Comparing 3 and 4-Year Degree Holders in US Business Schools June 1, 2012
Presenters Ujjaini Sahasrabudhe Senior Assistant Director Office of Graduate Admission University of Southern California (USC) Emily Tse Director of Evaluations International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
Outline History and Context Methodology of the Study Quantitative Findings Qualitative Findings
Bologna Process (1999) Source: GlobalHigherEd
Adoption of Bologna Degree Structure Source: Trends VI
Adoption of Bologna Degree Structure Implementation of ECTS, DS, QA, NQFs continue Difficulties noted on compression of 5-year degrees into 3-year degrees in some cases Reception among employers Implementation slower in professional subjects (engineering, medical, teaching fields)
Adoption among Professional Fields Source: Trends VI
Doctorate Degrees within Bologna Discussions of doctorate degree in 2003 Establishment of doctoral school within institution, taught coursework 49% in 2007 vs 72% in 2010
Implementation of Diploma Supplement Source: Trends VI
Implementation of ECTS Accumulation Higher rate for transfer credit Source: Trends VI
Beyond Europe Algeria: 3-year Licence was introduced in 2004 and the 2-year Master expected to be phased in by 2008 Tunisia: LMD reforms adopted in 2006 and expected to be in place by 2012 (3+2+3 structure) Senegal: phasing out 2-year qualifications (DUEL, DUES, DUEG ), bringing in 3-year Licence and 2- year Master
Beyond Europe Cameroon: Francophone system adopting LMD structure, will be more harmonious with Anglophone system Lebanon: ECTS adopted at some HEIs (e.g., Université Saint-Joseph) Mozambique: Universidade Eduardo Mondlane initiated a reform to adopt the LMD; other major universities following suit
Relevé de Note from Université Saint-Joseph
Australian Diploma Supplement
Beyond Europe: Australia Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (2007) Consortium of 14 universities, led by the University of New England, University of Melbourne and Australian National University Now required aspect of the Australian Qualifications Framework Consideration for vocational system in Australia (2010) Exploratory workshop in Asia Pacific region
IIE 2009: Official Policy on Bologna Out of 120 responses
IIE 2009: Bologna-Compliant Degrees
IIE 2009: Volume Received
IIE 2009: Factors by Academic Depts
Countries of Origin (Open Doors 2011) Country (Total: 723,277) International Students China 157,558 India 103,895 South Korea 73,351 Canada 27,546 Taiwan 24,818 Australia 3,777 Turkey 12,184
Top Levels of Study (Open Doors 2011) Associate (11%) Bachelor (34%) Master (24%) Doctorate (19%) Non-Degree (9%) Other (3%)
Top Fields of Study (Open Doors 2011) Field International Students Business & Management 155,769 Engineering 135,592 Math & Computer Science 64,588 Physical & Life Sciences 63,471 Social Sciences 63,347
THE STUDY OBJECTIVE ~ Examine university admittance policies with regard to 3-year degree holders Why MBAs? ~ IIE Open Doors Data
THE STUDY Methodology: Mixed Methods Approach Survey Qualitative responses (Email, Phone or In-Person)
THE SURVEY PART I: Information about the Respondent / Representative Name of Primary Person Completing Survey: Name of the Institution: Title: E-mail: Phone Number: Would it be acceptable for us to contact you with any questions for clarification? (Yes/No) PART II: General Information Estimated Total Number of Graduate Students at your Institution: Estimated Total Number of International Graduate Students at your Institution: Estimated Total Number of Graduate Students Enrolled in your MBA Programs: Estimated Total Number of International Graduate Students Enrolled in your MBA Programs: Admissions Policy on 3-year Degrees based on a 12-Year Elementary & Secondary System: We accept 3-year degrees. We do not accept 3-year degrees. We provide 3-year degree holders admission into bridge programs? (Please explain.) Others (Please specify.)
THE SURVEY PART III: Information about applicant and student pool of MBA Programs (2007-08) FRANCE/ GERMANY/ ITALY/ SWEDEN/ UNITED KINGDOM/ INDIA/ SOUTH AFRICA/ AUSTRALIA/ CHINA/ SOUTH KOREA/ UNITED STATES/ OTHERS Does your institution give advanced credit for Baccalauréat, Abitur, etc? Number of applications received? Average GRE or GMAT score (please specify)? Average IELTS or TOEFL score (please specify)? Number of offers of admission Number of students enrolled Number of degrees conferred PART IV: Contact information of Professors in the School of Business PART V: Additional Comments
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS Are all 3-year degree holders eligible for your MBA program? If not, please specify / explain. What were the primary driving factors for accepting 3-year degrees? How was the policy established? (e.g., meetings, consulting other institutions, etc)
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS Which year did the policy become effective and how long did the overall process take to implement the policy? Have you recorded significant changes in your enrollment trends? Are there any MBA professors we could contact for their experiences with 3-year degree holders?
