Back to College: July 1, 2004

Ask the Experts: Can my Husband and I Attend College at the Same Time?
Featured Expert: E. Faith Ivery, Ed.D.

Question: My husband and I are both 28 years old, and have both been out of school for 10 years. We have 3 children ages 9,8,5. We are at a point in our lives where we both want to earn a degree which would enable us to have a career. My husband works full-time 60 hours per week-earning $29,000 per year. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 9 years. Our living expenses equal $1,500 per month. Our question; Is it possible and logical for both of us to go to college, being that my husband will not be able to keep his current job? - Mary

Answer: Mary, yes. First check to see if your husband's employer offers tuition assistance. Many companies pay for their employees to obtain college degrees. If not, then consider working for a company that offers this employee benefit. There are thousands of colleges that offer programs for adult learners - evening, weekends, accelerated, online courses, and grant credit for work/life experiences that are equivalent to college courses. Your community college is a great place to start. They are inexpensive, and offer a variety of ways to take courses. Review the CLEP testing program to determine if you could test-out of courses. All these choices afford adults the opportunity to complete a college degree without quitting their jobs. Over 7.5 million adults in the U.S. are returning to college and juggle work, home, family. You could also take courses at home through distance, or online programs. - Faith

More Ask the Experts.

Diane receiving the 2002 Faculty of Arts and
Science Excellence Award

In 1986 at age 41, I wanted to focus on what fulfilled me even if it meant less money. I quit my job and worked with children doing art. I called my mother to share my enthusiasm about my new goal only to hear, “What, return to school? What for? First you leave a good job and now this! Where do you think you are going at 41 years old? You never listen to me; you should have gone to college when you were 18, not now.” I hung up and was determined to make my goal come true.

I thought to myself, “I’ve been living on my own since I was 19, what does age have to do with it? I’m an artist, work, exhibit and sell. I can do this, too.” The decision to return to school was what I needed at 41, not when I was 18.

I contacted the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and applied for admission. When I thought about the entrance exams my heart raced. I told my husband, John, “I only want you and my mother to know what I’m doing. If I don’t get in, I don’t want to explain to friends and family.”

On a cold evening in January 1986 I sat in the first classroom I had been in since 1963. Everybody appeared younger, smarter, and professional. Most of the women looked as though they just left the office. They wore high heel black shoes, dark single breasted suits, clear nail polish, short or long hair pulled back. I overheard other women tell their story, “Oh, I left school five years ago, and now I want to complete my BA.” I felt like saying, “Five years ago? Give me a break. I’ve been out of school for twenty-three years.” I sat there in my blue jeans, orange turtleneck sweater and took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. As the instructor passed out the 70-minute Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension and the Math placement test, my hands shook as I held the #2 pencil.

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