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Community Colleges and Non-Degree Credentials:Drivers for Change and Early Lessons LearnedNCRN Webinar – May 19, 2020Sean Gallagher, Ed.D.Executive Director & Executive Professor of Educational Policy@HiEdStrat
Opportunity for Community Colleges in the Non-Degree Credential Landscape Animated by growing interest familiar to NCRN participants Practitioner-focused resource and call to action Trend analysis, case studies, best practices, frameworksToday’s Goal:Highlight some of the key takeaways with an eyetoward implications for future research; prompt dialogue2
Researcher and Practitioner PerspectivesDrivers for Change in Higher EducationNan Maxwell & Sean GallagherUsing Smaller Credentials to Build Flexible Degree Completion and Career PathwaysBrenda PereaConnecting Workplace Learning and Academic Credentials via Digital BadgesDavid Leaser, Kemi Jona, Sean GallagherEmbedding Industry Certifications into Community College ProgramsRussell N. McCaffery, Leslie Backus, Nan MaxwellQuality Assurance for the New Credentialing MarketSteven C. Taylor & Louis SoaresReflections on Education in a New Era of Work and LearningHolly ZanvilleA Dialogue about the Emerging Market for New CredentialsSean Gallagher & Nan MaxwellBuilding a Consistent Terminology in the Market for New CredentialsNan Maxwell & Sean Gallagher3
The New Era of Work and LearningLifelong learning – more credentials over career, skills longevityGrowth in workforce-aligned non-degree credentialsRise of non-institutional providersEmployers diversifying beyond the degree with skills-based hiring,application of data and analytics4
Imperativesfor the New Era1.Unbundle learning2.Integrate academic and workplace learning,with links to credit3.Focus learning for careers / lifelong learning4.Embrace competency-based credentials5.Recognize emergence of new QA models 3rd parties, State/Fed, Employers5
Community Colleges’ Advantages in This New Landscape Dual mission: traditional degrees and workforcedevelopmento Opportunity for stackabilityo Embed newer credentials (e.g. badges) intoexisting courseworko Long history of awarding certificateso 65% of for-credit certificate issuanceo 70% increase in sub-bacc certificates 2001-2016o Established infrastructure vis. non-trad providerso QA via accreditationo Faculty networks and expertise in instructionaldesigno Recognized brands in the community6
Building Flexible Degree and Career Pathwaysand Embedding Industry CertificationsLessons Learned from Cases Including CO, TN, Broward (FL) System-wide approaches can provideconsistency, positive impact on studentsuccess Rethink pathways to associate degrees toallow credit for 2-year certificates andindustry-specific certifications Alignment with certifications helpsstudents “see” a framework for anindustry and understand options Challenge of aligning with frequentindustry changes – refreshing curriculum Importance of leadership in championingdesign of pathways to include stacked orlatticed credentials – and comprehensivecommunications strategy7
In a Partnership with IBM, Northeastern Has ArticulatedDigital Badges for Graduate Degree CreditExampleIBM Digital BadgeAdvanced StandingIBM AssociateProjectManager1 courseor 4 Quarter Hours(PJM 5900)IBM AdvisoryProjectManager1 courseor 4 Quarter Hours(PJM 5900) A blueprint for collaborationIBM SeniorProjectManager2 coursesor 7 Quarter Hours(PJM 5900 & PJM 6000)IBM ExecutiveProjectManager3 coursesor 10 Quarter Hours (PJM 5900,PJM 6000, & 1 PJM Elective)Northeastern CPS Credentials Masters of Science inProject Management Masters of Science inLeadership with aconcentration in ProjectManagement Masters of Science inProgram and ProjectPortfolio Management Masters of Science inCorporate andOrganizationalCommunication with aconcentration in ProjectManagement Faculty engagement and governance crucial Robust communication and marketing strategy essential Need for clearer specifications and badge data to support scalability8
Quality Assurance for the New Credentialing Landscape Need to expand current system or create new models Pressure on existing triad of State Regulation, Accreditation, Federal Emergence of QAEs from EQUIP; who watches the watchers? Importance of validation in both learning and working contexts Greater focus on outcomes and transparency Community colleges need more active role in dialogue about how this unfolds99
Looking Ahead in The New Era of Work and LearningFuture Credentialing “Trends to Watch” Designing programs with skills/industry frameworks Certifications and skills embedded into curricula Academic credit - non-credit/for-credit blurring Verifying workplace-based learning Transparency through common standards and databases Digital verification systems and vendors Changing employer hiring practices Technological advances Growing focus on equity10
A Reminder of Value of Credentials in a Dynamic Job Market11
Today’s Environment – Prompts for Discussion Greater worker and student mobility/disruption Acceleration of technology trends (and tech job market) Lack of empirical research – outcomes, earnings, equity Still uncertain language Flexibility – unions, financial aid, institutional processes often inhibit Funding/resources e.g. product development, instructional design capacity(role of intermediaries?) Need for leadership and system support, faculty support12
Project Manager 2 courses or 7 Quarter Hours (PJM 5900 & PJM 6000) IBM Executive Project Manager 3 courses or 10 Quarter Hours (PJM 5900, PJM 6000, & 1 PJM Elective) Masters of Science in Project Management Masters of Science in Leadership with a concentration in Project Management Masters of Scie
