Adding new programs?
How are schools determining which new programs to add? Is there some bank of information available or are people "dipping their toes in" by trying new programs in a small way and then pouring in support if it gets some traction?
Hi Seth
Good question. The best way to add new programs, in my opinon, is by making informed decisions. This means doing a needs assessment. Examples: Ask your admissions reps what programs leads are asking for. Read the business sections of your newspapers to see what industries are doing well and which are being wooed to your area. Assemble an advisory board representing your total community. Ask them what training is needed in the workplace. Also what training existing employees need to keep current in the workplace. Also check out Dictionary of Occupational Titles and Bureau of Labor Statistics to see what vocations are hot and where the staffing demand is. Look at your competition to see if they are offering the training programs that you are considering. Look in the local classifieds. The decision to add new programs should be based on a good deal of research. If the needs assessment is conducted in a thorough way, the answers about which programs to add will be obvious.
Best wishes
Susan
Dr. Susan F. Schulz
Career School Developer
Hi Seth,
I just added a new program to our offerings at a private career college. We were offering Paralegal, Computer Graphic Design, Office Administration, Multimedia and Early Childhood education. We noticed that allied health fields were experiencing employment growth and these programs were taking off in our area and that our competition was adding progams in these fields. We put together an Advisory Committee of instructors, graduates and professionals in the Massage Therapy field. We sought their opinions on career opportunities, salaries, prices for self employed therapists, national and local standards and certifications, and education requirements. We received very positive feedback, drafted a curriculum with their assistance and sought approval. We began offering this program in December of last year and are preparing to open an on site public clinic this month for our students to get practical experience while earning clock and credit hours for their graduation requirements. We are charging a lower rate for student massages bringing in revenue that helps support the program and tips for the students. When program enrollment increases we ultimately plan to move the clinic to an off site retail location with more visibility and easier public access. I believe that prior research on the field and the professional expertise of our Advisory committee helped us in determining the viability and value of this program to the college and the students we serve.
Hope this helps.
Sheree Pace, JD
Director of Education
Hi Seth and Sheree
Here is my 2 cents to the email from Sheree to Seth embedded in Sheree's comments.
We noticed that allied health fields were experiencing employment growth and these
programs were taking off in our area and that our competition was adding progams in these fields.
Susan: Having a plan for ongoing needs assessment is vital in order to offer programs that are needed in the community. This often means surveying employers and business groups to see what business is being brought into the community and what employers need in terms of trained staff.
We put together an Advisory Committee of instructors, graduates and professionals in the Massage
Therapy field. We sought their opinions on career opportunities, salaries, prices for self employed
therapists, national and local standards and certifications, and education requirements.
Susan: An Advisory Board is so great. If participants are chosen well you have great advisors and usually don't have to pay for their fantastic ideas.
We began
offering this program in December of last year and are preparing to open an on site public clinic this
month for our students to get practical experience while earning clock and credit hours for their
graduation requirements. We are charging a lower rate for student massages bringing in revenue
that helps support the program and tips for the students.
Susan: To make it a profit center you might offer new grads and new massage therapists the opportunity to "rent" a table from you. Increases the number of massage therapists while you are building your student base and while you are waiting for students to reach senior level so they can participate in the clinic.
When program enrollment increases we
ultimately plan to move the clinic to an off site retail location with more visibility and easier public
access.
Susan: Great idea. There is a school in Atlanta that has a separate facility. Their students staff all parts of the clinic including front desk, back office, and more.
I believe that prior research on the field and the professional expertise of our Advisory
committee helped us in determining the viability and value of this program to the college and the
students we serve.
Susan: Absolutely. In addition, measuring success and results is vital to any initiative.
We have just one program and that is massage therapy, we are the premier holistic school in the city. Many of our students have been asking for advanced training. Is there a good way to determine if this merits a full blown program or increments of study that could be used as large blocks of continuing education.? (we have the largest ceu offering in the city averaging 16 hours per unit, the advanced study courses would be 100 hours of study)
Hi Debra
Great question. We always recommend research research research before embarking on any new plans. Before adding new continuing education programs, why not survey yourconstituency? I would survey current students, grads, and alumni as far back as possible. Would also survey any student that ever enrolled in your school. Then analyze the data and check it out by asking groups of people if they agree or what other ideas they have for continuing education. Let the facts tell you what to do. And then of course measure measure measure results.
Best wishes
Susan
Susan
Thanks for the suggestion, of course we have the input from students and graduates, just not as precise as I would say we need. So my next step will be to put together a survey that actually answers the questions that I have, to build the appropriate program.
