U.S. universities have had century-long success in absorbing existing professions into their curricula--by making academe their gatekeeper. These professions often started with apprenticeships and short training courses leading to a certification examination--and were then elevated and "academized" into a comprehensive body of knowledge,…

Urges community colleges to develop health care training programs specific to the employment needs of a community. Examines issues related to health care credentialing and program accreditation. Reviews the wide range of nursing programs that community colleges can provide as continuing education or for college credit. (DMM)

This study was designed to ascertain, from the empirical evidence available, the common characteristics of successful licensure efforts in the allied health occupations. A pattern of three steps to licensure for health care occupations emerged from the literature. The first step is birth (of a new occupation), often caused by new technology (new…

The multidiscipline credentialed health care worker is an alternative to the current status of health care workers and worksites. Practitioners and educators in health care delivery are unable to reach a consensus as to the number of disciplines. Existing educational programs offer a wide range of programs enabling persons to attain health…

Schiro-Geist and Donlon describe the development of five types of credentials for rehabilitation professionals in workers' compensation, addressing the importance of accreditation to monitoring minimum standards. Comments by Thomas and Nolte are provided. (SK)

The author feels that education has moved away from its primary purpose, i.e., to teach, and become wrapped up in the battle for dollars and status. He urges a return to basics. (CT)

Reports that vocational health occupations programs are undergoing a self-analysis process including evaluation of competency and continuing competency. Presents perspectives of health professionals with comparisons to nursing and medical technology credentialing and continuing education. These perspectives are intended for other occupational…

The importance of academic credentials is discussed in relation to the changing occupational composition of high-income earners, family status, and the prestige of particular degrees such as the MBA and JD. (JN)

Examined is the national teacher certification program being completed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Appended is a list of five characteristics to be expected of board-certified teachers as well as a short summary of opposition arguments. (SI)

Describes how career education is implemented, how its goals are achieved, and the possible effects this can have on vocational education programs, specifically those in health occupations education. Discusses credentialing, placement, and articulation. (JOW)

An important and widely noticed trend among health professions and occupations in the 1970s has been the increasingly widespread use of credentialing mechanisms. These mechanisms are intended to ensure that health services are provided adequately and with at least a minimum degree of competence. This report is intended to enhance and broaden…

This article identifies five elements which are incorporated into the developmental sequence that occurs when a job role progresses from occupation to profession. A self-assessment form is presented to enable each HPERD (health, physical education, recreation, dance) field to assess its progress toward becoming a profession. (IAH)

Educational, psychological and mental health, and medical computer databases were searched, and three occupational reference texts were examined, in an effort to identify the position of the child development specialist (CDS). Other objectives were to initiate a dialogue in the profession and among those who might value services of CDSs, and to…

This booklet contains information on minimum standards for associate degree programs in technical education. It covers the following topics in 13 short sections: American Technical Education Association objectives; definition of technical education; recommended minimum professional standards for hiring technical instruction personnel; description…

Proceedings are presented from the American Nursing Association (ANA) conference for members and professional employees of state boards of nursing and the ANA advisory council. In addition to opening remarks and discussion comments, the following papers are presented: "The DHEW Secretary's Report on Licensure: A Summary," by Ronald J.…