Getting Set For Lifelong Learning

Adult community education classes develop new skills, deepen knowledge and help students pursue new opportunities. These classes are provided at low cost by many colleges, school districts, libraries, USU Extensions, and other community organizations. See our handout on Community and Adult Education.

Adult education empowers individuals to become self-sufficient, with skills necessary for future employment and personal successes. Classes assist adults with and without disabilities to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency while completing a high school education. For students with disabilities, accommodations can be made in the Adult Education Program.

Utah Adult Education is a program of instruction below college level for adults. Please see our handout on Community and Adult Education .

Perhaps your student wants to take a class at your local college, but is not quite ready to take classes for credit. Most college courses can be taken for no credit which means grades do not count and fees may be reduced. Universities and colleges often refer to this as “auditing” a class. For more about auditing a class please see our information on College and University Programs below.

Certificates are the fastest growing college credential, and can have a big wage payoff. Certificates or proficiency credentials issued now account for 22 % of post-secondary credentials awarded. Certificate programs take less time than a traditional degree and can be obtained typically within months to a year. For more about certificate programs:

Programs created for students with specific kinds of disabilities including intellectual disabilities and autism provide the opportunity to take classes and participate in the college or university community.

Through inclusive postsecondary education, all students with disabilities can take classes, access recreational and social opportunities and be included in the community college, four year college and university experience. More and more colleges and universities in Utah and across the country are realizing this vision and designing programs that allow individuals with disabilities to participate. Please see our handout on College and University programs for more information and updated resources and lists of programs.

Many students with disabilities, like students without disabilities, will be capable of taking classes at a regular college of university. Some students may only need the supports available to all students like the tutoring lab, while other students may need more support. Every Public University and College, including Applied Technology Colleges, is required to have a disability services office to help students with equal access and to provide accommodations. Some private universities such as BYU and Westminster also have disability services offices. These offices vary in size and how they operate, and they may have different names. These offices or centers provide a variety of individualized accommodations and resources including help with applying for admission, classroom related accommodations, and campus event accommodations. For more information:

Students with disabilities or special health care needs may explore the great variety of popular online classes and programs offered by colleges and universities. Please see our handout on colleges and universities for more information.