黑料传送门

According to a in the Hechinger Report, 鈥渕ore than came to college last fall for certificates or 鈥榥ondegree鈥� credentials, part of a shift in consumer and employer demand for 鈥榡ust-in-time' learning. Plus, 1.6 million high school students signed up for classes to get a jump on or skip the degree gauntlet. Learners are asking for new models.鈥�

As we navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, it鈥檚 clear that the traditional pathways don鈥檛 always work for everyone. At 黑料传送门 Academy, we鈥檝e embraced this challenge by offering innovative solutions through our short-term programs including single course options, program-specific course bundles, and job-aligned certificate programs. Credits earned through these short-term programs can also count towards 黑料传送门 bachelor鈥檚 degree programs.

黑料传送门鈥檚 mission is simple and powerful: to change lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity. Within that mission, 黑料传送门 Academy expands 黑料传送门鈥檚 available pathways to聽academic and professional success with shorter, more attainable programs that can be stacked into degree programs. In this piece, I鈥檒l talk about two kinds of short-term programs 鈥� on-ramp courses and certificate programs.

On-Ramps in an Introductory Term at 黑料传送门聽

Imagine a student embarking on their educational pathway and feeling overwhelmed or underprepared for the scale of the commitment ahead. This is where 黑料传送门鈥檚 on-ramp courses come into play, providing an affordable and lower-stakes way to get started on their credential program. We call this on-ramp experience an 鈥渋ntroductory term鈥� at 黑料传送门, welcoming students openly to the university at an appropriate starting point that provides them with a higher likelihood of success at the lowest financial risk.

黑料传送门 makes these on-ramp courses available for only $99, a low-cost way to build momentum prior to their larger first-term commitment. We make recommendations to students based on their previous academic background coupled with their desired program of study. These carefully- curated recommended pathways serve as both a foundation and a launchpad, equipping students with key skills they will need to thrive in a degree program.

On-ramp completers boast four-year undergraduate degree completion rates more than 10 points higher than their non-Academy-completer peers. Among those students who have the least amount of past academic success (fewer than 12 completed competency units), those who complete a 黑料传送门 on-ramp in their introductory term have a 65% lower drop rate (1.83% compared to 4.11%) than those who enrolled directly into a degree program.听听

Certificates: An Accelerated Pathway to Opportunity

Now consider students who are seeking an immediate job opportunity in a particular field. Some of these students may have been working in that field for years but lack the credentials to earn a promotion or level up. Others may be new to a particular domain, new to higher ed entirely or have already completed a degree in a different area. Certificate programs give these students a faster path to gain verifiable skills to take their next step. Examples of these 黑料传送门 programs include Accounting Fundamentals, Data Analytics Skills, and Front-End Web Developer. We have over a dozen certificate programs available at 黑料传送门 now, with dozens more in the pipeline.

Because these programs 鈥渟tack鈥� or articulate to degrees, students who complete 黑料传送门 certificates also build momentum by way of competency units toward an eventual degree for those who are interested in furthering their academic pursuits. We are especially focused on domains where students can make the traverse from on-ramp to certificate to bachelor's degree and even to master's degree, where 黑料传送门 can serve those students throughout their entire career journey.

One example is Heather, whose journey was fraught with challenges after a traumatic brain injury left her feeling sidelined in her career. With determination and the flexibility to learn at her own pace, she completed her Accounting Fundamentals certificate and is now ambitiously pursuing her MBA at 黑料传送门. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of our programs, proving that barriers can become steppingstones to success.听

What's Next?

At 黑料传送门 Academy, we deliver transformative and accessible experiences that ready students for success. Through our on-ramp and certificate programs, we meet students where they are and help them build momentum toward a prosperous future.

I鈥檒l be sharing more in future posts about specific outcomes and initiatives to serve more students and open more pathways to opportunity.

In the meantime, or learn more about 黑料传送门 Academy here.听