Grand Forks AFB offers nearly fifty complete degree programs from
eight fully accredited universities, all of which are open to the general
public. Indeed, with over 6,000 registrations this past school year,
participation in our on base programs by civilians has tripled in the past few
years and now exceeds 40% of our enrollment. Some of our students are commuting
to the air base from as far away as Winnipeg, Manitoba, and St. Omaha,
Nebraska. Most of our students are working adults, who for whatever
reasons, are unable to attend college on a regular basis in the traditional
day-time format. Some have attended evening classes on a college
campus only to realize later that an entire degree is not available at nights,
or would take many years to complete.
To these adults, the base
education program provides the opportunities they desire. By
attending college for as few as two evenings per week or on alternating
weekends, our students can pursue an entire college degree as quickly as if they
quit working to attend college full-time. How is this
possible? There are two primary reasons. First,
semesters have been accelerated so that 40 - 45 instructional hours that meet
over a sixteen week term, are taught in nine weeks or less. (Some
students compare this to an on-going summer school schedule.) With a shortened
semester we now offer five terms with 2 to 3 week breaks between each
term. Thus, students enrolling in two courses per semester will
accumulate 30 semester hours each year, the same as a typical, full time campus
student.
The second reason for the success of our program is equally
important. Each of our colleges carefully designs its course schedules so that
all degree requirements may be satisfied on base. Whether our student
is enrolled in a two year electronics degree program or a four year degree
program in management, every course required for graduation will be provided in
a carefully designed sequence. Furthermore, with this format a
student can enter a program beginning in any term. For these
reasons, we will once again award over 400 college degrees next year, many of
them to local residents.
If you are a working adult, desiring a college
education but unable to regularly attend week day classes, please consider the
Grand Forks AFB program. To receive more information, call or visit
the Education Center after you arrive. Our telephone number is: (701)747-3316 or
3317. You may write us at: Education Office, 319 MSS/DPE, Tuskegee
Airmen Blvd., Grand Forks AFB ND 58205-6336.