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Iona College's Weekend Program was investigated as a nontraditional degree program for adults. In order to assess the implementation of the goals and aspirations of program designers/originators as well as current adult student participants, administrators, and faculty members, this research employed a qualitative case study methodology.
A review of the adult and higher education literature was undertaken to probe: adults as learners; adult learners in higher education environments; issues confronting nontraditional higher education; and the administration of nontraditional collegiate programs, including weekend adult degree programs.
Non-confidential documents concerning Iona's Weekend Program and School of General Studies were reviewed and analyzed. In addition, faculty members, students, and administrators were interviewed to elicit their perceptions, experiences and aspirations for the program. On-site observations were conducted of classes, meetings between students and advisors, and other Weekend Program activities. Empirical data were collected from some administrators via data inventory forms and demographic data were collected from all study participants.
Data derived from multiple sources were coded and analyzed. Patterns suggested that the program at Iona College works well and that it has met its original goal of serving a population of adults who could not otherwise have pursued a degree program because of personal and professional commitments, and/or who might not have been admitted to an undergraduate program with traditional admissions criteria. Other findings also indicate that despite its successes, Iona College could, for example, improve program data-keeping, institute placement testing, organize orientations, expand course offerings, and improve career and academic counseling.
Even though this is not a replication study, this research offers suggestions as to how other college might study the Iona Weekend Program as a model in the establishment of adult-oriented weekend degree programs at their own campuses.