so you want to go back to school
TRANSCRIPT
So you want to go back to school: Successful strategies for selecting a
school and a program of studyDr. Kurt R. Linberg, PhD
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce2011 Professional Development Series
February 2, 2011
OverviewYou’ve made the decision to go back to school to either
complete a degree that you started or enroll in a graduate program. That is the easy part! Now it’s time to address the following:
• Should you pursue a certificate or degree?• How do you choose the right program for you?• How do you prepare a solid admission application?• How will you be able to balance all your responsibilities?• How will you pay the tuition?
Tanabe, G. and Tanabe K. (2007). Adult students: A painless guide to going back to college. Belmont, CA: SuperCollege
Disclaimer
• Unless otherwise stated, the statements, opinions, and content of this presentation are from Kurt Linberg and should not be seen as the views of Kurt Linberg's current or past employers.
First, Why?
• You have been passed over for a promotion that you deserved.
• You want to start a new career.• You are hungry for a challenge.• You have always had a personal goal to
complete your degree.From my experience, working adults must have a passion for pursuing the advancement of their education. It’s a lot of work! What is your passion?
Some poor reasons
• I am bored at work and there must be something else I can do.
• I want to please my (spouse, parents, boss, etc.).• I have some personal problems, maybe I can focus on
something else like getting a degree.• I have financial problems, maybe I can use the
financial aid to help pay for some of my other expenses.
Nothing worth having is easy...
“All life is based on the fact that anything worth getting is hard to get. There is a price to be paid for anything. Scholarship can only be bought at the price of study, skill in any craft or technique can only be bought at the price of practice, eminence in any sport can only be bought at the price of training and discipline. The world is full of people who have missed their destiny because they would not pay the price. No one can take the easy way and enter into any kind of glory or greatness.”
– William Barclay
What is a degree worth?
• In a lifetime, high school graduates can expect, on average, to earn $1.2 million.
• Those with a bachelor's degree, $2.1 million.• Those with a master's degree, $2.5 million.• Those with doctoral degrees earn an average
of $3.4 million, while those with professional degrees do best at $4.4 million.
http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-210.pdf
Certificate or Degree?
• Certificate programs• Undergraduate degree
programs• Graduate programs• Accelerated programs
Types of Colleges/UniversitiesInstitution Examples Focus of Mission Challenges
Community College/Technical School
Lake Superior College, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Dunwoody College of Technology
Education focus on relevant skills for the workplace, affordable, short duration to obtain associate degree.
Open access plus low cost tends to create large class sizes in popular programs. Moving to offer more Bachelor programs.
Public/State University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Wisconsin-Superior, Bemidji State University, Metropolitan State
Educational excellence and student success, affordable education, faculty and community engagement
State funding, endowments likely down, differentiation among other public universities (demographics)
Private St. Thomas,Hamline, St. Scholastica
Educational excellence and student success, differentiation by religious affiliation, liberal arts, strong brand, etc.
Recruitment and managing tuition increases, endowments likely down
For-Profit (also called Proprietary)
Capella,DeVry, Strayer,University of Phoenix, Walden
Extend access to popular degree programs, student success, quality experience
Reputation, brand awareness, market expectations for growth, retention
Accreditation• The importance of region accreditation:
– Example: Higher Learning Commission of North Central– Quality oversight of institution (e.g. AQIP)– Credits will transfer if move from area or “stop out”– Degree will be honored if pursue higher educational
credential• Consideration of additional differentiation via
Professional accreditation– Technical degree accredited by Accreditation Board of
Engineering and Technology (ABET)– Business program accredited by ACBSP or AACSB.
Online Learning• Online learning continues to improve and grow in popularity
(Per Sloan 2010 report, over 5.6 million students taking online courses fall 2009 term).
• Convenient, but not easy!• Successful online learners are dedicated, write well, stay on
schedule, and can handle technology challenges.• Better fit for goal-oriented and learning-oriented students
(Rossman, 2002)• Some schools offer 100% online programs, some “hybrid” or
blended online and traditional. • What are your thoughts & experiences with online learning?
