The commoditization of higher education, the tendency for students to see themselves as consumers of a product as opposed to hungry sponges looking to soak up knowledge, has been going on for decades. This trend is most apparent when it comes to continuing education, which many area colleges offer to a typically older student with clearer career goals and a more results-driven approach to education.
Kelly Jackson, the director of continuing education at Purchase College says the college”™s most successful continuing education programs have been those that allow graduates to “hang a shingle and start their own business right away.” For example, in the social media marketing certificate program, students learn the skills needed to create and implement a social media marketing campaign, Jackson said.
“We like to think that we offer courses to people who either want to hone skills in a career that they”™re in or who want to follow their passions into a new career,” Jackson said. Among the new courses for the Spring term is a course in the art and antiques market, part of the college”™s appraisal studies program, that will be taught by Christian Jussel, the original host of PBS”™s “Antiques Roadshow.” Many of the courses are two-week intensives, and online courses are available as well.
“There are so many things we”™re thinking about,” Jackson said when asked if Purchase is considering new courses for the future. A program in comics drawing and storyboarding is under discussion for those who want to write comic books and graphic novels. The college is also looking to draw even more on its traditionally strong visual arts program, Jackson said, and introduce classes in teaching to give working artists “the tools they need to do workshops with educators.” The college”™s Neuberger Museum has agreed to let students in the school”™s appraisal studies program practice their craft by appraising the museum”™s diverse collections.
At the University of Bridgeport, the IDEAL program offers a credit-bearing continuing education program for older students. Mary Jane Dubner, associate dean for IDEAL admissions, said the program attracts students in their mid-30s, predominantly, but also into their 70s. “We wear a lot of different hats,” Dubner said. For the student who has college credits from his past, “this allows you to continue your education. One day a week, you can put your ”˜student”™ hat on and do something you might have thought you couldn”™t do” because of work or family demands.
For some students, Dubner said, the goal is a promotion at work; for others, it”™s to get their resume on the right desk to even be considered by employers who require a bachelor”™s degree. The program also offers certificate programs in areas such as criminal justice, gerontology and human resources management.
Dubner said the school is considering courses in organizational leadership, public administration and health administration.
Michael Giampaoli, dean of Bridgeport”™s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, said the school looks to establish partnerships with corporations and social services agencies, “to train employees and upgrade their skills.” For example, those working in social work or human services might pursue a double major in human services and psychology through the IDEAL program.
At Westchester Community College in Valhalla, the division of continuing education has been putting more emphasis on certificate programs that can be finished quickly, according to Marjorie Glusker, vice president for continuing education and community services. The college received a large federal grant in the fall, Glusker said, to train students to become credentialed in health information technology. The federal government has been touting electronic medical records for years, and WCC”™s program will be tailored to those with “some background in the health field or in IT,” Glusker said. One of the college”™s newer programs is geared toward financial professionals needing to take their Series 6, 7 or 65 exams. Certificate programs in green construction management and photovoltaic installation will be coming next fall (non-certificate programs in these fields are already offered).
The University of Bridgeport”™s Dubner said some students don”™t need their degree financially, “but personally, they want to get their degree.” For this type of student, it”™s more of a personal goal or a matter of self-esteem. “Your degree doesn”™t define you,” Dubner said, “but it helps you see what you”™re made of.”
