It’s never too late to complete your bachelor’s degree. The proof is in the influx of older adults enrolling or re-enrolling in university programs. Adult students (ages 25 and over) today comprise 40 percent of part-time bachelor’s degree candidates in state programs and 59 percent in private university programs.
There are several compelling reasons to return to school. A bachelor’s degree can significantly increase your career options and income, for one. Earning the degree you always wanted to complete can provide a real boost to your self-esteem. And your chances of success are good: nearly three-quarters of re-enrollers complete their postsecondary credential.
If you started college but didn’t finish, you’re not alone: more than 39 million Americans have earned some college credits but not a credential. Online learning makes completing your bachelor’s degree more convenient than ever. If you’ve earned at least 60 credit hours from an accredited post-secondary institution (e.g., a college, university, or community college), you qualify for the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs (BAIP) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This article discusses the advantages of earning your degree and outlines the program’s areas of concentration.
Why Should You Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree?
A bachelor’s degree yields many potential rewards. It enables you to earn more and improve your quality of life, for one. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people aged 25 and over with a bachelor’s degree earn around $1,400 a week—42 percent more than those with an associate degree and 53 percent more than those who have some college education but no degree. The unemployment rate among people holding a bachelor’s degree (2.2 percent) is significantly lower than those who started but did not complete their college education (3.5 percent).
As you decide whether to return to school, the cost will likely factor into your decision (our admissions page contains info on potential financial aid, scholarships, and veterans’ educational benefits). Research indicates that you should recoup your investment in your degree. The Federal Reserve Board’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2021 – May 2022 finds that 67 percent of adults with a bachelor’s or more advanced degree believe the benefits of their education exceed its cost. This figure is even higher among older adults, suggesting that the value of a college education grows more apparent with time.
(Conversely, not finishing a degree can have real financial consequences. According to the Federal Reserve, non-completion among student loan borrowers has significant negative impacts on various measures of financial well-being.)
Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree 100% Online
Develop Career-Ready Skills through Hands-on Learning
Why Finish Your Bachelor’s Degree Online at UT?
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a renowned and nationally accredited academic institution. Employers are aware of UT’s excellent reputation and, in many cases, know first-hand the high-quality work UT graduates produce.
As an online BAIP student, you will participate in interactive online lectures taught by faculty from UT’s College of Arts & Sciences scheduled for weekday afternoons and evenings—and complete independent readings and assignments on your own time. This approach provides opportunities to interact with classmates and faculty while affording greater autonomy over your study schedule.
Online education affords the convenience and flexibility essential to working adults. Employers don’t differentiate between online and in-person degrees, so there’s no need to worry that your online degree will somehow be “worth less.” Upon graduation, you will also join UT’s global alumni network of Volunteers comprising more than 250,000 individuals living and working across all 50 states and over 100 countries.
Choosing a Concentration and Area of Emphasis
UT’s BAIP degree offers two areas of emphasis to enable students to align their courses with their academic and professional goals: Public Policy & Administration, and Cultures & Societies.
Public Policy & Administration
The Public Policy & Administration concentration is ideal for students interested in careers in the public and not-for-profit sectors. Coursework explores the impact of government policies on organizational functioning and policy and decision-making processes. Students prepare to navigate political complexities in their organizations in leadership positions.
The Public Policy & Administration curriculum covers policy analysis, research methods, and non-profit management. Students choose from such courses as:
- Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy
- Earth as an Ecosystem
- International Political Economy
- Political Change in Developing Areas
- Science and Public Policy
- Western European Politics
Culture & Societies
The Cultures & Societies concentration focuses on the connections between people and identity. If you want to become a more effective manager or are interested in the history of cultures and societies, this could be the right option for you. The curriculum is designed to enhance your cultural knowledge and build an understanding of how the practices and behaviors of various cultures influence people and our environment.
The Cultures & Societies curriculum covers areas of study that include comparative studies, people and the environment, anthropology, and economics. Course options include such courses as:
- Ecology and Society
- Evolution and Society
- Popular Culture and American Politics
- Religion and Film
- Technical and Professional Writing
- Sociological Theory
Why Choose the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to Complete Your Degree?
A bachelor’s degree from UT confers academic excellence and membership in the worldwide Volunteer alumni family. Earning your degree online can enable you to develop career-ready skills through hands-on learning while adding a valuable credential to your resume. You’ll customize your degree to your career goals through an academic area of emphasis. And you’ll accomplish all this remotely: the program is 100 percent online, so you never need to visit campus.
The Online BAIP at UT blends synchronous and asynchronous classroom content to foster an optimal learning experience. Live lecture sessions allow you to connect with your professors and classmates, ask questions, and take a deep dive into course content. Asynchronous independent readings, assignments, and video modules make it easier to complete schoolwork on your own time.
Contact an enrollment advisor if you want to learn more or start your application now to become a UT BAIP student.