Innovation in class offerings gives students more flexibility to learn what they want when they need it
In 2019 , compiled institutional data demonstrated that students experience increased course success and completion rates when taking classes in smaller chunks , and the race to the 8-Week Advantage began . Over the past two years , NWTC has transitioned all program courses into an eightweek format to better serve student needs . Student success and retention rates have climbed .
However , students and employers have consistently expressed the importance of taking the courses they need , when they need them , to advance their knowledge and skills . Eight weeks is fast , but now we are providing even faster options to upskill with micro credentials .
What are micro credentials ?
Small credentials that give BIG benefits and immediate results by providing on-demand training ( in eight weeks or less ) to help individuals diversify their skillsets or explore new careers .
NWTC defines micro credentials as “ short and focused learning pathways ” that are like online certificates or courses , but with an instructor that is a subject matter expert to answer questions and provide real-time training . These bite-sized chunks are perfect for :
• Learning specific , in-demand skills that can lead to a new job , career advancement , or changing fields .
• Recognizing and endorsing a learner ’ s mastery of a skill or capability , allowing them to stand out from others in their profession .
• Providing a bite-sized pathway to a degree . Credits never expire , so coming back to NWTC in the future to pursue a certificate , diploma , or degree is a seamless process .
Now available in NWTC ’ s College of Business and Trades and Engineering Technologies department , these fast-paced opportunities will soon be scaled throughout all Learning areas .
Ensuring students succeed starts well before they take a class
Students are the core of the College ’ s mission . Finding ways to help more students succeed in their academic journey takes innovative strategies and individually tailored approaches . At NWTC , we believe the process of ensuring student success starts well before someone sets foot on campus or takes a class .
During the orientation process , students complete a Welcome Survey that helps the College identify any potential barriers to academic success . Based on the responses to individual questions , individually tailored referrals to appropriate service areas are raised within the College ’ s early alert system , Starfish . Staff from the identified service reach out to referred students to provide a welcome to the college and build awareness of , and comfort in accessing , services that will help them succeed . For example , a student who indicates they have a low certainty in their choice of career path would receive a referral to Career Services , where they could talk with a career advisor about their interests , goals , and strategies to turn academic success into career experiences through work study or internships .
“ We are here to help our students succeed ,” said John Grant , dean of Student Services . “ Through innovative strategies like the Welcome Survey and Starfish , we can better support students and help them stay on track as they pursue their goals .”
To analyze the effectiveness of the Welcome Survey , over 6,000 responses from the last five years were studied . Analysis results showed students who receive a referral and and take advantage of the provided resources take more classes , persist at higher rates , and have a higher first semester GPA .
2023 NWTC . EDU 11