Part-time and Adult Students

Thinking about returning to college?

Didn't go to college after high school but thinking now is the time?

Whether you're starting out or starting over, Inver Hills is the place for you. Half our students are adult, nontraditional students who attend college for lots of different reasons. Here's just a few...

• to build skills that will help them on the job or help them get a better job
• to prepare for a new careers after layoffs or life changes
• to learn more about something just because it interests them-art, computers, theatre, history
• to complete a degree just so they can say they did it
• to complete a degree that will lead to another degree that can lead to a profession

Whatever your motivation, Inver Hills provides support services and options that fit your needs.

Part-time or full-time enrollment

Take one class or a full load of 15 credits or more; it's up to you. Just over half our students attend part time, in fact. In most degree programs, scheduling of classes is set so that you can get the classes you need whether you plan to graduate (or transfer) in two, three, or four years (two exceptions are nursing and paramedic, which do require a specified sequence and schedule of courses that you must follow).

Your first class could be free

If you've been out of school or college for more than seven years and don't have a bachelor's degree, the Alliss Grant will cover tuition for your first class (up to five credits). Other restrictions apply; see the Alliss Grant application (a pdf document) for details.

Easy entrance

If you know exactly what you want to take, Limited Enrollment status is a good way to get started. Streamlined admission/registration procedures, using one form, make it easy. (But restrictions apply, including registration during Open Registration only, later than Regular Admission students.)

Evening, Saturday, and online courses

Lots of convenient choices exist that provide flexible scheduling. You can take evening and late afternoon classes, Saturday morning classes, and courses offered fully online or that require just a few class meetings. You can even earn a complete Associate in Arts degree through online courses. Telecourses and late-start classes give you accelerated options (8 weeks of class instead of 16). See Flextime learning for details and a current listing.

Community locations

Classes meet on campus and also at several locations near your home or work, like United Hospital, St. Paul Central High School, Thomson West, Wellstone Community Center, and our education center in Apple Valley.  For a list of locations and directions, see the Maps page (main menu), then click on Community Locations in the lefthand margin.

ASAP...the accelerated degree option for adults

Adult Success through Accelerated Programs (ASAP) is a specially designed option available only to adult students.

• Earn credit for life and work experience.
• Create a self-designed degree that fits your professional and academic needs and interests.
• Plan your degree program in an introductory class so you take just the classes you need and only the classes you need. You'll have a direct route to your degree.
• Transfer seamlessly to St. Mary's University, Concordia University, and other colleges that provide special programs for adult students.  

Support you need to succeed

Free tutoring provides the help you need in mathematics, writing, reading, study skills, test preparation, and just about any other assistance you could need . Just stop by the Learning Center for details.