Student Services: Nontraditional Students

Characteristics of Nontraditional Students

UMM defines nontraditional students as students 24 years of age or older. UMM's nontraditional population is between 24 and 75! Nontraditional students (NTS) currently make up between five and seven percent of the student population.

1. Nontraditional students attend UMM for many reasons. Some didn't have the opportunity or interest until now to pursue a degree; others started a degree program years ago but weren't able to complete it. Other NTS have a degree but want to update their knowledge or retrain for a different career. Some are transfer students, while others take their first college course at UMM. Some live on campus, while others commute. Their goals are framed by what is important in their lives.

2. Nontraditional students want to participate in what they learn and how they learn it, but they are often unfamiliar with educational processes and expectations.

3. Almost all nontraditional students are meeting other demanding commitments at home or at work while pursuing a college education. There are heavy demands on their time, energy and emotion. Becoming a student requires adding an additional role and careful budgeting of time and dollars.

4. Nontraditional students bring the perspective of experience with them to the classroom, which enhances their learning as well as that of others in the class. They have more concern for practical application, less patience with theory and abstraction.

Advising Available to Nontraditional Students

Prior to admission:
Nontraditional students who are considering UMM and Continuing Education but who need extensive pre-admissions advising prior to applying should contact the Regional Advising Service, 1-800-842-0030, and ask to speak with an adviser. Most nontraditional students want to be in charge of their own education. Browse through this web site to see some of theresources available to you.

Individualizing your education:
Many nontraditional students want to relate their educational goals to their personal lives and professional experience. UMM has a large number of ways in which this can be done, from designing an individualized major, to exemption from course requirements, to earning credit through one of several prior learning methods. For more information, click on alternative learning experiences or credit for prior learning.