Posts by UPCEA
Blurring the Lines for Faculty Development
In December 2020, my staff at the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching sent a survey to about 500 faculty and other instructors who had completed the online course design institute we offered the previous summer. The OCDI, as we called it, was a two-week faculty development program aimed at helping our university’s instructors prepare to…
Read MoreHow institutions are leaving money on the table with their alternative credential offerings (University Business)
Alternative non-degree credentials are slowly becoming higher education’s hottest learning modality. Enrollment is strong and employer buy-in is promising. However, two reports from UPCEA demonstrate that despite institutions’ increased infrastructure to provide these academic programs, challenges persist—and they’re leaving money on the table as a result. In a December 2023 report that studied nearly 100 UPCEA members representing institutions focused…
Read MoreMicrocredentials on the Rise, but Not at Colleges (Inside Higher Ed)
As the pool of traditional-age students shrinks, colleges are increasingly turning to nondegree credentials to expand the appeal of their academic offerings to working adults. At the same time, an increasing number of employers want their employees to be able to upskill and reskill through microcredential programs. But four-year institutions are lagging behind third-party providers, such as LinkedIn…
Read MoreEmployers Partnering to Provide Microcredential and Training Programs on the Rise, New Study From UPCEA and Collegis Education Reveals
Opportunities are growing, but higher ed institutions are losing ground to private providers WASHINGTON, DC (January 23, 2024) — Companies partnering externally to provide training or professional development to employees increased by 26 percent (nearly 15 percentage points) between 2022 and 2023, according to a new study released today by Collegis Education and UPCEA, the…
Read MoreThe Symbiotic Relationship Between Academia and Stackable Credentials
As the next generation enters secondary education and the workforce, traditional university experiences are no longer enough to prepare students for their professional lives. Even generations who have been in the workforce for years are making career transitions, meaning that they are trying to learn applicable skillsets and earn relevant credentials to bolster their portfolios.…
Read MoreFrom the Ground Up: Attracting Working Adults as a New Student Market
Like many colleges and universities today, Spelman College was faced with the challenge of generating more revenue and also expanding beyond their core student population of women of color. Ultimately, the college made the decision to target working adults and professional learners who have been in the workforce for 10–15 years, a promising and relatively…
Read MoreIntegrating GenAI into Daily Work and Personal Life
Using Generative AI (GenAI) should become as much of a part of your daily routine as checking the weather or taking a coffee/tea break. We have now reached the point that GenAI is refined enough to assist with a high percentage of our daily work and life chores. From creating the grocery list to creating…
Read MoreShort-Term Credentials Are Booming in Texas. Are Employers Hiring? (Work Shift)
In Texas, money is flowing for short-term credentials. The state’s new funding formula, signed by the governor in June, is allocating dollars to community colleges in part based on how many credentials of value they award. It would appear that there is no better time to invest in alternative credentials. Interest rates on student loans…
Read MoreReport: Microcredentials Not a Strategic Priority for Many Colleges (Inside Higher Ed)
While the majority of colleges focused on online, professional and continuing education have embraced alternative credentials, a significant number of those institutions haven’t made them a strategic priority. That’s one of the key takeaways from a new study released Monday by UPCEA, the online and professional education association. “While a lot of institutions want this, they…
Read MoreBoiling the Ocean of Microcredentials
As we start the New Year, I’ve been reflecting on the milestones and trends in 2023 and what stood out for me was the Convergence conference, based on both the high levels of interest (the inaugural event sold-out!), and the incredible buzz among attendees. There were so many conversations happening and great presentations by institutions…
Read More