By: Jenny Miller

“Our students are balancing careers, families, and life. We strive to make their education complement that balance; not complicate it,” says Dr. Carol A. Palmer, President of Amberton University.

In a national education system often structured around traditional students, Amberton University has positioned itself as a university designed for working adults. With over 50 years of experience supporting nontraditional learners, the university has developed a flexible, affordable, and impactful model that caters to the unique needs of these students.

Designed for Adults from the Start

Amberton University was founded in 1971 and quickly focused on addressing the needs of working adults. It is a non-denominational Christian institution, committed to both academic and ethical excellence. The university intentionally avoids offering dormitories, sports teams, or other campus features that are not central to student success. This design enables the university to direct its resources toward helping students achieve their educational goals.

The average age of an Amberton student is 38, with more than 80% employed full-time and many juggling family responsibilities while pursuing their degrees.

“We’ve been serving adult learners long before it became a popular trend,” Dr. Palmer notes. “It’s at the heart of what we do.”

Flexible Schedules and Learning Formats

Amberton offers four 10-week sessions per year, with options for evening, online, hybrid, or on-campus courses. This flexibility allows for stop-in, stop-out enrollment, making it more convenient for students to pause and resume their education when necessary.

Every degree, except for four counseling programs, can be completed entirely online. This flexibility has proven essential for adults with busy work and home schedules. Even counseling programs provide hybrid options, which combine online coursework with required in-person practicums.

Amberton also ensures that class times align with real-world schedules. Weeknight courses are held from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday classes meet just five times per term.

Career-Focused Programs with Tangible Outcomes

Amberton offers degrees and certificates that align with market demands. Popular programs include Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Training & Development, Accounting, Project Management, and Healthcare Administration.

Students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills that are applicable in the workplace. Amberton has integrated “acquired skills” and AI competencies into every course across all programs.

For example, students might develop cognitive strategies for trauma counseling, learn AI strategy development, or study financial planning. These are skills that students can apply immediately in their jobs.

Recent graduate surveys indicate that 60% of students experienced a promotion or salary increase during or shortly after completing their studies. Over 90% of those surveyed noted that their education at Amberton played a role in their career advancement.

Faculty with Real-World Experience

Amberton’s classes are never taught by teaching assistants. Nearly every instructor holds a terminal degree and has hands-on experience in their field. This allows students to learn from professionals who are actively working in the same industries that they are aiming to enter or progress in.

“We don’t have tenure,” says Dr. Palmer. “That means our professors are here because they want to teach. They’re evaluated annually, and they continuously update their courses to stay relevant with the evolving needs of the industry.”

In 2024 alone, Amberton introduced four new degree programs, nine new certificates, and nineteen new courses, while revising all its existing courses to ensure they reflect current workforce demands.

A Smarter, More Affordable Option

Affordability is one of Amberton’s most distinguishing features. Graduate degrees start at $9,750 in tuition, and even the most extensive 60-credit-hour programs, such as Clinical Mental Health Counseling, cost around $22,500.

The university’s dedication to transparency is another key aspect. Tuition rates, course structures, and program requirements are all readily available on the school’s website, ensuring that students are aware of costs upfront.

Amberton’s streamlined approach contributes to its affordability. Without dormitories, dining halls, or athletic programs, the university directs all its resources toward academics and student services. This model has helped the university earn a 97% satisfaction rate among its graduates.

A Culture of Service and Respect

The institution’s “Six Pillars of Service Excellence”—Welcoming, Knowledgeable, Professional, Initiative, Excellence, and Communication—are more than just values; they form the foundation for how faculty and staff interact with every student.

Students are treated with respect and dignity. Advisors reach out when they notice a student might be struggling to stay engaged, and faculty members take the initiative to contact students who are falling behind, offering support and flexibility. The goal is not just to enroll students but to help them succeed.

A Community That Understands the Journey

Amberton is also recognized as a “finisher’s school,” where many students return to complete unfinished educational pursuits. Others come seeking to upskill or shift careers. With transfer-friendly policies and options for earning credit for prior learning, the university supports students who want to complete their degrees with purpose and dignity.

“We’re not here to judge how someone arrived at this point,” Dr. Palmer says. “We’re here to help them finish strong.”

Results That Matter

Over 93% of Amberton graduates report that their degree fulfilled their primary goal for pursuing higher education. Whether their goal was a promotion, a license, a career change, or personal growth, Amberton helps students achieve outcomes that align with their aspirations.

Amberton also maintains strong employment outcomes. In the 2022–2023 academic year, more than 97% of eligible students were employed while studying at the university, with many continuing in their chosen field after graduation, equipped with new skills and credentials.

Final Thoughts

Amberton University’s model demonstrates that it is possible to provide a flexible, affordable, and high-quality education without compromising on standards or outcomes. For working adults who are looking for a degree that fits their life and helps advance their career, Amberton is a reliable option.

As Dr. Palmer puts it, “We know who we serve. And we do our best to serve them well.”

To explore your options, visit Amberton University.