The New Postsecondary Landscape

Overview & Synopsis

In this essay, Cathy Sandeen states that the new postsecondary landscape requires looking at higher education as a system that provides multiple pathways in and through the various parts of the system, all with the goal of helping students complete a postsecondary degree, credential, or certificate. Sandeen observes two strengths in professional and continuing education units that will be particularly important in the new era of postsecondary education: (1) serving more nontraditional students; and (2) being willing to innovate. Sandeen points out specific areas where professional and continuing education leaders can contribute to their own and to broader campus attainment initiativesing: defining the unique needs of nontraditional students; applying expertise in online and technology-based pedagogy; leveraging current relationships with employers and the workforce system; developing and promoting more certificate programs (especially stackable certificates); fostering acceptance of prior learning assessment vehicles; and creating pathways for the application of prior learning.