ABSTRACT
Although there has been limited research focused on adult students’ outcomes, this chapter explores four insightful areas of interest. Starting with two historic issues of importance, initial early research considers: a) Intellectual capabilities of WWII adults to succeed in college, and b) Impact of traditional versus adult-oriented degree programs for adult student persistence to completion. Because many adult students are current or future workers in society, the second section examines employment outcomes of graduated adult undergraduates and related employers’ beliefs and supports of adult collegiate participation. At the heart of outcomes research is the impact of the collegiate experience. The third section examines adult academic learning outcomes (including the impact of prior learning assessment (PLA) on adult completion), as well as select research of the psycho-social and cognitive development, as well as studies of perceived personal growth and reflective thinking from the collegiate experience. The constructs of student engagement and collegiate involvement for adult students are examined in relation to NSSE and related research, in the fourth section. The final segment of this chapter considers research on two subgroups of adult undergraduates: adult students as parents and adult students as veterans.
