The emergence of new credentials is changing the landscape of traditional post-secondary education. The tight labor market's rising demand to fill vacancies in high-demand career fields such as cybersecurity has led to so-called "alternative credentials" to rapidly upskill and reskill existing professionals to move into the industry.…

This study used a survey conducted from September 2021 - November 2021 to examine the perceptions of College Credit Plus (CCP) educator credentialing for college in high school programs known as dual enrollment. Over 400 responses were received representing educators from southwest Ohio. Respondents spanned roles in public schools of…

When examining career pathways, post-secondary institutions such as community colleges align education and training to career success, aiming to connect students to gainful employment. Career pathways support the skill needs of industries and incorporate competencies in an occupation or field represented by certificates and degrees awarded by the…

Several challenges exist in the implementation of integrated care given that SUD/Addiction treatment has historically been segregated from the broader health care system (Office of the Surgeon General, 2016). One expression of the gap that persists is that for counselors who want to administer SUD/Addiction and mental health counseling, or…

Faculty positions are commonly based on the person's credentials, publishing, grants, and research. Institutions rarely focus on faculty's curriculum and instructional backgrounds: the growing concern is, why? The purpose of this study was to examine higher education leaders' assumptions, perceptions, and expectations about how to make faculty…

The problem that this study investigated is whether a set of characteristics (gender, age, region, race/ethnicity, and path to licensure) predict the level of interest of principals in pursuing the superintendency. This quantitative, correlational study aimed to address this problem by investigating if demographic factors can predict K-12…

Successful secondary career and technical education programs are highly dependent on the effectiveness of the instructors tasked with preparing high school students for post-secondary employment. Many of these instructors, especially those hired straight from industry, are experts in their field of study, but lack pedagogical training. Thus, the…

University-based certificate programs for students with intellectual disabilities have grown in number since the passing of the Higher Education Opportunities Act (HEOA) in 2008. The Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) designation and Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant were created…

The majority of students enroll in community college with the intention of earning a college certificate, diploma, or degree that will offer them access to better employment opportunities that pay a higher living wage. However, the number of college students who place into developmental mathematics far exceeds the number of students in other areas…

With the skyrocketing costs of higher education and the increased scrutiny of how educational institutions prepare graduates for the workplace, this dissertation explored how the "outsiders," or employers, view and determine the value of academic credentials. Using the premise of credentialism, this grounded theory, qualitative study…

All 50 states have licensing standards for professional counselors and all require a minimum of a graduate-level degree in counseling or a related field. For most graduate-level counseling programs, in addition to coursework, students must be exposed to a certain number of hours face-to-face with clients in a clinical setting. Typically, that…

Career technical education plays an important part in the mission of community colleges--providing educational opportunities needed by members of their communities. Career technical programs prepare students for entry into the workforce. Accountability standards for career technical programs, from local, state, and federal bodies, monitor…

Purpose: The purpose of this ethnographic research was to study the culture and experiences of elementary administrators who were coached in the blended coaching model. This study used a qualitative ethnographic design to explore the context and processes of the coaching experience of elementary administrators that enhanced transformational…

The relationship between learning and labor has long been a topic of concern for sociologists of education. In this dissertation, I conduct an ethnography of open learning in the United States following the 2008 economic crisis and argue that a new style of learning is emerging amidst changes in the labor market. I call that new style of learning…

While African Americans are overrepresented in Minnesota police shootings and officer-involved fatalities, they are underrepresented in Minnesota law enforcement. The reasons are complex, interconnected, grounded in historical racial barriers and racist practices, and reinforced by current obstacles such as career awareness, concerns about the…