Miller Blog

I Blog on EdTech, Web 2.0. Learning Strategies, Marketing & Higher Education (especially two-year colleges)

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Associate Degree Program Requirements Typically Top 60 Credits


The reasons for the low graduation rate for most community college students are multiple, but a recent study, conducted last year for Complete College America and reported in Issues in Higher Education, blames credit hour expansion as a primary cause.

The study found that "
half of the community colleges surveyed did not have a single program limited to 60 credits, including general education degrees and those aimed at students who transfer to four-year institutions."  The assumption is that the added credit hour requirements that most two-year degree programs have is a deterrent to graduation.

I am not sure that I buy this argument.  

One only has to look at healthcare programs, especially nursing, to see that there is something else beyond simply numbers of credits at play.  Associate degree nursing programs typically require 70 or more credits hours for graduation.  Yet, these programs almost always have a very high completion rate - often in excess of 90% graduate in nursing.


Granted, it is not unusual for students at two-year colleges to take way more than two years to complete a degree.  Some of the most recognized obstacles include:


  • Most community college students must take remedial or development courses, especially in math.  
  • Students in these colleges often do not seek advising, or perhaps they get bad advice
  • It is common for students to change majors
  • Most students at two-year schools work, often full-time
  • The part-time student attitude is also influenced by family obligations
  • Many of these students fail to recognize that completing their Associate degree is in their best interest - they transfer out without completion


I agree that community, technical and junior colleges should not add credit hour requirements that extend the time to graduation - for the most part.  I am also a huge fan of certificate programs that are "nested" within an Associate degree.  This is a great way to "ladder" the progress of students, especially in career and technical programs.  15 - 20 credit hours can add up to a certificate, which means a form of completion that is often under-appreciated.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

In the Digital Age, What Becomes of the Library?

This is a thoughtful article that addresses a vexing question - what is the library to be in the digital age?  Clearly, the era of the library as a repository of physical books has some value, but with information accessible through digital formats, the role for the library must change.

Clark Library, Lockhart TX
A couple of years ago, I was the Chief Academic Officer at a community college that had a large collection of bound volumes.  The problem was, nobody used them.  I could randomly select book after book and see that actual circulation (check out) of the books almost never happened.  The college had a situation the required us to occupy the library building for other purposes.  We developed a process for the faculty to select the books that they wanted to retain.  We held the other volumes in storage for over a year, then we recycled the culled books and bound periodicals.  The collection was reduced by over 25,000 volumes.  There were no complaints.  Today, this college has recreated the library as a gathering place and a source of assistance in obtaining information - mostly online.

For public libraries, the situation is a bit different.  One of the most important assets of a public library is the provision of freely distributed books for children.  The access to reading material provided, especially for low-income families, is very important.  Yes, the public libraries also face the digital dilemma - how to remain relevant in the information age.  The article below covers many of the important issues.  I especially like the comment of Youth Services Librarian and blogger Louise Capizzo who states, "Ask yourself what you want to see in your library. Talk to your librarian. Then, advocate for those changes. You are to blame if your library doesn’t have what you want.”

Good advice. From Mind/Shift, a collaboration between
NPR and San Francisco public media station KQED




In the Digital Age, What Becomes of the Library? | MindShift

Saturday, June 1, 2013

10 Education Startups To Keep Your Eye On from Edudemic

Edudemic is o wonderful source for great content related to Educational Technology.  In just a couple of years, Edudemic has become one of the most visited Websites around for "tools, tips, resources, visuals, and guest posts from dozens of authors around the world."  Teachers at all levels will benefit from their material.




10 Education Startups To Keep Your Eye On | Edudemic