Thanks
Deby
Hi Deby
You might want to add employers, people from your industry but not affiliated with your school, continuing ed offered by other schools, etc. The more information the more informed the decision.
Best wishes
Susan
Hi Seth,
we found a effective way of evaluating a new program by research the job market for that particular course, interviewing clients in that field, and looking at the cost of running that program, see what the demand is for employment and the pay scale, and also what would make your course different than other schools offering the same course
HI Jackie
Great ways to determine what programs your school should offer. Another is to talk with economic development boards, chambers of commerce, and other groups that bring business into your community. Also look for organizations that offer the programs that aren't licensed schools such as adult community schools, voc tech schools, and more. Another point is to watch for a saturation point in the market. For example, there is often a limit to the number of people who would be hired in certain professions.
Best wishes
Susan
Hello Seth. Usually when we think about opening new programs we tend to do local research to understand the demand in the city. Also, we always pay attention to the new established business in the area, as well as their needs for employment. I agree that new programs are added in relation to current programs already given by the school. A student survey also works for us, so we can have an idea the field of interest.
HI Dario and Seth
Great points. Planning new programs takes a lot of research. The demand in the community for trained workforce, the interest of students and grads, competition, for example. Also to be considered is the delivery of the program. Can you expand the market by delivering some or all by distance education, for example. There are a lot of discoveries when comprehensive research is conducted.
Best wishes
Susan
Career training schools often determine which programs to implement or add by anticipating current trends in the market. For example, the Computer Technician predominantly came into play during the development of "Windows" program enhancement during the late 1990's. As more and more consumers were purchasing computers with a "Windows" based operating system, so too did employment opportunities exist for computer technicians. As technology increases, so too will the demand (of certain aspects) of the market increase in the demand for labor. Typically career schools will attract enrollment because the student population perceives a need for a particular type of work.
While there is no preset way of predicting what new or what current job markets are heading, there are agencies that are available to assist us in discovery.
Hi Frank
All great points. And a great example. We think it is possible to plan for programs that will meet the need for trained workers in the community. And meet the needs of the area population. Keeping up with general and local economic trends is important. Looking at what industries the local business leaders are bringing in will tell you a lot about training needed. Also talking with area employers about what training is needed and what they are looking for in a new employee. There are many clues that will help school owners determine what programs to offer next or what modifications to make.
Best wishes
Susan
As mentioned in the program, schools can determine which programs to add by communicating with its constiuents. Employers may have a need for a continuing education program that the school had not thought of offering. Peers may have insight into training that may increase the effectiveness of a given practice. For example, we discovered that paramedics who wanted to provide care in a fixed or rotary aircraft needed to complete a 40-hour course. After speaking with several area fixed-wing transport companies, a new course was developed to meet the regulatory needs and meet the needs of the employer.
I am the new director of an organization which provides diplomas and certificate in six areas. I am considering adding a seventh area (early childhood education) in response to the needs of the community. There is a need for well-run child care centers in this part of Polk County; a need for afforable care - - - given by highly trained care-givers. We would not need to hire an additional instructor to provide the training to the students as I have a Ph.D. in curriculum develop and teacher education. I can train the students until the program generates enough income and demand to activate the contingency of the next phase of our five year plan. So, all new programs, for us, will be in response to the needs of our community.
Hi Alessandra
Adding programs to respond to the needs of the community is great. The operative word is to do the research to determine if the idea is sound. The best new programs are those that are well researched and show the demand by employers and the community.
Good luck,
Susan
Hi Alessandra,
In my opinion, the addition of a new program requires extensive research to include not only demand but institutional capability. I am sure that given your education you could undertake the assignment, however; it would be wise to assess the existing operation of the school to ensure your new responsibilities as an instructor do not jeopardize your performance as a director.
Hi Julio and Alessandra
Good advice Deciding on a new program or modifications takes a lot of research. Decisions have to be based on facts gathered and a plan. It can't be a gut feeling or adding a program because another school has. There is a forumla for success. Best wishes, Susan
HI Debra,
It's a good idea to research before adding advanced training so you can determine whether it is really needed and if so, what exactly is needed.
We added advanced trainig to our required Facial Specialist course after receiving input from employers in the area as well as graduates.
Employers told us newly certified Facial Specialists were lacking the confidence and some skills to effectively enter the job market and have all of the skills they needed to perform well for the employer. The graduates also felt they needed additional time, confidence, and advanced training to feel comfortable with what employers were expecting of them in their first job. We then developed an advanced training with their input.
