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ERIC Number: ED590764
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Sep-17
Pages: 39
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Building Better Degrees Using Industry Certifications: Lessons from the Field
Prebil, Michael; McCarthy, Alice
New America
The Bachelor's of Applied Science in Information Technology is one of almost 40 bachelor's and associate degrees at Broward College that embed industry certifications into the course of study. Programs with embedded certifications allow students to earn two types of credentials: one issued by industry, the other by higher education. These new degree designs are particularly well-suited to adult learners with significant work experience and clear career advancement goals. While Broward is certainly not the only college embedding certifications into its degree programs, relatively little is known about the practice. Which institutions are doing it, in which programs, and to what effect? In 2016, Lumina Foundation conducted the first national survey of institutions aimed at finding out how they use industry certifications. It revealed that many community and technical colleges across the country embed certifications into a number of their certificate and degree programs. The survey also revealed a host of financial, administrative, and practical challenges that make it hard for institutions to scale up the practice beyond a few degree offerings. In 2017, New America conducted follow-up research with survey respondents to better understand the opportunities for, and challenges to, embedding certifications into degree programs through a series of in-depth interviews and site visits. They also learned how some institutions were able to overcome challenges through a combination of creative leadership and targeted support from state education and workforce agencies. This paper begins with a review of the research on the use and value of industry certifications. The authors then summarize the current landscape of embedded certifications as uncovered through Lumina Foundation's survey. Next, they present the results from their own research, including key similarities and differences among interviewed institutions, followed by an in-depth look at Broward College's success at embedding industry certifications across a wide range of degree programs.
New America. 740 15th Street NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-986-2700; Fax: 202-986-3696; Web site: https://www.newamerica.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Lumina Foundation
Authoring Institution: New America
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A