A nontraditional student may have one or more of the characteristics that may be barriers or impede their enrollment in higher education institutions or lengthen their time to a degree. These characteristics may include having a gap between high school completion and college enrollment, enrolling part-time enrollment, being financially independent, working full-time while enrolled in higher education, having dependents, being a single parent, or not earning a standard high school diploma ( Horn & Carroll, 1996 ).
Published in Chapter:
Certification-Degree Pathways: Aligning Undergraduate Curriculum to Industry Credentials and Professions
Julie Uranis (University Professional Continuing Education Association, USA), Andréa Rodriguez (Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, USA & Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, USA), Isabel Cardenas-Navia (Workcred, USA), Karen Elzey (Workcred, USA), and Janet Forte (Workcred, USA)
Copyright: © 2022
|Pages: 20
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-3820-3.ch001
Abstract
Degrees from colleges and universities have historically been prerequisites for many good paying jobs. While the value of college degrees has recently been questioned by the American public, legislators, and employers, college is still viewed as an important component to the growth and socialization of learners destined to become future employees. Because they offer industry-recognized credentials, certification bodies already have a foothold in the siloed worlds of work and education and may provide an avenue to address the known gaps between employers and educational institutions. By leveraging their ability to identify the needs of employers as well as assessing knowledge and skills, certification bodies may play an important role in developing new opportunities for learners. Therefore, a pathway offering learners the ability to earn a certification while earning their degree provides individuals the ability to showcase a broad base of knowledge as well as work-relevant skills.