Open Door to Education

Fitting an education into real life should get easier in January as Mission College introduces a program that allows students to complete their degree by taking classes only on Saturdays. The accelerated program gives working adults a chance to get an associate of arts degree without unduly disrupting their schedules--a good idea that other local schools should consider.

As the newest and fastest-growing campus in the Los Angeles Community College District, Mission clearly understands the need to offer flexible programs that accommodate a new generation of students. Most no longer have the time or money to cloister themselves for two years or more as they hit the books. Weekday classes can be difficult to fit into schedules constrained by jobs or child-care worries.

But even as education beyond high school becomes critical in an increasingly technical job market, most colleges and universities have been slow to catch up to the changes. Although the San Fernando Valley’s other two community colleges--Pierce and Valley--offer Saturday courses, Mission’s program will be the first to allow students to attend only on weekends and graduate quickly. Students can earn enough credit to transfer to the University of California or Cal State systems in five semesters.

Getting an education sometimes means just finding the time. Top-tier institutions such as UCLA’s Anderson School understand that. Its weekend MBA program is among the most popular at the university, filled to capacity with working professionals from across Southern California. But before students can aspire to an advanced degree, they need to get their foot in the classroom door. To its credit, Mission College is leaving it open on weekends.