, or programs given at the local American or international school. Many American colleges have programs at posts with U.S. military bases nearby. Programs range from a certificate or associate degree in recreation technology and occupational education to graduate programs in international relations, counseling, public administration, and systems management. Some countries have a national university that is open to foreigners who are fluent in the language of instruction. There are also posts that have universities with classes in English. Many American and international schools give courses for their teachers that may be open to members of the U.S. Mission. For example, Trenton State College offers teacher-training programs in Cyprus. For information on courses offered by universities and colleges abroad or other education options available at post, contact the Community Liaison Office coordinator (CLO) or Human Resources Officer at the embassy or consulate. In Washington, contact the Overseas Briefing Center or the Family Liaison Office. Selected Colleges and Universaries Offering Courses to Americans Abroad American University in Cairo Center for Adult & Continuing Education The American University of Paris Continuing Education Department University of Maryland University College
University of Oklahoma
Graduate Level Programs Even if you are posted abroad, it is possible to work toward a graduate degree. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) measures skills acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The Computer Based Testing Program is offered at 105 overseas locations. For more information contact:
Testing is available on a limited basis at temporary testing sites. Contact the GRE Regional Centers to verify test dates. If you plan to apply to graduate school from overseas, make sure you have developed a list of people who will write letters of recommendation for you, including at least one academic reference. Writing samples and a work resume can be useful adjuncts to the application. Since most graduate schools re-quire a stay on campus, choose a school in a location where you are likely to live or where you have studied previously. After selecting graduate schools with attractive programs in your field of interest, write jointly to the Admissions Office and to the Chairman of the Department in your field. Ask the Department Chairman for information on residency requirements (minimum number of course units that must be taken on campus) and the basic degree requirements. Explain your situation and request approval to take some courses locally, if they are available. Resources in the Washington Area The Greater Washington College Information Center web site has information for adult learners regarding careers, financial aid, programs, and more. Visit them at http://www.collegeinfo.org/adult.asp?theme=_ADULT_LEARNERS. The College Board maintains a page on their web site for residency requirements by state. You can find it on the Internet at http://www.collegeboard.com/about/association/international/residency.html. For Foreign Service people living in Washington, there are a variety of adult education programs available. If you are undecided about your academic goals or unsure how to proceed, the Family Liaison Office will help sort out the wealth of information to find a program that suits your needs. Be sure to take the time to do a self-assessment and long-range planning before committing time and money to a course of study. Many colleges and universities offer interest tests, self-analysis programs, counseling, and life management courses to help you get started. If you are interested in taking enrichment courses without specific educational goals, you will find a smorgasbord of tempting classes available. Costs are generally low and classes easily accessible in neighborhood schools, recreation centers, and churches. No matter how promising a course title, you should look carefully into the exact content to avoid disappointment. Shopping around for prices is important too, as individuals who teach expensive university courses may also work for public schools at a much lower cost. For current class schedules and course descriptions, contact local community colleges, universities, county education and recreation departments, and the public library. The following institutions offer a variety of courses worth looking into: Creative Education Program Smithsonian Institution Public School System Adult Education Programs DC Public Schools Alexandria Public Schools Arlington Public Schools Fairfax County Public Schools Prince William County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Prince George's County Public Schools The following colleges offer adult and continuing education programs: In the District of Columbia American University Catholic University Metropolitan College Corcoran School of Art Gallaudet University George Washington University Georgetown University Johns Hopkins University Levine School of Music Mount Vernon College NAFSA: Association of International Educators National-Louis University Smithsonian Institution Southeastern University Strayer College Trinity College University of the District of Colombia University of Oklahoma U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Graduate School In Maryland Anne Arundel Community College Bowie State University Capitol College Catonsville Community College Charles County Community College Columbia Union College Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, NIH Glen Echo Park Hood College Howard Community College Howard University Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington Johns Hopkins University Maryland Public Television College of the Air Montgomery College Prince George's Community College University of Maryland University College The Writer's Center In Virginia ATI Career Institute George Mason University Marymount University Northern Virginia Community College University of Virginia Virginia Art League School Virginia Community College Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ. For more information about state colleges and universities, contact the following:' State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Maryland Higher Education Commission Financial Aid While many traditional forms of financial aid are increasingly difficult to find, opportunities are still avail-able. The first step is to decide on the degree you want to earn and the university you want to attend. The financial aid office at each university should be your first stopping place. Individuals working at the graduate level will find a wealth of information by contacting day professors in their major fields. In addition, the following organizations can provide information: American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation Fellowship Program Director Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) AAFSW Adult Education Loan Business and Professional Women’s Foundation 2012 Massachusetts Ave. NW Foundation Center 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW National Science Foundation Information Center U. S. Department of Education Center for International Education Financial Aid for Minorities is a set of catalogs with information about aid for different areas of study. Contact: Garrett Park Press The Student Guide, a free catalogue on current federal financial aid, is available from:
FinAid, a free web site with links to financial aid resources and publications: http://www.finaid.org/ The Greater Washington College Information Center, with information for adult learners regarding careers, financial aid, programs, and more: http://www.collegeinfo.org/adult.asp?theme=_ADULT_LEARNERS. Link to more information about Scholarships and Financial Aid from the Family Liaison Office. Information provided by the Family Liaison Office | |||||
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