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“Best Practices that Drive Enrollment in Adult Programs...Consider the Cohort Approach” Sharon McFarlane, M.B.A. Malone University OCHEA 2011 Annual Conference. Management Program 1984 First Cohort. Dr. Daniel Hoskins, Primary Instructor Retired Professor of Business Administration
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“Best Practices that Drive Enrollment in Adult Programs...Consider the Cohort Approach”Sharon McFarlane, M.B.A.Malone UniversityOCHEA 2011 Annual Conference
Management Program 1984 First Cohort Dr. Daniel Hoskins, Primary InstructorRetired Professor of Business Administration “That first night went smoothly and attitudes were just great,” explained Dr. Hoskins. “…all of the students bonded.” * * “Malone College Management Program 20 Year Anniversary.” 2005. The Update, Volume III, Issue I, pg. 1.
Cohort Defined “…a group of individuals having a statistical factor (as age or class membership) in common in a demographic study <a cohort of premedical>” “Synonyms:associate, companion…” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cohort? show=0&t=1300238099students> “ (March, 2011)
The Cohort Approach • Malone University cohort programs • Over the years • Benefits to students and school • Flexibility “You are in the same situation as many of them so we all become a family and rely on each other. You get the support you need.” Jenna Gordon Marketing Management
Programs Using Cohorts • Malone Management Program (MMP), accelerated degree completion • RN to BSN, accelerated degree completion • Master’s of Business Administration
Malone Management Program • Cohort • Fourteen months • Ground classes four hours, once a week • Online courses available 24/7 • Accelerated degree completion program “With class one night a week, I can still work full time and I can still be there for my wife and my daughter.” William Harris Marketing Management
RN to BSN • Cohort • Twelve months of coursework • Classes meet once a week • Canton, Ohio • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, degree completion program “…the convenience of meeting on the same day of the week for a blocked out period of time for the entire program made sense as the best option for the family to help me meet my career goals.” John Milburn, R.N., 2010
M.B.A. • Cohort • Twenty-four months • Courses planned for the entire program • Classes meet once a week for four hours “Malone has a program that is designed to fit conveniently into my busy personal and professional schedule.” Polo Paredes M.B.A. student, 2011
Over the Years • Research prior to launch of first Management Program class • Grabowski & Company, 2010, survey of current and past students • Programs’ cohorts to spring 2011: • MMP started 1984;total cohorts: 258 ground, and 26 online • RN to BSN started 1994; total cohorts: 35 • MBA started1994; total cohorts: 34
Benefits to School • Feeder to other school programs • Feeder to other courses • Student commitment • Continuity of objectives and learning outcomes among courses
Benefits to Students • Time management • Financing plans • Clear picture of graduation plan • Support from classmates • Life-long friendships • Support of faculty and staff • Confidence in other programs
Reacting to Change • Students • Internal and external environments • MMP: Additional program majors • MMP: New program structures • RN to BSN: Structure
EnhancementsManagement Program 1984 • Organizational Management • Canton, Ohio 2011 • Five majors; • Organizational • Project • Marketing • Health Services • Environmental • Four Structures: • Ground: Canton and Brecksville • Online • Hybrid • Mixed
RN to BSN 1994 Twenty months, 42.5 credits 2011 Twelve months of coursework , 36 credits
Summary • Malone programs with cohorts • Yesterday and today • Benefits to students and school • Meeting the changing needs of students and the environment