THE STUDY Expectations versus Reality ~ Response rates ~ Length of questionnaire AACSB accreditation University contacts Upper level administration (MBA program or graduate admission)
2 SURVEY RESULTS TOTAL RESPONDENTS DECLINED TO RESPOND CONSIDERED 3 YR DEGREES DID NOT CONSIDER 3 YR DEGREES
INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE PUBLIC PRIVATE PUBLIC PRIVATE
INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE CA CO, MI, TX, VA AR, DC, FL, ID, MA, NE, NY, OR, SC, WI CA TX OH, WA VA, PA, NC, IN, FL
STUDENT PROFILE < 1,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 10,000 > 10,000 < 100 100 1,000 > 1,000 5,000 NOT AVAILABLE
INSTITUTIONS CONSIDERING 3 YEAR DEGREE HOLDERS INDIA: 23% CASE BY CASE: 62% BOLOGNA: 15% PRIMARILY INDIA PRIMARILY BOLOGNA DEGREES CASE-BY-CASE BASIS
INDIA AND BOLOGNA DEGREES INDIA ~ 3 Year Bachelor of Commerce ~ First Division Pass (Baruch College) BOLOGNA COUNTRIES ~ Adequate GMAT scores and GPA ~ No additional conditions
CASE-BY-CASE BASIS Substantial Upper Level coursework Per faculty review Department feels student is adequately prepared Strong overall application- dean s approval
CASE-BY-CASE BASIS Baccalaureate equivalent as per credential evaluation agency Bridge program (additional coursework)
CONCLUSIONS Grey area: Evolving policies Variation within university systems Volume of students determined policies in some institutions Bologna degrees- volume
Qualitative Data
University of Phoenix All 3-year degree holders are eligible. Primary Driving Factor: denial of large pool from India Pilot from October 2005 January 2007 142 students, of which 116 were in the MBA program Bachelor Enrollment Graduation Rate GPA Business 36 55% 3.70 Arts 19 78.94% 3.76 Science 61 57.37% 3.74
University of Phoenix After the pilot, it did not take long to establish policy. Findings: 3-year degree holders well prepared for graduate admissions. Humanities degree holders appear to have higher retention due to writing skills. Enrollment of 3-year degree holders largely from India.
University of Southern California Starting with the 2012 cycle, USC accepts 3-year degrees from Bologna signatories only. Primary driving force: Recognition of need to move with changing landscape of international education. Process for change in policy started with discussions in 2007, instigated by Office of Graduate Admissions. Proposal raised again in 2010-11 and submitted to the Graduate School. Support from Business Faculty and approved by Vice Provost.
University of Southern California Does not receive a high volume from the Bologna signatory countries (except UK). Highest volume for 3- year degrees are from India. 3-year degree holders from India are not eligible. Exceptions are possible through the Dean s Override for strong applications. More common in the EMBA program.
Woodbury University Accepts 3-year BComm degrees from India Primary Driving Force: Office of Admissions raised question with MBA faculty. Associate Dean of School of Business drove discussions, who also studied and taught in India. Discussions among MBA Admissions Committee (Deans, Faculty ) and Admissions Committee for 1-2 years. Review of curricula. Policy in effect around 2005 (estimate).
Woodbury University Previously had a bridge program. Was not effective: random general ed coursework. No perceived difference in completion rates between 3 and 4-year degree holders. Noted that they have an intensive writing component, taught jointly by MBA faculty and English faculty.
American University 3-year degree holders from any country are eligible Business degrees preferred Applicant pool mainly from India Policy officially established in 2008
University of Denver 3-year degree holders from any country are eligible Primary driving factor: Need to respond to increasing numbers of 3-year degree applicants Meetings among deans, faculty, admissions and expert on the Bologna Process (2005) Policy effective in 2010
California Baptist University 3-year degree holders are eligible. Mainly from India. Primary driving factors: do not require general education coursework from international applicants; applicants deemed well prepared with business coursework and/or experience Checked model followed by Dallas Baptist University Consensus of registrar, faculty and admissions 3-month process, policy adapted in 2007
Baruch College, Graduate Zicklin School of Business (CUNY) Accepts 3-year BComm degrees, if graduated in first class division. Policy in place for over 10 years. Based on curriculum and abundance of hard core business courses. Expanding to consider other majors (e.g., Economics) as well as other countries.
California State University Northridge All 3-year degree holders are eligible. Most come from India and Europe. Primary Driving Factor: Bologna Process Policy established in 2008 after a few months of discussions. Not system-wide at CSU system (e.g., not eligible at CSULA or CSU Long Beach, evaluation report required by CSU Channel Islands)
California State University Fresno 3-year degree holders are eligible, if from the Bologna signatory countries Primary driving factor: Other campuses began accepting 3 years Policy took effect in 2010 Top down decision : no department-wide or interdepartmental meetings
University of California System UC Berkeley Full-time MBA programs do not consider 3-year degree holders Part-time and executive MBA programs do UCLA 3-year degree holders are not eligible Exceptions are possible
Eastern Michigan University Bridge program for over 10 years Mainly general education / English coursework Primarily from India State of Michigan does not acknowledge 3-year degrees as equivalent for professional licensing 2-year discussions among Admissions Office, Graduate Council and Faculty
MBA Programs with Bridge Programs Concordia University Wisconsin Eastern Michigan University Long Island University National University University of Massachusetts Boston (1-year online program) Virginia Commonwealth University (a series of foundation courses)
MBA Programs Requiring Additional Credits or an Additional Year of Study Marymount University Texas Tech University University of Idaho (EMBA program) University of Texas at Dallas
MBA Programs That Do Not Accept 3 Yrs California State University Fullerton California State University Los Angeles California State University Long Beach Georgia Institute of Technology Florida State University Kent State University Loyola Marymount University The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business Penn State University, Smeal College of Business Purdue University Seattle Pacific University University of Colorado Boulder University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas - Pan American University of Washington Virginia Tech
Considerations Not a scientific study Many institutions have started developing policies (to consider 3-year degrees) within the last several years. 3-year degree holders found to be sufficiently prepared; however, most data thus far pertain to students from India.
A big thank you to all our respondents and participants.