This study explores the perceptions and preferences of adult learners in Oklahoma to find out the barriers they are facing in getting a college degree. Conducted over a seven-month period among adult learners who expressed interest in the Reach Higher program but have not completed a college program, the study includes analysis of their employment status, enrollment status, degree completion, reasons for not completing degrees, reasons for choosing an institution to enroll, and their perception of a degree program. | TẠP CHÍ KHOA HỌC - ĐẠI HỌC ĐỒNG NAI, SỐ 09 - 2018 ISSN 2354-1482 BARRIERS TO ADULT STUDENT SUCCESS AT A REACH HIGHER PROGRAM Lê Phước Kỳ1 ABSTRACT This study explores the perceptions and preferences of adult learners in Oklahoma to find out the barriers they are facing in getting a college degree. Conducted over a seven-month period among adult learners who expressed interest in the Reach Higher program but have not completed a college program, the study includes analysis of their employment status, enrollment status, degree completion, reasons for not completing degrees, reasons for choosing an institution to enroll, and their perception of a degree program. The quantitative study utilized an online survey sent to them via their contact information on record at the Regents’ Office and non-parametric tools for the analysis of the collected data. Results indicated that adult learners wanted to complete a degree for career advancement, salary increase, and personal fulfillment; they chose not to complete a degree because of their fulltime employment, family commitments, and lack of funds; and the main reason why they chose an institution to enroll is its location. The study builds on Braxton’s economic theory and finds that the characteristics of the individual adults influencednot only their perception of the benefits of getting a college degree but also the steps that some of them utilized to return the investment in college. These distinctions produced noteworthy implications for policy change. Keywords: Adult student, Reach Higher, barriers, success, higher education 1. Introduction degree (Council for Adult and In an effort to assist working adults Experiential Learning (CAEL), 2008) who have never obtained a college [1]. Also according to this research degree, the State Regents for Higher study, the number of working adults Education initiated the Reach Higher having an associate degree or higher Program. The aim is to try finding a varies from state to .