Rossman, M. (2002). Negotiating Graduate School. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Narrowing your list…
1st pass: 24+ candidates
2nd pass: 7-12
3rd pass: 3-5
As a working adult, you have never had more opportunities for advancing your education. Be Selective!
Depending on your interest, there may be 1000’s of potential schools.
Use selection criteria to get list to 7-12.
Narrow the funnel to 3-5 for in-depth research.
What degree program and where? 1st Pass
• Review college directories, like http://www.petersons.com• Go to the school website, review course catalogs, study
learning outcomes, job placement information, and look at faculty info.
• Schools should be regionally accredited, and possibly professionally accredited.
• Ask peers and your supervisor for their thoughts about the degree programs and the reputation of the schools.
• Are classes offered so that I can attend school and still work (evening, online).
• Note tuition for the programs.
What degree program and where? 2nd Pass
• Visit schools • Attend information sessions• How many students are enrolled? How many have graduated?• Chat with current students or recent alumni• Confirm reputation of the school• Understand requirements for the degree and typical time to
complete• Compare total costs for degree program
What degree program and where? 3rd Pass
• Is there a strong alumni network?• How many alumni are working in careers related to their new
degree? How much are they earning? • Are there remedial classes and other support services?• Will previous college credits or prior-learning experience be
accepted?• How long has the college met the special needs of adult
students, either in-class or online? Do you feel welcome into a community of adult learners?
• Is the total cost reasonable, compared to the perceived value?• How helpful is the financial aid office?
Admission Application• Schools and programs have different admission
requirements, so understand the content and the due dates.
• Are there admissions exams, like the Graduate Records Exam (GRE)? If so, study and give yourself lead time.
• Is an essay required? If so, prepare an error-free essay that clearly covers all the required content/format AND shows your determination for successfully completing the degree program. Why will you persevere? What will you do with the degree once you earn it?
• Is an interview required? If so, treat it like a job interview. • Reference letters … official transcripts from other colleges? Get started
early so they arrive on time.
Work-life-school balance• I have worked with many
students that had the skills, knowledge, and talents to complete a college degree, but were not successful. Why?
• Attitudinal issues (~10%)• Mental or physical health
issues (~10%)• Work-life-school balance
issues (~80%)
Figure 1 below shows an example wheel of life with example "dimensions" (we'll explain how to choose the right areas of life or dimensions for yourself below).
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_93.htm
Maintaining Balance• Get spouse (or significant other), kids, and
parents, to support your decision and understand the impact on family time.
• Get support from employer (e.g. can you study during lunch breaks?).
• Eliminate all unnecessary activities (e.g. TV).• Make tough decisions to free up other time
(e.g. golf)• Dedicate specific blocks of time to study
(productive time).• Learn how to say “No”.• Learn how to ask for help.• Stay healthy!
How will you pay?
1. Consider employer tuition reimbursement2. Use a portion of your personal savings3. Research scholarships or grants that you
could apply for (e.g. http://scholarships.com)4. Research federal or state retraining programs5. Pursue financial aid (school and/or federal)6. Private loans
Your Dimension Of GreatnessNo one can know the potential,
Of a life that is committed to win;With courage - the challenge it faces,To achieve great success in the end!
So, explore the Dimension of Greatness,And believe that the world CAN be won;By a mind that is fully committed,KNOWING the task can be done!
Your world has no place for the skeptic,No room for the DOUBTER to stand;To weaken your firm resolutionThat you CAN EXCEL in this land!
We must have VISION TO SEE our potential,And FAITH TO BELIEVE that we can;Then COURAGE TO ACT with conviction,To become what GOD MEANT us to be!
So, possess the strength and the courage,To conquer WHATEVER you choose;It's the person WHO NEVER GETS STARTED,That is destined FOREVER to lose!
~ Author Unknown
http://www.cybernation.com/victory/youcandoit/poems.php
Q&A
Dr. Kurt Linberg, Dean, School of Business and Technology at The College of St. Scholastica
[email protected]: dr_linbergLinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtlinbergBlog:http://kurtlinbergblog.com