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What are Evening Classes?

J. Stuchlik
J. Stuchlik

Broadly defined, evening classes are all college courses that occur after 5 p.m. These courses typically are geared toward nontraditional students, who are those who do not enter college directly after high school or who maintain full-time jobs during the day. Any student can take night classes, but the hours and curriculum of these programs are designed to be more accessible to those with commitments during the day.

Evening classes aim to accommodate nontraditional students in a number of ways. The first is the hours, from which evening classes get their name. By scheduling classes after 5 p.m., night classes allow students to maintain a normal routine during the day, such as going to work, and still advance their education by night.

Some college students work during the day and take classes in the evenings.
Some college students work during the day and take classes in the evenings.

Another way in which evening classes often are geared toward nontraditional students is through a condensed schedule. The number of hours, days and weeks that evening classes occur over can vary greatly in order to be accessible to the greatest number of students. Night classes might meet only once a week for several hours or even once every several weeks. The occurrence of these classes varies, but the total number of hours in which the class is scheduled to meet during the semester usually is the same as the more traditional classes. The exception to this is Internet classes, which often have slightly different accreditation requirements and can meet for fewer total hours than other classes.

Evening classes may have a condensed schedule and be taught by adjuncts, who are part-time instructors, rather than staff professors.
Evening classes may have a condensed schedule and be taught by adjuncts, who are part-time instructors, rather than staff professors.

Locations for evening classes also can vary from the norm. Traditional classes generally meet on the college campus, but evening classes can meet in other public places so that they can be more easily accessible to nontraditional students. Common locations are elementary and high schools, local government facilities and recreation centers. Some night classes will have rotating locations, so it is important to know where the class is planning on meeting each time.

Evening classes will generally take up less time during the week than traditional classes.
Evening classes will generally take up less time during the week than traditional classes.

Finally, night classes often are taught by adjuncts rather than traditional professors and instructors. An adjunct is a part-time employee of the college rather than being a member of its staff. Still, adjuncts must meet the same requirements as other instructors, in theory. Adjuncts often have other jobs or commitments, just like many of their students, which can lead to some adjuncts being especially familiar with the material that they are teaching and others being poorly prepared. Potential students should research what other students have said about a particular adjunct before committing to a class.

Evening classes aim to accommodate nontraditional students in a number of ways.
Evening classes aim to accommodate nontraditional students in a number of ways.

Evening classes are more accessible to nontraditional students, but they still are college classes. The workload for these classes will be the same as in a normal class setting, and the contributions required from the students are the same as well, despite the often busy lives of nontraditional students. Before deciding to take a night class, potential students should be sure that they are able to handle the requirements of the class.

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

I know so many people who are braving the student loans and going back for another degree, taking evening classes.

I'm really glad schools are offering more and more evening classes, as well as online courses. That really helps the nontraditional student get the coursework done and not have to mortgage their souls or quit their day jobs to do it.

It's a much better way of getting an education and maybe a better job.

Scrbblchick

My university offered a lot of evening classes, but also offered classes in an even less traditional setting. They had one-day, weekend, one-week and two week classes. The one-day classes were kind of legendary. They were usually classes that students had to have -- like an education class -- but that filled up quickly in the regular term. A student went from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., took the exam and if they passed, had credit for the class. They were brutal.

I took one weekend class. It met for four weekends during the quarter -- a Friday night and all day Saturday. I'm glad I did it that way. I got it out of the way and was able to graduate on time. I also took an evening math class, which I found was much easier on my nerves than doing math at 8 a.m.

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    • Some college students work during the day and take classes in the evenings.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Some college students work during the day and take classes in the evenings.
    • Evening classes may have a condensed schedule and be taught by adjuncts, who are part-time instructors, rather than staff professors.
      By: Elena Blokhina
      Evening classes may have a condensed schedule and be taught by adjuncts, who are part-time instructors, rather than staff professors.
    • Evening classes will generally take up less time during the week than traditional classes.
      By: Rob
      Evening classes will generally take up less time during the week than traditional classes.
    • Evening classes aim to accommodate nontraditional students in a number of ways.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Evening classes aim to accommodate nontraditional students in a number of ways.
    • Evening classes may be designed for those who work during the day yet still need to complete their degree.
      By: Monkey Business
      Evening classes may be designed for those who work during the day yet still need to complete their degree.
    • Evening classes are often taught by adjunct professors.
      By: Monkey Business
      Evening classes are often taught by adjunct professors.