Millennials are not the only ones benefiting from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), even Boomers and Silent Gen people can take advantage of it. So, if you think you are too old to study, think again! There are a lot of adult courses open for grabs in various schools and institutions around the globe. The good thing is that since it is an online course, you can choose to study anywhere in the world.
Whether you like to learn new skills, pursue another career, or take up a master’s or Ph.D. degree, there are many education programs available for you. Online learning provides maximum flexibility. Senior citizens can study at their own time and pace, whenever and wherever – these are called asynchronous classes. Lectures are delivered through videos, webinars, and learning management systems. However, If you are the kind of person who learns best with peers and direct instruction from instructors, you can choose synchronous classes where instructors via virtual classrooms such as google meet, zoom, or other platforms.
If you have not made up your mind as to what course to take, to give you an idea, here are some examples of online courses or programs recommended for adults.
Associate Programs
These are Associate Degrees with usually 60 credit hours, which you can finish in two years. Associate Programs can be Associate of Arts Degree or Associate of Science. Examples of these are
- Certificate in Teaching
- Leadership, Organizing, and Action: Leading Change
- Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development Graduate Certificate
- Leadership programs
- Associate Degree in Applied Exercise and Fitness
- Graduate Certificate in Health Care Ethics
Bachelor’s Degree
This is recommended for those who want to pursue further education to improve their profession or change jobs or careers. Examples are
- Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts in Children’s Learning and Development
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Science in Human Services
- Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Health and Wellness
D. Degree Programs
If you have a bachelor’s or even master’s degree, you can aim for a doctorate title by pursuing a Masters or Doctors of Philosophy degree. Usually, those who take Ph.D. degrees would like to specialize in their chosen field for personal fulfillment or for those who are aiming for higher positions or promotions. Some examples are:
- Master of Arts in Counselling
- Master of Mental Health Counselling
- Master of Science in Leadership
Other Short Courses
Adults individuals take an online course for various reasons. Some of them study for hobbies or interests; others for entrepreneurial purposes and some for personal improvement. These are examples of short courses that would interest you.
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- Hairstyling
- Dressmaking
- Photography
- Culinary
- Writing (poem writing, content writing, copywriting, short story, etc.)
- Baking
- Film Making
- Web Designing
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Whether you are seriously considering or having second thoughts, bear in mind that learning knows no age, and it sure knows no boundaries. In this era of the world wide web, where ubiquitous information can be found on the internet, learning can be effortless.
You don’t have to go out to frequent the library to complete your assignments; the internet is your very own library. Just a word of caution, though, not every piece of information on the internet is reliable. Learn to fact-check.
Enrolling online is easy too. There are paid and free online courses. Some educational institutions and colleges offer a scholarship for adult learning. This is the best time to start another journey to learning.
