40 and need a degree ... where to begin?

[P00057870]

Jennifer gave great information but I would like to point out another option that is at least available here in Florida. Our public schools systems often have Technical Centers (I work at one), which offer various options in a shorter period of time and at a lesser cost that the community colleges, and many of the programs articulate some credits to the community college. For example, we not only have the courses you may already be aware of, such as culinary, a/c repairs, auto repairs, auto body repairs, cosmetology, but we also have business courses including CISCO, nursing (LPN, not RN), medical assistants, surgical technicians, court reporting, medical records transcription, medical billing and coding, etc. Some of these courses are for certificates of completion but some of them provide the completer with an Applied Technology Diploma. Our local community colleges also provide some of the same courses with certificate programs and Applied Technology Diplomas, as well, but they then go on to get AAS, AA, or AS. Lately our schools that were previously community colleges have been changed to just "college" as, in some instances, they are now offering BS in very specific areas, such as teaching and nursing.

A little more input to consider, depending upon the interests, educational levels and skills levels your adults are beginning with.

Also, at this level, the students are given basic skills tests and if they need remediation or refereshers it is done at a nominal cost of approximately $10 a year and those courses can be taken either face-to-face or online, depending again on the student's capabilities and whether they have equipment or not. We also have ESOL classes, again at nominal expense.