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About CAPS
Introduction | Word from the Dean | CAPS Objectives | CAPS Foundations | CAPS Bulletins | Academic Policies and General Info
CAPS Foundations
The College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) programs offer a educational experience for adult learners including an accelerated curricular format, participant interaction and team projects. Adult students bring to the program certain characteristics that also help ensure its effectiveness. They are:
Adult students are motivated to learn. Adults who return to school after spending time in the work force are typically ready to give the effort required to learn. Because of this, learning proceeds much more quickly. Accustomed to excellence at work, adults often labor to reach that same level of quality in their academic pursuits.
Adults have learned discipline. As a result of managing both professional and personal responsibilities, adults have developed discipline that helps them complete assignments within narrow time frames despite busy schedules.
Adults have broad life experiences. Students learn by relating concepts to their own experiences. Drawing on a broad background of experiential knowledge (including that acquired in the work environment) allows adults to quickly grasp ideas.
Adults desire relevance. Because working adults encounter situations where their learning may be applied daily, they are more motivated and better able to learn.
Adults have developed skill in independent learning. Adults have learned to gather information and process it independently. Thus, they grasp more knowledge and skills on their own without having to rely on an instructor as a "fountain" from which all information flows.
Adults learn best when they are personally involved. CAPS understands that the more active people are in their own learning, the better the learning. When students interact in small groups, prepare projects and apply techniques in the workplace, their learning is deep and retention is long.
Adults have many insights of their own. When a group of adults with varied backgrounds and work experiences come together, the accumulated knowledge and wisdom supplements textbooks and the instructor's thoughts. Discussion is highly valued in CAPS classes.
Adults can direct their learning to fill in gaps in their knowledge. Reading and research outside the classroom allow proactive adult students to close the gaps between their current knowledge and the knowledge necessary to meet CAPS course objectives.
Adults learn well in groups. Group learning, part of CAPS, is widely recognized as an effective learning process. Peers tutor each other, offer emotional support and develop friendships, all of which result in a positive learning climate. Teamwork, cooperation and leadership skills are also fostered.
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