2020 marks 20th anniversary of Central Baptist College's adult education program

New PACE students eligible for 20% discount during landmark year

For two decades, Central Baptist College has helped hundreds of busy adults earn a college degree through PACE, its nontraditional degree program. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the PACE program, CBC is offering a 20% discount to new PACE students or students re-admitting to the program after at least a semester off.

Central Baptist College

For two decades, Central Baptist College has helped hundreds of busy adults earn a college degree through PACE, its nontraditional degree program.

PACE, or Professional Adult College Education, offers a flexible format and delivery method to accommodate the schedules of adult learners, many of whom work full-time, take care of children or aging parents, and manage other roles and responsibilities.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the PACE program, CBC is offering a 20% discount to new PACE students or students re-admitting to the program after at least a semester off.

Amy Reed, a graduate of PACE who works at Central Baptist College as its director of development, said PACE made it possible for her to attend school and continue to work.

“I began my collegiate journey right out of high school in 1984, but I didn’t receive my degree until 2015,” Reed said. “PACE gave me the ability to work full time and attend classes full time. The instructors understood the struggle of trying to do both, and they made themselves available and supported me every step of the way.”

By focusing on one class at a time, only one night per week, students like Reed are able to more easily dedicate their limited time to a degree program.

PACE classes are five weeks long and meet one night per week. The program is designed to allow students to take one five-week class, or three credit hours, at a time. Students who enroll in one class every five weeks over the course of a semester would have completed four courses – or 12 credit hours – making them full time.

To be considered full time during a traditional 16-week semester, students must take the four courses, or 12 credit hours, simultaneously, making it difficult for those with work or family obligations to complete a degree program.

PACE courses are offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights from 6-10 p.m. Students can pick the night and the delivery method –in-class, online, or a hybrid of the two – that fits their schedule.

Online courses can be completed synchronously in real time or asynchronously via a video recording. Students with a high-speed internet connection and a computer, laptop, or mobile device can log on during the class session and engage with the instructor and fellow students from anywhere in the world. Students also can opt to complete the online course at their convenience by viewing the recording within the five-week course structure.

“Although I chose to do most of my coursework in the classroom, the online option was also helpful,” Reed said. “I enjoyed being in a class with adults who had similar life experiences.”

One of those adults with a similar life experience was her husband, Donnie.

“My husband and I were able to graduate together. That was special because we were both first-generation college graduates. It was important to both of us to set an example for our girls.”

The flexible format and delivery method provided by Central Baptist College’s PACE program made it possible for Amy Reed and her husband, Donnie, to complete their degrees and graduate together. “It was important to both of us to set an example for our girls,” Amy said.

Central Baptist College

PACE offers associate degree options in general education, business, and military technologies and bachelor’s degree options in business administration, general studies, church administration, human resource management, leadership, leadership and ministry, management information systems, organizational management, and psychology. All degrees are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and fully transferable to other accredited institutions. Central Baptist College also accepts transfer credits from other accredited institutions. Several students in the PACE program are enlisted in the military. Central Baptist College provides one of the most competitive veteran discounts in the state, which is part of the reason the college has been recognized as a Military Friendly School for 10 consecutive years. CBC’s Gold distinction is awarded to the top 10% of all military-friendly schools.

In most cases, after their military benefits are applied, the remaining tuition costs will be waived. In addition, if all military benefits are exhausted, a 25% discount is still applied.

CBC has also incorporated other ways to make its PACE program more accessible to adult learners. Through a partnership with external organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities, CBC offers employees or members of these organizations a tuition discount to enroll in PACE bachelor’s degree classes. The goal of the CBC PACE Preferred Business Partnership is to help create a better educated and skill-based workforce.

For more information about the PACE program, visit cbc.edu/pace.