Certificates Count: An Analysis of Sub-Baccalaureate Certificates
Author: Bosworth, Brian
Date: 2010-12-00
Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data
Subjects: Vocational Education,Associate Degrees,Community Colleges,Educational Certificates,Postsecondary Education,Education Work Relationship,Federal Legislation,Educational Policy,Public Colleges,Proprietary Schools,Two Year Colleges,Graduation Rate,Educational Attainment,Private Sector,Intellectual Disciplines,School Statistics,Outcomes of Education,National Surveys,Definitions,Federal Programs,Educational Trends,STEM Education,Allied Health Occupations Education,Gender Differences,African American Students,Hispanic American Students,White Students,Racial Differences,Census Figures,Longitudinal Studies,Research Reports,State Programs,Profiles,State Policy

Since President Obama took office, he has repeatedly called for the United States to significantly improve its postsecondary education performance. One goal in particular has gained wide attention: the President's declaration that in an ever more competitive global marketplace, the United States must once again lead the world in college attainment, challenging Americans to complete at least one year of education past high school. Completion is the key when it comes to advanced education. To fully enjoy the benefits of higher knowledge and skills, one must graduate. A too often underutilized strategy--but one that can deliver greater income returns than associate and even some bachelor's degrees--is certificates. And for students balancing the jobs they must have with the advanced education they desire--a situation faced by most American college students today--completing a certificate can be the most direct path to college completion and career success. Against this backdrop, &quot;Certificates Count: An Analysis of Sub-Baccalaureate Certificates&quot; calls attention to the significant value of certificate programs--practical and often underutilized credentials that can provide graduates with an appealing combination of rapid postsecondary achievement and portable skills and knowledge. Certificates can position graduates for immediate workforce success, while establishing solid foundations for future academic achievement. This study draws attention to important distinctions between certificate programs: length of program, subjects studied, program quality, and availability by geographical region. Appended are: (1) Summary of Sub-Baccalaureate Certificates Awarded All Title IV Institutions, By Length, By Sector 2007-08; (2) Summary of Sub-Baccalaureate Certificates Awarded All Title IV Institutions, By Length, By Program Category 2007-08; (3) All Certificate Awards by State By Sector and Public as a Percentage of the Total 2007-08; (4) All Certificates and Public Sector Certificates By State per 10,000 Population, Ranked, 2007-08; (5) Certificate Awards by State as a Percentage of All Sub-Baccalaureate Completions, 2007-08; (6) Certificate Awards by State Per 10,000 Population, 2007-08; (7) All Sub-Baccalaureate Awards by State, Per 10,000 Population, 2007-08; (8) Associate's Degrees and Certificates Awarded by Public Two-Year Institutions, 2007-08; (9) Public Two-Year Degree-Granting Institutions Certificates as a Percentage of all Sub-Baccalaureate Completions, 2007-08; and (10) Associate Degrees and Long Term Certificates Per Population, Ranked by State, Community Colleges Only, 2007-08. (Contains 5 tables, 6 charts, and 13 footnotes.) [For &quot;Certificates Count: An Analysis of Sub-Baccalaureate Certificates. Executive Summary and Data Appendices,&quot; see ED536835.]