The Program for Accelerated College Education is new at Moorpark College and is focused on helping busy adults get their degree in two years. PACE classes can be anywhere from four to eight weeks long, as opposed to the typical 18 week courses offered at Moorpark.
Oleg Bespalov, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and PACE program, created this program to give the growing population of adults in the area more opportunities to succeed.
Bespalov points out the differences, stating an average 18 year old may have the time to research what classes sound ideal and work with their schedule whereas a busy adult with a full time job just wants to know which courses they need to graduate.
“Over the years we’ve had more students ask for more classes online or on the weekend so we decided what if we stitched all that together and made a whole degree program out of that, that’s more convenient for busy adults,” Bespalov said.
The program is set up for busy adults of any age. Though the majority of their students range from late twenties to sixties there are some 18 and 19 year olds who work full time and PACE works well with their schedule.
Jennifer Lawler, counselor for the PACE program, shared that she has some students in their late teens.
Lawler points out there isn’t any exclusivity to the program and that if PACE specific courses work better for the students of any age’s schedule they should try it.
The program started in fall 2019 with 200 applicants and had a cohort of 100 students. Now in the spring of 2020 the program has received 400 applicants and 200 in the cohort.
Originally starting out with Business and Childhood Development as degree options, the program has recently expanded to add Psychology, Computer Science and General Studies.
Business, Psychology and Child Development are among the most popular degrees at Moorpark College. Computer Science and other STEM majors are becoming prominent as well.
“It is popular for older adults to get retraining for computer science and it lends itself perfectly for online,” Bespalov explained.
PACE courses are offered primarily online with some that meet occasionally on campus, but only on Saturdays.
Karla Montenegro Gonzalez, Counselor Assistant for PACE, expressed how the flexibility is able to benefit students.
“The fact that we have classes online and or meetings online it’s something that students look forward to not having to be on campus and have to pay for parking. They like the convenience and flexibility of the program,” Gonzalez said.
The PACE program realizes that for many adults, the transition of going back to school can feel daunting.
“My own dad is a returning student so I can see that anxiety on a personal level. It is nerve wracking,” Lawler said.
PACE created a cohort system so the same group of people take classes together and can then establish a strong support system amongst their peers.
PACE students only have two finals due at the same time because they are only taking two courses every eight weeks. Most PACE courses, in addition to being online, are part of the zero textbook cost program.
Bespalov hopes one day the PACE program courses will majority, if not all, be zero textbook cost.
“Every way we can save them a little bit of time or money we want to do it,” Bespalov expressed.
Gabby Chacon, administrative assistant for PACE understands first hand the potential of the PACE program and its benefits.
“I feel like with this program, if I had known it was available when I was going to community college, it would’ve been very useful for me,” Chacon reflected.
Students can check which courses are PACE specific by visiting the class schedule on the Moorpark College website, clicking advanced search and checking off the “Accelerated Classes (PACE) only” option.
For more information on PACE visit the website or email them here.
