ERIC ED381202: Undergraduate Certificate Programs of Less than Two Years: 1991-92. Research Briefs, Volume 6, Number 1, 1995.

14 Pages·1995·0.41 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
JC 950 188
ED 381 202
Henderson, Cathy
AUTHOR
Undergraduate Certificate Programs of Less than Two
TITLE
Years: 1991-92. Research Briefs, Volume 6, Number 1,
1995.
American Council on Education, Washington, D.C. Div.
INSTITUTION
of Policy Analysis and Research.
PUB DATE
95
NOTE
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College Programs; Community Colleges; Continuing
DESCRIPTORS
Education; *Educational Certificates; *Educational
Trends; Education Work Relationship; *Employment
Projections; Postsecondary Education; School
Demography; *Student Characteristics; Two Year
Colleges; *Two Year College Students; *Undergraduate
Study
ABSTRACT
Many higher education institutions serve students
enrolled in specialized training courses who receive undergraduate
certificates rather than degrees. In academic year 1991-92, almost
65,000 postsecondary students earned certificates for programs of
less than 1 year, and nearly 117,000 completed requirements for
programs lasting between 1 and 2 years. Based on the National Center
for Education Statistics survey of earned degrees and the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS) labor force projections for 1992-2005,
programs of less than 1 year duration showed the following
in 5 was
characteristics: 53% of the students were women and about 1
an ethnic minority; 7 in 10 students received their certificates at
community colleges; certificate programs were offered at 624
institutions; among men, the three most popular programs were
commercial vehicle operator (14%), emergency medical technology
(107.), and law enforcement (67.); and among women, the three most
popular programs were nurse assistant (19%), administrative
assistance (5%), and emergency medical technology (4%). For programs
to 2 years, about 61% of students were women and 1
lasting between 1
in 4 students were ethnic minorities; two-thirds of students
completed their certificates at public two-year institutions;
programs were offered at 1,350 institutions; and mechanical trades
were chosen most often by men, while the most common program for
women (197.) was licensed practical nursing. BLS projections are
favorable for occupations open to certificate programs. (MAB)
***********************************************************************
*
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
,
*
from the original document.
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Undergraduate Certificate Programs of Less
than Two Years: 1991-92. Research Briefs,
Volume 6, Number 1, 1995.
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
U.S DEPANTNIEN* OF EDUCATION
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Office of Educational Research and Improve:nen!
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
M. Henderson
CENTER (ERIC{
This
document has ben reproduced as
received from the person or organization
originating it
0 Mmct changes have been made to improve
rproduchol Quality
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Points of veep( opinions Stated in thisdocu-
ment do not neCialtearily represent official
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC).-
OERI position or polity
Cathy Henderson
American Council on Education, Washington D.C., Division of Policy
Analysis and Research.
6
a
0
II
Undergraduate Certificate Programs
of Less than Two Years: 1991-92
CATHY HENDERSON
undergraduate certificate programs
of less than one year. and nearly
hen most people think
of less than two years.
117.000 completed their require-
about undergraduates, they
Two primary sources of data
ments for programs lasting between
envision students who are
were used for this analysis: the
one and two years.
working toward an associate or
1991-92 National Center for Educa-
Who are these students? Where
bachelor's degree. However, higher
tion Statistics (NCES) survey of
do they receive their training? What
education institutions also serve
earned degrees and the Bureau of
fields of study have they chosen?
students enrolled in specialized train-
Labor Statistics (BLS) projections
What are the labor force projections
ing courses who receive undergradu-
of labor force changes for the
for their occupations? How will
ate certificates rather than degrees.
period 1992-2005. The NCES
changes in the labor force affect their
In academic year 1991-92. almost
annual survey of earned degrees
ability to compete in the future? This
65.000 postsecondary students
describes students receiving awards
brief profiles students who complete
earned certificates for programs
and certificate's.' In addition to
forecasts of general trends in labor
THIGHLIGHTS
force participation rates. BLS also
analyzes the employment outlook
I
The majority of these
Approximately 182,000 stu-
for selected occupations by type of
students were women
dents earned undergraduate
work performed, level of education
(58 percent), and almost
certificates at postsecondary
expected for entry, and median
one in four (23 percent)
institutions in 1991-92; some
was an individual of color.
weekly earnings anticipated.
of these programs could be
completed in less than a
Labor force projections
year, while others required
through the year 2005
Programs Lasting Less
between one and two years
are generally favorable for
of study.
