Essential elements in planning successful general education programs for working adults

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the essential elements in planning general education programs for working adults that can be useful to any institution of higher learning. The subjects were eight institutions of higher learning who have established general education programs for working adults.;The researcher-designed instrument the "Adult Program Interview" was employed to query program champions and/or founders, directors and institutional administrators. The sample included thirteen individuals from eight programs and were representative of each of the categories. The data was analyzed by examining recurring anecdotal and descriptive responses to open-ended and yes/no and percentage/number questions.;The major conclusions of the study reveal the following essential elements of a successful PACE program: (1) A program champion. (2) Institutional administrative support. (3) Interrelated institutional internal needs and the needs of the external environment. (4) Institutional faculty support. (5) A willingness to create delivery systems and curriculum that meet the needs of working adult students. (6) Adequate financial support and attainable financial expectations.;These six recommendations are proposed for consideration by any institution considering the implementation of a general education program for working adults: (1) A program champion be selected at the very beginning of the planning process. (2) Institutional administrative support be given throughout the planning and implementation process. (3) Appropriate means of determining the internal needs of the institution and its external environment must be used. (4) The institution gain support and involvement of institutional faculty for both planning an implementation. (5) The institution create new delivery systems and curriculum to meet the needs of the working adult. (6) Financial support and expectation be determined early in the planning process.