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The Applied Baccalaureate Degree: An Emerging Pathway to Technician Education

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OVERVIEW

Project Profile:

The Applied Baccalaureate Degree: An Emerging Pathway to Technician Education is a project sponsored by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program. This project is designed to examine the phenomenon of applied baccalaureate (AB) degrees in the United States, by documenting and evaluating NSF-ATE's impact on technician education in the form of new and emerging AB degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

GOALS

The overarching goal of this research is to provide college administrators and instructors, employers, and researchers with up-to-date, detailed information about how AB degree programs in STEM fields, particularly those affiliated with NSF-ATE centers and projects, operate through partnerships and meet students' and employers' workforce needs.

Researchers will take a three-phase approach to investigating NSF-ATE-related applied baccalaureate degrees, including a landscape study and inventory of applied baccalaureate projects and affiliated centers within the universe of NSF-ATE, a participatory field study methodology intended to gather in-depth information on identified programs, partnerships, and centers, and a continual dissemination phase, which will include webinars, seminars, workshops, conference presentations, and other professional development opportunities during all research phases and the year following the second phase.

PUBLICATIONS PRESENTATIONS
Investigating Applied Baccalaureate Degree Pathways in Technician Education

Julia Panke Makela, Collin M. Ruud, Stacy Bennett, & Debra D. Bragg
March 2012
This document summarizes the first phase of our research on applied baccalaureate (AB) degree pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and technician education. Findings provide insights into degree program development, curriculum design, transferrable and nontransferable associate degree programs, data collection practices regarding the outcomes and impacts of degree programs, environmental influences, strategies for communicating with key stakeholders, and concerns about the perceived stigma of applied postsecondary credentials.
Executive Summary | Technical Report



Exploring the Landscape: Identifying Pathways to Baccalaureate Degrees in Technician Education

Julia Panke Makela, Collin M. Ruud, & Debra D. Bragg
December 2011
This brief research report shares findings from our first survey, designed to identify applied baccalaureate degree programs affiliated with National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education projects and centers. Findings are shared regarding associate degree programs that have established formal pathways to baccalaureate degrees. Where possible, distinctions are made between traditional baccalaureate degree pathways (e.g., BA, BS) and other emerging approaches, including AB degrees and community college baccalaureate degrees.
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 Exploring Applied Baccalaureate Degree Pathways in Technician Education

Preliminary findings from the project's first phase of research.
Speakers: Julia Panke Makela & Debra D. Bragg
Conference: Innovations 2012: The League for Innovations in the Community College, Philadelphia, PA
Date: March 6, 2012, 12:30PM
PowerPoint Slides | Handouts



The National Landscape for Applied Baccalaureate Degrees in STEM Fields

Preliminary findings from the project's first phase of research.
Speakers: Debra D. Bragg & Julia Panke Makela
Conference: Community College Baccalaureate Association International Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Date: March 3, 2012, 10:15AM
PowerPoint Slides



Technician Education and the Applied Baccalaureate Degree: Exploring Program Designs and Addressing Challenges

Discussion session to explore AB degree pathways.
Speakers: Julia Panke Makela, Debra D. Bragg, & Collin M. Ruud
Conference: NSF-ATE Principal Investigator Conference 2011, Washington, DC
Date: October 27, 2011, 2:45PM
PowerPoint Slides | Handouts



WEBINAR: Exploring the Landscape: Identifying Pathways to Baccalaureate Degrees in Technician Education

Findings related to the project's early survey work.
Speakers: Debra D. Bragg, Julia Panke Makela, James Jacobs, & Barbara Anderegg
Date: October 6, 2011, 2:00PM
PowerPoint Slides | Recording



WEBINAR: The Applied Baccalaureate and Technical Transfer

AB foundations and planned directions for research with NSF-ATE projects and center.
Speakers: Debra D. Bragg, Collin M. Ruud, & Scott Newman
Date: May 11, 2011, 2:00PM
PowerPoint Slides | Recording
EXTERNAL EVALUATION

External evaluation for OCCRL’s research on AB degree pathways in STEM fields and technician education is provided by EvalWorks. More information on this evaluation will be provided as it is available.