Than One Year
occupations open to certifi-
cate holders. Typically,
Seven in 10 students
Demographic Characteristics
these are jobs that pay
received their certifica,
In academic year 1991-92,
higher than average
at community colleges.
nearly 65,000 postsecondary students
earnings and do not require
college degrees. Students
earned certificates in programs de-
The most popular certificate
can successfully compete
programs completed by men
signed to he completed in fewer than
for these jobs it they have
were divided among various
12 months.
completed ..pecialized
vocational field_, while the
training in certificate
health sciences clearly
Slightly over half the recipients
programs.
ranked first among women.
were women (53 percent).
3
Figure 1
Race/Ethnicity of Students Completing Undergraduate
Certificates, by Length of Program: 1991-92
White
Less Than
One Y,.ar
1.1 African American
5 Hispanic
L
Asian American
Native American
NI Nonresident Alien
One to
Two Years
111 Unknown/Unrepo,ted
0.0%
40.0%
20.0%
60.0% 80.0%
100.0%
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education NCES unpublished data, 1994.
Figure 2
Undergraduate Certificates Awarded, by Type of Institution: 1991-92
Less than
Proprietary: Two Years or More
One Year
Proprietary: Less than Two Years
Independent Four-Year
Independent Two-Year
Public Four-Year
One to Two
ill Public Two-Year
Years
0.0%
40.0%
20.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
SOURCE: U S. Department of Education NCES unpublished data. 1994.
1
Page 2
North Carolina educated about half of all students
About one in five students was an individual of
receiving certificates requiring less than one year of
color, either African American (13 percent), Hispanic
study. Almost two in three students were enrolled in
(5 percent), Asian American (3 percent), or Native
a total of 10 states.
American (1 percent). Another 1 percent were nonresi-
dent aliens. The race/ethnicity of 6 percent of the re-
Programs of Study
cipients was unknown or unreported (Figure 1).
Generally, students chose programs that provided
training designed to lead directly to specific occupations.
Institutional Affiliation and
Geographic Distribution
Among men, the three most popular programs were
I
truck/bus and other commercial vehicle operator
The majority of these students (three in four)
(14 percent); emergency medical technologist/
received their certificates from public two-year
tec},nie an ( 10 percent); and law enforcement/police
colleges (Figure 2).
science (6 percent) (Figure 3).
In 1 9 9 1-9 2, certificate programs of less than one year
it
Nurse assistants/aides attracted more women than any
*
were offered at 624 institutions across the United
other occupation. Almost one in five (19 percent)
States. However, students were concentrated in a few
women had selected this program. The second and
states: Florida, Illinois, California, Wisconsin, and
Figure 3
Most Popular Certificate Programs of Less Than One Year for Men: 1991-92
4256
Truck/Bus/Commercial Driver
3096
Emergency Medical Technician
1828
Law Enforcement/Police Science
1287
Undesignated Fields
954
Automotive Mechanic/Technician
915
Nurse Assistant/Aide
833
Institutional Food Worker
688
Corrections/Correctional Admin.
617
Welder/Welding Technologist
565
Heat/Air Cond./Refrig. Mechanic
4000
5000
3000
2063
1000
0
1991-92.
NOTE: These 10 most popular programs comprise 49 percent of the 30,619 certificates of less than one year completed by men in
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education NCES unpublished data, 1994.
Page 3
Volume 6, No. 1
Figure 4
Most Popular Certificate Programs of Less Than One Year for Women: 1991-92
Nurse Assistant/Aide 6339
1606
Administrative Ass't./Secretary
1326
Emergency Medical Technician
1204
Medical Assistant
976
Institutional Food Worker
949
Undesignated Fields
886
Mental Health Services
872
General Office/Clerical Worker
111111 721
Accounting Technician
715
Paralegal /Legal Assistant
4000
2000 8000
0
6000
NOTE: These 10 most popular programs comprise 46 percent of the 34,160 certificates of less than one year completed by
women in 1991-92.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education NCES unpublished data, 1994.
third most popular choices women were admin-
most often at community colleges. Indeed, two in three
among
istrative assistant/secretariai science (5 percent) and
students had completed their certificates at public two-
emergency medical technologist/technician programs
year colleges.
(4 percent) (Figure 4).
Certificate programs lasting 12 to 24 months were
offered at 1,350 postsecondary institutions. However,
enrollment was concentrated in a handful of states.
Programs Lasting More Than One
Almost half the certificates were awarded in five
But Less Than Two Years
states: Pennsylvania, California. Texas, Illinois,
Demographic Characteristics
and Georgia.
In 1991-92, almost 117.000 students completed cer-
Programs of Study
tificate programs that lasted between 12 and 24 months.
