Our Adult Learner Plan

Together, we make it happen.  

Are you one of the many adults in the New York tri-state area with unfinished dreams? It's time to take charge of your future and reclaim your educational journey with Monroe College!

With a legacy of empowering adults for over 90 years, Monroe College has been the driving force behind countless success stories and now we're calling on you to join the ranks of those who have achieved their dreams with us. Monroe College is more than just an educational institution - we’re a community dedicated to supporting and uplifting our students. 

Ranked #1 for social mobility*, we believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to fulfill their potential and achieve their goals.  With our Adult Learner Plan tailored to fit your busy lifestyle, offering personalized support from everyone in the Monroe family, you can focus on your life and studies to finally achieve your academic goals.

* www.usnews.com/best-colleges/ rankings/regional-universities-north/social-mobility

Prioritizing education, your life and your future. 

Earning your college degree can make a huge difference in your life. A bachelor’s degree can increase your employability by 43% over a high school diploma alone. It can also significantly increase your earning potential. 

You know you want to earn your degree — but you may be wondering how to do it. After all, you live a busy life already. You may have responsibilities, but you also have possibilities. Monroe is serious about helping working or non-working adults with some or no college credits earn a credential. 

At Monroe, your degree is closer than you think. To make it all possible, Monroe’s Adult Learner Program offers:

• Six (6) calendar starts per program per year, so you can begin when it’s right for you. 
• Flexible part-time and full-time scheduling options.
• Online, on-campus, virtual, and hybrid study options. 
• Multiple opportunities to turn your life experiences into college credits that count toward your degree.
• Partnership with a trusted daycare center near our Bronx campus — so you can be sure your children are safe while you further your education. 
• Pre-enrollment Advisors who analyze your work, life and college experience so we can lay out the most efficient academic plan. 
• Academic Degrees customized for adults and transfer students: Professional Studies and General Business. 
• Lifetime Career Services is available for each Monroe College student providing one-on-one assistance with career decision-making and job search strategies, including access to online job listings. 
• Career Pathways Program for adults looking to earn their high school equivalency at the same time as their Associate Degree. 

What works best for you is what works best for us. We’ll work with you to make sure you get it — fast. We’ll help you earn your degree at an accelerated pace… so in a City where the vast majority of newly created, well-paying jobs require at least some form of postsecondary credential, we are here to help! 

Multiple Pathways to Transferring Credits

It can take as few as two semesters to earn your degree as an adult learner. That’s because you can transfer up to 90 credits toward your degree requirements, even if you’ve never taken a single college course. Your credits can come from: 

1. Previous education. If you’ve attended some college already, you can transfer up to 30 credits toward an associate degree or 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. And if you’re currently enrolled in a two-year college program, you can transfer up to 66 credits toward a bachelor’s degree.* 
2. Credit by Examination. Based on your intended program of study, you can add to your credits through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement Program, or other exams.
3. Work and Life Experience. Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. We’ll show you how to turn life experience into a head start toward your degree by translating it into credits. 

Prior learning sources include:

• Work experience
• Volunteer work
• Training programs or in-service courses
• Military service
• Community activities

You’ve earned the credits. Now earn your degree.

*Though requirements vary by school and academic department, college transfer credits require a grade of C or better. Using credits to satisfy upper level major area courses must be approved by the school dean.
 

You don’t have to wait to see if you can apply credits toward your degree. Our Credit Predictor tool can tell you in minutes. You can also take the Prior Learning Accelerator, a more detailed questionnaire that can show you how to convert your knowledge and expertise into college credit. 

If you have any questions at all, we’re always here to talk you through it one-on-one. Just contact Dr. Janice Girardi, Associate Vice President, and she’ll help walk you through the process.

If you’re ready to work hard to achieve your goals, you deserve a pathway to success. We’ll show you the way. We can help you earn college credit at the same time that you earn your High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma. This means that you can complete your HSE and your associate degree in as little as 16 months. Learn more about our Career Pathways program. 

Childcare Options for Adult Learners

If you’re the parent or guardian of a minor, you know it can be a challenge to balance your studies with your childcare responsibilities. But by choosing to advance your education, you’re not just doing something for yourself. You’re doing it for your kids, too. And you shouldn’t have to choose between the two.

That’s why we’ve partnered with A Continuation of a Dream Daycare Center, located just one block away from Monroe’s Bronx campus. Adult learners can drop their children off on their way to class. Then they can concentrate on their studies, knowing that their kids are in good hands. 

You may even be eligible for government assistance with childcare expenses. Contact our financial aid office to learn how to apply for the New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).