It's hard to go back to school for many reason. Architecture is a 5 year program with 5 year on the job training plus a multi-part test after 5 years. Many people wash out before the 5 years are up. You will start out with a low salary, on the computer with long hours. You will not be designing building for many years, if every. City planner are a little easier in terms of time and actually doing planning, but very heavy in term of writing, bureaucracies, and computers.

Stay away from for-profit colleges.

If you are female, OP, Smith College has a program for women like you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm not looking at this as a get rich idea. Just looking to try something new and better myself overall. I'm in MD part time and NC part time. With community college would I be going in a getting my basics and then transferring? Giving me a chance at getting accepted? I'll check out your recommendation for UMUC.

Go to Montgomery College and talk to a counselor. http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/secondary1.aspx?urlid=4

There are pathways to 4 year degrees. For example, here is a pathway to engineering (http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department2.aspx?id=24851)

I love UMUC and have attended their classes... but I would not go that path if you can attend classes during the day.

30 IS NOT OLD.

Maybe this would be a program that would interest you since you have owned a business. https://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department.aspx?id=45852

There is soooo much out there. Good luck!

I am wrapping up my Master's in Publich Health/Infectious Disease at the tender age of, well, over 50, and I don't feel old. However, with my background already in the medical field and even though I'm older, I am not having any problems right now with strong employer interest. Unfortunately, the current ebola situation has significantly opened doors in my field.

Go in and talk to them first. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm not looking at this as a get rich idea. Just looking to try something new and better myself overall. I'm in MD part time and NC part time. With community college would I be going in a getting my basics and then transferring? Giving me a chance at getting accepted? I'll check out your recommendation for UMUC.

Go to Montgomery College and talk to a counselor. http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/secondary1.aspx?urlid=4

There are pathways to 4 year degrees. For example, here is a pathway to engineering (http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department2.aspx?id=24851)

I love UMUC and have attended their classes... but I would not go that path if you can attend classes during the day.

30 IS NOT OLD.

Maybe this would be a program that would interest you since you have owned a business. https://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department.aspx?id=45852

There is soooo much out there. Good luck!

Thank you all for the information.

PP is right, if you're going to pay big bucks and spend lots of time, it would be good to know what you hope to get from a BA. Would it advance your next career?

If it's a (praise-worthy) desire to better yourself, there are lots of adult continuing education programs. You could start right now, and go at your own pace, with a class from The Great Courses (literature, science, history, math). Or, you could do a MOOC (online class offered by many universities).

In fact, testing the waters with TGC or a MOOC might be a good idea in any case, to see if you think going back to school full time is for you.

Anonymous wrote:Look for colleges that cater to adults. Many will give credit for work experience. Try UMUC as a starting point. Or look at community college.

+ 1. UMUC or CC.

OP here. I'm not looking at this as a get rich idea. Just looking to try something new and better myself overall. I'm in MD part time and NC part time. With community college would I be going in a getting my basics and then transferring? Giving me a chance at getting accepted? I'll check out your recommendation for UMUC.

Where do you live, generally.

Whoa, stop. You seem as if you have no idea what furthering your education will do for you, in terms of professional and private enrichment. College is not some nebulous attainment that leads to riches. You have to set specific education goals for yourself with a particular career in mind - that is, work backwards from a post you envision, and pick the right classes.

Look for colleges that cater to adults. Many will give credit for work experience. Try UMUC as a starting point. Or look at community college.

OP Here. I do have income properties so I will have income. Sorry, didn't think of that.

I've run a small business for 11 years now and feel burnt out. Having trouble finding reliable employees and getting them to show up. So it's currently being sold. Honestly, I have no experience with college. No one in my family has gone, not even cousins and you'd think with 20 of them (local)one would have made it. I'm lost in how everything works now and wondering if it's difficult for adults to get in? Architecture, city planning, etc have also interested me. Also, considering going into Real Estate just to get a feel of something similar. Personally, I would go to college even if after the fact I went back into some sort of small business(unrelated or related) any advice or websites to look into? My income will be nothing after selling at least for a while . (Taking a break)