/
Mechanical trades were chosen most often by
About tnree-fifths (61 percent) were women.
men. The top three specific occupations were
automotive mechanic/technician (7 percent):
Almost one in four was an individual of color, either
heating. air conditioning, and refrigeration mech-
African American (12 percent), Hispanic (8 percent),
anic and repairer (5 percent): and electrical and
Asian American (3 percent). or Native American
electronics equipment installer and repairer
percent). One percent were nonresident aliens.
(
I
(4 percent) (Figure 5).
The race/ethnicity status of 5 percent of the recipients
was unknown or unreported.
By contrast, almost one in five women (19 percent)
selected a single occupation: licensed practical nursing.
Institutional Affiliation and
The second and third choices among women were
Geographic Distribution
training to become administrative assistant/secretarial
As with the shorter training programs. certificate pro-
science employees (7 percent) and cosmetologists
(5 percen3(Figurc 6).
grams lasting be..ween 12 and 24 months were offered
American Council on Et:nation, Research Brief
Page 4
Figure 5
Most Popular Certificate Programs of One to Two Years for Men: 1991-92
3065
Automotive Mechanic/Technician
2491
Heat/Air Cond./Refrig. Mechanic
1805
Electrical Equipment Installer
1702
Undesignated Fields
1342
Licensed Practical Nurse
1328
Welder/Welding Technologist
1284
Electrician
1142
Electric/Electronic Technician
1137
Machine Shop Assistant
1120
Automotive Body Repairer
3000 3500
2500
2000
1000 1500
500
0
NOTE: These 10 most popular programs comprise 36 percent of the 45,962 certificates of one to two years completed by men in 1991-92.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education NCES unpublished data, 1994.
Figure 6
Most Popular Certificate Programs of One to Two Years for Women: 1991-92
13774
Licensed Practical Nurse
4778
Administrative Ass't. /Secretary
MIME 3451
Cosmetologist
2529
Child Care/Guidance Worker
2464
General Office/Clerical Staff
Medical Assistant
2084
1939
Accounting Technician
Dental Assistant
1859
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
1594
1577
Undesignated Fields
15000
12000
9000
6000
3000
0
completed by
NOTE: These 10 most popular programs comprise 51 percent of the 70,911 certificate programs of one to two years
women in 1991-92.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education NCES unpublished data. 1994.
7
Volume 6, No. 1 Page 5
Labor Force Projections
40 years of age by 2005 (BLS, 1994a). Consequently,
workers in 2005 will face more retraining and adapta-
General Changes in the
tion to tr:chnology if they want to retain their positions
Characteristics of Workers
or advance in their careers.
Analysts at BLS project that recent trends in the pool
of available civilian labor force participants are likely to
It is anticipated that the number of college graduates
tit
continue through the year 2005. The following assumptions
in the U.S. population will continue to increase at a
are based on the BLS set of moderate projections:2
steady rate. Between 1970 and 1991, the number of
college graduates in the adult population almost
Women are likely to gain in their share of the labor
tripled, from 12 to 34 million people (NUCEA, 1994).
force. In 1979, one in two adult women (51 percent)
Unless an unusually high number of positions for
was working; by 2005, that ratio is expected to in-
well-educated workers arz created in the near future,
crease to more than three in five (63 percent) (BLS.
it is likely that there will be both I) accelerated compe-
1994a). Comparable percentages for men are projected
tition among college graduates for positions that tradi-
to remain more stable, falling slightly from the 1979
tionally have required a bachelor's degree as an entry
figure of 78 percent to an expected level of 75 percent
requirement, and 2) higher competition for some posi-
by 2005.
tions that historically have required fewer years of
postsecondary education as a prerequisite.
BLS projects that individuals of color will constitute
*
an increasing proportion of the civilian labor force. In
Growth in Jobs
1992, their share was 22 percent; this is projected to
BLS projects that almost 26.4 million new jobs will be
grow to 27 percent by 2005 (BLS, 1993).
available during the period 1992-2005. The majority of this
employment growth will occur in occupations that pay
If present trends continue, the average age of persons
higher than average wages.
addition, positions in which
In
working in the labor force will rise. In 1979, the me-
the workers typically have one to three years of college will
dian age of workers was 35; this is likely to increase to
experience the largest percentage growth (Figure 7). For
Figure 7
Projected Percentage Change in Employment Growth,
by Level of Education of the Worker: 1992--2005
High School Diploma
or Less
Work-Related Training
Postsecondary Educ., No Degree
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
20.0%
35.0%
30.0%
15.0%
25.0%
NOTE: Level of education means the entry level generally needed to be hired.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, No. 1, Spring 1994, p. 52.
