There are two kinds of adult students who find their way to Saint Leo University — those completing their undergraduate studies and those returning to higher education to earn a master’s or doctorate degree.
For residents of Pasco and surrounding counties, Saint Leo’s adult learner programs are convenient, cost-effective and highly personal. Most local students take a combination of traditional classes held on campus evenings and weekends, along with flexible online classes.
“Saint Leo is ideal for adult students who live close-by in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and Lutz. Because we’re close to home, our students benefit from the on-campus experience of learning with other students and getting to know their professors firsthand,” said Laura “Beth” Lastra, Director of the university’s Adult Education Center.
To help people assess if Saint Leo’s adult learner program is right for them, the University has two upcoming information sessions that are free to attend. Sessions are Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. Both will be on its campus located at the Donald R. Tapia School of Business, in northeast Pasco, located on State Road 52, three miles east of I-75.
Leading the sessions will be academic advisors from both the Adult Education Center and Graduate Admissions to discuss programs and the admission process. After an overview of the University, students will break into groups for undergraduate or graduate students.
“Our sessions help people learn how they can earn their degree with the flexibility they need to fit their busy home and work schedules,” said Lastra. “We share important details about our degree programs, financial aid, class schedules and the enrollment process.”
“We encourage potential students to bring their transcripts to the information session, so we can help them determine where they’re at academically, and what they need to do next to earn their degree,” said Lastra.
In addition to its main campus in Saint Leo, the university also offers adult undergraduate classes at the New Port Richey and Porter campus of Pasco Hernando State College, as well as the PHSC locations in Hernando County.
Adult students can chose from 13 undergraduate majors, with the four most popular programs offered in business, criminal justice, social work and education.
The average age of adult education students is 37-45, says Lastra. And while most transfer in with some college credit, more than a quarter of students have not previously attended college.
“Adult students enroll for many reasons,” said Lastra. “Many are coming back to school because of a new job, a promotion or after they’ve earned their associate degree from a community or state college.
“We also have many older students who are back to fulfill a personal goal of completing their college degree – and some who are here to set an example for their children, who may even be competing with their children who are also college students.”
Many of Saint Leo’s adult students enroll full time to qualify for a Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG). This program provides residents of the state of Florida an annual grant of $3,000, if they’re enrolled full time at an accredited, private university in the state, such as Saint Leo University.
“With the offset of the FRAG grant, tuition for our full-time adult students is less than $3,168 a year — which is comparable to the tuition at a state university,” said Lastra.
In the graduate program, students earn master’s degrees in Business Administration and Cybersecurity.They also offer a doctorate in business administration. Graduate classes are taught at the Saint Leo campus and at its Channelside location in downtown Tampa.
Most of the campus graduate programs schedule classes every other weekend, explains Joshua Stagner, who is Director of Graduate Admissions. Classes are taught in four-hour blocks, with most students taking two classes each semester.
“We find having classes every other week gives our adult students the most flexibility to allow for a life balance of school, family and work,” said Stagner.
“We understand the importance of family and work obligations, and know these needs must be met for a student to be successful in his graduate program,” said Stagner.
Twelve classes are required for most master’s degree programs. Saint Leo students can complete their master’s in two years by taking two classes each term, Stagner said.
Saint Leo’s MBA program is its oldest and best-known graduate program. It was launched in 1994 and is viewed as one of the university’s flagship programs.
“We offer several concentrations within the MBA program, including Accounting, Health Care Management, Marketing, Sport Business and Project Management,” he said.
The university’s newest master’s program — Cybersecurity — is also one of its most successful with an astounding number, considering the program is only in its second year,” Students will learn about Cybersecurity in our state of the art lab at University Campus.
Another recent success in the graduate department was Saint Leo’s first doctorate degree — Doctor of Business Administration.
“Both programs have really shown strong support and growth,” said Stagner. “We are thrilled at their success, and proud to be bringing such quality, and much needed, higher educational programs to our community.”
Adult Learner Information Sessions
At University Campus – Donald R. Tapia School of Business
RSVP (800) 707-8846
Tuesday, Oct. 27 – 6 to 7 p.m. • Saturday, Nov. 14 – 10 to 11 a.m.
33701 State Road 52 • St. Leo, FL 33574
SaintLeo.edu/rsvp
