Abstract
This essay addresses ways of widening access to university degree-completion programmes for mature, mid-career people. Our focus is on the Integrated Studies Program (ISP) at Simon Fraser University, Canada. The ISP, leading to a Bachelor of General Studies degree, is designed for students who would otherwise feel unwelcome in a mainstream university environment, or who would simply not be able to complete a course of study in a reasonable time-frame, given their responsibilities in the workplace and at home. This innovative programme relies on implicit prior learning and recognition (PLAR) credits and a compressed teaching framework that allows students to maintain full-time employment as well as a cohort-based approach that fosters co-operation among students and reduces student attrition. The leadership focus of the ISP means that students will be involved in courses from the humanities and social sciences and that they will be able to apply new concepts, methods, and approaches in their workplace and community. We present findings from a case study of access patterns undertaken through the SFU Centre for Integrated and Credit Studies. Special attention is paid to the cohort-based Integrated Studies Programs in Liberal and Business Studies (LBS) and in Justice & Public Safety Leadership (JPSL). We trace a pattern of declining representation of older students with full-time employment and family responsibilities and discuss how the ISP may contribute to greater diversity and social inclusiveness at this University. We also caution that despite provincial and national interest in lifelong learning, access to post-secondary programs may be hindered for many other interested applicants who face rising tuition fees, uncertain access to courses, and inflexible and possibly irrelevant course content.
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