2015-2020

Community colleges have historically offered a wide range of degree programs to help individuals get the training they need to move quickly into the career of their choice. To keep up with the recent surge in community college enrollment that has occurred during the current economic slowdown, many community colleges are ramping up all new degree programs to broaden their offerings even further. Some of the new programs are provided in partnership with local four-year universities, while others are geared toward up and coming industries where employment opportunities show great promise. We’ll take a look at a few of the colleges across the nation that are working to give students an eclectic selection of degree programs.

Ivy Tech Expanding Programs

Ivy Tech is one of the colleges planning to offer a wider choice in degree programs for the next academic year. According to a report in the Indiana Economic Digest, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education recently approved new certificate and degree programs for a number of the Ivy Tech campuses in the state. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning degree program will be expanding to include certification, as well as an associate’s degree. The associate degree program in dental hygiene will also enlarge to incorporate a technical certificate in dental assisting.

Ivy Tech will also be adding an associate of science program for those interested in entering the field of engineering. The pre-engineering degree will prepare students for entry-level work in their

It would seem that in an economic environment where employers continue to report difficulty filling many skilled positions, they would have plenty of qualified prospects. However, employers are not finding applicants with the education and training necessary to move into many positions without extensive on-the-job training, something few employers can or want to afford. The result is a workforce in which many job seekers cannot secure available positions because they do not have the necessary preparation to transition into those jobs with ease. The really surprising part is that we are often talking about college graduates who are ill-equipped for many of the demands of today's professional world.

Training and the Economy

This concern was highlighted in the 2011 study conducted by Corporate Voices for Working Families and Civic Enterprises titled "Across the Great Divide." The study examined the relationship between the education students receive in college and the skills employers are looking for from college graduates. Although the report is more than a decade old, many of its findings continue to shape conversations about workforce development today.

The introduction to the study stated, "Many of those looking for work do not have the skills required by companies looking to hire, resulting in businesses seeking talent while many job seekers struggle to qualify." While today's labor market differs significantly from that of 2011, employers continue to emphasize the importance of aligning education with workforce needs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook

Community colleges have seen a significant rise in enrollment in recent years, due in part to the need for retraining into careers that are more resilient and in demand. As waiting lists for some community college programs continue to grow, some students are turning to vocational, for-profit colleges to meet their academic needs in the interim. Unfortunately, certain rather unscrupulous practices by some for-profit institutions have resulted in federal regulations that also affect some career training programs offered by community colleges. If you're weighing the advantages of different types of institutions, our article on Community Colleges: Bigger Buck Bang than For-Profits offers a helpful comparison.

What is the Gainful Employment Rule?

While community colleges offer associate's degrees in a wide range of subjects, they also provide specific job training in particular fields that takes less time to complete. For-profit institutions also offer these training programs to help students get through school and into the workforce as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, some of these training programs have not offered the necessary preparation in fields that are hiring, leaving students without gainful employment and additional debt from their schooling that they cannot easily repay.

To address this concern, the U.S. Department of Education implemented the Gainful Employment Rule. Although the regulation has changed under different presidential administrations, its primary purpose remains the same: to discourage career colleges from providing misleading information about the employment prospects students can expect after completing their training. The rule is intended to hold

Last year, President Obama announced his ambitious plan to graduate five million more students from community colleges by 2020. According to a report at WhiteHouse.gov, the President believes this goal is necessary to ensure the United States can continue to be a leader in the global economy. However, boosting graduation rates at community colleges nationwide may be easier said than done. To facilitate the process, California has developed a list of recommendations to increase graduation rates in that state, which could serve as a model for other states.

Room for Improvement

According to a Southern California Public Radio report, there is plenty of room for improvement in California community colleges today. A study by California State University, Sacramento, found that seven of every ten students do not complete a two-year degree or transfer to a four-year institution. Long Beach City College President Eloy Ortiz Oakley told the radio station, "We need to improve the education of our workforce rapidly, and community colleges are the gateway to the majority of that workforce in California."

This video explains how one community college uses data to increase graduation rates.

Finding Solutions

To help achieve that end, the Community College League of California has issued recommendations for community colleges to follow. The "Commission on the Future's 2020 Vision for Student Success" report outlines 17 recommendations designed

Students no longer need to attend a four-year university to obtain a bachelor's degree. More community colleges nationwide have "graduated" from issuing associate's to bachelor's degrees. Community college courses cost a mere fraction of public or private university options - which means that students who earn bachelor's degrees at their community college can save tens of thousands of dollars while pursuing their educational goals.

Unfortunately, not everyone in academia supports community colleges issuing bachelor's degrees. Critics are concerned that universities will experience a drop in student enrollment, which will ultimately lead to a loss of revenues. The debate is becoming increasingly heated, with educational leaders and community members divided on allowing community colleges to issue bachelor's degrees.

The Growing Fight for Four-Year Degrees

Community colleges in a dozen states nationwide have already gained the right to issue bachelor's degrees, and more campuses are looking for the same privileges.

For example, as News Day reveals, Michigan is fighting loudly against state restrictions that prevent community colleges from offering 4-year degrees. As Michigan's state representative John Walsh asserts, community colleges could offer improved job training opportunities for the future of Michigan's auto workers if local campuses could issue 4-year degrees. Subsequently, Walsh introduced a new bill that would permit community colleges to offer 4-year degrees in nursing, cement technology, and culinary arts. If the bill is approved, the large number of unemployed workers in the state could have opportunities to