Back to school. Those three little words usually conjure up images of backpacks, big yellow school buses and gleeful parents.

When the parents are the students, though, those three words can mean the onset of serious angst as these "non-traditional" students struggle to fit higher education into their already hectic lives. Of particular concern is the time involved in traveling to and from a college campus.

La Roche College, whose main campus is in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, has found a way to make college fit into the lives of adults who live further north, as well. With branch campuses in Cranberry Township and, now, Lawrence County, La Roche is meeting a need for adults who want to reach their educational goals by enrolling in certificate programs, undergraduate programs or master's programs.

"When you live and work in the growing area north of Pittsburgh, it's only natural that you want to keep your activities focused near there," said Lois Kuttesch, assistant director, Off-Campus Programs at La Roche. "At Cranberry Woods and the Lawrence County Learning Center, we have two venues that will help adult students earn their degrees close to home."

The Cranberry Woods location is just off Route 228 near the Pittsburgh Marriott North. At this location, La Roche offers a master of science in human resources management; a human resources professional certificate program; and the LEAD program, Leadership and Administrative Development. This program is for adults who may have begun their college degrees previously and, for whatever reason, did not finish.

At the Lawrence County Learning Center, adult students may pursue degree completion programs in the areas of psychology and LEAD.

Regardless of location, La Roche works with students to transfer as many credits as possible that they have earned in the past.

"We work with adults very closely on their goals and their study programs because we know they have a lot going on in their lives outside of the classroom," said Hope Schiffgens, director, Graduate Studies and Adult Education at La Roche. "We hold open houses regularly, but we also invite students to come in and see us at their convenience at all three of our locations."

To view open house dates or obtain information on any of La Roche College's campuses, visit www.laroche.edu/graduate or call 412-536-1262.