Page
American Council on Education, Research Brief
6
Table 1
Projected Growth in Major Occupations,
the Educational Attainment of Workers,
and the Median Weekly Earnings in Selected Occupations
Projected Growth
Educational Attainment (1992)
Percent Distribution
(1992-2005)
Expected
Four or More
One to Median Weekly
Percentage High School Three Years
Years of
Earnings
of College
Growth
or Less College
(1992)
Executives, administrators,
and managers
26 27 48
25
$652
Professional specialty
workers
72 $596
37
19
9
Technicians and related
support workers
32 45 29
26
$489
Marketing and sales
workers
46 22 $346
32
21
Administrative support
workers, including
clerical
37
14 13
50
$341
Service workers
26
$232
33 68
6
Agriculture, forestry,
fishing, and related
workers
75 $258
17
4 8
Precision production,
craft, and repair
workers
26
68
13 6
$470
Operators, fabricators,
and laborers
17
80
10 $331
3
Total
27
$406
22 50 23
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Fall 1993. p. 36.
9
Volume 6, No. 1 Page 7
Eight of the 10 most popular one- to two-year certifi-
0
example, jobs with both 1) higher than average earnings,
cate programs for men were in precision production,
entry requirements of some postsecondary training
and
2)
craft, and repair. Some of these certificate recipients
but less than a bachelor's degree are expected to grow by
may have difficulty finding work in these fields,
million positions. These are the very jobs that
nearly
2.8
however, because the expected growth rate is low
postsecondary students who complete one- or two-year
percent). But if work can be found, the median
training programs might be able to secure.
(13
weekly earnings are good
($470).
Implications for Students
Earning Certificates
Another problem with some occupations may be
Most students who have enrolled in postsecondary
competition from employees who have learned their
certificate programs have chosen to be trained for
skills through on-the-job apprenticeship programs but
specific occupations. Have these fields of study been
who have not completed postsecondary certificates.
good choices? What are the projections for these occupa-
For example, BLS reports that, in 1992, two-thirds
tions in the future?
percent) of precision production, craft, and repair
(68
The data in Table I illustrate three factors that affect
workers were high school graduates who probably
the outlook for broad categories of jobs. The first pertains
want to remain in a higher-than-average earnings
to the expected percentage growth in the available jobs by
field once they have served their apprenticeship
major occupations. The next factor shows the level of edu-
and learned their craft. Therefore, unless the pace
cation that most workers in certain occupations have at-
of technological change accelerates sharply, new
tained. The third factor is median weekly earnings.
graduates with certificates in precision production.
craft, and repair will face tough competition for
Overall, the number of jobs is expected to increase by
0
existing openings.
22 percent between 1992 and 2005.
Table I summarizes the general types of occupations
In general. about half of U.S. workers have high
0
available to students who are considering postsecondary
school diplomas as their highest degree credential,
education training programs. Table 2 provides specific
percent have completed some college.
another
BLS labor force projections for each of the top five
27
percent are college graduates.
and the remaining
programs selected by students earning certificates in
23
1991-92. These employment growth forecasts are based
on national labor force trends and can be of general use
The 1992 median weekly earnings for all occupations
*
to prospective students as they investigate the market for
was $406.
specific occupations.
However, local and regional projections are far more
Data from the BLS projections in Table 1 show that
*
important to people seeking employment. Most postsecon-
programs that train technicians and related support
dary students who enroll in certificate programs attend
workers may he good choices for the following
Community colleges near their homes. The particular
reasons: First, the projected percentage growth in posi-
courses offered at these sites have been developed not only
tions is higher than average (32 percent vs. 22 percent),
based on state and regional projected labor force needs but
and second, the median weekly earnings exceed the
also as a result of demands of the local economy. For ex-
overall median
($489 vs. $406).
ample, the opening of a large facility for senior citizens in
a rural area may encourage a local community college to
Several other major occupational groups in Table I
expand its course offerings in licensed practical nursing or
might seem attractive to workers who arc not college
in institutional food preparation and management.
graduates but who seek career advancement. Jobs
for service workers are projected to expand by
Potential for Advancement
33 percent, but median weekly earnings are the lowest
What opportunities exist for advancement? In addition
of all fields ($232). Likewise, although many people
to becoming more skilled through on-the-job experience.
are working as administrative support/clerical em-
students who have earned certificates may want to further
ployees, this field is not expected to grow rapidly
their education.
(14 percent). nor is it typically lucrative (averaging
$341 per week ). Students seeking postsecondary
For students who have completed certificate programs
training in marketing and sales should he aware that
0
in specialized fields, the labor market outlook is en-
the median weekly earnings in these positions are
couraging. Their level of academic preparation is
lower than average ($346).
10
American Council on Education, Research Brief
Page 8