The Many Roads to Clarke

In 2025, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center estimated that 36.7 million working-age adults in the United States had earned some college credit, but not a degree. At Clarke, we are proud to offer new and growing opportunities to help more people complete that important milestone, no matter what their path may look like.  

Accelerated Elementary Education Degree: Designed for paraprofessionals and career changers, this fully online program is designed to prepare students for their teacher certification in just 18 months. Over the last four years, nearly 100 people have enrolled, including Lynsee Wolfe, who now teaches fourth grade at St. Francis Xavier Elementary.  

“I learned so much in a short time,” Lynsee said in an interview after her graduation in 2023. “I didn’t know if I was ever going to meet my goal, but the teachers were so supportive and here I am!” 

Transfer Partnerships: Over the past five years, transfer students have been a growing population for Clarke, with roughly 1 in 4 students transferring in. While some are coming directly from a community college or other university, others have taken some time away and are now returning for degree completion. In any case, Clarke has dedicated staff to help these students find their fit.  

“We’ve worked hard to simplify the process for transfer students, from establishing partnerships with all of Iowa’s 15 community colleges to better using tools such as Transferology and TES,” said Director of Admissions Jordan Burkholder. “Thanks to our team and efforts like these, we’ve consistently been named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll for our work in helping students achieve academic success.”  

Veterans Services: As a Yellow Ribbon School, Clarke has earned national recognition for the benefits and support it provides veterans, active military personnel, and their families. That includes offering scholarships, flexible military leave, and dedicated staff support. We can also work with individuals to review their unique experiences in the military and potentially award credits for relevant training and certifications, giving them a head start on their degree. 

Beyond a Bachelor’s 

Clarke’s open approach to education isn’t limited to the undergraduate level. Thanks to our revitalized Business and Community Partnerships, organizations throughout the tri-states are granting their employees discounts on graduate tuition, along with additional perks like discount facility rentals and unique access to Clarke student interns. 

“I am really excited to grow these partnerships, as they present a fantastic opportunity for employers and our students,” said Director of Graduate and Adult Studies, Zachary Rigdon. “The hurdle to go back to school can be so daunting, but these partnerships and the programs at Clarke lower that barrier in a way where everyone wins. They allow employers to not only invest in their current workforce in an impactful way, but also direct access to new and qualified candidates. We recently added the City of Dubuque as one of our partners and I think the benefits of that will be felt throughout the region.”